Egypt retrieves ancient artefacts smuggled to Australia
Egypt has recovered 21 ancient artefacts smuggled to Australia, including items displayed at a local auction house without proper ownership documents.
Israeli airstrikes kill at least 100 in Gaza amid ceasefire efforts
Khalil Al-Deqran, a spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, confirmed the death toll, stating that “complete families were wiped off the civil registration record” due to the bombing
Moscow readies Putin-Trump’s upcoming talk
The Kremlin says Putin and Trump are preparing for a conversation following Trump’s post about upcoming calls with NATO and Ukraine.
Gaza demands Arab action to stop Israeli war
Arab leaders are asked by Gaza to take bold steps to stop Israel’s war, open border crossings, and deliver medical supplies and fuel.
Iran’s Khamenei denounces Trump’s peace claims as lies
The latest round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks ended last Sunday in Oman, with no new discussions scheduled at this time
British police charge three Iranians in counter-terrorism investigation
The arrests, which took place earlier this month, were part of a major counter-terrorism operation led by British police. In total, eight men were detained, seven of whom were Iranian
Gaza Palestinians may be moved to Libya under US plan
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to resettle 1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya, NBC News reports, citing sources familiar with talks.
Yemen and Somalia face deeper crises after UN budget cuts
The UN is cutting aid goals in Yemen and Somalia due to reduced funding, putting millions at risk of hunger, displacement, and lack of essential services.
Egyptian diplomat urges funding for Gaza reconstruction plan
Egypt’s foreign minister emphasized the need for international and regional funding to implement their $53 billion plan for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Russia-Ukraine talks end quickly with no progress
A Ukrainian source described Moscow’s demands as “non-starters,” further dampening expectations for progress
Trump’s extortion tour continues, and I like it
The post-1945 world of American generosity, where Washington guaranteed others’ security with little direct compensation, is finally getting a much-needed update
Putin rejects Zelenskyy meeting, peace talks falter
The peace talks, which would be the first direct engagement between the two sides since March 2022, were marred by a diplomatic misstep, with Zelenskiy’s defense minister leading Ukraine’s delegation
Zelenskiy visits Turkey for Russia truce; Trump, Putin absent
Zelenskiy is en route to Turkey for peace discussions with Russia as confirmed by a senior Ukrainian official.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit the United States next week to meet with President Donald Trump amid strained relations between the two nations.
Israeli strikes kill dozens during hostage talks
Gaza rescuers say 80 people were killed in Israeli strikes during hostage talks between Netanyahu and US envoys in Doha.
Is Islam’s geopolitical footprint being remade?
The theory emerging is that October 7th was used to justify a broad offensive – military and intellectual – aimed at “taming” the more radical manifestations of political Islam and solidifying a new regional order
Sri Lanka summons Canadian envoy over Ontario ‘genocide’ monument
‘The Government of Sri Lanka maintains that the allegation of genocide during the final phase of the conflict in Sri Lanka is unsubstantiated by any credible authority,’ says Foreign Ministry
X as a soft power weapon: How authoritarians harness Twitter’s reach
In the past decade, Twitter — rebranded as “X” — earned a reputation as a platform for protest and dissent. But today, from Ankara to Islamabad, that same platform has increasingly become a tool of soft power in the hands of authoritarian leaders. Governments are leveraging X to suppress dissent, promote official narratives, and manipulate public opinion on a massive scale
Macron: Europe to act if Russia blocks truce
The French president warns of swift European action against Russia if Moscow declines a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposal for Ukraine.
UN chief: Israel’s Gaza aid plan a cynical distraction
Tom Fletcher warns Israel’s Gaza aid restrictions are inhumane and block effective humanitarian response by the UN.
UK lawmakers alarmed as hundreds of ISIS returnees escape justice
Government ministers acknowledge the challenge but say they have been constrained by the law and evidence
US, Saudi Arabia discuss potential F-35 jet purchase
However, it remains unclear whether the U.S. will approve the sale, particularly due to concerns about maintaining Israel’s “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME)
Displacement around the world surges to 83.4 million
The number of internally displaced people worldwide has reached 83.4 million, a historic high driven by conflict and climate crises, according to the latest report.
Trump kicks off Gulf tour in Saudi Arabia, focused on economic deals
The tour will take Trump to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, but he has not scheduled a stop in Israel, raising questions about its place in Washington’s priorities
PKK ends 40-year insurgency, but YPG conflict continues
Since its insurgency began in 1984, the PKK has caused the deaths of over 40,000 people and led to ongoing social and economic turmoil in Turkey
Taliban bans chess in Afghanistan over gambling concerns
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has enforced strict and strange regulations based on its interpretation of Islamic law
White South African refugees fly to US under Trump plan
White South Africans approved for US refugee status under Trump’s plan have boarded a plane to Washington DC and beyond.
