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Global military spending surges on insecurity: report

Global military spending reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025, marking an 11th consecutive year of growth, researchers said Monday, as insecurity and rearmament fuelled defence budgets. The three top spenders -- the United States, China and Russia -- spent a combined total of

Syrian court begins proceedings against Assad and allies

A Syrian court conducted the first hearing Sunday in the trial of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad and senior figures from his government, one of whom appeared in person. Assad and his brother Maher have fled Syria and will be tried in absentia, but one of their relatives, former

War in the Middle East: latest developments

The latest developments in the Middle East war: - Iran FM to meet Putin - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg early on Monday and is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian and Iranian state media reported. The expected

US-Iran peace hopes fade as Trump scraps talks

By Saad Sayeed, Ariba Shahid and Steve Holland ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran receded as a new week began, with talks aimed at ending the two-month conflict at a standstill and both Tehran and