NEW YORK -- The United States posted a record 1.24 trillion U.S. dollar trade deficit in goods in 2025, up 2.1 percent from the previous year, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Statistics show that the United States' annual exports and imports of goods stood at 2.19 trillion dollars and 3.43 trillion dollars in 2025. (US-Trade-Deficit)
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CAIRO -- Naval forces of Iran and Russia held a joint drill on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, amid growing speculation about an impending U.S. military strike against Iran.
Special operation teams from Iran's army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Russia conducted an operation to liberate a hijacked ship during the exercise, according to a report on the Iranian army's website. (U.S.-Iran-Tensions)
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MINSK -- Belarus firmly opposes any deployment of Western military contingents along its borders, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
Speaking to accredited diplomats from over 20 countries, Assistant to the Defense Minister for Foreign Military Cooperation Valery Revenko said Belarus categorically rejects foreign troops near its territory. (Belarus-Military)
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PARIS -- France on Thursday voiced surprise over reports that the European Commission (EC) took part in a meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called Board of Peace, stating that the commission had not been authorized by the European Council to attend.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux said the Board of Peace should concentrate on the situation in Gaza. He noted that France would refrain from participating as long as uncertainties remain regarding the board's mandate and scope. (France-Board of Peace) ■
