111 stories
Tension between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House — following a phone call US President Donald Trump described as 'crazy' — has complicated the diplomatic opening toward Iran. Three senior US officials told the BBC that the back-channel process with Tehran has been paused.
Hezbollah has rejected a US-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Lebanon, saying it includes 'unacceptable national-sovereignty conditions'. The decision leaves uncertain a partial arrangement that envisages Lebanese army deployment in the south.
The UN General Assembly elected Portugal, Austria, Mauritius, Costa Rica and Bahrain to five non-permanent Security Council seats; in the European category, Germany was eliminated in the third round behind Portugal and Austria. Berlin's defeat after 14 years prompted debate in foreign-policy circles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said US President Donald Trump's proposals on the Ukraine war offered a 'workable framework' and called on Kyiv to compromise. The remarks came on the eve of a planned high-level meeting in Antalya, Türkiye.
Kenyan President William Ruto said the US-funded Ebola quarantine facility in Wajir was critical to regional health security after two people died in protests against it. The government said the quarantine decision complied with international standards.
With World Cup 2026 opening matches approaching, trade and migration tensions among Washington, Mexico City and Ottawa are casting a shadow over the tournament's operations. The three countries are preparing new joint protocols to coordinate border crossings and security.
US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he would be open to meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'if it was to make a deal'. The comment marks a softening in tone after months of Persian Gulf tensions and the Strait of Hormuz tanker crisis.
Israel's Supreme Court has rejected the government's ban on International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visits to Palestinian detainees, ruling that international law affirms Red Cross access. The court allowed sixty days for implementation.
China's Foreign Ministry has announced an entry ban on two New Zealand parliamentarians who visited Taiwan. Wellington called the move 'disproportionate.'
Heavy gunfire was reported in Mogadishu after Somalia's president had his term extended by one year. The opposition rejected the move and has called for nationwide protests.
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez met India's Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi as part of Delhi's energy diversification push. The talks focused on a framework for a long-term crude supply agreement.
Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has written to his North American counterparts proposing the USMCA free trade pact be renewed for 16 years through 2042. The letter precedes the deal's mandatory six-year review in July.
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to retaining classified records before a federal court, according to MS NOW. He had asserted innocence at last year's indictment.
The US House of Representatives passed a war-powers resolution by 219-198 that would require President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for new strikes in the continuing military confrontation with Iran. Eighteen Republicans voted with Democrats in support of the measure.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-conflict plan for Gaza does not have Washington's backing. Mr Rubio said the US would prioritise 'a two-state solution and the restructuring of the Palestinian Authority'.
South Korea's Democratic Party, led by President Lee Jae-myung, won 13 of the country's 17 governorships and metropolitan mayoralties in local elections. The result indicates strong domestic backing for Mr Lee's call to rebalance relations with China and Japan.
Ghana's President John Mahama said the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by parliament must undergo further review before he decides on approval. Mr Mahama said he would hold off pending opinions from the attorney general's office and from the Supreme Court.
Hungary has indicated the first cluster of negotiating chapters for Ukraine's EU accession could be opened as soon as next week, after months of blocking the process. The government spokesperson said the compromise package put forward by the European Commission meets Budapest's demands on minority rights.
A new analysis found that a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz would have a significant but not catastrophic impact on the New Zealand economy. Oil price effects and supply-chain disruption are the main channels. The government and private sector continue scenario planning.
The Australian prime minister said there is an 'ideological disagreement' with the United States after Washington revealed plans for a tariff on Australian products linked to anti-slavery concerns. The government said it is seeking a resolution through dialogue. Exporters are assessing potential supply-chain effects.
A large blast in a rebel-held village in Myanmar has killed dozens of people, BBC reported. The cause has not yet been officially confirmed. According to BBC reporting, various armed groups have issued statements about the incident.
Four people convicted of killing worshippers at a Catholic church in Nigeria were sentenced to death, BBC reported. The court announced its verdict and said the defendants retain the right to appeal. The case has reopened debate over security challenges in the country.
As an Ebola outbreak continues in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, health workers described the protective protocols they follow while treating patients. Medical equipment and vaccine deliveries to the affected region are ongoing. Regional health authorities said they are conducting continuous monitoring.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that Berlin fell short of its goals in the United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat vote. Germany had been a candidate for the 2027-2028 term. Merz said the outcome would prompt a review of Germany's foreign policy positioning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the disagreement between the two countries was 'tactical' after US President Donald Trump confirmed criticism directed at him. Al Jazeera reported that Netanyahu used the phrase 'our overall goals are the same'.
One person was killed and dozens were injured in Iranian-origin drone strikes targeting part of Kuwait International Airport. BBC reported that Kuwaiti authorities temporarily closed the airspace and suspended operations.
The Australian government's talks with the US on requested changes to the AUKUS defence partnership have been under way for 18 months. ABC reported that the Pentagon is reviewing the cost and timeline parameters of the programme.
Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma has been sentenced to prison again after writing an article critical of the country's prison system. Al Jazeera reported that the ruling, coming after his 2022 pardon, has been criticised by human-rights organisations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said China has opened new purchase quotas for Brazilian beef and that Brazil is finding alternative markets in response to US tariffs. Lula said growth in the China market provides important compensation after additional US duties on Brazilian exports.
A court in Tunisia has sentenced Ennahdha leader Rached Ghannouchi to life in prison. The decision has reignited debate over the country's political climate and human rights.
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says US President Donald Trump needs the Iran war to end, but Tehran appears not to be backing down. Bowen emphasises that negotiations are in a difficult phase.
ABC News Australia reports that past speeches show Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had argued against selling the HMAS Penguin land on Sydney Harbour. The Defence Department has announced the site will be divested.
Sailors who have been stuck on their ships for months because of the Strait of Hormuz blockade are showing serious signs of stress and exhaustion. BBC Asia spoke with families and seafarer unions.
South African police have launched an investigation into the killing of two Mozambican men in the north of the country. Mozambique's government has called for the case to be resolved quickly.
According to the European Central Bank's report, the international role of the euro remained largely flat in 2025 with marginal changes. The dollar retained its position as the world's reserve currency, while geopolitical risks could trigger fresh currency moves.
Atlas, the infrastructure unit owned by BlackRock, has frozen renewable energy investments worth roughly $1 billion in Brazil. The decision comes amid uncertainty over the country's energy transition policies.
The Office of the US Trade Representative proposed fresh tariffs on 60 economies, including China, under Section 301. Greer said the actions target supply chains linked to forced labor.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he has directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expand control of Gaza to 70 per cent. According to the BBC, the expansion contradicts the terms of the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas in October 2025.
After the United States announced strikes on radar installations on Iran's southern Qeshm, Iran said it had carried out attacks against US-linked targets in Kuwait and Bahrain. Al Jazeera's live blog reports tension between Trump and Netanyahu over Israel's plans to strike Beirut suburbs.
As concerns mount over an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, three separate vaccine development programmes are under way at IAVI, Moderna and the University of Oxford, the BBC reports. The programmes aim to provide protection against different Ebola virus species.
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a Paris monument honouring victims of the Rwanda genocide. According to Al Jazeera, Macron acknowledged France's 'responsibility' during the genocide and described the memorial as a reconciliation 'milestone'.
Citing US media, the BBC reports that Donald Trump is asking for edits to the draft deal under negotiation with Iran. The proposed changes focus on Strait of Hormuz security and the removal of highly enriched uranium.
According to ABC News Australia, the UN has warned that a moderate-to-strong El Nino event is expected to develop and 'pour fuel on the fire' of existing extreme heat. The alert comes as India endures a deadly heatwave with temperatures touching 47 degrees Celsius.
Al Jazeera reports that China's expanded duty-free access for many African products has revived hopes of industrial growth across the continent. Trade flows remain uneven, however, with raw materials still dominating shipments.
Two people were killed during protests in Kenya against a proposed US-backed Ebola treatment and quarantine facility, the BBC reported. The unrest followed an escalation of public anger near the site selected for the project.
The White House asked US AI developers to voluntarily share early access to their frontier models with federal agencies. The order arrives amid intensifying US-China competition and is set to reshape Washington's dialogue with leading labs on safety and national security.
Satellite imagery analysis commissioned by the BBC has found Iran has damaged 20 US military sites since the war began. The affected installations are in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait. The Pentagon has confirmed the financial loss is around $1.2 billion.
The chair of Australia's Royal Commission has announced non-disclosure agreements will be waived in the ongoing inquiry into military sexual violence. The decision opens participation in inquiry hearings to former Defence Force personnel and family members. The federal government expects the three-year commission's final report in spring 2027.
Representatives from the US Indo-Pacific Command and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy held maritime military safety talks in Honolulu, Hawaii. The two sides discussed contact protocols in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The Pentagon and Beijing said the meeting was 'candid and constructive'.
The Nigeria Police Force said reprisal attacks against South Africans in Lagos and Abuja will not be allowed in response to anti-migrant attacks in South Africa. 24-hour protection has been deployed at corporate offices and individual targets. Pretoria has delivered a formal note of condolence to the Nigerian government.
The US State Department has announced the number of embassies in Africa that can process visa applications will be cut from 47 to 12. The policy change, mandated by presidential directive, will take effect on 1 September. The African Union Commission and major African governments described the decision as 'damaging to continental cooperation'.
Representatives of the European Parliament, Council and Commission have agreed on a regulation that creates a legal basis for establishing 'return hubs' in third countries. The new rule allows asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected to be held in non-EU states. The regulation will be voted on first by Parliament, then by Council.
Large demonstrations took place in Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción as Chileans protested against government cuts to social programmes. Carabineros police used water cannon and tear gas while protesters attacked some public buildings. President Boric said the cuts were necessary for 'fiscal sustainability'.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh will be targeted 'in response to attacks on Israeli civilians'. Thousands of residents are fleeing the area as the EU and UN repeated their ceasefire calls.
According to Nikkei Asia, Japan and the United States have decided to invest 1 billion dollars in a joint artificial intelligence project named 'Genesis Mission'. The project aims to combine scientific research and computational infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific.
According to the South China Morning Post, a Chinese policy team has drafted a detailed sanctions list covering 63 technology sectors as a response to Washington restrictions on semiconductors, AI, quantum computing and aerospace. A White House reaction is expected.
The court ruled that the United Kingdom does not need to pay Rwanda after pulling out of the asylum deal between the two countries. The decision eases the fiscal burden of migration arrangements debated under the Sunak and Starmer governments.
Ethiopia went to the polls on Sunday in a national vote being framed as a re-evaluation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's tenure. Millions of voters in conflict areas and provinces with security concerns were unable to cast ballots.
Boru Hatlari ile Petrol Tasima AS (BOTAS), Azerbaijan's SOCAR, TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a deal to supply 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Türkiye over 15 years starting in 2029. The agreement strengthens Türkiye's energy supply security.
Brooklyn Rivera, 73, the prominent indigenous spokesperson on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, has died after three years in arbitrary detention. Rights organisations condemned the death and called for an international investigation into the circumstances.
US President Donald Trump spoke with CNBC's Eamon Javers Monday about the Iran war's trajectory. Trump told the network he does not care if Tehran ends talks, signalling that battlefield dynamics now matter more than the diplomatic track Washington once championed.
Israel's army seized the strategic 12th-century Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon within 24 hours and expanded its ground offensive northwards towards the Litani River. Lebanon's health ministry said at least 22 people have died in the latest strikes. UN Secretary-General Guterres reminded the parties of Resolution 1701.
Per Al Jazeera's live blog, the United States has carried out fresh air strikes on Iranian military facilities at Qeshm Island and Goruk. The Kuwaiti government said the same day that missile and drone attack attempts had been detected in eastern parts of the country. The developments come as US-Iran negotiations enter a new phase.
Colombia's presidential election will go to a runoff between leftist senator Iván Cepeda and right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella. Neither candidate cleared 50 percent in the first round and the two represent contrasting positions on the Petro government and US ties. The runoff is set for 21 June.
Al Jazeera's field video shows widespread destruction in the historic city of Tyre after repeated Israeli airstrikes. Lebanon's Health Ministry updated civilian casualty and infrastructure damage figures while the United Nations repeated calls for a humanitarian corridor.
Iran's Pars Oil and Gas Company chief executive Mehrdad Ahmadi told Iranian media that production has resumed at three offshore platforms after Israeli attacks halted output. The statement is being watched closely as a signal of Tehran's energy infrastructure recovery.
According to ABC News Australia, the US military said its air strike on a boat suspected of carrying narcotics in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed individuals it described as 'narco-terrorists'. The total death toll in the months-long campaign has risen to 202; Latin American governments continue to question cross-border due process.
At least 45 people were killed and about 70 injured when a building storing mining explosives in the village of Kaungtup, in north-east Myanmar's Shan state, exploded around midday. The area, near the Chinese border, lies in territory controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi delivered some of Tokyo's most pointed responses yet to the regional debate over its military build-up at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, denying militarism while sharply criticising China's 'huge arsenal'. The statement hardens Tokyo's tone in Indo-Pacific security diplomacy.
Former Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesperson Brigadier-General (Rtd) Rabe Abubakar was taken with his wife by an armed group near his hometown of Funtua in north-west Katsina state, returning attention to the region's persistent security challenges.
Ethiopian voters headed to the polls in an election contested by parties and coalitions, with more than 50 million registered voters and significant shares of youth and women. The ballot will shape the consensus-building between the federal government and regional parties after the Tigray ceasefire.
BBC Latin America correspondent Will Grant spoke to a 70-year-old widow in a Havana high-rise whose elevator was idle during prolonged blackouts, trapping her and her husband as he needed urgent medical care. The account illustrates how the island's deepening energy crisis is hitting everyday life.
Colombia headed to the polls to choose a successor to leftist President Gustavo Petro in an election held under the shadow of months of cross-border recriminations and tariff tensions with the United States. The outcome will shape Bogota's regional diplomacy, coca policy and security cooperation with Washington.
Iran has reasserted its sovereignty narrative over the Strait of Hormuz and announced new transit rules will take effect. While indirect talks with the United States continue, an agreement appears elusive. The move deepens uncertainty in global oil markets.
The Lebanese government has described Israel's military operations in southern Lebanon as a 'scorched-earth' policy. Al Jazeera's live blog reports on the uncertainty of US-Iran negotiations and rising regional civilian casualties. Diplomatic channels continue indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.
Australia has announced an agreement to buy three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the United States under a major shake-up of the AUKUS defence partnership. The deal aims to close a capability gap before 2032. The agreement is the largest defence acquisition in federal Australian budgetary history.
Japan, the United States and the Philippines plan to hold an investment forum in Manila in September that aims to position the Philippines as a regional artificial-intelligence hub. The forum will focus on semiconductor, data-centre and high-performance computing projects. The move is a counterweight to China's regional technology footprint.
India has confirmed signing a deal to supply BrahMos cruise missiles to Vietnam. New Delhi said similar discussions with Indonesia are in their final stage. The move expands India's Indo-Pacific defence-diplomacy footprint.
After Romuald Wadagni's swearing-in as Benin's new president, China is emerging as a major partner in the country's economic growth. A draft $1.2 billion investment package backed by the People's Bank of China is under discussion. SCMP analysis says Beijing is pursuing wider influence in West Africa.
Ethiopia is preparing for general elections on 6 June, but security conditions in Tigray and Amhara mean millions of voters cannot reach polling stations. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's party appears to hold a wide advantage. The European Union has deployed an electoral observation mission.
Al Jazeera has published an exclusive on-camera interview with a rebel FARC faction in southern Colombia that has refused to disarm. The commanders explain why they remain outside President Gustavo Petro's 'Total Peace' framework. The footage exposes the limits of disarmament politics ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
The US Department of Justice has formally asked Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia to step aside from the high-profile Georgia election-fraud case, citing recent reports that she was internally disciplined. The DOJ argues that the appearance of impartiality has been compromised. The judge must respond this week.
An Al Jazeera field report shows the Lebanese army described as 'overly stretched' as Israeli forces advance north of the Litani River. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the country 'faces strikes without precedent,' while UNIFIL has asked for additional monitoring capacity along the southern corridor.
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced legislation that would deepen the integration of American and Israeli defence industries, Al Jazeera reported. The proposed bill includes joint procurement procedures and technology-transfer steps, drawing sharp reactions from Palestinian representatives and several Arab diplomatic missions.
Russia's state nuclear operator Rosatom said a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but reported no change in ambient radiation levels, SCMP reported. Kyiv denied responsibility, and the International Atomic Energy Agency requested further information for independent verification.
Concerns are growing about a shift in U.S. President Donald Trump's posture toward Taiwan, Nikkei Asia reports in a four-point analysis. The piece argues that the White House appears to be softening Washington's decades-old strategic ambiguity over 'Taiwan independence,' and that Beijing's firm response is rattling investor confidence and Taipei's defence planning.
An Al Jazeera field report shows that women are bearing a disproportionate share of the Ebola outbreak in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Caregiving duties, participation in traditional funeral rituals and women's high share of frontline health roles are amplifying both transmission risk and the economic impact.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo 'deeply alarming,' warning that contact-tracing capacity in Ituri province is being eroded by conflict and logistics, BBC reported. The group says more medical staff and laboratory support are urgently needed to contain the Bundibugyo-strain outbreak.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has been accused of meddling in Sunday's Colombian presidential election after pledging punitive tariffs on his neighbour if a left-wing candidate wins. BBC reports that Colombian officials called the comments an attempt to influence the vote, while the OAS and the EU said they were following the situation closely.
BBC Middle East reports US President Donald Trump made no announcement on a 'final determination' on Iran after meeting his advisers, though US and Iranian officials confirmed they had agreed on a framework of a deal.
ABC News Australia reports Opposition Leader Angus Taylor told the Liberal Party council that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is starting a 'war on aspiration' with the recent federal budget. Taylor urged the party base to focus on electoral reorganisation.
BBC Asia reports US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that the US is not 'turning back' on its Asian allies but expects them to boost defence spending. Hegseth also warned against China's bid for hegemony in the region.
Al Jazeera reports that confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo nearly doubled in recent days as a rare Bundibugyo strain spreads. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia, the outbreak epicentre, and called for community-led response.
BBC Africa reports that Ghana's parliament has passed a bill criminalising same-sex acts and advocacy for LGBTQ+ identity. Human rights organisations have announced plans for a constitutional court challenge, while government representatives described the measure as the democratic will of parliament.
Anadolu Agency Ekonomi reports that the heads of the IEA, IMF, World Bank and WTO have jointly warned about downside risks to energy, trade and growth from the Middle East war. The institutions flagged the inflationary implications of disruptions to global goods flows.
Investing.com reports that the US and Mexico have concluded the first round of trade-deal talks covering autos, metals and border security. The publication did not detail the final text of any comprehensive deal; both sides described the talks as constructive.
Al Jazeera reports Colombian voters head to the polls on 31 May for the first round of the presidential election. Senator Ivan Cepeda leads two right-wing rivals in a campaign dominated by security concerns.
A CNBC analysis argues that while US stocks boomed during the Iran war on AI and defence demand, high energy and food prices have squeezed middle-class consumers. The gap could harden into a structural inequality pattern even after a ceasefire.
Petroleum-market analysts say the Strait of Hormuz volumes that prevailed before the Iran war may take years to fully return. Insurance premiums, re-routing decisions and Iran's new naval permission regime have layered structural costs onto Gulf shipping.
BBC Middle East reports that Israel has been added for the first time to the annex of the UN Secretary-General's annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. Israel says it rejects the allegations contained in the report.
The US, Australia and the United Kingdom have unveiled a new 'signature' project to develop cutting-edge weapons systems and sensors for underwater drones, ABC News Australia reported. The move aims to reinvigorate AUKUS's technology pillar.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she is determined to achieve a 'breakthrough' in resolving the long-standing issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, vowing to weigh all options, according to South China Morning Post.
Al Jazeera reports that Senegal is preparing for its third consecutive World Cup appearance as arguably Africa's best team. The squad list, group draw and match schedule are now public.
A South African public commission led by Justice Madlanga is examining alleged links between senior police officials and organised crime, BBC Africa reported. Testimony has covered alleged bribery and irregularities in narcotics operations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye is willing to cooperate with Japan in unmanned aerial vehicles, citing joint development and joint production potential, Anadolu Agency reported. The remarks open a new track in the Türkiye-Japan defence-industry dialogue.
General Francis Donovan met Cuban military officials at the edge of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, CNBC reported. The contact comes amid growing concerns of a possible US military action against the island and warrants careful framing of intent on both sides.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Asian allies at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that China cannot impose hegemony on US partners in the region. The remarks frame Washington's Indo-Pacific posture and request for greater allied 'burden-sharing'.
According to Al Jazeera, Eid al-Adha in Gaza this year passed for the third year in a row without animal sacrifice or Hajj. Conflict conditions and restrictions on food and movement have heavily reshaped the holiday's usual rhythms.
According to Al Jazeera, Israeli forces advanced north of Lebanon's Litani River line, with five people reported killed in the operations. The attacks come ahead of expected security talks between Lebanese and Israeli military delegations at the Pentagon.
Speaking at Asia's premier defence forum in Singapore, Vietnam's To Lam warned that crises of international order, development models and strategic trust are converging to drive global instability. It was his first foreign-policy address to an international audience since his April election as president.
The European Commission has agreed a tougher approach to trade relations with China, with Trade Commissioner Sefcovic saying new instruments may be needed in critical sectors. Beijing said it would respond with retaliatory and sectoral measures.