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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Iran would be decisive and not drag on for years, describing it as potentially lasting weeks rather than becoming an “endless war.” Speaking in a televised interview, Netanyahu stressed that while the conflict may take some time, it would not mirror the prolonged wars of the past. The joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign began over the weekend, with Donald Trump initially suggesting a timeline of four to five weeks, though later remarks signalled a broader and open-ended approach.

The conflict has rapidly expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with Tehran launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces, and Gulf states hosting American bases. Israel has struck Iranian-linked targets in Lebanon, including Hezbollah positions, and reinforced troop deployments along its northern border. Iranian attacks have reportedly hit U.S. facilities in the region, including drone strikes near Riyadh and claims of damage to a U.S. base in Bahrain. Casualties have mounted across Iran, Israel, Lebanon and neighbouring states as exchanges intensify.

The escalating war has disrupted global aviation and energy markets, with thousands of Gulf flights cancelled and major hubs such as Dubai temporarily shut. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil trade — has been severely affected, driving oil prices and tanker rates sharply higher. Washington has ordered non-essential personnel to leave several regional countries, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that stronger American military action could still follow. Diplomatic tensions remain high as global powers react to one of the most significant Middle East escalations in decades.

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Germany’s Cologne administrative court has granted an injunction preventing the domestic intelligence agency (BfV) from classifying the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as right-wing extremist, pending a full court ruling. The decision provides temporary relief to the far-right party ahead of five state elections scheduled for later this year.

The injunction was filed by the AfD to contest the 2025 BfV decision labeling the party as extremist, which would have allowed increased monitoring by the intelligence service. The court noted that it could not currently establish that the party as a whole is dominated by extremist positions, thereby suspending the agency’s classification until further review.

The BfV’s May 2025 classification had triggered political tensions in Germany, with calls from some lawmakers to ban the party and criticism from the AfD itself, which argued the move undermined democratic principles. The U.S. administration also expressed concern, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging German authorities to reconsider the designation.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described a “defining moment” in global affairs as he arrived in Europe to lead the American delegation at the Munich Security Conference. His visit comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks about annexing Greenland. Rubio said the world was entering a “new era in geopolitics” that would require allies to reassess their roles and priorities within the evolving international order.

European leaders have responded with a mix of caution and resolve. Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to prepare for greater strategic independence from the U.S., while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that transatlantic ties remain vital. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she would meet Rubio to address U.S. comments regarding Greenland, as concerns grow over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO and European security.

The conference agenda includes the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and prospects for a renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the gathering could yield “new steps” for shared European security. Meanwhile, German and British leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to hold key discussions on defence spending and alliance cohesion, as policymakers navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said active efforts are under way to resolve the territorial dispute over Donetsk, calling it the most difficult remaining obstacle in U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio said negotiators have narrowed the talks to this single core issue, but warned it would be “very difficult” to bridge the gap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine surrender all of the Donbas region, including the remaining 20% of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control, threatening to seize it by force if it is not handed over in a peace deal. Ukraine has firmly rejected territorial concessions, saying it will not cede land Russia has failed to capture militarily, a stance widely supported by Ukrainian public opinion and most of the international community.

Rubio said the United States may participate in follow-up talks expected in Abu Dhabi, though senior envoys involved in earlier discussions will not attend. Previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials ended without an agreement, but both sides signaled willingness to continue dialogue. Rubio also indicated that U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine could come into effect only after the conflict ends, amid reports that Washington is pressing Kyiv to accept a peace deal as a condition for long-term security support.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that closed-door peace discussions in Geneva on Sunday marked major progress towards a draft U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters after meeting a Ukrainian delegation, Rubio described the session as the most productive since the administration took office, calling it “probably the best meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process.”

The talks are ongoing in Geneva and involve collaborative efforts to refine joint proposals, with participation expected from European partners. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called the discussions “very productive,” confirming that another round of meetings would continue later on the same day. He expressed appreciation for U.S. support and diplomatic engagement.

Yermak publicly thanked the United States and President Donald Trump for their commitment to pursuing peace, echoing Zelenskiy’s earlier message of gratitude. The acknowledgment followed recent comments by Trump on social media suggesting Kyiv had shown insufficient appreciation for U.S. assistance. Both sides signaled optimism about advancing negotiations that could shape the next phase of diplomatic efforts.

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