In a surprising move aimed at projecting Russia’s willingness to seek peace, President Vladimir Putin announced on April 28 a three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. Scheduled for May 8–10, the ceasefire is intended to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II-a date of immense historical significance [...]

Recently, counterterrorism expert Dr Michael Barak spoke on a wide variety of issues including Pakistan and Bangladesh’s call for ‘jihad’ against Israel and growing discontent against Hamas in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Dr Barak is a senior researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Reichman [...]

During an impromptu press conference before boarding Air Force One on April 27, US President Donald Trump offered a surprising assessment of his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the Vatican. According to Trump, the Ukrainian leader appeared “calmer” and more open to making a peace deal with Russia than during their previous, [...]

In a striking development that underscores deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 28 publicly thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his soldiers for their role in helping Russian forces repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region. The announcement marks a significant acknowledgment by Russia of [...]

A devastating explosion at a major port facility in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province has claimed at least 40 lives and left more than 1,000 injured, according to Iranian state media. The blast, which occurred on April 26, prompted President Masoud Pezeshkian to declare a national day of mourning and initiate a full government investigation into [...]

Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 strategy. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s premier venues for major sporting events, using sport as a key pillar of economic diversification and [...]

At the end of March 2025, China’s installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power reached 1.482 billion kilowatts, officially surpassing thermal power for the first time in history. This extraordinary achievement not only marks a major milestone in China’s green and low-carbon transition but also sends a powerful message to the world: China’s commitment [...]

US pharmaceutical giant Moderna is under serious scrutiny in the United Kingdom after allegations emerged that the company offered cash payments and gifts to children to participate in COVID-19 booster trials. According to The Telegraph, Moderna’s practices have led to multiple breaches of the UK’s pharmaceutical industry code, resulting in significant fines and the looming [...]

Ever since the special military operation (SMO) started, trying to guess how far Russia would go seems to be everyone’s favorite pastime. Some people think it should secure only areas that are predominantly Russian-speaking, which includes the four oblasts (regions) already under Russian control, namely DNR, LNR, Zaporozhye and Kherson, as well as Kharkov, Nikolayev [...]

A recent New York Times piece details just how Ukrainian political rivalries are resurfacing as peace talks raise prospects for a cease-fire and elections: Petro Poroshenko is pushing for a unity government to aid negotiations with rumours that he wants to see Zelensky imprisoned; while President Zelensky in turn intensifies pressure on opponents, using martial [...]