CIA Chief John Ratcliffe Makes Unannounced Moscow Visit Amid Stalled Ukraine Peace Efforts

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has made an unannounced visit to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials, according to reports by CBS News and CNN, at a time when US-backed efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war remain largely deadlocked.

China Expands Influence Operations Across Indo-Pacific, Targets Elections: Report

China is continuing to expand its influence operations across the Indo-Pacific, with recent election-related disinformation campaigns in Japan adding to a growing list of cases reported across the region, according to a report published in The Diplomat.

Russia Says 250 Ukrainian Drones Intercepted in 12 Hours

Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 250 Ukrainian drones over a 12-hour period, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, as drone attacks continue to feature prominently in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The ministry…

IMF Holds Back Bangladesh Loan Tranches Pending Financial and Climate Reforms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has yet to release the remaining funds under its loan programme for Bangladesh, as Dhaka works to complete a series of pending reforms in the financial sector, taxation and climate resilience, according to a report.

UKPNP Raises Alarm Over Alleged Human Rights Violations in PoK

Concerns over the deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have intensified, with the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) urging the international community to take note of alleged human rights violations and the…

Former US JCS Chief Warns Extended Deployments Could Undermine Military Readiness

Former US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen has warned that prolonged military deployments are placing heavy pressure on service members and could undermine the US military's future readiness, amid growing concerns over conditions…

Trump Says US Could Claim Strait of Hormuz as Territory After Iran War

US President Donald Trump has said the United States could move to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and declare it US territory after the war with Iran ends, making an extraordinary claim over one of the world’s most strategically important…

US Plans Arctic Security Boost with New Cutter at Alaska’s Kodiak Base

The United States is set to strengthen its security and operational presence in the Arctic with plans to station an Arctic Security Cutter at Coast Guard Base Kodiak in Alaska, as Washington places greater focus on the strategically important polar…

Houthis claim strikes on Saudi-linked ship, military positions in Yemen

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for attacks on what it described as a Saudi military equipment transport vessel in the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, along with strikes on Saudi-backed forces in government-held areas of Mocha…

Iran Moves Ahead with Hormuz Security Plan Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Iran’s Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has approved the broad framework of a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring the security and long-term development of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, state media reported.