US ICC sanctions have intensified Washington's dispute with the International Criminal Court. The Trump administration has designated ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, escalating the ICC jurisdiction row and its campaign over national sovereignty. US ICC sanctions The United States announced sanctions against two senior International Criminal Court officials on

President Donald Trump has announced a three-day Trump Canada tariff pause, delaying new 50% duties on Canadian goods after saying Washington and Ottawa have a deal pending final documents. The Canada trade deal follows intense Carney talks and renewed discussion about a Keystone revival. Trump Canada tariff pause US President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday, August 18, that planned 50% tar

The UAE Iran missile dispute has opened a new front in already tense Gulf relations. Abu Dhabi says two ballistic missiles launched from Iran targeted maritime navigation, while Tehran rejects the allegation. The UAE has now halted Iran trade as the Hormuz crisis continues to threaten regional shipping. UAE Iran missile claim The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching two ballistic

North Korea has sharply criticized the latest US-South Korea military drills, calling them an open threat to its security even after President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in their scale. The response from Pyongyang shows that the deeper dispute on the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, with mistrust still shaping every military and diplomatic move. Trump drill cut Pyongyang’s reaction c

A new Pew Research Center survey shows the India-Pakistan threat perception remains deeply rooted. Rivalry, China’s role, Russia ties, mistrust and public opinion reveal how decades of tension continue to shape South Asia despite major changes in the global order. Rivalry India and Pakistan continue to see each other as their biggest geopolitical threat nearly eight decades after Partition. A

Spain has firmly rejected Morocco's renewed sovereignty claims over Ceuta and Melilla, declaring that the status of its two North African enclaves is not open to negotiation. The dispute has resurfaced only weeks after a massive migrant crossing into Ceuta intensified tensions along the Spain-Morocco border. Spain sovereignty stance rules out negotiations

Baloch separatist leader Mir Yar Baloch has renewed his call for Balochistan independence recognition, asking governments and international organisations to treat the region as an independent country rather than a Pakistani province. His appeal came as supporters marked August 11 as “Balochistan Independence Day.” Balochistan recognition campaign seeks international backi

China Taiwan military activity continued as Taiwan detected one PLA aircraft sortie, nine PLAN vessels and 11 official ships around the island. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ as Taipei continued monitoring growing Chinese air and maritime operations. China Military Activity Around Taiwan Continues Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said that it detected one sortie of a C

A Belgorod drone attack killed six people and injured 25 as Russia and Ukraine exchanged another wave of deadly strikes. Residential areas were damaged in Belgorod and Kharkiv, while attacks around Odesa highlighted the growing focus on ports, energy and logistics. Belgorod Drone Attack Kills Six Civilians Six people were killed and 25 others injured in an overnight Ukrainian drone attack on th

The Syria Russia bases deal will return key facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous to Syrian management while former Russian military sites become joint training centers. The agreement marks a major restructuring of Moscow’s strategic presence on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Syria Russia Bases Deal Reshapes Coastal Presence Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding redefining th

Trump’s Iran economic pressure strategy is currently taking priority over renewed major military action as Washington watches Tehran’s worsening economy. Indirect Iran talks and a possible Strait of Hormuz arrangement continue, but major disagreements remain unresolved. Trump Iran Economic Pressure Strategy Takes Priority US President Donald Trump has signaled that Washington is temporarily

Pezeshkian met Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss Iran’s military situation, economic pressures, currency, energy and public needs. The meeting drew added attention amid continuing speculation over the Supreme Leader’s health and limited public visibility. Pezeshkian Meets Mojtaba Khamenei Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei for detailed dis

Mohsen Rezaei has taken two senior roles in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, becoming SNSC secretary and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s representative. The former IRGC commander replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr after his resignation from the key security post. Mohsen Rezaei Named Supreme Leader’s SNSC Representative Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed veteran m

Iran has issued a fresh warning against any possible US ground intervention, while diplomatic communication between Tehran and Washington continues through intermediaries. The commander of Iran’s army ground forces, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, warned that any foreign military intrusion would face a strong response. “If any US military personnel set foot in Iran, we will cut them off,” Jahanshahi said, according to Iranian state media. He said Iranian

Colombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella has launched an ambitious security agenda, promising to confront armed groups and drug trafficking with tougher military action. In his first address after taking office, he ruled out further peace talks, outlined closer cooperation with the United States and introduced plans that signal a major change in Colombia's national security strategy.

A devastating Thailand school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, northwest of Bangkok, has renewed concern over school safety, youth wellbeing and firearm access. Police said a 14-year-old student first shot his grandparents at home before travelling to school with his grandfather’s handgun. He later opened fire inside the campus, killing five teachers and staff members before shooting himself. Authorities reported 23 people wounded, including nine in crit

Iran has sharply criticised Washington’s handling of the latest Iran-US tensions, with Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accusing the United States of practising “theatre diplomacy.” His remarks came as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about negotiations while Tehran continued to dispute Washington’s account of direct talks. The conflicting statements highlight the de

Pakistan and Somalia have signed a new defence cooperation agreement as security tensions rise around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. The Pakistan Somalia defence deal focuses on military training, counterterrorism and capacity building, while its timing puts Islamabad’s expanding defence diplomacy in the Horn of Africa under fresh attention. Pakistan Somalia defence deal expands military cooperation

Israel Lebanon strikes have renewed fears of a wider regional conflict just as Iran and Oman move closer to an agreement on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The violence in southern Lebanon, threats against Gulf infrastructure and stalled Iran-US diplomacy show how fragile the search for peace remains. Israel Lebanon strikes hit southern villages Israel carried out strikes in southern Leb

At least 30 Yemeni government soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded after Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks on military camps in Marib and Hadramout on Thursday. The Houthi Yemen attacks mark one of the deadliest escalations in the country in years, raising fears of renewed large-scale fighting. Marib strike targets government military camps Yemeni government and military so