joebidens cancer has
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Joe Biden’s cancer has spread, is very painful, son says

Former US President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread beyond his bones and is very painful, his son, Hunter Biden, said in an interview with the BBC.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” Hunter Biden told BBC’s “Newsnight,” according to video posted online on Friday, August 7. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

A spokesman for the 83-year-old Democrat declined on Saturday, August 8, to comment on Hunter Biden’s interview.

Biden revealed in May 2025, less than four months after he left the White House, that he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, saying at the time that it had spread to his bones.

A Biden spokesman said in October he was undergoing radiation treatment and hormone therapy.

Biden was the oldest person to win the US presidency at the time of his election in 2020.

Biden’s physical health and mental acuity drew scrutiny during his 2021 to 2025 presidency.

Biden attended the dedication of Barack Obama’s presidential library in June in Chicago. Biden served as Obama’s vice president from 2009 to 2017.

Biden’s presidential memoir is scheduled for release on November 17. – Rappler.com

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    Iran vows to withstand sweeping new US sanctions

    TEHRAN: Iran has said it is fully prepared to deal with the latest expansion of US economic sanctions, as Washington launches what it describes as a major campaign to cut Tehran off from international financial and trade networks. Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said the government had anticipated the new measures and prepared a long-term strategy to limit their impact. He said Tehran had its own economic tools and expected to continue commercial relations with countries willing to trade with Iran. The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a broad package of sanctions targeting Iran’s financial connections and revenue sources. Washington said the measures were designed to put further pressure on Tehran and force it to choose between greater international isolation and a return to normal economic relations. Bessent described the campaign as an unprecedented financial offensive against Iran. He said the United States would target networks and channels allegedly used by Tehran to generate revenue and bypass existing sanctions. The new measures cover several sectors, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The US Treasury also announced sanctions against dozens of entities, individuals and vessels allegedly connected to Iran’s economic activities. Washington warned governments, banks and businesses that continue dealing with Iran that they could also face consequences. Bessent said the administration would move quickly against entities that continued to support Tehran’s financial networks. Iran, however, rejected the pressure campaign and said it expected to maintain economic relations with key trading partners. China has also criticised the latest US measures, describing unilateral sanctions as illegitimate. Beijing said economic pressure would not resolve disputes and stressed that it would protect its own economic interests. China is particularly important to Iran because it remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Analysts say the effectiveness of the latest sanctions will depend heavily on whether countries such as China enforce Washington’s restrictions. Experts have also questioned how much additional pressure the new measures can place on Iran’s energy sector. Some analysts argue that existing restrictions and disruptions to oil exports have already significantly affected Tehran’s energy revenues. The confrontation is also affecting global energy markets. Oil prices have risen sharply since the conflict began, raising concerns about inflation and fuel costs in several countries. Iran has warned that it could take further action against regional oil exports if the conflict continues. Tehran has also issued warnings to vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments normally travels. The latest sanctions come after months of escalating pressure between Washington and Tehran. The United States has repeatedly sought to use economic measures to force Iran to change its policies, while Tehran has continued to reject what it calls unilateral American pressure. The economic consequences are also being felt in the United States. Higher oil prices have pushed gasoline costs above $4 per gallon in parts of the country, adding to concerns over household expenses ahead of the November midterm elections. For Iran, the latest US campaign presents another major economic challenge. However, Tehran’s response indicates that it intends to rely on existing trade relationships, particularly with countries that oppose unilateral US sanctions, to keep its economy functioning.

  • The US-brokered security framework between Lebanon and Israel

    In a historic geopolitical turn of events, representatives from Lebanon and Israel signed a milestone, United States-brokered framework agreement in Washington. The landmark accord aims to establish a structured pathway toward ending ongoing armed conflict, restoring territorial integrity, and enforcing a lasting cessation of hostilities across their shared southern border. While diplomats have hailed the deal as an unprecedented step forward for regional stability, it has simultaneously ignited fierce domestic political debates and public outcry over sovereignty, security, and national defense. Negotiated over several rounds of high-level talks overseen by American officials, the framework establishes a phased operational roadmap designed to reshape the security dynamic along the border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are slated to progressively pull back from designated areas in southern Lebanon. Initial security sectors, known as pilot zones, will be created where control is formally transferred to standard state forces. Units from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will assume exclusive security responsibilities in these cleared zones, asserting the government’s monopoly on weapons and defense operations. Under international oversight, the Lebanese government commits to consolidating armed power under state institutions and overseeing the eventual dismantling of non-state armed infrastructure, specifically targeting Hezbollah’s military apparatus. Despite the diplomatic milestone celebrated in Washington, the agreement has met intense polarization within Lebanon. Opponents and vocal social commentators accuse the state leadership of capitulating to foreign pressure, arguing that making Israeli withdrawal contingent upon the disarming of local resistance groups compromises national defense while Israeli troops remain stationed on Lebanese territory. Critics assert that such concessions disproportionately favor foreign security interests at the expense of displaced southern residents who have borne the brunt of military strikes and displacement. Conversely, supporters of the Lebanese central authority emphasize that the country cannot endure perpetual conflict and economic paralysis. Proponents argue that reclaiming exclusive state sovereignty over military decisions is essential for securing international financial assistance, starting the rebuilding of devastated infrastructure, and allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians to safely return to their homes in the south. Beyond the immediate security perimeter, the framework signals a broader effort by international mediators to reconfigure security structures in the Levant. By tying economic revitalization and diplomatic normalization to strict military compliance, Western nations hope to dismantle non-state proxy networks and prevent wider regional war spillover. However, significant hurdles remain. The execution of the agreement depends heavily on whether the Lebanese military possesses sufficient operational capability and political backing to execute its mandate without sparking internal civil strife. Furthermore, continuous monitoring mechanisms led by international entities will be critical to verify that both parties adhere to the standstill terms and avoid accidental escalations during the delicate troop transition phases. As diplomatic delegations prepare for follow-up implementation rounds, the coming months will test whether this framework represents a genuine turning point toward lasting peace or merely a brief intermission in a long-standing regional feud.  

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    Trump warns Iran backers of economic punishment

    US President Donald Trump has warned that countries providing an economic “lifeline” to Iran could face financial penalties as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran. Trump has also announced what he described as an “economic D-Day” against Iran as part of his broader campaign to weaken the country’s economy and force changes in its policies. The latest threat reflects Trump’s continued reliance on US economic power as a key foreign policy tool. His administration has increasingly used tariffs, sanctions and other financial measures to pressure countries and governments that Washington believes support US rivals or undermine its strategic objectives. Analysts, however, question whether the strategy can deliver the same results against Iran as it has in cases where the United States enjoys greater cooperation from other major economies. Iran maintains important economic ties with China and Russia, two countries that have strong reasons to resist US pressure. Russia already faces extensive American sanctions and has significantly reduced its dependence on the US-led global financial system. As a result, additional US economic pressure may have a limited impact on Moscow’s willingness to maintain trade and other economic relations with Tehran. China could present an even greater challenge for Washington. Beijing has repeatedly shown that it is prepared to resist or work around US sanctions when its own economic and strategic interests are at stake. China remains one of Iran’s most important trading partners, particularly in the energy sector, making Beijing a key factor in any US effort to isolate Tehran economically. Paul Musgrave, an associate professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, told Arab media that Trump would face significant difficulties in making his pressure campaign fully effective. Musgrave said Trump was attempting to impose a coordinated sanctions regime largely through unilateral US pressure, even though such efforts have traditionally depended on cooperation from multiple countries. He noted that an effective international campaign would require support from major powers, including China and Russia, as well as cooperation among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday that his campaign against Iran would become one of the most devastating economic operations ever directed against a country. The statement signals a major escalation in Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran. Trump’s administration appears determined to use America’s financial influence, access to global markets and trade relationships to make it increasingly difficult for Iran to maintain its international economic ties. However, experts warn that the strategy could also create significant economic consequences beyond Iran. If Washington threatens countries that continue trading with Tehran, those governments could face a difficult choice between maintaining their economic interests and avoiding US penalties. The effectiveness of Trump’s strategy will largely depend on whether Washington can convince major trading partners to cooperate. China and Russia are likely to remain the biggest obstacles, particularly if they view continued economic engagement with Iran as important to their own strategic interests. The latest move also comes after a series of contentious trade battles during Trump’s second presidential term, highlighting his continued preference for economic pressure as a means of pursuing foreign policy goals. Whether the approach can isolate Iran without triggering further tensions with major global powers remains uncertain.

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    Egypt may join Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi defence pact

    Egypt could become the next country to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said. Fidan said the defence pact is broadly comparable to NATO’s mutual defence principle. He stressed that the agreement is not aimed at Iran or any other country. According to the Turkish foreign minister, the pact is designed to provide a framework for the three countries to support each other’s security. He said the member states would consult each other in the event of an attack. They would then determine the nature and level of assistance required. Fidan said Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the alliance to expand beyond its three founding members. Egypt is among the countries being considered for possible membership. He said some technical issues would need to be resolved before Egypt could join the arrangement. Fidan explained that the alliance would begin with Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said the members intended to take gradual but practical steps to build the new security framework. A ministerial committee similar to structures used within NATO is also expected to be established. The alliance will also have a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. Further operational details are expected to be discussed during the first meeting of the proposed committee. Fidan said the agreement was the result of negotiations that had continued for more than two years. He also stressed that the new arrangement would not replace existing military alliances. The Turkish minister said the pact was intended to strengthen regional cooperation. He said it could eventually bring more countries together under a common security framework. Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation welcomed the signing of the agreement. OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed strong support for the pact. He described it as an important strategic development for regional and international cooperation. Taha said the agreement could contribute to security and stability across the region and the wider Muslim world. He also praised the leadership of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said their efforts had resulted in what he described as a historic agreement. The pact was signed on Friday during a trilateral summit in Makkah. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement at Al-Safa Palace. Under the agreement, the three countries have committed to strengthening defence cooperation and collective security. The pact also seeks to promote peace, stability and prosperity. Officials said the agreement is not directed against any country. They said it is based on a shared approach to security and burden-sharing. The agreement also establishes a collective deterrence principle. An armed attack against any one of the three member states will be treated as an attack against all three.

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