Iran says it struck LPG tanker NV Sunshine in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they struck an LPG carrier attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz by what they described as an illegal route. In a statement carried by state media, the Guards said the vessel, named NV Sunshine, was owned by NatWit and was hit a few hours earlier south of the strait. The claim adds a new maritime security flashpoint to an already tense dispute over access to one of the world's most important shipping lanes.The statement said Iranian forces had taken control of the administration of the strait, reinforcing earlier warnings from Tehran that it was... [Continue Reading]
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Montenegro detains pro-Kremlin blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk amid destabilisation warnings
Montenegrin police have detained Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk in the Adriatic resort town of Risan, along with his wife and three other Russians, in a case linked by officials to warnings of destabilisation and hybrid warfare. Zvinchuk is the founder of Rybar, a prominent pro-Kremlin war blog with a large following on Telegram. The detention has drawn attention because it involves a figure long associated with Russian influence operations and online messaging around the war in Ukraine.According to local reporting, the group was detained on Friday by police and security agents on suspicion of spreading Russian influence. Montenegro's prime... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Ethiopian forces enter Mekelle as global tensions, protests and court rulings mount
Ethiopian federal forces have entered Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after nearly two weeks of intense fighting, marking a major escalation in the conflict as the advance widens. đź”—In the Middle East and wider security picture, Syria has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the sinking of the Togolese flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, while Russia and China blocked a broader UN sanctions push on Sudan even as the Security Council extended the Darfur arms embargo for two months. đź”— đź”—Russia and Ukraine remain at the centre of several separate developments, with Ukrainian... [Continue Reading]
Brazil Supreme Court issues arrest warrant for Eduardo Bolsonaro weeks before runoff
A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has issued an arrest warrant for Eduardo Bolsonaro, intensifying an already polarised election campaign weeks before the country's runoff vote. The warrant was issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Thursday, according to the supplied report, and is linked to proceedings involving the Bolsonaro family. The move comes as the contest between incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro approaches its final stage.The report says Eduardo Bolsonaro was convicted in June on charges of lobbying the United States to interfere in the trial of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. It also says... [Continue Reading]
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UN extends Darfur arms embargo as Russia and China block wider Sudan sanctions
The United Nations Security Council has extended the arms embargo on Sudan's Darfur region for two months, while rejecting a United States proposal to widen the restrictions to the whole country. The decision was taken in New York on Thursday and keeps the current sanctions framework in place until 11 December. Council members also renewed the mandate of the panel of experts that monitors the measures until 11 January 2027.The 15-member council unanimously adopted Resolution 2830, which officials described as a short-term technical rollover. The sanctions regime was last renewed for only one month on 11 September, and the latest... [Continue Reading]
EU prolongs sanctions over Russia's destabilising hybrid activities until October 2027
The Council decided to prolong individual restrictive measures against those responsible for Russia's destabilising actions abroad by one year, extending them until 9 October 2027. The move was taken in light of Russia's continued and intensified hybrid activities, including Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference against the EU, its member states and partners. The sanctions regime currently applies to 80 individuals and 20 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban preventing entry to, or... [Continue Reading]
US aircraft losses in Iran war rise to at least 81, CBO says
A Congressional Budget Office report says at least 81 United States military aircraft have been lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, the American campaign against Iran. The estimate covers fighter jets and drones and puts the cost of the losses at between $1.9bn and $3.3bn as of August 1. The figures add a new measure of the material cost of the conflict, which is now in its eighth month.The report, released on Monday, is described as a nonpartisan government assessment of budget-related issues for the legislature. It lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II jet... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Middle East tensions flare as Ukraine, Europe and markets react
Iran widened pressure on shipping by striking two commercial tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours, while a separate tanker was hit by multiple projectiles off the north coast of Qatar, deepening fears over Gulf trade routes. đź”— đź”—Those attacks fed a broader surge in Middle East risk, with oil and stocks swinging on renewed fears of supply disruption, and the G7 agreeing to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from emergency stockpiles over four months to cushion shortages. đź”— đź”—In Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the conflict escalated further as Riyadh said Houthi attacks on two... [Continue Reading]
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Strait of Hormuz shipping slows as tanker bonuses surge amid Iran war
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level since July, according to shipping data cited in the supplied material, even as some tanker captains are being offered unusually large bonuses to take the route. The development points to a widening gap between the strategic importance of the waterway and the willingness of crews to transit it under current conditions. It also suggests that the maritime disruption around the Gulf is now affecting both traffic patterns and labour costs.The supplied material says some captains are earning base salaries of as much as $100,000, plus a $50,000 bonus... [Continue Reading]
Malaysia says it will back Myanmar's ASEAN reintegration after talks in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia's prime minister has said his government will do "whatever is possible" to help Myanmar return to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, after hosting talks in Kuala Lumpur with Myanmar's military-backed leader Min Aung Hlaing. The meeting took place during a two-day visit, the first by Min Aung Hlaing to Malaysia since he became president in April. It comes as Malaysia continues to engage directly with Myanmar despite long-running criticism over the country's political and human rights situation.Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would work to strengthen cooperation and eventually bring Myanmar back into the regional bloc "without prejudice", according to... [Continue Reading]
How Gaza war sped up India's shift towards Israel under Modi
India's deepening ties with Israel have come into sharper focus after a September 2025 visit by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who was welcomed in New Delhi with garlands and taken on a multi-city trip. During the visit, he signed a trade deal in the Indian capital, visited the stock exchange in Mumbai and travelled to Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip took place while Israel was carrying out its war in Gaza, and it highlighted how far New Delhi has moved from its earlier position as one of the world's staunchest supporters of... [Continue Reading]
UK keeps Jerusalem mission open after Israel orders consulate to end functions
Britain says its Jerusalem mission will remain open at a reduced scale after Israel moved to end the functions of the long-running consulate in East Jerusalem. The dispute is tied to UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which Israel said it was answering with retaliation. The latest step keeps the building operating, but under a new name and with a smaller diplomatic footprint.Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the consular building would not close and would instead be known as the UK Mission, Jerusalem from Thursday. He said the mission would continue to deliver vital services and... [Continue Reading]
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Israel says British consulate in East Jerusalem is ceasing operations as UK rejects closure
Israel says the British consulate in East Jerusalem is ceasing operations, with most diplomats ending their assignments and leaving the country. The announcement came as the United Kingdom said the building itself would remain open and would instead operate as the UK Mission, Jerusalem. The dispute is the latest escalation in a row over British sanctions and trade restrictions linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said 20 diplomats, including the consul general, were ending their duties, while a small task force of no more than seven diplomats would be allowed to continue with... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Middle East tensions flare as Israel marks 7 October anniversary and oil jumps
Oil prices and global stocks swung as traders reacted to renewed fears of disruption to Middle East supply routes, with crude rising on reports that Iran appeared to be preparing a response and investors watching the risk to shipping and energy flows. 🔗Security concerns widened after UKMTO said a tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles, adding to worries over maritime traffic in the Gulf. 🔗In the region’s wider conflict, Saudi Arabia said Houthi attacks on two airports killed three civilians, including three foreign nationals, and injured 36 people over two days, while Yemeni... [Continue Reading]
US sanctions Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang over alleged corruption tied to China
The United States has sanctioned Chinese-Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang over allegations of significant corruption linked to China-based actors. The designation was announced by the US State Department and centres on Zhao's role as director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji. According to the statement, Zhao and his immediate family will generally be ineligible to enter the United States.The US said Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens in order to advance China-based government, business and criminal interests. It described the action as a corruption designation rather than a criminal charge, but said the allegations... [Continue Reading]
Russia asks Vietnam for aircraft wet lease as grounded fleet deteriorates
Russia has asked Vietnam to lease passenger aircraft with crews and maintenance support as its re-registered Western fleet continues to deteriorate. Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said Moscow had proposed that Vietnamese carriers transfer aircraft to Russian airlines under a wet lease arrangement, and that Hanoi was studying the request. The proposal comes as nearly a fifth of the largest Russian airlines' planes are grounded.The request is tied to the strain on Russia's commercial aviation sector after sanctions imposed following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow passed a law that year allowing airlines to re-register more than 400... [Continue Reading]
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Russian oil tanker explodes off Sochi, sending smoke over Black Sea coast
A Russian oil tanker has exploded off the coast of Sochi, with smoke visible for miles over the Black Sea holiday resort. The incident was reported on Tuesday night, according to the supplied material, but no cause was given. Ukraine had not claimed responsibility at the time of reporting.The explosion comes as Ukraine's president announced new sanctions packages targeting the supply of critical components and equipment used in weapons production to Russia. The same briefing also included details on electronic warfare systems intended to help protect infrastructure. The supplied material says the president described this part of the defence effort... [Continue Reading]
South Korean fuel shipments to Russia via sanctioned tankers raise sanctions concerns
More than 176,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel, were shipped from several South Korean ports to Russian ports in July and August, according to port records and ship-tracking data. The cargoes were carried on seven tankers that made 14 voyages to Russia's far east. The findings point to a trade route that could complicate efforts to restrict supplies to Moscow during the war in Ukraine.Three of the vessels were under sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union, and one cargo was transferred ship-to-ship in South Korean waters before continuing onward. That method can obscure the origin of... [Continue Reading]
Former EU leaders urge sanctions over Israel's E1 settlement project
More than 500 former European Union prime ministers, diplomats and senior officials have called for sanctions on those involved in a new Israeli settlement construction project in the West Bank. In a statement published on Monday, they said the E1 project would cut the West Bank in two and make a two-state solution impossible. The appeal adds fresh pressure on the bloc as debate continues over how to respond to Israeli settlement expansion.The statement says Israel is expected to award contracts shortly for the first tranche of the E1 project. It singles out Germany and Italy as member states that... [Continue Reading]
Ireland and Israel draw 1-1 amid political tension and spitting allegation
Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 in their second UEFA Nations League meeting on Sunday, ending a fortnight in which the football was overshadowed by political tension. The match was played behind closed doors in Serbia after pressure on the fixtures had grown in the days before kickoff. Tempers also flared on the pitch, with an allegation emerging that an Israeli player spat at an Irish coach after the interval.Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said he was aware of the allegation but declined to go into detail after the match. He said the matter would be examined by a disciplinary committee, adding... [Continue Reading]
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Israel condemns UK Green Party vote defining Zionism as racism
Israel has sharply criticised the UK Green Party after members voted to define Zionism as a form of racism. The row follows a party motion passed on Sunday that also renewed calls for Britain to end arms trade with Israel. The dispute has drawn in senior Israeli officials and British Jewish groups, turning an internal party policy decision into a wider political and diplomatic controversy.The motion was approved by 1,022 votes to 813, according to the party statement cited in the report. It described Zionism as "an ethnonationalist political project" and reaffirmed support for Palestinian liberation, the right of return,... [Continue Reading]
Iran says Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until US meets conditions
Iran's parliament speaker has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States accepts Tehran's conditions, sharpening an already tense dispute over one of the world's most important energy routes. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the waterway would not reopen until Iran's seven conditions, which he linked to the Islamabad memorandum, are met. He also said Washington had sent proposals through a mediator after responding to Iran's diplomatic offer.Ghalibaf said the era of "wasting time and dictating unilateral demands" was over, and insisted Iran's position was "clear and definite". He added that Iran was "present on the military... [Continue Reading]
Iraq allows Iranian airlines to resume up to 40 daily Najaf flights after US exemption
Iraq has agreed to let Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, operate up to 40 flights a day to and from Najaf International Airport after Washington granted an exemption from sanctions. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office on Friday, following talks between Baghdad and Washington. The move restores a key air link that had been disrupted after US sanctions on Iran's aviation sector last month.The office said al-Zaidi welcomed the "positive response shown by the US government to Iraq's efforts and its cooperation in granting the necessary exemption." Iraq's foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, also said the return... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
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Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]


