Author: tut0ugh

  • Iran unrest spreads as economic crisis deepens

    Large-scale protests have spread across Iran, marking the most significant challenge to the clerical establishment since 2009. Footage verified by BBC Persian showed crowds in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and other cities chanting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and in support of exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi. Key developments: • Protests entered a 12th consecutive…

  • Venezuela begins releasing political detainees in gesture to ‘consolidate peace’

    Venezuela has begun releasing a number of detainees five days after the United States captured Nicolás Maduro, in what authorities describe as a gesture to “consolidate peace”. The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, said the move aimed to promote national unity and peaceful coexistence, though he did not specify how many people would…

  • Russia confirms second use of Oreshnik hypersonic missile in strike on Ukraine

    Russia says it has fired its Oreshnik hypersonic missile at targets in western Ukraine, in what Russia’s Defence Ministry described as retaliation for an alleged Ukrainian drone attempt against one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences — a claim Ukraine denies. Ukraine’s air force confirmed the launch originated from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test range, while Lviv…

  • Macron: The US is ‘freeing itself from the international rules it was promoting until recently’

    Speaking to French ambassadors at the Élysée Palace, Macron said institutions of multilateralism were functioning less effectively and that international relations were increasingly shaped by competition between major powers. Macron added that “the United States is “gradually turning away from some of its allies and freeing itself from the international rules it was promoting until…

  • Saudi coalition says separatist leader fled Yemen with UAE help as forces advance to Aden

    The Saudi-led coalition said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) helped Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), leave Yemen by boat, amid escalating tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over control of southern Yemen. Zubaidi failed to attend crisis talks in Saudi Arabia and was reportedly tracked travelling from Somaliland to Mogadishu, before…

  • Chinese, Iranian warships dock in South Africa for ‘Will for Peace’ drills 

    Chinese and Iranian warships have docked near South Africa’s main naval base ahead of a multinational naval exercise said to be involving Russia, raising fresh diplomatic sensitivities in 2026. The “Will for Peace” drills will run from 9–16 January in waters off False Bay, near Cape Town, hosted by the South African National Defence Force…

  • US trade deficit hits 17-year low in October as Q3 productivity rises

    The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services narrowed sharply in October 2025, as tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump continued to suppress imports while exports rose. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported the deficit fell to $29.4bn, the lowest monthly level since 2009, down from $48.1bn in September. At the same time, new data…

  • Russia warns Western troops in Ukraine would be ‘legitimate combat targets’

    Russia has warned that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would be treated as “legitimate combat targets”, following announcements by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on plans for a post-ceasefire multinational force. Russia “warns that the deployment of Western military units, military facilities, depots and other infrastructure on Ukrainian territory…

  • Iran warns of pre-emptive action as protests grow and US rhetoric intensifies

    Iran’s military leadership has warned it may take pre-emptive action in response to what it calls escalating external threats, as nationwide protests over inflation and living costs continue into 2026. Major General Amir Hatami, Iran’s army commander-in-chief, said Tehran would not ignore “hostile rhetoric” — a reference widely understood to include warnings by US President…

  • US immigration agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis amid enforcement surge

    A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good (37) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a confrontation on Wednesday (Jan. 7) morning, prompting protests and political backlash. Federal authorities said Good attempted to run over an officer with her vehicle. Local and state leaders dispute that account. The FBI is investigating. Key…