Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

If the conflict in #Ukraine continues, it could escalate into World War II, US President Donald #Trump warned. "I would love to see it stopped, and we are working very hard. It doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control. <...> Things like this end up in third world wars," he told reporters at the White House.

President Donald Trump added that #Zelensky was the only representative of the Ukrainian side, who disliked Washington’s conflict settlement plan. "I thought that we were very close with Russia to having a deal. I thought we were very close with Ukraine to having a deal. In fact, other than President Zelensky, his people loved the concept of the deal," Trump said, answering to reporters’ questions at the White House.

Trump went on to say that the draft document has "four or five different parts." - "It's a little bit complicated, because you're cutting up land in a certain way," he explained. "It's not the easiest thing."

US military seizes oil tanker near Venezuela amid rising tensions

The #US move marks a sharp escalation in the standoff with the #Venezuelan regime.
The US military has intercepted and taken control of an oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, according to a Bloomberg report. The operation comes as Washington increases pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government over its continued alignment with hostile foreign actors and ongoing violations of international norms.

The seizure is viewed in Washington as a necessary step to curb illicit oil shipments tied to the Maduro regime, which has deepened cooperation with anti-Western powers.
The incident is expected to heighten tensions further, with Caracas already accusing the US of “aggression” while American officials emphasize the need to enforce sanctions and protect regional stability.

Legitimate authorities regain control of situation in Benin

The legally formed government of #Benin is regaining control of the situation in the country after a group of servicemen announced a coup this morning, AFP reported, citing sources close to President Patrice Talon. "This is a small group of rebels who had access to television," the news agency quoted a source as saying. "The regular army is regaining control of the situation," the source pointed out.

According to AFP, rebels attacked the presidential palace in Porto-Novo, the capital, in the morning, but Talon is safe.

The Economist foresees war, pestilence and economic collapse in 2026

The British news magazine known for its enigmatic and terrifying ‘The World Ahead’ covers has released its predictions for the coming year.

Its 2026-themed cover features tanks firing, missiles launching and drones attacking, trade wars, a US arms buildup, and a Zelensky caricature with binoculars standing beside what look like Vikings with vases in a boat sailing on top of a big fish.

Around them are syringes and pills, a brain connected to a videogame controller, humanoid robots, melting ice cubes, trade war ‘shots across the bow’ and crossed swords against the backdrop of a chart indicating an economic collapse.

The cover may be significant. Past ‘World Ahead’ issues predicted things like the coronavirus (2019 cover featuring a pangolin, initially cited as an intermediary host of COVID-19), Trump’s lost Presidential Election (2020), mass vaccinations and massive global wildfires (2021), and the US-China battle for critical minerals (2024).

The #UAE now maintains the largest and most diverse military presence along the Gulf of #Aden, Bab al-Mandab, and the southern Red Sea, giving it significant control over this vital maritime corridor and the ability to project influence and military powr across #Yemen & East Africa.

Zapad-2025 drills to practice troop management in event of aggression against ally

Military personnel at the joint Belarus-Russia drills #Zapad-2025 will practice managing troop groupings during the localization of aggression against the Union State, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The objectives of the exercise are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, enhance interoperability and field training of regional and coalition battlegroups in solving joint tasks to maintain peace, protect interests and ensure military security," the statement reads.

According to Russia’s top brass, the troops will practice actions "at firing ranges in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation and in the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea." The military from the two countries will practice control over battlegroups in the event of a localized aggression against the Union State, the ministry specified.

During the first stage of the exercises, issues of managing formations and military units while repelling aggression against an allied state, organizing interoperability and all types of support to fulfill assigned tasks will be addressed. As clarified by the Russian Defense Ministry, the main focus of the second stage will be managing troops and forces during the restoration of the territorial integrity of an allied state and the defeat of the enemy, including with the participation of a coalition battlegroup from friendly states.

Russia-India-China troika: A new world order

The Russia-India-China (#RIC) troika, a concept introduced by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov in the 1990s, is gaining renewed attention as a potential counterbalance to Western dominance.

Key highlights:

Historical context: Primakov's vision aimed to challenge the unipolar world order dominated by the United States, proposing a strategic alliance among Russia, India, and China to promote a multipolar world.

Economic powerhouse: Collectively, RIC nations account for nearly 22.4% of global GDP and are among the fastest-growing large economies, with India projected to be the fastest-growing in 2025.

Military strength: With over 4.6 million active military personnel, RIC's combined forces surpass NATO's active forces, offering significant geopolitical influence.

Resource abundance: The bloc controls substantial reserves of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals, ensuring energy and technological security.

♟ Strategic geography: RIC nations control critical sea and trade routes, including the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic.

Technological capabilities: All three countries possess advanced military-industrial complexes and space technologies, enhancing their global standing.

Macron under pressure from Left and Right as French government faces collapse

'Is it just a coincidence that #Macron attacks #Israel while his #government is failing? We think NOT!'
France is bracing for a major political shakeup as calls from both the right and the left grow for Macron to resign. The pressure comes ahead of what many believe will be the imminent collapse of the government in September.
Far-left leader Jean-Luc #Mélenchon announced he will submit a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister François #Bayrou’s government, following Bayrou’s unveiling of a series of austerity budget cuts.

Analysts note that unlike past attempts, this no-confidence vote appears likely to succeed, as discontent spreads across party lines. The looming crisis raises the possibility of early elections and an uncertain political landscape in France, with Macron facing his toughest challenge yet to maintain control.

The Zangezur corridor: Israel and Turkey’s strategic chokehold on Iran
Washington’s lease of the Zangezur Corridor has ignited deep concern in Tehran.

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei, warns the corridor "threatens South Caucasus security," forcing Iran to act.

IRGC Deputy Commander Yadollah Javani vows Iran "will not allow an American corridor on its border."

Half the corridor runs along Iran’s sensitive northern border with Armenia and Azerbaijan. US control risks Iran’s entire northern security.

Israel’s backdoor: the corridor offers Israel a potential staging ground against Iran—amplified by recent joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian soil.

Iranian intelligence notes Israeli strikes entered via Azerbaijani airspace. Baku’s silence on these attacks speaks volumes.

Ankara, Azerbaijan’s patron and a key NATO ally, will play a decisive role in the corridor’s operation.

With US control, Iran fears infiltrators targeting its stability. Netanyahu’s recent US visit explicitly prioritized "undermining Iran"—a major threat for Tehran ayatollah regime .

Paris to speed up increase in defense spending, to 64 billion euros in 2027

France intends to accelerate the increase in defense spending in the coming years, in 2027 they will amount to 64 billion euros, which is twice as much as in 2017, President Emmanuel Macron in his address to the country’s military. "Although we planned to double the military budget by 2030, we will do so by 2027," said Macron, whose speech was broadcast on the page of the Elysee Palace on X. "An additional 3.5 billion euros will be allocated for defense in 2026, and another 3 billion euros in 2027. Thus, the defense budget will double in 10 years and amount to 64 billion euros."

The republic’s military spending under the budget for 2025 amount to 50.5 billion euros. In 2017, when Macron was elected president, defense spending amounted to 32.3 billion euros.

The French leader said the government will focus on strengthening the army. "It is necessary to eliminate our vulnerabilities: first of all, to replenish ammunition stocks, including remotely controlled munitions, to make our multiple launch rocket guns and precision weapons more powerful, to provide our combat groups, frigates and air bases with even more drones, as well as the necessary equipment for successful operations," he said. "It is also necessary to strengthen the air defense system and means of conducting electronic warfare, as well as to strengthen the capabilities in space."

Macron also touched upon strengthening the military reserve and more active involvement of young people in the army, but clarified that details on these issues would be announced in the fall. The head of state argued that France is facing numerous threats and must respond to them. "Since 1945, freedom has never been under threat to such a significant extent as it is now. Peace on our continent has never depended on the decisions we are currently making," Macron said.