Cooper

US forces have exited Iraq, ending a military presence that lasted more than two decades since the 2003 invasion. According to Reuters, the departure leaves a power vacuum in the region that Iran is positioned to fill, raising concerns about Tehran's growing influence over Iraqi politics and security. Analysts are watching closely to see how Baghdad balances relations between Washington and Tehran in the aftermath, and whether remaining counter-terrorism cooperation can continue without American troops on the ground.

Japan's Finance Minister has reaffirmed that Tokyo and Washington remain in close coordination on currency markets, with a focus on yen stability. The statement signals continued cooperation between the two governments amid persistent volatility in the yen, which has been sensitive to interest rate differences between Japan and the United States.

Donald Trump has suggested that the United States and Iran could work together to remove what he called 'nuclear dust', implying possible cooperation on nuclear-related cleanup efforts. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions and debate over Iran's nuclear programme, and observers are weighing whether the comment signals an opening for diplomacy or remains a rhetorical gesture.

The USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group has arrived in Thailand, as announced by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand. The port visit brings one of the U.S. Navy's largest naval formations to the country, highlighting ongoing military cooperation and America's naval presence in Southeast Asia.

A guessing-game segment centered on NBA players featuring Cooper Flagg, the top American basketball prospect, is drawing major attention online with engagement topping 4.5 million. Flagg, widely regarded as the NBA's next headline rookie, anchors the item as fans attempt to identify players, keeping the young star at the center of basketball conversation.

Major European payments companies are forming an alliance aimed at reducing reliance on US-dominated payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard. The move reflects growing pressure in Europe to build home-grown payment infrastructure and strengthen digital sovereignty. Business commentators are watching whether the consortium can achieve the scale needed to compete with entrenched American providers.

Russia is holding its Centre-2026 military training exercise in the Chelyabinsk region, with troops from China, Belarus, Pakistan and CSTO member states taking part in modern warfare drills. More than 45 nations reportedly attended as observers, underscoring Moscow's effort to showcase its military partnerships amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

E-International Relations is publishing material on the environment, climate and international relations, covering how climate change is shaping diplomacy and cooperation between states. Discussion centres on the growing overlap between environmental policy and foreign affairs, as governments negotiate shared responses to global warming.

Euronews is broadcasting live from its Defence and Space Summit 2026 in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, defence officials and space industry leaders. The event comes as European governments weigh higher defence budgets, security cooperation and the growing role of satellites in military capability. Viewers are following the discussions on how Europe intends to strengthen its security and space strategy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Kyiv to express solidarity with Ukraine following Russian attacks that hit three bridges. During the visit, he announced cooperation with Ukraine on drone technology. The trip comes amid rising tensions, after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised Germany's arms supplies to Kyiv and Moscow called for foreign nationals to leave.

The leaders of Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia have agreed to strengthen cooperation among their four countries and issued a joint rejection of foreign interference in their affairs. The summit-style grouping signals deepening regional coordination in the Horn of Africa and Nile basin at a time of heightened tensions over the Red Sea, Sudan's war and disputes involving Ethiopia.

A segment from Democracy Now! titled "Valley of Death" examines Big Tech's role in AI warfare and alleges a secret deal between the CIA and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The piece is drawing wide attention, with viewers discussing the claims about intelligence agencies' ties to Silicon Valley and the military origins of consumer technology.

A university has asked its staff to review some of its partnerships with China following a warning from MI5, the UK's domestic security service. The move comes amid growing official concern in Britain about the risks of academic and research collaboration with Chinese institutions, particularly in sensitive technology fields. Debate has focused on how universities should balance research funding and international cooperation against national security concerns raised by intelligence agencies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine believes Russia has shared jet-powered drone technology with North Korea, deepening concern over military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The claim points to a growing exchange of weapons know-how alongside the troops and munitions North Korea has already provided for Russia's war effort. The allegation is likely to heighten tensions with Western governments monitoring the spread of advanced drone capabilities.

Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein has ruled out any substantive cooperation with the AfD. However, the CDU state leader said the party should be able to take over parliamentary committee chairmanships at the federal level as well. Critics see this as a sign that resistance from the 'bourgeois middle' against working with the AfD is beginning to crumble.

During UN Week, a central question dominating discussion is whether the world is more divided than ever. The topic has drawn significant attention as world leaders gather in New York amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, prompting debate about the state of global cooperation and whether multilateral institutions can still bridge widening divisions between nations.

The US Air Force has withdrawn all its bombers from a British air base that was the target of a suspected terror attack, according to an Associated Press report. The move raises questions about security at US military facilities in the UK and about the circumstances of the suspected attack. Further details on the base, the bombers and any suspects have not been made public.

The U.S. military has withdrawn its bombers from a base in the United Kingdom that was targeted in a suspected terror plot. The move follows revelations of the alleged plot against the installation, raising questions about the security of American forces in Britain and how the Pentagon is adjusting its posture in response to the threat.

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway at UN headquarters in New York, drawing delegations from around the world. The annual gathering brings heads of state and government to the city for high-level debates on global security, development and international cooperation, with speeches and diplomatic meetings dominating the agenda this week.

Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia have issued the Alamein Declaration, committing to a coordinated position on Red Sea governance, respect for state sovereignty, and cooperation on Nile water rights. The joint statement signals a tightening alliance among Cairo and its partners amid regional tensions over maritime security and the long-running dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Two county sheriff elections in Wisconsin have become referendums on whether local law enforcement should cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The races are drawing attention to how sheriffs handle Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention requests, an issue that has divided communities elsewhere. Voters' choices could shape local immigration enforcement policy in the state.

Iranian official Baghaei says the return of IAEA inspectors to Iran has not been decided, leaving the status of international nuclear monitoring in the country unresolved. The statement comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog. No timeline or conditions for the inspectors' return have been announced.

California Congressman Sam Liccardo is calling for the United States and China to work together on artificial intelligence safety. He argues that cooperation between the two countries is needed to manage the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology, a stance that touches on one of the most sensitive areas of US-China relations.

North Korea and Russia are reportedly circumventing United Nations sanctions in order to support Moscow's drone operations, according to reporting highlighted by Indo-Pacific Defense Forum. The cooperation is seen as deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow amid the war in Ukraine, raising questions about the effectiveness of the UN sanctions regime and the international response to sanctioned arms transfers.

A Reuters commentary argues that the current warming in relations between India and China will be judged by hard economic realities rather than diplomatic gestures. It points to trade imbalances, border-related restrictions, investment barriers and technology disputes as the tests that will determine whether the thaw can hold and translate into meaningful cooperation between the two Asian powers.

Analysts are examining how the European Union and Morocco could rebuild their migration relationship, shifting from a reactive crisis-management approach to a broader strategic partnership. The discussion centres on Rabat's role as a key migration partner for Brussels and the need for a more durable, cooperative framework covering borders, development and shared responsibility rather than ad hoc responses.

A UN pilot project to shape Ukraine's energy future has been launched in Odesa, with backing from Italy. The initiative was reported by the Kyiv Post, which highlighted the international cooperation behind the scheme. Details on the project's scope, funding, or timeline were not immediately provided, and officials have not yet commented publicly on its expected impact for the war-hit country's power grid.

The theatre work Taking Sides is being talked about, according to a listing in The Capital Times. The play, written by Ronald Harwood, centres on the postwar denazification tribunal of conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler and raises questions about artists cooperating with authoritarian regimes. No further details about the production, its cast or its venue were available.

The ASEAN+3 grouping — the ten ASEAN economies plus China, Japan and South Korea — is highlighting how stronger economic foundations and deeper regional financial integration can help the region weather external shocks. The message, associated with the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), stresses cooperation on financial safety nets and macroeconomic resilience.

The central banks of the United Arab Emirates and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening financial cooperation between the two countries. The agreement, reported by regional media, signals growing engagement between the UAE and Syria's banking sectors as Damascus reopens to regional economic ties. Details of the memorandum's specific provisions have not yet been disclosed.

Patrick Odier, chairman of the Geneva-based Building Bridges sustainable finance initiative, says sustainability issues have become over-politicised. His comments come as climate and ESG debates grow increasingly polarised among policymakers, investors and the public, complicating efforts by the finance sector to advance sustainable development goals through international cooperation.