Lebanese army begins deployment in southern pilot zone as Washington talks continue
Lebanon's army says its units have begun deploying this morning to Zawtar al-Gharbieh in the Nabatieh region, as part of a wider pilot-zone arrangement tied to a Washington-brokered deal with Israel. The move is one of three pilot zones included in the agreement, which links Lebanese troop deployment with the disarmament of Hezbollah and a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The announcement comes while President Joseph Aoun is in Washington for talks with Donald Trump.The army said the deployment began on Tuesday morning, adding that it already has a presence in the other two pilot zones. According to the... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump as pilot zones begin in the south and pressure builds on Hezbollah
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Washington for talks with Donald Trump as the United States pushes ahead with a plan to give the Lebanese army control over pilot zones in southern Lebanon. The meeting is expected to focus on Israeli withdrawal from the south, US support for Lebanon and the continuing pressure on Beirut to disarm Hezbollah. It comes amid renewed regional tensions and a fragile security arrangement along the border with Israel.Aoun flew from Beirut to the Washington, DC, area on Saturday and met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, according to the Lebanese presidency. Rubio... [Continue Reading]
UN reports sharp rise in civilian casualties in Russia-Ukraine war as strikes intensify
The United Nations says civilian casualties in the war between Russia and Ukraine rose sharply in the first half of 2026, as both sides intensified air strikes on infrastructure and cities. The UN said it documented 1,396 civilians killed and 7,978 injured between January and June, a 37% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The figures point to a worsening toll on civilians as the conflict enters its fifth year.Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, said the increase reflected the scale of recent attacks and the broader escalation in long-range strikes. The... [Continue Reading]
Delhi protests continue after police crackdown on youth-led education movement
Thousands gathered again in the Indian capital Delhi a day after police used batons and tear gas to disperse supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party. The movement is demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and had tried to march on parliament despite a police ban. The latest gathering came after Monday's confrontation near Jantar Mantar, where the protest drew large crowds and ended in violence.According to the supplied material, at least 60 protesters were wounded, 70 were detained and 118 police personnel were also injured during the crackdown. Police also tore down the stage... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Breakfast News Recap: US Iran conflict widens as trade, shipping and diplomacy tensions mount
The biggest escalation came in the US Iran confrontation, with Donald Trump saying Iran will pay after multiple American service members were killed, while Tehran said it had targeted US radar and air defence sites in Kuwait and Bahrain as the Gulf standoff widened. 🔗 🔗That conflict is already feeding through to energy markets, with average petrol prices in the United States rising to $4.00 a gallon for a second straight week as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil higher and traffic through the waterway thinned. 🔗Maritime security across the wider region also deteriorated, as Yemen's Houthis объявed... [Continue Reading]
Palestinians in Gaza react to Hamas election as daily hardship dominates
In Gaza City, Palestinians are reacting with mixed feelings to the election of Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas leader. For many residents, the political change has been overshadowed by the daily struggle to find food, clean water and shelter. The comments gathered from Gaza suggest that the leadership vote has had little immediate effect on people facing the continuing impact of war.One resident, Noman Saleh, said people in Gaza are suffering, hungry and humiliated, and argued that the political factions have failed ordinary people. He said it made no difference to him whether al-Hayya or someone else won, adding that what... [Continue Reading]
Lebanese residents return to pilot-zone villages in south as dispute over occupation continues
Dozens of displaced residents have begun returning to villages in southern Lebanon under the first phase of a US-brokered pilot-zone plan, even as local people and Lebanese security sources dispute whether the areas were ever occupied by Israeli forces. The villages named in the latest development include Froun and Ghandouriyeh, where residents started to go back on Monday after being forced out by Israeli bombardment. The move comes as the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel begins to be tested on the ground.The United States said Froun is part of the first phase of the pilot-zone plan, while Ghandouriyeh is... [Continue Reading]
Cairo consultations focus on Horn of Africa and Red Sea security
Diplomatic consultations in Cairo involving Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea and a senior United States envoy have highlighted growing concern over security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The talks took place in the Egyptian capital on 21 July and centred on regional stability at a time of heightened uncertainty. Public details of the discussions were limited, but the meeting itself signalled an effort to coordinate positions among key regional actors and Washington.According to the available statements, security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea was at the centre of the agenda. The consultations appear to have... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Trump orders new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods as trade dispute escalates
US President Donald Trump has signed orders to impose new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods, deepening a trade dispute between the two countries. The White House said the duties will take effect in 30 days and will cover a range of products including wine, hockey sticks and cement. The measures were presented as a response to what Trump called discriminatory treatment of American alcohol, automobile and dairy products.The administration said the tariffs will be imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an untested legal provision that Trump has turned to after several of his earlier tariffs... [Continue Reading]
India and Moldova discuss UN reform and counterterrorism during Murmu state visit to Chisinau
President Droupadi Murmu has begun a state visit to Moldova, arriving in Chisinau for talks with President Maia Sandu. The visit is the first by an Indian head of state to Moldova since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. The two sides used the meeting to discuss reforms of multilateral organisations, including the United Nations Security Council, as well as cooperation against terrorism.According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the bilateral discussions also covered trade and investment, digital transformation, information technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, culture and capacity building. A ministry official said both sides discussed the importance of reforming... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran conflict widens as deaths mount, UK gets new prime minister and markets turn risk off
The biggest escalation remained the conflict between the United States and Iran, with Washington saying it had carried out a ninth straight night of strikes while Tehran said mediators had relayed proposals to end the fighting and its foreign minister claimed talks were held under the threat of bombing. Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned the US it would receive an “unforgettable lesson”, and the supreme leader called for “sacred unity” as the confrontation deepened. 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗Casualties linked to the wider conflict also rose. The Pentagon named two US soldiers killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian missile and... [Continue Reading]
Iran says mediators have relayed proposals as fighting with the United States continues
Iran says it has received proposals through mediators aimed at ending the renewed fighting with the United States, but it has not disclosed the contents of the offer. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in Tehran that the proposals had been passed on to Iranian officials, while declining to confirm whether they included a 10-day truce reported elsewhere. He said diplomatic efforts were moving alongside military developments, underscoring that talks and fighting are continuing in parallel.Baghaei also urged regional countries not to allow the United States to use their territory to launch or support attacks on Iran. His comments came... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
IRGC pledges 'unforgettable lesson' for the US as Iran signals return to talks
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a warning to the United States, saying it would receive an "unforgettable lesson" as Tehran signalled that it may return to talks. The remarks come amid a period of heightened tension between the two countries and suggest that Iran is trying to balance deterrent messaging with a possible diplomatic opening. The statement was reported on 20 July 2026 and is the latest sign of the fragile mix of pressure and negotiation shaping the relationship.The comments were made by the IRGC, one of Iran's most powerful security institutions, which plays a central role in... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: US strikes on Iran deepen as deaths mount and markets turn risk off
Two United States service members were killed and several others injured after Iranian ballistic missiles struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, sharply escalating the confrontation and adding to pressure on Washington to respond. đź”—The United States Central Command said it launched a new wave of strikes overnight, the ninth consecutive night of attacks, while Iran said it had hit US bases in Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan as the conflict widened across the Middle East. đź”— đź”—Another US service member died in northern Iraq after the controlled detonation of an unexploded drone munition, underlining the wider danger to American forces... [Continue Reading]
Iran's supreme leader urges 'sacred unity' amid escalating conflict with the US
A message attributed to Iran's supreme leader has called on Iranians to maintain "sacred unity" as fighting with the United States continues. The statement warned against "division, political disputes, and increases in social differences" and said the country's enemies should not see any sign of weakness. It comes after eight nights of renewed fighting between Iran and the US, according to the supplied report.The message was also framed against an internal political dispute over a memorandum of understanding with Washington that paused four months of fighting. The report says hardline supporters accused officials of treason over the deal, while President... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran conflict widens as US strikes, regional attacks and Gaza tensions escalate
The biggest escalation came in the confrontation with Iran, after the United States said it had carried out new strikes following the deaths of two American soldiers, while Israeli officials reported missiles launched from Iran towards Jordan's Aqaba and Washington warned of a credible threat. đź”— đź”—The pressure on Iran also intensified at sea, with the US reinforcing a naval blockade on the country's southern ports as tensions rose around the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's supreme leader warning the United States it would face "unforgettable lessons" if attacks continued. đź”— đź”—The regional spillover widened further as Kuwait and Bahrain... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Breakfast News Recap: Kyiv hit by Russian missiles as US and Iran trade fresh strikes
Russian missiles struck Kyiv and the surrounding region early on 19 July, killing at least one person and wounding 13 others, with fires breaking out across the capital and damage reported in several districts. đź”—The wider Middle East conflict escalated further as the United States launched another round of air strikes against Iran, extending its campaign to an eighth consecutive day, while separate reports said fresh US strikes were ordered at President Donald Trump's direction. đź”— đź”—Tensions around the Gulf also deepened after the US reinforced a naval blockade on Iran's southern ports as pressure mounted around the Strait of... [Continue Reading]
Germany deepens energy and strategic ties with Algeria during Tebboune visit
Germany has used a high-profile visit by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to signal a broader push to strengthen energy and economic ties with Algiers. Tebboune was welcomed with military honours at Villa Borsig in Berlin, where German and Algerian officials held talks alongside a bilateral economic forum. The visit centred on energy security, industrial cooperation and supply-chain diversification, with both sides presenting the relationship as more than a narrow gas partnership.Officials said 30 agreements were signed between German and Algerian companies at the forum in Berlin. The deals covered hydrocarbons, renewables, energy transition, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and advanced technology, while Chancellor... [Continue Reading]
Germany to join French nuclear exercise this year as Merz signals new deterrence doctrine
Germany will take part in a French nuclear exercise before the end of this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, in a further step toward closer deterrence cooperation with France. He said German conventional forces would participate in the drill for the first time and suggested the move could be the beginning of a new doctrine, although he stressed it was too early to draw firm conclusions. The announcement came during a media conference with French President Emmanuel Macron near Cologne.Merz said the Franco-German initiative was not intended to replace NATO's nuclear umbrella and described it as complementary to... [Continue Reading]
Kim Jong Un hosts top Chinese official in Pyongyang as ties deepen
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met Wang Huning, one of China's top political figures, in Pyongyang and pledged to deepen ties with Beijing. The talks were reported by North Korea's state media and took place during a visit by a Chinese delegation led by Wang, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee. The meeting is the latest in a series of high-level exchanges between the two neighbours following Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea in June.Both sides said they would work to implement the agreement reached during Xi's visit last month, which was the... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
UK fuel prices rise again as Iran war tensions return
UK petrol and diesel prices are rising again after peace talks aimed at ending the US-Israel war with Iran collapsed. The move comes as Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, has climbed back to around $87 a barrel after falling sharply in early July. Motoring groups say the latest increase is likely to feed through to forecourts over the coming days and weeks.The latest data cited by the RAC show petrol averaging 152.54p a litre and diesel 167p a litre, both up from their early-July lows. The RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, said the increases are likely to keep... [Continue Reading]
Germany renews push for EU force to replace UNIFIL in Lebanon
Germany has renewed its call for the European Union to deploy a force in southern Lebanon before the United Nations peacekeeping mission there ends at the close of the year. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin wants to avoid a security vacuum once UNIFIL withdraws, and argued that any new arrangement should help create conditions for an Israeli withdrawal from the area. He also said such a force would need to stop Hezbollah from returning to the south.Wadephul made the comments in an interview with a German broadcaster on Friday, according to the supplied report. He said Germany has proposed... [Continue Reading]
Papua New Guinea to close Taiwan trade mission in Port Moresby to reassure China
Papua New Guinea has said it will close Taiwan's trade mission in its capital, Port Moresby, in a move that marks a sharp diplomatic shift in the Pacific. The government said Taiwan's presence was no longer recognised or required, and described the decision as part of an effort to deepen trust with Beijing. Officials also said the move reaffirms Papua New Guinea's commitment to the One China policy.Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced the decision on Thursday, saying it was a vital step in strengthening ties with China. He said Papua New Guinea had communicated with the Taipei office before the... [Continue Reading]
BIMSTEC security chiefs agree on joint action against terror and maritime threats in New Delhi
Security chiefs from BIMSTEC member states met in New Delhi on Thursday and agreed to deepen coordination on terrorism, organised crime and maritime security. The meeting was hosted by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and brought together national security advisers and heads of delegations from the regional grouping. The discussions also covered cyber, energy and disaster-management cooperation, according to an official statement.The meeting endorsed new guiding principles for maritime law enforcement interactions at sea. It also adopted guidelines for the maritime component of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which officials said are intended to help member states carry out... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Vance accuses Israeli officials of trying to sway US opinion against Iran deal
US Vice-President JD Vance has sharpened his criticism of some members of the Israeli government, accusing them of trying to influence American opinion to keep the war with Iran going. In an interview published on Wednesday, he told conservative podcaster Joe Rogan that he trusted some people in the Israeli government, but said others were "manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely". He said there was a "very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign" aimed at derailing negotiations and the agreement with Iran.Vance said the effort was designed to pull the United States away... [Continue Reading]
Iran says US strike near children's cancer hospital in Ahvaz forced evacuation of 211 patients
Iran has accused the United States of carrying out a strike near a children's cancer hospital in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, saying the blast was close enough to force an emergency evacuation. Iranian officials said 211 patients undergoing chemotherapy were moved from Shahid Baghaei Specialised Hospital after the attack. A doctor at the treatment centre said the explosion was intense and so close that staff initially thought the hospital itself had been hit.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack as a barbaric act and called it a cowardly war crime. In a post on X, he said... [Continue Reading]
United States to impose 25% tariffs on thousands of Brazilian imports from July 22
The United States is set to impose 25% duties on thousands of Brazilian imports, with the measures due to take effect on 22 July. The new tariffs cover a wide range of goods, including sugar, apparel, paper and steel. They were announced as Washington moves ahead with a revised trade strategy under Section 301 of US trade law.The announcement was made late on Wednesday by the US trade representative. Section 301 allows the United States to investigate what it considers unfair trade practices and then impose levies in response. The tariffs were proposed last month and are now moving toward... [Continue Reading]
French PM Lecornu's Morocco visit advances diplomatic reset
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has begun his first official foreign visit in Morocco, in a two-day trip that runs from July 15 to 16. The visit is being used to deepen the recent rapprochement between Paris and Rabat into a broader strategic partnership. It comes after France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2024, a move that ended years of diplomatic ambiguity.Lecornu is travelling with about a dozen ministers, according to the supplied report, and the talks are covering defence, security, economic cooperation and investment. The visit is taking place in Rabat and is being presented as a... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
Thames Water returns to profit as debt rises and funding runs through Q4 2026
Thames Water has reported a full-year post-tax profit after increasing customer bills by 40% last year. The company said it made ÂŁ113m in the 12 months to the end of March, reversing a ÂŁ1.51bn post-tax loss in the previous year. It also said it has enough debt funding to keep operating through to the fourth quarter of 2026.The utility's net debt rose to ÂŁ18.5bn from ÂŁ16.8bn over the same period. Thames Water said it had continued to fund the business through debt and internally generated cash flows. Chief executive Chris Weston said the company had made progress in turning itself... [Continue Reading]
THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMP’S WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [Continue Reading]
Sponsored
GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isn’t just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
The Proving Ground, When “Decent” Reporting Meets High-Tech Warfare
For two decades I have watched wars unfold not only on battlefields, but on screens. Today’s incident over Kuwait, involving the downing of a U.S. F-15 Strike Eagle, is not just another headline in the Iran conflict. It may be a signal that something larger is unfolding behind the noise. Iranian state outlets rapidly circulated imagery of an ejected pilot. Washington responded cautiously. But beneath the spectacle lies a deeper question, whose technology was truly being tested? The Gulf as a live-fire laboratory For years, China has refined export-ready variants of its air defense systems, particularly the HQ-9 family and... [Continue Reading]




