Pentagon raises Iran war cost to $29 billion
The Pentagon on Tuesday revised the estimated cost of the war on Iran to nearly $29 billion, roughly $4 billion...
Geostrategy
Renewed fighting likely, Washington couldn’t be trusted: Iran commander
Mohammad Jafar Asadi's remarks came after Trump's assertion that he was dissatisfied with Iran’s latest offer, delivered through Pakistani mediators....
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Israel’s Netanyahu arrives in Hungary, defying ICC warrant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest early Thursday on his first trip to Europe since 2023 and in...
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban extended an invitation to Netanyahu last November, a day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza
- Orban vowed the EU member would not execute the warrant, despite being an ICC member, saying the court's decision "intervenes in an ongoing conflict... for political purposes".
Geostrategy
Military confrontation ‘almost inevitable’ if Iran nuclear talks fail, says French foreign minister
Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied, insisting...
- "Our confidence and our conviction remain intact," Barrot said. "Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons."
- "Our priority is to reach an agreement that verifiably and durably constrains the Iranian nuclear program," he added.
Geostrategy
Israel says expanding Gaza offensive to seize ‘large areas’
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would bolster its military presence in the Palestinian territory to "destroy and clear the...
- An Israeli group representing the families of hostages still held in Gaza said they were "horrified" by Katz's announcement of expanded military operations.
- Meanwhile, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, drawing condemnations.
Geostrategy
Turkish opposition calls for boycott over jailed students
The leader of Turkey's main opposition party has called for a boycott on Wednesday to protest the detention of students...
- 301 students have been arrested for taking part in the protests against the detention on March 19 of Imamoglu, Erdogan's greatest political rival
- Imamoglu's arrest on corruption charges, which he denies, have set off a wave of popular protests unseen in Turkey for more than a decade
Geostrategy
Trump’s sweeping tariffs spark fears of trade war, recession, and global economic instability
The threat of a trade war has caused increasing political ructions, with Canada's looming general election on April 28 set...
- Trump has promised to be "very kind" when he unveils the so-called reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, but uncertainty reigned over which countries would be targeted and by how much
- His plan has prompted vows of retaliation from major economies including the European Union on Canada and fears that it could unleash a recession at home and abroad
Business
European Parliament approves aid package for Egypt, Jordan
Brussels, Belgium -- Members of the European Parliament have approved two proposals to provide Egypt and Jordan with loans worth...
- The parliament approved two proposals to provide Egypt and Jordan with loans worth €4 billion ($4.32 billion) and €500 million, respectively.
- The Parliament adopted the macro-financial assistance to Egypt with 452 votes in favor, 182 against and 40 abstentions.
Geostrategy
Iran will have ‘no choice’ but to acquire nuclear weapons if attacked, Khamenei adviser to UNSC
The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani which...
- Trump said on Saturday "there will be bombing" if Iran did not agree a nuclear deal, and also threatened to punish Tehran with what he called "secondary tariffs".
- Despite the sharpening of Trump's comments, it was not clear if he was threatening a US bombing or an operation coordinated with another country
Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for president, handing her...
- She was convicted over a scheme to take advantage of European Parliament expenses to employ assistants who were actually working for her far-right party in France
- Le Pen as well as the other officials were banned from running for office, with the judge specifying that the sanction should come into force with immediate effect
Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
Paris, France -- A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for...
- A French court on Monday handed her a five-year ban on running for office after convicting her over a fake jobs scheme.
- She was also given a four-year prison term by the Paris court but will not go to jail, with two years of the term suspended and the other two to be served outside jail.
Geostrategy
Trump says ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran fails to make ‘peace deal’
Trump's language represented a sharpening of his comment a few days earlier that if Tehran refused to negotiate a new...
- It was not clear whether Trump was threatening bombing by US planes alone or perhaps in an operation coordinated with Israel
- Trump in 2018 pulled the United States out of an agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program
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Pentagon raises Iran war cost to $29 billion
The Pentagon on Tuesday revised the estimated cost of the war on Iran to nearly $29 billion, roughly $4 billion...
Geostrategy
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Trump speaks with Putin ahead of Zelensky visit
Donald Trump held a crucial phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin Thursday, a day before Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky meets...
Geostrategy
Building a secure future: Key takeaways from WEF’s Dubai meetings
The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity, held jointly with the Global Future Councils, focused on strengthening global cooperation to enhance digital...
Geostrategy
Ceasefire called after new Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes kill dozens
A 48-hour ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan took hold late Wednesday, officials on both sides said, after dozens of troops...
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Geostrategy
Israel returns 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities
Under the deal pushed by US President Donald Trump and aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war, Israel was to...
- On Monday, Hamas gave up three Israeli bodies and one Nepalese for transfer.
- This was followed on Tuesday by three more deceased Israelis and one as yet unidentified body that the military says was not that of someone listed among dead hostages.
Geostrategy
US Treasury chief: Beijing’s rare earths control is ‘China versus the world’
Washington, United States -- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing's rare earth export curbs Wednesday as "China versus the...
- His comments came as global economic leaders gather in Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's fall meetings.
- "We do not want to decouple. We should work together to de-risk and diversify our supply chains away from China as quickly as possible," Bessent urged.
Geostrategy
Geothermal, desalination: Top 10 solutions for planetary health
Dubai, UAE--Ten transformative technology solutions could change the way the world powers homes, grows food and secures freshwater, according to...
- In 2024, global temperatures stayed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the entire year and current estimates put the world on track for nearing 3°C of warming by 2100.
- Each technology was evaluated through various means including expert nominations, AI trend analysis, peer assessment and analysis of adoption conditions.