Following the killing of the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government by Israel, Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF in Sanaa on Sunday, detaining at least 11 UN personnel. The UN Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Yemen have strongly condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of the detained staff, noting a pattern of arbitrary detentions of UN and NGO workers in Yemen. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed further strikes against the Houthis, who regularly target Israel and Red Sea vessels. The attacks occurred amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has been divided since 2014.
Read More
During a meeting in Tianjin, China, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to resolving border disputes and enhancing cooperation. Modi’s visit, his first since 2020 border clashes, occurred within the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Both leaders emphasized the importance of peaceful borders for bilateral relations and expressed a desire to avoid allowing the border issue to overshadow their overall relationship. They agreed to focus on economic development and strategic autonomy, with further discussions and increased visits planned to ease trade and travel restrictions.
Read More
In an effort to uncover bias in Wikipedia articles, House Republicans are launching an investigation and demanding the Wikimedia Foundation reveal the identities of editors who have edited articles perceived as critical of Israel. The investigation, led by Reps. Comer and Mace, requests identifying information on editors, potentially leading to doxing, a practice that could result in harassment. This probe aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s long-standing goal to unmask Wikipedia editors it deems biased. Critics express concerns that this investigation is a politically motivated attempt to censor unflattering information about Israel.
Read More
The Commission chief embarked on a seven-country tour of front-line states to reinforce the EU’s commitment against Russian aggression. This diplomatic initiative coincides with increased efforts by the U.S. President to mediate a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Key stops include Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania, all strategically significant due to their proximity to Russia or Belarus. In Poland, the officials visited the Polish-Belarusian border, emphasizing the importance of defending the European border and garnering financial support for the project.
Read More
According to sources, the White House has requested that European nations impose sanctions on India mirroring those of the US, specifically halting oil and gas purchases from India and levying secondary tariffs. This follows India’s objections to US tariffs on its Russian crude oil purchases and accusations of Western hypocrisy, given that other countries are also buying oil from Moscow. The US claims India is funding Russia’s war in Ukraine, and White House officials are reportedly frustrated with European leaders who they believe are secretly undermining efforts to end the conflict by pushing for unrealistic territorial concessions for Ukraine. Discussions on the matter are expected at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Read More
The Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust (GREAT Trust) is a 38-page proposal inspired by a pledge. The proposal outlines a plan for Gaza’s future, detailing economic and infrastructural development. It is modeled on a concept related to a particular pledge, but specific details are left out. The GREAT Trust’s goal is to foster transformation and acceleration in the Gaza region.
Read More
Russia’s military buildup and economic aspirations in the Arctic region are a “grave concern” for NATO, according to Iceland’s foreign minister, as Moscow reopens Soviet-era bases and invests heavily in its Northern Fleet. The Arctic, impacted by climate change and opening up new routes, is seen by Russia as vital to its economic strategy, especially with its vast resources and the Northern Sea Route. While cooperation among Arctic states, including Russia, has been suspended, the growing presence of China in the region adds another layer of complexity and concern for NATO allies. NATO has responded to these developments by bolstering its Arctic presence, particularly in anti-submarine warfare.
Read More
In a recent address, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez issued a stern warning to the United States regarding its naval presence in the Caribbean, accusing the US of hostile actions. Rodriguez directly ordered Washington to refrain from interfering with Venezuelan territory and coasts, emphasizing Venezuela’s readiness to defend itself. She refuted US claims of Venezuela being a “narco-terrorist state,” labeling these accusations as a significant fabrication against the nation and its leaders. Rodriguez declared that any attempt to attack Venezuela would result in a severe and undesirable outcome for the United States.
Read More
A humanitarian flotilla, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, is scheduled to depart from Barcelona on Sunday to challenge the blockade of Gaza. The “Global Sumud Flotilla” aims to establish a humanitarian corridor and end what it calls the “ongoing genocide.” The mission, anticipating arrival in mid-September, is expected to be the largest solidarity mission in history, with additional vessels departing from other Mediterranean ports. Simultaneous demonstrations will occur in numerous countries, as this is not the first attempt, with previous attempts resulting in interception and detention by Israeli forces.
Read More
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia’s spring-summer offensive of 2025 concluded without achieving significant territorial gains, with Russian forces failing to capture any major Ukrainian cities. During the offensive, Ukrainian forces inflicted heavy losses on the invading army, resulting in nearly 210,000 Russian casualties and the destruction of thousands of military equipment units. The General Staff dismissed Russian claims of territorial control and successful strikes as attempts to mask setbacks and misrepresent the situation, as Russia’s overall losses since the start of the year exceed 291,000 killed and wounded.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker