Trump cancels US envoys’ trip to Pakistan for talks on Iran war
Iran had earlier said there were no plans for a direct meeting with a US delegation led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Key figure in Mandelson vetting scandal will not give evidence before MPs
Chief property and security officer Ian Collard set to submit written answers to foreign affairs committee questions
A key figure in the row over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington will not appear before a parliamentary committee of MPs to give evidence.
Emily Thornberry had requested that Ian Collard speak to the foreign affairs committee (FAC) on Tuesday, but confirmed on Saturday that he would submit written answers instead.
Whether he felt under pressure to deliver Mandelson’s clearance, after Robbins said there was an “atmosphere of pressure” and “constant chasing” from Downing Street.
Whether he had seen the cover form for Mandelson’s vetting by UK Security Vetting (UKSV), the agency responsible for checks on candidates for sensitive posts, in which it had ticked two red boxes – meaning they had “high concern” and recommended “clearance denied or withdrawn”.
If he was asked by anyone in the Foreign Office, Downing Street or the Cabinet Office for advice about whether Mandelson required vetting for the post given that he was a member of the House of Lords.
If he advised on how Mandelson should be treated during the period between his appointment being announced and his clearance coming through.
Continue reading...Explosion in southwest Colombia kills at least 14, state governor says
Authorities in Cauca region demand 'decisive' government action after deadly explosion on Pan-American Highway.
Israel says it will attack Hezbollah ‘forcefully’ as four killed in strikes on southern Lebanon – Reuters
- Israel says it will attack Hezbollah 'forcefully' as four killed in strikes on southern Lebanon Reuters
- Netanyahu orders army to 'vigorously attack' Hezbollah in Lebanon BBC
- Netanyahu Tells Israeli Military to Hit Hezbollah with ‘Powerful Strikes’ WSJ
- Israel-Lebanon Cease-Fire Tested by Escalating Clashes The New York Times
- Live Updates: Latest from Israel, Iran, and the Middle East The Jerusalem Post
How serious is the rift in NATO?
Trump fury over Europeans' refusal to join Iran war.
Family longest held in US immigration detention re-arrested after release
Lawyers say El Gamal family detained by Trump administration hours after returning home from 10-month detention.
Orbán relinquishes seat in Hungary’s parliament – politico.eu
- Orbán relinquishes seat in Hungary’s parliament politico.eu
- Orbán steps down from Hungarian parliament after landslide defeat BBC
- Crushed at the Polls, Hungary’s Former Ruling Party Licks Its Wounds The New York Times
- Defeated Orban Says He Won’t Take Up Seat, Wants to Lead Renewal Bloomberg.com
- How to Rebuild Hungarian Democracy Foreign Policy
Militants and separatists launch coordinated attacks across Mali
Al-Qaida-linked group JNIM claims responsibility for strikes on airport in capital, Bamako and four other cities
Islamic militants and separatists attacked several locations in Mali’s capital and other cities on Saturday in one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years.
The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks on Bamako’s international airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali on its website, Az-Zallaqa. It said the attacks were carried out jointly with the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist group.
Continue reading...Iran Update Special Report, April 25 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
- Iran Update Special Report, April 25 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- US-Iran ceasefire deal hangs in the balance as Israel, Lebanon slated for rare Washington talks foxnews.com
- Iran War Timeline: Key Moments and Attacks In U.S. and Israel’s Campaign The New York Times
- Iran war updates: Israel attacks increase in Lebanon; ships taken in Hormuz Al Jazeera
- Trump Talks Up Iran Blockade as Israel-Lebanon Truce Extended Bloomberg.com
It costs $230 out-of-pocket to see a dermatologist. Many Australians go without – despite soaring skin cancer rates
Exclusive: Report shows cost of first appointment rose $20 in one year, with steeper rises in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania
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Patients are increasingly going without medically necessary dermatological care, the head of the Consumers Health Forum said, as new report reveals the rising cost of the specialty in Australia.
Dermatology is expensive and getting pricier, with an average first visit now costing an adult patient without concessions $230 out-of-pocket, while follow-up appointments cost almost $190, the report from health directory Cleanbill found.
Continue reading...Trump puts onus on Iran’s authorities as they project hardened stance
Some officials say Tehran must not even entertain any more talks on the nuclear issue amid the threats and blockade.
Police arrest demonstrators at pro-Palestine rally in Berlin
Video footage shared on social media shows two women being arrested at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Berlin.
Woman and child die after getting into ‘difficulty’ in water in west London
Pair, believed to be mother and son, recovered from water but died at scene in Elthorne Park, Ealing
A woman and her young child have died after getting into “difficulty” in the water at a park in west London, police said.
Officers were called to Elthorne Park in Ealing just before 4.30pm on Saturday, where a woman and her son were recovered from the water, the Metropolitan police said.
Continue reading...Protestor depicts Israeli minister Ben Gvir covered in blood in Stockholm
Activists organised a protest in solidarity with Palestine on Saturday in Stockholm, Sweden.
After destroying more than 120 homes, wildfires still a danger, Georgia officials say
Blazes in US south-east have blown smoke over a wide area, and contributed to at least one death in Florida
Two wildfires in south-eastern Georgia that have destroyed more than 120 homes continued to threaten property and lives on Saturday as officials warned that strong winds could spread the flames.
The Brantley county manager, Joey Cason, called it a “dynamic situation” in a Saturday-morning video posted to social media and begged residents to “please evacuate” if they are ordered to do so.
Continue reading...Orbán steps down from Hungarian parliament after landslide defeat
The outgoing prime minister will not take up his seat after leading his party back into opposition.
Barcelona on the brink of defending La Liga title after beating Getafe
Barcelona move 11 points clear of Real Madrid in the La Liga title race with five games to play.
Macron says EU’s mutual defence clause ‘not just words’
French president cites joint military aid to Cyprus as proof of Europe’s ability to defend itself during trip to Athens
Emmanuel Macron has spoken up for Europe’s ability to defend itself, saying a mutual assistance clause, enshrined in the EU treaty, was unambiguous and “not just words”.
The French president said the pact had already been proved in action when several member states sent military aid to Cyprus after a drone attack against a British airbase on the island on 28 February.
Continue reading...Arsenal narrowly beat Newcastle to regain Premier League lead over Man City
Nervy Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 in the EPL to move three points clear of Manchester City, who hold a game in hand.
France defends abstention on UN slave trade resolution
France justified abstaining on a UN resolution recognising the slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.