Makana 360 Daily Insights:
📌 How did Banksy put up a statue in central London?
Banksy installed a new statue in Waterloo Place in central London during the early hours, using a low-loader truck, lifting equipment, and an experienced crew to complete the operation quickly. The artwork shows a suited man stepping forward while a flag covers his face and blocks his vision, giving the piece a strong symbolic message. Banksy later confirmed the work on Instagram, while Westminster City Council said it had not granted prior permission but had placed barriers around the statue to protect it while keeping it accessible to the public.
📌 Iran’s foreign minister holds regional calls
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held calls with counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Azerbaijan to brief them on efforts to end the war involving the United States and Israel, according to Tasnim. The outreach coincided with Iran sending a new negotiation proposal to Washington through Pakistani mediators. Araghchi also spoke with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas about diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and discuss longer-term security arrangements, signaling that regional and international channels remain active despite continued tensions.
📌 Trump threatens to cut US troops in Europe
President Donald Trump is considering reducing US troop levels in Germany, Italy, and Spain amid growing tensions with European leaders over the Iran war. Those three countries host nearly 53,000 American troops, making any major withdrawal politically and logistically difficult. While the president and the Pentagon have significant authority over deployment decisions, Congress can restrict large reductions through legislation and funding tools. In addition, US bases in Europe support not only NATO-related functions but also Washington’s broader military posture, including operations connected to the Middle East, which makes a substantial drawdown much harder to execute than a simple political threat might suggest.
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