Author: Andrew Rogers

The Pentagon has awarded Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to supply 25 F-15IA fighter jets to Israel, with an option to deliver an additional 25 aircraft. The deal was announced shortly after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. “This contract provides for the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force, with an option for an additional 25 F-15IA aircraft,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The contract falls under the U.S. foreign military sales program, highlighting America’s longstanding role as Israel’s…

Several high-profile performances at Washington’s Kennedy Center have been canceled following the addition of U.S. President Donald Trump’s name to the institution. On Monday, the veteran jazz ensemble Cookers announced it would withdraw from its New Year’s Eve concerts. In a statement, the group said, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, expression, and the full human voice.” The ensemble emphasized its long history of performing music shaped by these values. The Kennedy Center had originally promoted Cookers’ shows as “an all-star jazz septet that will ignite the Terrace Theater stage with…

China’s top diplomat has sharply condemned a record U.S. arms sale to Taiwan as Beijing continues military drills around the self-ruled island. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at an end-of-year diplomatic event in Beijing, criticized both the “pro-independence forces in Taiwan” and Japan’s leaders. He said, “In response to continuous provocations by pro-independence forces in Taiwan and large-scale U.S. arms sales, we must resolutely oppose and strongly counter them.” Wang reaffirmed China’s goal of “complete reunification” with Taiwan, which split from China during the 1949 civil war and has since evolved into a multiparty democracy. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims,…

Bangladesh is in mourning as former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away early this morning. She died shortly after the Fajr prayer, confirmed by her personal medical team, including Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain. The news was confirmed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior party advisors, including Dr. Mohammad Yunus. Khaleda Zia’s body remains at Evercare Hospital, where preparations for public and official tributes are underway. In response to her passing, the government has declared three days of national mourning, with a one-day public holiday tomorrow. The BNP has also announced a seven-day mourning…

Elon Musk, the world-renowned technology entrepreneur and billionaire, is reportedly shifting his focus from atheism to exploring religion and spirituality. Known for his groundbreaking work in space, robotics, and artificial intelligence, Musk has long identified as a science-based rationalist. However, recent statements suggest a notable change in his worldview. In a recent podcast, Musk expressed belief that the universe was created for a reason and that a divine entity is behind its existence. He stated, “I believe the universe has come into being through something, and that God is the creator.” According to experts, Musk’s statement reflects not just personal…

Iran is reportedly enhancing its military capabilities by developing chemical and biological warheads for its long-range ballistic missiles. The move comes amid heightened tensions with Israel and Western nations. According to sources cited by Iran International, the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively preparing these advanced warheads. The development is part of a broader effort to strengthen Iran’s missile arsenal and strategic deterrence. The IRGC has also begun relocating missile launch systems to eastern regions of the country. These sites are undergoing upgrades to command and control systems, reflecting a modernization drive for Iran’s strategic missile program. Western…

Hunan province is seeing rapid growth in its forest-based non-timber industry, turning local bamboo and medicinal herb resources into a major economic driver. The sector has created jobs, increased incomes, and transformed rural livelihoods. Yang Peiru’s bamboo shoots processing company in Huitong County exemplifies this trend. His factory processes 10,000 metric tons of preserved bamboo shoots each year. With a 60-strong team, demand often exceeds production capacity, requiring temporary workers for peak periods. Local government policies have played a key role in supporting this growth. Since last year, ten new bamboo shoot processing companies have been established in Huitong. Authorities…

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co has announced a new framework agreement for crude oil storage, setting an annual cap of RMB114 million, including VAT. The agreement involves the company’s Baishawan Branch and Sinopec Reserve, and takes effect on December 29, 2025. The storage cap is based on historical transaction costs and a competitive pricing process. At least two independent third-party storage providers in nearby regions were consulted to ensure the unit price of RMB10 per cubic meter per month aligns with current market rates. The agreement covers roughly 950,000 cubic meters of crude oil storage per month for an expected period…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a revised 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Zelensky temporarily left missile-battered Kyiv for the talks, seeking Trump’s approval on the plan. After more than three hours of discussion, neither leader announced a breakthrough. Both emphasized that the peace process is complex and will take additional time. Trump, who spoke by phone earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed a relatively sympathetic view toward Moscow’s positions but remained hopeful that progress is near. “I do think we’re getting a lot…

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism after the resurfacing of controversial social media posts by British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah. The backlash comes days after Starmer welcomed Abdel Fattah’s return to the UK following years of diplomatic efforts to secure his release from Egypt. Abdel Fattah returned to Britain after Egypt lifted its travel ban, marking the end of a prolonged detention. However, old posts from 2010 emerged showing the activist calling for violence against Zionists and law enforcement. The content has been widely condemned, with opposition Conservatives demanding he be stripped of his UK citizenship and…