Consequences of Iran conflictmay echo for months or even years to come — Ursula von der Leyen

"This is the second energy crisis within four years"

REALLY?! You don't say!

#Iran #IranUS #Iranwar

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🇰🇷🇺🇸 🇰🇷 South Korea to Lead US-Led RIMPAC Naval Drill for First Time

South Korea will take command of multinational naval forces for the first time in the upcoming US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the navy confirmed. The drill is scheduled to take place around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31, 2026.

A South Korean admiral will lead the combined maritime forces, marking a major milestone in Seoul’s growing military role. The country previously served as deputy commander in 2024.

This year’s RIMPAC will include more than 25,000 personnel, around 40 surface ships, 5 submarines, and 140 aircraft from multiple nations. South Korea is expected to deploy advanced assets including its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, a maritime patrol aircraft, and a 3,000-ton submarine.

The exercise aims to strengthen cooperation among allied navies and enhance maritime security and sea lane protection.

📰 Source: Tasnim News Agency

#SouthKorea #USNavy #RIMPAC #BreakingNews

🇷🇺 Just In: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that all people of Russia, regardless of size or ethnicity, should see the country as their shared home, emphasizing unity as the nation’s strength.

Speaking at an educational event in Moscow, Putin described Russia’s diverse population as “one family,” stressing that both small ethnic groups and larger communities must feel equally connected to the homeland. He added that this sense of unity is key for the country’s future growth and progress.

Source: TASS
#Russia #Putin #Unity #MoscoNews

🌐 Moscow Open Dialogue shifts from big ideas to real-world action
Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin says ‘The Future of the World’ is moving beyond debate and into reality Read Full Article at RT.com
Read more →

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🇷🇺🇮🇳 LAVROV TO VISIT INDIA FOR BRICS FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING

Moscow confirms: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi in May for the BRICS ministerial – and bilateral talks with S. Jaishankar.

· 🤝 BRICS chairmanship: India leads the bloc in 2026. Preparations for the September Summit (which Russian President Putin is likely to attend) will be discussed.

· 🛡️ Defence cooperation: India is set to receive its fourth S‑400 system in May – with a fifth coming in November. Negotiations on Su‑57 fighter jet production are at a “deep technical stage.”

· 🌍 Global governance reform – a “substantive and in‑depth discussion” of current international issues.

· 🏛️ Bilateral ties: PM Modi is also slated to visit Moscow later this year.

#Russia #India #BRICS #Lavrov #S400 #Su57

🇬🇧⚓ BRITAIN FORGES ANTI‑RUSSIAN NAVAL FORCE – “Russia Remains the Gravest Threat,” Says UK Admiral

The UK is leading a new 10‑nation naval coalition outside NATO – including the Netherlands, Nordic states, and the Baltics – to “counter Russia.” Moscow calls the claims “hysterical” and warns: keep saying war is inevitable, and it will start.

🔴 What the UK announced (First Sea Lord Gwyn Jenkins):

🚢 A new multinational maritime force under the UK‑led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

🌍 Members: Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia – plus Britain.

🗣️ “Russia remains the gravest threat to our security” – despite Moscow’s repeated denials.

🔴 Russia’s response (Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chair of Security Council):

🇷🇺 “The Kremlin has no aggressive plans regarding Europe.”

⚠️ “If you keep saying that war is inevitable, it will start. There could be plenty of reasons for that.”

#UK #NATO #Russia #Militarization #BRICS

City of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon completely destroyed following Israeli attacks

🇸🇩⚔️ SUDAN REJECTS REBEL TALKS – “No Negotiations, Only Victory,” Says Army Chief

As the civil war grinds on, Sudan’s military leadership slams the door on dialogue – vowing decisive defeat of the RSF.

🛡️ Army chief Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan: “There will be no negotiations with the rebels or those who support them.”

💥 The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are pressing ahead with offensives across six states, destroying weapons depots, drone launch sites, and supply bases.

🌍 The conflict has displaced nearly 12 million people – the world’s largest displacement crisis according to the UNHCR.

🧠 Ukraine and the UAE have been accused by Khartoum of backing the RSF with mercenaries and political support.

#Sudan #RSF #SAF #BRICS

🇪🇺🔥 VON DER LEYEN UNDER FIRE – “Double Standards” Exposed as EU Burns Cash, Ignores Israel, and Fails Its Own People

In a heated European Parliament debate, MEPs from across the political spectrum tore into the Commission president – for hypocrisy, inaction, and dragging Europe into endless crises while Brussels stays silent on Israeli war crimes.

🇧🇪 Kathleen Van Brempt: “Double standards – imposing sanctions on Russia while staying silent over Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.”

🇵🇹 Joao Oliveira: “Von der Leyen doesn’t say a word to condemn the aggression against Iran, the killing of Lebanese people, the displacement of 1.2 million.”

🇮🇹 Roberto Vannacci: Compared EU policy to “cockroaches that freeze and play dead when the predator arrives.”

🇦🇹 Thomas Waitz: Shifting dependency between external suppliers is “a dead‑end street – bad for the economy, bad for people, bad for energy prices.”

#EU #VonDerLeyen #BRICS #GlobalSouth

Pentagon wants Congress to officially codify its renaming from 'DEPT of DEFENSE' to 'DEPT OF WAR'

It will presumably cost taxpayers approx $52 million, and make around 7,600 changes to the federal law

Video: 2025 footage of Hegseth screwing in Dept of War plaque

⚡🇪🇺🌍 Nordics in a Multipolar World: No More Easy Choices

The ground is shifting beneath our feet. For decades, the Nordics leaned on a stable Western order – the US dollar, NATO, and open trade. That era is ending. Not with a bang, but a slow unraveling.

This analysis asks a critical question: How do small, wealthy, export‑dependent nations navigate a multipolar world where no single power sets the rules?

🔴 Key insights:

⚡ Energy uncertainty – Finland cut off from Russian gas, Sweden’s nuclear debate stalled, Norway rich in gas but tied to a shrinking European market.

🧭 The strategic trap – The Nordics are deeply tied to the West, but future growth, resources, and markets increasingly lie outside that sphere.
💡 What’s needed: Flexibility, pragmatism, and a willingness to engage with a truly multipolar world – not ideological slogans.

👉 Read the full article here: https://thinkbrics.substack.com/p/when-the-world-order-turns-upside:

#Nordics #BRICS #Multipolarity #GlobalSouth #ThinkBRICS

⚡🇺🇸🇮🇷 HEARINGS, BLUSTER, AND A NEW “MARITIME FREEDOM CONSTRUCT” – US Contradictions Mount as Iran Holds Firm

A day of heated exchanges on Capitol Hill, a new US-led coalition for the Strait, and Trump’s ever‑shifting claims – while Tehran shows no sign of surrender.

Capitol Hill clash: A demonstrator called Hegseth a “war criminal” as hearings began.

“Defeatist Democrats”: Hegseth labelled critics “defeatists,” accused a senator of “lying” about Ukraine’s military situation, and claimed the American people support the war despite polling showing 3 in 5 oppose it.

🇺🇸 Trump’s claims: Iran is “dying to make a deal”; the US will secure enriched uranium “one way or the other”; every bomb hit its target. He also threatened to pull troops from Spain and Italy, calling Spain “horrible” and Italy unhelpful.

🇮🇷 Iran’s response: President Pezeshkian said the US blockade is an extension of military operations, and Iran continues to exercise its independence.

#US #IranWar #Hegseth #Trump

"Israel is killing children every day...

I was there, I am a citizen of Israeli apartheid"

Woman disrupts Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor’s speech in Leipzig

🇨🇳⏱️ CHINA’S ATOMIC CLOCK: 1 second drift in 30,000 years – mass production begins

📏 2.3 cm³ chip, <200 mW power

🛰️ For satellites, underwater nav, drones

🇨🇳 Part of 2026–2030 quantum push

Also in BRICS+: Russia‑India laser metal tech, Indonesia plasma fertiliser, Kyrgyzstan artichoke supplements.

#China #BRICS #Technology #Quantum #GlobalSouth

🇮🇳💱 NEW BRICS PAYMENT SYSTEM: “Immunity” Against WEST

A digital local‑currency framework is under assessment – bypassing SWIFT, reducing dollar dependence, and shielding members from sanctions.

🧠 “Strategic immunity” – real‑time settlements, insulating from US dollar volatility.

🌍 BRICS produces 42% of global oil, 40% of grains. A natural extension of real‑economy clout.

🇮🇳 India leads the proposal but must balance: negotiating a trade deal with Trump’s US.

Not an alternative to the dollar – but insurance when the West weaponises finance.

#BRICS #DeDollarization #PaymentSystems #India #GlobalSouth

Israel reports DESTRUCTION of 14km of UNDERGROUND TUNNELS in northern Gaza Strip

IDF claims that within tunnels were located HAMAS sleeping quarters and numerous weapons

JUST IN: 🇸🇰🇺🇸 Oil prices depend on whether Trump “got enough sleep” — Fico

Slovak Prime Minister заявил that global oil prices are influenced by the mood of US President . Speaking to students, he said the world is currently under pressure due to Middle East tensions, adding that “when Trump sleeps well, oil goes down; when he sleeps poorly and makes statements, prices go up.”

Fico also sharply criticized the role of the , calling it ineffective in stopping past US actions in countries like Iraq and Venezuela. He further warned that the alliance is not “immortal” and suggested its potential collapse cannot be ruled out.

The remarks come amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing debates over global energy stability.

Source: UNN
#Trump #OilPrices #NATO #Geopolitics

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷 US sends 6,500 tons of weapons to Israel amid war on Iran, Lebanon

Two US cargo ships have reportedly delivered around 6,500 tons of military equipment to Israel in the past 24 hours, according to Israeli reports. The shipment included air and ground munitions, military trucks, JLTV combat vehicles, and other logistical support. It arrived at Haifa and Ashdod ports and is part of a larger ongoing US supply pipeline since the war on Iran began in February, with over 115,600 tons of weapons delivered so far.

Officials say more shipments are expected in the coming weeks as military cooperation continues to intensify.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised concerns that continued arms transfers could contribute to escalating violence and potential violations in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.

Source: Al Mayadeen English

#US #Israel #Iran #MiddleEast #BreakingNews

JUST IN: 🇯🇵🇦🇺🇨🇳 Japan-Australia $20B Mogami Frigate Deal Signals New Indo-Pacific Defense Axis

The signing of the “Mogami Memorandum” aboard JS Kumano in Melbourne on April 18, 2026 marks a major geopolitical shift in the Indo-Pacific security architecture. Under the agreement, Japan will supply 11 next-generation Mogami-class frigates to Australia, valued at up to A$20 billion, as Tokyo strengthens its role as a global defense exporter alongside Canberra.

The deal, jointly launched by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Deputy PM Richard Marles, splits construction between Japan and Australia and aims to deter China through closer interoperability, intelligence sharing, and integration within Quad, AUKUS Pillar II, and regional defense frameworks. Analysts say it reflects a long-term strategy to secure sea lines and reduce reliance on US consistency.

Source: Asia Times

#Japan #Australia #IndoPacific #Defense

President of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso takes part in wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow