Labour MPs to rebel on political funding reforms, demanding tougher measures

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged all parties in West Asia to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions following a surge in regional conflict. • The statement follows warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding potential strikes on Iran after he declared a ceasefire over due to Iranian attacks.

• Germany has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting education in regions affected by crises, conflicts, and natural disasters. • Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan announced the continued support for the "Education Cannot Wait" global fund during a video message at the Global Citizen Festival in New York.

• India has expressed deep concern regarding escalating tensions in West Asia, specifically citing recent attacks on commercial shipping as a threat to regional peace. • The Indian government is urging all involved parties to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic dialogue to resolve ongoing conflicts.

• This academic article analyzes the evolving security narratives of the European Union and NATO, focusing on the shift toward "resilience" and "total defence." • The research examines how these frameworks aim to strengthen societal resilience to protect critical infrastructure and democratic stability against hybrid threats.

• The U.S. military launched new strikes against Iran on Wednesday to ensure the critical Strait of Hormuz remains open to maritime traffic. • These military actions occurred shortly after President Donald Trump announced that an interim agreement intended to end the war with Iran had officially ended.

• President Trump declared the ceasefire "over" following a series of exchange attacks between the United States and Iran. • The conflict centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime waterway that previously handled 20% of global oil shipments.

Newly endangered animals include desert frogs and snails in extreme ocean depths, both threatened by miningLife has colonised every corner of the planet by evolving ingenious survival strategies but these are increasingly being overwhelmed by destructive human activities, this year’s red list of endangered species has revealed.Many snails, limpets and clams have adapted to life at crushing depths in the oceans on hydrothermal vents where water temperatures can reach 450C (842F). But an assessment for the red list found that two-thirds of the hundreds of mollusc species found only on deep sea vents were at risk of extinction because of deep-sea mining. Continue reading...

Clark has been on the end of hard fouls during careerBlack players routinely receive racist abuse in WNBAEleven Republican politicians have written to the WNBA asking the league to protect Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark from “multiple attacks” on court.Clark has been on the receiving end of hard fouls since she entered the league in 2024 after a stellar college career with Iowa. Recently, the Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit Clark in the throat during a game. Thomas was not called for a foul at the time but the WNBA later suspended her for one game. Thomas and her family received racist abuse and death threats after the incident. Continue reading...