The Economic Times

Israel's recent strikes on Lebanon and Iran reveal diverging war aims between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. While Trump seeks to de-escalate and reopen trade routes, Netanyahu prioritizes eliminating Hezbollah threats, creating political friction despite public assurances of alignment.

Republican lawmakers are increasingly breaking with President Trump, rebuking his policies on Iran, funding, and domestic spying. Despite Democratic skepticism, a growing coalition of Republicans, including those Trump has opposed, are showing a willingness to defy him, potentially threatening his agenda before Election Day.

Central Africa faces a deadly Ebola outbreak with nearly 500 confirmed cases. The World Health Organization reported 452 cases and 82 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 19 cases with two deaths in Uganda. This epidemic is a public health emergency. Experts warn it could rival the 2014 West Africa outbreak without strong interventions.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, surrounded by his counterparts from Arab and Muslim countries, called on the United States on Thursday to stop Israel's annexation of its territories. Others from the intergovernmental Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have echoed the demand to end Israel's annexation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank, where settlement expansion continues, and in Gaza, where the Israeli army has taken control of at least half the territory.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticised on Thursday a ceasefire deal with Lebanon brokered by Washington, calling it a serious mistake. The ceasefire with Lebanon is a serious mistake and the pipe dreams of advisers are dragging the prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) to wrong decisions, the minister wrote on X. Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a complete cessation of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according t

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire. This follows negotiations facilitated by the United States. The agreement hinges on Hezbollah halting all fire and withdrawing operatives. Pilot zones will be established where Lebanese Armed Forces will have exclusive control. This marks a significant step towards de-escalation in the region. Further direct negotiations are planned.

Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday morning as officials gathered for a flagship economic forum in the city, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said. The Russian governor of the city, Alexander Beglov, said several infrastructure facilities were damaged, but no one was killed in the attack, which various Ukrainian officials said was aimed at disrupting the three-day gathering, which President Vladimir Putin will attend. bur/yad

America has imposed sanctions on Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex. The US accuses the exchange of helping Iran's government and state institutions bypass Western sanctions.

President Donald Trump will meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week. The leaders aim to ease tensions over trade, Taiwan, and the Iran war. Discussions will cover trade deals, technology, and rare earths. The Iran conflict and Taiwan's status are also key agenda items. Minor trade agreements are anticipated.

The United States and Gulf Arab nations are preparing a United Nations Security Council resolution. This resolution aims to condemn Iran for obstructing the Strait of Hormuz. It follows a previous resolution blocked by Russia and China. The new draft focuses on Iran's mining of waterways and attempts to impose tolls.

Japan forest fire: After a grueling 11-day fight, firefighters and military forces in Japan's Iwate region have finally brought wildfires under control. The flames ravaged 1,600 hectares, leading to the evacuation of thousands and causing damage to eight structures, with two individuals sustaining injuries.

President Trump faces an indefinite standoff with Iran, failing to achieve key war objectives like regime change or preventing a nuclear weapon. The prolonged conflict risks persistent global economic fallout, including high gas prices, impacting Trump's approval and Republican midterm prospects.

A Sri Lankan court has ordered the resumption of excavation at a mass grave in Chemmani, halted for seven months due to funding issues. LKR 2.1 million has been allocated, allowing work to restart. Diplomatic representatives will observe the site where 240 skeletal remains and children's items were previously found.

During a White House state dinner, President Trump stated that King Charles agrees with him that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. Trump also claimed military success against an unnamed opponent in the Middle East. The King's remarks did not address Iran or the conflict, and the British Embassy referred inquiries to Buckingham Palace.

Bangladesh will begin loading uranium fuel into its first nuclear power station on Tuesday, a key step towards bringing the 2,400 megawatt plant online to ease pressure on the overstretched power grid. Construction began on the $11 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in 2017, with initial power generation of around 300 MW hoped to come online by August, before full production in late 2027.