Russia budget deficit reaches 2025 target level of 1.7% GDP in first half of year
Russia's budget deficit reached 3.69 trillion roubles ($46.89 billion), or 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), in the first half of the year, the sa...
The Pentagon revealed on Thursday (December 19) that the actual number of U.S. troops currently stationed in Syria stands at approximately 2,000, more than double the publicly acknowledged figure of 900.
The additional personnel, described as temporary forces, have reportedly been deployed to support missions targeting the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder addressed the discrepancy during a briefing, explaining that the previously undisclosed increase stemmed from temporary deployments and the rotation of troops.
"It's not uncommon for these numbers to fluctuate as units rotate in and out. But given the current situation in Syria, I was recently made aware that the numbers were significantly higher than the approximate 900 we had been reporting," Ryder said.
The core group of approximately 900 troops represents long-term deployments of 9 to 12 months, according to Ryder. In contrast, the temporary forces, typically on rotations of 30 to 90 days, are brought in to address emerging mission needs associated with the fight against ISIS.
He declined to provide a breakdown between conventional and special operations forces but emphasized that all deployed personnel are focused on defeating ISIS.
Ryder noted that part of the mission also involves ensuring diplomatic and operational security in the region. The discrepancy in troop numbers prompted a review, with Ryder stating, "Given the difference in the numbers we've been providing, I made the decision to disclose the updated figure."
When pressed about how long the higher troop levels have been in place, Ryder admitted he could not pinpoint an exact timeline but suggested it had been ongoing for months, predating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The revelation echoes similar cases in the past where troop numbers in active deployment zones were underreported, raising questions about transparency in U.S. military operations abroad.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Germany has summoned China’s ambassador to protest after a Chinese warship used a laser against a German surveillance aircraft operating in the Red Sea, Berlin said on Tuesday.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
At least 29 people are missing after a glacial flood destroyed the “Friendship Bridge” linking Nepal and China, disrupting trade and prompting cross-border rescue efforts.
Kazakhstan will seek to protect its national interests in talks with the United States after receiving notice of new import tariffs due to take effect from 1 August, its trade ministry said on Tuesday.
Greece closed the Acropolis and limited outdoor work on Tuesday as a severe heat wave pushed temperatures above 40°C, marking the country’s second major heat event this season.
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