Burnham calls for ‘more open’ public debate about defence spending – UK politics live

• The U.S. has conducted a second day of bombing in Iran following the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei, who is set to be buried after a multiday funeral. • President Trump has renewed threats regarding the use of extreme military force and suggested that Ukraine should manufacture its own Patriot missiles.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that global conflicts, specifically the current military escalation in West Asia, can only be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. • During discussions with Australian leadership, both nations called for restraint, the adherence to international law, and the maintenance of uninterrupted energy supplies.

• Trump’s Board of Peace is planning a pilot humanitarian zone for Gazans to revitalize a stalled peace plan. • A board official stated the zone will be established regardless of whether a deal is reached with Hamas regarding the plan's second phase.

• The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. • Tehran responded to the U.S. military action by targeting various Gulf countries, further intensifying regional instability.

• The United States leverages its unique geographic advantages and naval superiority to maintain a dominant global military presence and rapid deployment capability. • Key pillars of American geopolitical power include a vast network of international alliances and the continued dominance of the U.S. dollar in global finance.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese concluded their 3rd Annual Summit in Melbourne, signing key declarations focused on trade, defence, and maritime security. • PM Modi utilized a cricket analogy, describing the bilateral ties as being "focused like a one-day match" to emphasize the intensity and goal-oriented nature of the partnership.

• The U.S. military and Iran engaged in a series of reciprocal strikes for a second consecutive day, escalating regional tensions. • U.S. forces targeted Iranian assets overnight, while Iran retaliated by striking U.S. military bases located in Bahrain and Kuwait.

• German scholars argue that a commitment to international law is a strategic necessity for "middle powers" with limited global influence to maintain a stable international order. • The authors highlight a contradictory application of legal standards, noting the failure to enforce law during the Ukraine war and the prioritization of Israel's protection over humanitarian law in Gaza.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that global conflicts can only be resolved through diplomatic engagement and constructive negotiations rather than aggression. • The statement comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran.

• Author Manjari Singh of the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) argues that the United Nations is being weaponized by great powers to influence conflicts in West Asia. • The piece highlights a recurring pattern where multilateral institutions and powerful nations unilaterally determine the outcomes of regional disputes.

• Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran is "over" following a series of new attacks. • Despite the termination of the ceasefire, Trump indicated that diplomatic negotiations may still continue.

National Weather Service says record-breaking event with power to supercharge weather becoming more likelyEl Niño is strengthening and the risks of a historic event with the power to supercharge extreme weather around the world are rising, according to the latest analysis from the US National Weather Service.Models show there is now an 81% chance that a very strong El Niño “that would rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record going back to 1950” will develop before the end of this year, forecasters said in an advisory released Thursday. There is almost near certainty – a 97% probability – that the conditions will persist through spring 2027. Continue reading...