By Mikael Nordstrom
Stockholm-based correspondent covering defence, NATO, the Arctic and Europe looking outward.
Iran Executes Young Aerospace Engineer Erfan Shakourzadeh on Espionage Charges
Iran executed Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old aerospace engineer, on Monday for alleged spying for the CIA and Mossad. He claimed his conf
Trump Heads to Beijing for Talks on Iran and Trade in First China Visit Since 2017
US President Donald Trump will visit China from May 13 to 15, his first state visit there since 2017. Talks with President Xi Jinping will f
Israeli Strikes Kill 39 in Lebanon as Ceasefire with Hezbollah Unravels
Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 39 people on Saturday, including a girl and a Syrian father. Hezbollah responded wit
Portuguese Businessman Found Dead Inside Crocodile in South Africa
Gabriel Batista, a Portuguese businessman, disappeared on 27 April after his vehicle was swept away while crossing a partially submerged bri
ADB Warns Pacific Growth at Risk as Energy and Fertiliser Costs Bite
Pacific economic growth may slow from 4.2% in 2025 to as low as 2.0% in 2026, the ADB warns. Small island states like Tonga spend over 10% o
Israeli Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Commander in Beirut Suburbs, Breaking Ceasefire
An Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed a senior Hezbollah commander, the first attack on the area in nearly a month. At le
US Military Strikes Iranian Tanker as Trump Pushes for Nuclear Deal
US forces disabled an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman, enforcing a blockade. Trump says talks are progressing but threatens bombi
Gulf States on Edge After First Attack on UAE Since April Ceasefire
Attacks against the UAE on Monday mark the first such incident since the April ceasefire. The Gulf region is bracing for a potential major e
Asian Development Bank Unveils €65 Billion Plan for Cross-Border Energy and Digital Links
The Asian Development Bank announced a €65 billion investment plan at its annual meeting in Samarkand. The programme targets a Pan-Asia Powe
Iran Claims to Block US Navy in Strait of Hormuz as Tensions Escalate
Iran's military claims it blocked US Navy ships from entering the Strait of Hormuz. The US denies any ships were hit. The UAE says Iran fire
Iranian Businessman Dies After Beating in Custody Over Brother's Starlink Use
Hesam Alaeeddin, a 40-year-old Iranian businessman, died after being beaten in custody. His brother had been detained for using Starlink equ
Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Hospitalized After Suspected Heart Attack in Prison
Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been transferred from prison to hospital after a suspected heart attack. Her f