Amid sensitive US-led negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov launched a scathing critique of the European Union, while simultaneously asserting that Russia neither intends nor ever considers launching a war against European nations. Lavrov's Criticism of the European Union: "Political Blindness":  Lavrov described the European Union as suffering from " hopeless political blindness " and " deluding itself with the possibility of

An informed source revealed that the US administration has exerted significant pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to President Donald Trump's declaration of moving to Phase Two of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ahead of Netanyahu's anticipated visit to the US later this month. US Pressure and Israeli Hesitation: Phase One Success:  US officials conveyed that Phase One successfully repatriated more Israeli hostages (living and dead) than expected. Ne

In an extensive interview with Politico, US President Donald Trump harshly criticized European leaders, labeling them as "weak," and warned that European countries are "deteriorating" due to their failure to control immigration or take decisive steps to end the war in Ukraine with Russia. Pressure on Ukraine: Critique of European Inaction:  Trump accused European leaders of letting Kyiv " fight until they collapse ," claiming they "talk, but they don't get it done" regarding

The US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against an international network, primarily composed of Colombians, accused of recruiting fighters for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. Details of Sanctions and Allegations: Target:  The sanctions targeted a network that " recruits former Colombian military personnel and trains operatives, including children, to fight with the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF), " according to a Treasury statement. Timeline:  Wash

A representative of the Israeli military informed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in a secret briefing that Iran has returned to high-rate ballistic missile production approximately six months after the 12-day war between the two parties. Summary of Israeli Army Briefing: Iranian Threat:  The representative confirmed Iran's intensified missile production. Alternative Gaza Plan:  Asked if there was a ready plan to defeat and dismantle Hamas if the Trump plan

The Israeli Army announced on Tuesday that its forces attacked "Hezbollah targets" in various areas of South Lebanon, including what it described as a "rehabilitation and training complex for the Radwan Force and military structures." Israel accused the organization of breaching security understandings and threatening its security. Details of the Israeli Strikes: Targets:  The strikes hit a training complex, military facilities, and a launch site belonging to Hezbollah. Justi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the second phase of the US-sponsored peace plan to end the war in Gaza is imminent, but essential issues, particularly the disarmament of Hamas, still need to be resolved. Key Elements of Phase Two (Trump Plan): Withdrawal and Governance:  Phase two requires Israel to withdraw from additional areas in Gaza, establish a transitional authority, and deploy an international security force . Disarmament and Reconstruction:  The

Iran's judiciary announced today, Monday, that an Iranian citizen holding European nationality, who was arrested during the recent 12-day war with Israel, has been referred to trial on charges of espionage and intelligence cooperation for Israel. Details of the Case and Arrest: Identity:  The judiciary's "Mizan Online" website did not disclose the suspect's identity but stated he is a " dual national living in a European country " and was arrested in Iran during the war in Ju

US President Donald Trump expressed his "some disappointment" on Sunday with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the latter's lack of engagement with the proposed US peace plan aimed at ending the war with Russia. Trump's Stance on Zelensky: Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was disappointed that President Zelensky " had not read the proposal yet ," noting the proposal was delivered just hours earlier. Russian Welcome and "America First" Approach: Russian En

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamel Idriss condemned the shelling of a kindergarten and a hospital in the Kloqi area of South Kordofan by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last Thursday, describing it as a "barbaric, savage act" and a "fully-fledged war crime." Attack Details and Casualties: Casualties:  A local government official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the death toll rose to 114 killed  and 71 injured , including 43 children , due to the drone attack by the RSF and allied forces.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported that members of armed militias inside the Gaza Strip have begun surrendering themselves to the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas". This development coincides with Hamas's announcement of its readiness to discuss the future of its arms arsenal as part of a potential ceasefire. Hamas Readiness to Discuss Weapons: Freezing the Arsenal:   Basem Naim , a member of Hamas's political bureau, stated in an interview with the

US news site Axios reported that the White House is eager to mediate a summit between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Conditions and US Objectives: Summit Condition:  Axios cited US and Israeli sources saying the meeting is conditional on Netanyahu first agreeing to a strategic gas deal with Egypt , along with taking other steps to encourage Sisi to meet. Strategic Goal:  The United States aims, through this " economic diplomacy ," t

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati affirmed on Sunday his country's firm stance on the necessity of preserving Syria's unity and territorial integrity, and supporting national state institutions to protect the country's stability and the rights of the Syrian people. The statement came during a meeting between Minister Abdel-Ati and his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani , on the sidelines of the Doha Forum , according to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim K

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced today, Sunday, that its forces have managed to seize control of additional territories and settlements in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Control Over Kharkiv and Donetsk: Kharkiv Region:  The Ministry stated that the Russian "West" Group of Forces managed to seize control of the village of Kucherovka  in the Kharkiv area. It added that "Zapad" units continued to destroy the encircled enemy group on the left bank of the Oskil River ,

The Japanese Ministry of Defence announced today, Sunday, that Chinese military aircraft "locked their radars" onto Japanese fighter jets in the airspace southeast of Okinawa Island, describing the act as "dangerous." Radar locking is a feature used to track a specific target automatically, often preceding fire control. Incident Details and Japanese Response: First Incident:  A Chinese J-15  fighter jet, launched from the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier Liaoning , "intermitte

Palestinian media, citing Al-Qahera News Channel, reported that Israeli occupation forces are opening heavy fire in the northern Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip. This military escalation occurs simultaneously with the ongoing severe humanitarian conditions in the Strip. The Continually Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation: Severe Conditions:   Adnan Abu Hasna , spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), confirmed that t

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he had a "very constructive" phone call with US Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Discussions centered on how to ensure Russia adheres to any potential peace agreement, emphasizing his determination to continue working with the US. These talks, which included Ukrainian officials participating remotely from Miami (Florida) for the third day, coincided with the continuation of wide

Ukraine witnessed a major escalation in mutual attacks, as Kyiv announced on Saturday that new, intensive Russian air strikes targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities, leading to heating and water outages for thousands of homes. The Russian Attack: Scope:  The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the country was targeted by 653 drones  and 51 missiles  overnight. Targets:  The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the strikes targeted companies within th

Russia welcomed today, Sunday, the removal of the description of Moscow as a direct threat from the US National Security Strategy (NSS). Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov  stated on Sunday that the Kremlin  welcomed the step taken by the administration of US President Donald Trump  to review the NSS and cease describing Russia as a direct threat. Peskov told the official TASS news agency that the updated document "omitted the words describing Russia as a direct threat, and inst

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced today, Thursday, the provision of $100 million USD in financial aid to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support the sector's reconstruction and recovery. The announcement came during his reception of French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing. Support for Palestine and Strengthening Partnership: Palestine:  President Xi  affirmed that China will work with France  to make joint efforts to find a comprehensive, j