Mixed views in Lebanon ahead of controversial talks with Israel
Lebanon remains divided over the best way to end the conflict with Israel, with some backing Hezbollah's armed response.
UK prepared to deploy RAF Typhoons to keep strait of Hormuz open after Iran war
Proposal at heart of offer made during a 30-country two-day meeting jointly organised by France
Britain is prepared to deploy a squadron of RAF Typhoons based in Qatar to patrol over the strait of Hormuz as part of a multinational mission to keep open the strategic waterway once the Iran war comes to an end.
The UK military also offered to deploy mine-hunting drones and specialist divers to help clear the strait mined by Iran – but no decision has been made on whether HMS Dragon or another warship would also be deployed.
Continue reading...EU formally approves €90bn Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia
Ursula von der Leyen hails ‘good news’ after Hungary’s lifting of vetoes allows leaders to sign off on agreements
EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc completed the agreement along with a 20th sanctions package against Russia.
After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for a summit in Cyprus that began in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Continue reading...More than 6 million Somalis face hunger amid climate shocks and conflict
Drought, failed rains, and conflict drive 6.5 million Somalis into hunger; children face acute malnutrition risks.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank raid
Teenager dies in hospital after Israeli forces shot him with live ammunition in the shoulder, Palestinian media reports.
Dozens of Mexican mafia members arrested in California crackdown
Prosecutors say 43 people indicted on charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking
More than two dozen members and associates of the Mexican mafia were arrested during an early morning crackdown in southern California, federal authorities said on Thursday.
The FBI and other federal and local agencies executed search and arrest warrants at locations mostly in Orange county, south of Los Angeles, according to the US attorney’s office.
Continue reading...Iran’s Mehr says air defences heard ‘engaging hostile targets’ in Tehran – Reuters
- Iran's Mehr says air defences heard 'engaging hostile targets' in Tehran Reuters
- Iran war live: Air defences engaged over Tehran, reason unclear Al Jazeera
- Israel denies it is attacking Iran after air defenses reportedly fire at 'hostile targets' over Tehran The Times of Israel
- Air defenses activated in Tehran against ‘hostile targets’; Katz: Israel awaiting US green light to resume strikes ynetnews
- US-Iran War Live: Iran activates air defences, engages 'hostile targets', local media reports India Today
Trump tells BBC that King’s visit could ‘absolutely’ help repair relations with UK
In a phone interview with the BBC's North America editor, the president discussed next week's visit and his relationship with the UK PM.
US reclassifies some marijuana products as less dangerous drug
Step is latest example of shift away from heavy penalisation that has given way to widespread legalisation efforts.
Decapitating cartels? Mexico leans into ‘kingpin strategy’ but at a cost
Under pressure from the US, President Claudia Sheinbaum has authorised military operations to arrest cartel leaders.
Italy slams Trump envoy proposal of taking Iran’s place in World Cup 2026
Italy officials slam suggestion that national football team should replace Iran at World Cup; fans also underwhelmed.
Pope Leo ends Africa tour with prison visit
Pope Leo wrapped up his 10-day four-nation tour of Africa in Equatorial Guinea.
Trump claims US has total control over strait of Hormuz after Iran seizes two container ships
US president says Tehran hobbled by infighting as Pentagon reportedly briefs mine clearance may take six months
Donald Trump has again said that the US has “total control over the strait of Hormuz”, adding that Iran’s leadership was so hobbled by infighting that it was unclear who was in charge.
But the US president’s claim seemed questionable in the face of the seizure of two container ships by Iranian commandos and a US report warning it could take six months to clear the strait of mines.
Continue reading...ACLU, Amnesty lead 120 rights groups issuing US World Cup ‘travel advisory’
Groups warn of 'deteriorating human rights' in call for US visitors' protection; White House decries 'scare tactics'.
Israeli killing of Lebanese journalist draws international condemnation
Lebanese PM calls attack that killed Amal Khalil a ‘war crime’, with rescuers attempting to free her also targeted
Israel’s killing of a prominent Lebanese journalist in a double-tap strike has been greeted with international outrage as Lebanon’s prime minister described the attack as a “war crime”.
Amal Khalil, 43, who worked for al-Akhbar newspaper, was buried on Thursday. She was killed in what colleagues described as a sustained attack by Israeli forces, with rescuers attempting to dig her out of the rubble of a building also targeted and prevented from providing life-saving assistance.
Continue reading...Huge chunk of glacier blocks Everest route in peak climbing season
Sherpas cannot prepare the route to the world's highest peak because a huge block of ice is in the way.
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv hails frontline position as ‘strongest in a year’ – The Guardian
- Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv hails frontline position as ‘strongest in a year’ The Guardian
- Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv says it is in strongest frontline position ‘in a year’ due to drone tactics The Independent
- Ukraine’s Second Miracle Year - by Brynn Tannehill The Bulwark
- RUSSIA'S STALLED WAR IN UKRAINE Seymour Hersh | Substack
- Ukraine says it is in ‘strongest frontline position in a year’ as Russian advance grinds to a halt The Independent
How bad is Lamine Yamal’s injury? Will he make Spain’s World Cup opener?
Lamine Yamal's season is over for Barcelona, but Spain fans await injury update on when star will play 2026 World Cup.
EU approves a $106B loan package to help Ukraine after Hungary lifts its veto – AP News
Philippines’ ex-president Rodrigo Duterte to face trial for crimes against humanity – The Guardian
- Philippines’ ex-president Rodrigo Duterte to face trial for crimes against humanity The Guardian
- Ex-Philippine President Duterte to face trial on crimes against humanity charges AP News
- ICC rules that Philippine ex-President Duterte must stand trial for murder Reuters
- Philippine ex-president Duterte to stand trial as ICC confirms crimes against humanity charges BBC
- ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirms all charges against Rodrigo Roa Duterte and commits him to trial | International Criminal Court