Can China Gain from a US-Israel War with Iran?

China has condemned the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran and the killing of  Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Beijing calling it "a serious violation of Iran's sovereignty and security" which tramples "on the aims and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations."    Naturally, Chinese concerns reach beyond the respect for

Africa Calls for Restraint as US‑Israel Strikes Escalate

Protests have erupted across Nigeria's Gombe, Niger, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Sokoto states following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday during a joint US-Israeli military operation.  Nigeria is home to Africa's largest Shiite community, many of whom regard Khamenei as their spiritual guide. Despite the unrest, the Nigerian

Macron Announces Expansion of France’s Nuclear Arsenal

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said France would be increasing the number of nuclear warheads in its arsenal. The French leader was speaking from L'Ile Longue military base that houses the country's nuclear submarines. France is the only nuclear power within the EU. Macron has spoken before about France acting as a nuclear deterrent for the

Attacks in South Sudan Kill at Least 169 People

An attack on several villages in South Sudan left at least 169 people dead, local authorities said on Monday. The majority of the casualties, 90, were civilians, with regional Information Minister James Monyluak Mijok saying children, women and elderly people were among the dead. Some 79 government soldiers were also killed. Monyluak has warned that

World Cup 2026: Security, politics and rising costs

March 3 marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off. A series of playoffs this month will determine the last six teams to make up the newly expanded 48-team tournament. But with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran's retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, one of those playoff contenders —

How the US–Israel–Iran Conflict Is Disrupting Sport

The US-Israel war with Iran has caused many sporting events in the region to be postponed. The conflict is also affecting other events farther afield, largely by forcing changes to travel arrangements. Some questions cannot yet be answered. Iranian women kick off Women's Asian Cup campaign The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup kicked off on

Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Fire Along Lebanon Border

Israel's military said on Monday that it had carried out a strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing Hussein Makled, who served as the head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters.  Israel has conducted various strikes on parts of Lebanon since Sunday, when the Iran-backed Hezbollah group fired into Israel in response to the death of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tens of thousands of German travelers stranded by Iran conflict

Tens of thousands of people on trips organized by German travel agencies have been affected by US-Israel war with Iran, a leading trade group said on Monday. Figures from the German Travel Association suggest that some 30,000 tourists are unable to fly home amid the hostilities, which have prompted several countries in the region to

Kim’s Daughter and Sister: Succession Speculation in North Korea

Recent news out of North Korea has triggered speculation about the country's future and Kim Jong Un's plans for succession, with his sister gaining more formal power while his young daughter gains more media exposure. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the current leader, was promoted to the ministerial-level position of party director at the Ninth

Merz Meets Trump as Middle East Conflict Intensifies

It is a trip that had been planned for a long time, but under very different circumstances: This Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will depart for Washington. On Tuesday, he will meet with US President Donald Trump amid an escalating conflict in Iran and the Middle East. Merz had a range of issues with him that have been
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