Samir Haddad

As western Europe braces for its fourth summer heatwave, emergency crews in France and Spain are racing against time to contain massive wildfires. Tens of thousands have evacuated as historic burn totals outpace last year, while international assistance mobilizes to support strained local firefighters. What began as a volatile season of weather extremes has intensified … Read more

The Israeli state spent over NIS 2.7 million ($880,000) on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residences during 2025 and the first half of 2026. Data released following a court petition by the Movement for Freedom of Information reveals high costs for staff salaries, food deliveries, and luxury home maintenance across three different properties. Public records now … Read more

Firefighters in France and Spain raced on Tuesday to contain massive wildfires before a severe new heatwave arrives, threatening parched regions already scorched by record-breaking destruction and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes across both countries. Emergency Containment Efforts and Rising Temperatures Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Pedro Sánchez Warn of Difficult Hours … Read more

For years, Benjamin Netanyahu’s trips to Washington followed a predictable script of red carpets and effusive praise from the start of the Iran war. But the atmosphere has visibly cooled since the two leaders last met five months ago. Netanyahu arrived in Washington for his seventh visit since Donald Trump returned to power—more than any … Read more

The European Commission has unveiled its Electrification Action Plan, targeting 46% electricity consumption across energy use by 2040. Aimed at reducing a €260 billion fossil import bill, the strategy pairs cross-sector reforms with grid and data center mandates to strengthen EU industrial competitiveness and energy security. Europe has long operated on an energy model that … Read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States early Tuesday and is expected at the White House for talks with United States President Donald Trump, according to reporting by France 24 and The Jerusalem Post. The visit, scheduled for 9:30 am (1330 GMT), aims to secure ongoing American support against Russia and bring peace … Read more

At least one shot was fired outside the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto early on Monday, marking the second time the building on University Avenue has been targeted by gunfire this year, according to usnews.com. An officer assigned to the consulate security detail heard the blast of a gunshot at about 4:46 a.m. EDT (0046 … Read more

Following a new wave of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has launched powerful airstrikes against Iranian military targets. The escalation abruptly shatters a fragile April ceasefire and protocol agreement, sending global oil prices surging as diplomatic efforts collapse. The Strait of Hormuz Flashpoint and the Collapse of the … Read more

At least 624 US military service members have been wounded since President Donald Trump ordered strikes against Iran in February. The human cost of the conflict with Iran is surfacing through a series of contradictory data updates from the Pentagon. As of July 25, 624 US service members have been wounded, split between 417 attributed … Read more

The United States has paused its bombing campaign against Iran for a third night, following recommendations from top military officials and as diplomatic negotiations continue to avert a return to full-scale conflict, according to The Guardian. The lull in fighting began on Friday evening after nearly two weeks of intensifying US airstrikes and the collapse … Read more

South Africa’s municipal revenue systems are facing a structural collapse, with aggregate consumer debt reaching R467.2-billion as of December 2025. Despite government efforts to implement a return to basics strategy, collection rates have fallen significantly below budgeted targets, leading to an annual revenue loss exceeding R100-billion. The financial stability of South African local government is … Read more

Massive wildfires burning near Bordeaux have forced the evacuation of about 55,000 people from the Gironde region as intense winds and drought-hit woodlands fuel erratic blazes. France deployed specialized military aircraft and thousands of emergency personnel to contain the disaster, while authorities shortened the final stage of the Tour de France to redeploy security forces. … Read more