US-Iran deal signing shifts to electronic format as Tehran denies Sunday plan
The planned signing of a US-Iran agreement has been changed from an in-person ceremony to an electronic process, after conflicting public accounts from Washington and Tehran over when and how the deal would be finalised. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the agreement was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, and linked it to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied that any Sunday signing had been planned and criticised Trump for focusing on that date.The change comes as talks have moved quickly and mediators have sought to prevent any disruption before... [Continue Reading]
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Carney warns of global rupture ahead of G7, urges Canada-EU unity
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that the post-Cold War rules-based order is "breaking down" and urged middle powers to work together ahead of next week's Group of Seven summit. He made the remarks on Saturday at the launch of the De Chastelain Public Lecture series at Trinity College in Dublin, where Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin was among those present. Carney said Canada and Ireland were "navigating a global rupture, not a quiet transition", framing the moment as one of strategic change rather than routine diplomatic tension.Carney said multilateral institutions had weakened and that economic integration, which he... [Continue Reading]
Hungary's Fidesz re-elects Viktor Orban as party leader after April election defeat
Hungary's Fidesz party has re-elected Viktor Orban as its leader for another year, despite the party's defeat in April's parliamentary election. Orban ran unopposed at the party congress and won a near-unanimous vote, with 729 of 737 delegates backing him. The result keeps the former prime minister at the head of the governing party as it tries to regroup after losing power to the centre-right Tisza party.Orban told delegates he took full responsibility for Fidesz's election defeat and said he did not intend to step aside. He also said the party needed to change if it was to function as... [Continue Reading]
US intercepts Iranian drones in Strait of Hormuz amid peace deal progress
The United States says it intercepted multiple Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, shortly after both sides said a peace agreement was moving closer to completion. The incident took place in one of the world's most sensitive maritime chokepoints, where commercial shipping carries a large share of Gulf energy exports. US Central Command said the drones were aimed at commercial vessels and that all of them were shot down.The command said the attack drones were launched in the early hours of 13 June and that traffic through the strait continued without interruption. It said the waterway remained... [Continue Reading]
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Clashes at Kinshasa rally over proposed DRC term-limit change
Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo dispersed rival political groups with tear gas after clashes broke out at an opposition rally outside parliament in Kinshasa. The demonstration was held against a proposed law that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond his current two-term limit. The rally was organised by the opposition coalition C64 and was broken up after fighting involving pro-government activists.Among those injured was opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who was seen with blood around his eyes and shirt as supporters helped him. Prince Epenge, another opposition figure, was also reported to have been slightly... [Continue Reading]
John Healey quits as UK defence secretary amid wider defence spending row
John Healey resigned as UK defence secretary after saying the government had failed to commit enough money to defence, deepening a dispute inside the Labour government over military funding. Hours later, the armed forces minister, Al Carns, and two ministerial aides also left their posts, according to the supplied report. The resignations have sharpened pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a time when the government is trying to settle its defence investment plans.Healey said the Treasury had been unwilling to provide the resources needed to defend the country at a time of rising threats. The row centres on... [Continue Reading]
US to cut NATO air and naval assets in Europe, raising alliance concerns
The United States is planning to sharply reduce air and naval assets assigned to NATO operations in Europe, according to reports cited by European officials. The move would affect fighter jets, maritime reconnaissance aircraft and several major naval platforms, including an aircraft carrier and a submarine. It comes amid wider concern in Europe about Washington's commitment to the alliance's military posture.The reported changes include cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets allocated to NATO from about 150 to 100. Maritime surveillance aircraft would also be reduced from 26 to 15, while eight aerial refuelling aircraft are expected to... [Continue Reading]
Armenian opposition seeks annulment of parliamentary result after June 7 vote
Armenia's pro-Russian Strong Armenia party has asked the country's election commission to annul the result of Sunday's parliamentary election, alleging voting irregularities. The petition was submitted on Friday in Yerevan, according to the party's representative Aram Vardevanyan. The move challenges the victory claimed by incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's governing Civil Contract party.Civil Contract won 49.8% of the vote, while Strong Armenia secured 23.2%, according to the reported results from the June 7 election. The Central Election Commission had already invalidated tallies at two polling stations on Thursday, citing a concentration of military personnel at the voting sites after polls... [Continue Reading]
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Israeli and Palestinian groups press G7 for Gaza action ahead of Évian summit
Palestinian and Israeli civil society groups have met in Paris to urge G7 leaders to take action on Gaza at next week's summit in Évian-les-Bains. The groups called for a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the start of reconstruction in Gaza. They also said the various peace efforts should be brought together into a single programme.The Paris meeting drew up proposals from five working groups and brought together as many as 150 activists from across the Israeli-Palestinian divide. In a joint statement, the groups said Gaza was devastated and Israel remained under threat. They also said settler violence, settlement... [Continue Reading]
China confirms detention of US researcher Min Zin on spying suspicion
China has confirmed that it is holding an American citizen, Min Zin, on suspicion of spying and endangering national security. The Foreign Ministry said the Myanmar-focused political analyst had been subjected to criminal compulsory measures, after US media reports said he was detained in early June. The case involves a researcher linked to the Institute for Strategy and Policy Myanmar, a think tank that studies politics, resources and conflict dynamics in Myanmar.Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China had notified the US consulate general in Guangzhou of the arrest. According to the reports cited by the ministry, Min Zin disappeared... [Continue Reading]
Northern Ireland unrest eases after second night of disorder linked to Belfast knife attack
Police in Northern Ireland said pockets of protest passed off without incident on Thursday after two nights of unrest linked to footage of a knife attack in north Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had increased its presence across the region, with extra officers and mutual aid from other UK forces deployed amid concerns about further violence. The unrest had spread beyond Belfast earlier in the week, with disorder reported in places including Glengormley and Portadown.Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no evidence at this stage that loyalist paramilitaries were coordinating the violence. He said... [Continue Reading]
Omar Abdullah urges Modi to restore Jammu and Kashmir statehood early
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and pressed for the early restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. The meeting came a week after the National Conference announced plans for a protest at Jantar Mantar to push the same demand. Abdullah also discussed the region's economy, development and public welfare with the prime minister.According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Abdullah told Modi that restoring statehood would be an important step in strengthening democratic institutions and deepening public participation. He asked that the process be taken forward at... [Continue Reading]
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UK, Australia and Canada launch £4m peace fund for Israel-Palestine conflict
Britain, Australia and Canada have announced a joint peace fund aimed at supporting a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The initiative was unveiled on Thursday and will provide £1m from each country, according to a statement from the UK foreign ministry. The fund is intended to back grassroots projects and humanitarian support linked to Palestinians, while also promoting dialogue between communities.The announcement said the money will go to new and existing local projects, with a particular focus on youth groups, civil society organisations and women. It also said the fund will support long-term peacebuilding efforts and help address what... [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Close Lower as Risk Aversion Hits Equities, Gold and Silver Slide
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific markets ended broadly weaker in Tokyo trading, with the Nikkei 225, Kospi, Hang Seng and ASX 200 all finishing lower. Safe-haven metals also fell sharply, while palladium bucked the trend. The move came alongside a firmer U.S. dollar against the yen and a modestly stronger yuan, pointing to a session shaped by cross-asset repricing and a stronger risk-off tone. [Continue Reading]
US inflation rises to three-year high as energy costs climb
US consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in three years in May, with inflation reaching 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase, from 3.8% in April, was driven largely by higher energy costs and petrol prices linked to the war in Iran. It was the third month in a row that the Consumer Price Index has increased, adding to pressure on households and reinforcing concerns about how quickly the shock is feeding through to the wider economy.The latest figures were accompanied by unusually direct political comments from President Donald Trump, who said at the White House... [Continue Reading]
Mexico City fan festival disrupted as World Cup opening begins amid protests and tighter security
Mexico is opening the World Cup under heightened security and visible protest in Mexico City, where a teachers' union camp has blocked access to the plaza planned for the country's main fan celebrations. The disruption comes as the tournament's opening festivities begin and the host city prepares for a free fan festival and opening match events. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said it is unclear whether the fan festival can go ahead on opening night.The protests have been building for more than a week, with union activists blocking roads and toppling World Cup statues as part of an annual campaign for... [Continue Reading]
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Australia flags risks over reliance on Starlink as SpaceX prepares public offering
Australian government officials are privately warning about the risks of growing reliance on Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by SpaceX. The concern comes as tens of thousands of Australians are preparing to buy shares in SpaceX ahead of its public offering on 12 June. The issue has drawn attention because Starlink is already used by about 200,000 Australians and several government agencies.Documents obtained under freedom of information laws say officials have been assessing the implications of essential communications depending on a privately owned foreign satellite network. An internal notice from a spy agency described satellite internet providers as a... [Continue Reading]
US urges Europe to adopt Ebola travel restrictions ahead of World Cup
The Trump administration has asked European countries to impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been in Ebola-affected countries in Central Africa, according to officials and sources familiar with the request. The appeal was made as Washington said it wanted to reduce the risk of the virus spreading during the World Cup. The request adds a diplomatic dimension to an already active public health response to the outbreak.The United States sent a formal démarche on 1 June, asking European states to introduce Ebola-related travel limits, a European Union diplomat based in Africa and a second source with knowledge of... [Continue Reading]
Indonesia military court sentences four officers over acid attack on activist
An Indonesian military court has sentenced four officers over an acid attack on rights activist Andrie Yunus in Jakarta. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday and follows a March assault that left Yunus with severe burns and loss of sight in one eye. The case has drawn attention because the men convicted were members of the military's Strategic Intelligence Agency, known as BAIS, and because the victim had been critical of the armed forces' growing role in public life.The court found the four guilty of serious premeditated assault. One officer received a three-year sentence, another 2.5 years, a third two... [Continue Reading]
Hundreds of former European officials urge EU to suspend Israel trade access
More than 460 former European political figures have called on the European Union to take tougher action against Israel over its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The appeal was set out in an editorial published ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next week and an EU summit in Brussels. The signatories include former Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar, former tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox.The group said the EU should suspend Israel's preferential trade access under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It argued that such a move would affect... [Continue Reading]
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Iran says United States revoked World Cup ticket allocation for supporters
Iran's football federation says the United States has revoked its ticket allocation for Iranian supporters ahead of the 2026 World Cup group stage matches in the US. The dispute affects Iran's three group games, which are due to be played in the United States. The federation says the move leaves it unable to provide even a single ticket to supporters under the current arrangements.In a statement issued on Tuesday, the federation said the change came with less than three days remaining before the tournament begins. It said it had already started selling tickets for matches against New Zealand, Belgium and... [Continue Reading]
Nithya Raman projected to face Karen Bass in Los Angeles mayor runoff
Nithya Raman is projected to advance to the Los Angeles mayoral runoff, where she will face incumbent Karen Bass in November. The projection follows counting in the city's primary election, with Raman moving ahead of Republican candidate Spencer Pratt. The race is for leadership of the second-largest city in the United States.As of late Monday, Raman had 28.5% of the vote, compared with 25.8% for Pratt, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Multiple US media outlets projected that Raman had secured enough support to move into the runoff even though the primary count was still ongoing. Bass, a... [Continue Reading]
Zelensky says he had positive talks with US envoys on Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he held a positive conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as diplomatic efforts continue over the war with Russia. He made the remarks while travelling through Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, after talks in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany. The latest exchanges come as European leaders have backed a proposed meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to secure a ceasefire.Zelensky said on Telegram that the discussion with the US envoys was "very positive" and that they were ready to work on a settlement... [Continue Reading]
Xi Jinping visit to North Korea comes as Pyongyang calls nuclear programme a 'line of no retreat'
Chinese President Xi Jinping is in North Korea in a visit that comes as Pyongyang insists its nuclear programme is a "line of no retreat". The trip is being watched closely because Beijing remains North Korea's main political and economic backer, while Pyongyang is under UN sanctions and largely isolated internationally. It also comes amid a period of heightened regional diplomacy involving China, the United States and Russia.The immediate significance of the visit is that Xi is seeking to reinforce Beijing's leverage with Pyongyang, according to the material provided. North Korea has made clear that it wants to be recognised... [Continue Reading]
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Peru presidential runoff remains too close to call as Sanchez edges ahead
Peru's presidential runoff remains unresolved after leftist Roberto Sanchez moved ahead of conservative Keiko Fujimori in the count. With 94 percent of voting centers reporting, the margin is still razor-thin and no winner has been declared. Fewer than 4,300 votes separate the two candidates, according to the latest figures.The count comes after nearly 18 million votes were cast, underscoring the scale of the contest. Sanchez said he was optimistic about the outcome but stressed that it would be necessary to wait for 100 percent of the votes to be counted. Fujimori said late on Sunday that there was still no... [Continue Reading]
US jet fuel costs surge as Iran tensions raise Strait of Hormuz disruption fears
Jet fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply as tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, adding fresh pressure to airlines ahead of the peak summer travel season. The latest market move is being linked to fears that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted. That waterway is a key route for global energy shipments, so even the prospect of interference can affect fuel markets quickly.The International Air Transport Association said jet fuel availability is threatened and that prices have roughly doubled since late February. In its annual report published on Sunday, the group said... [Continue Reading]
Peru presidential race remains dead heat as count nears completion
Vote counting in Peru's presidential election is nearing completion, with right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori holding a narrow lead over leftist rival Roberto Sanchez. With more than 92 percent of polling centres reporting on Monday, the race remained too close to call and no winner had been declared. Fujimori was on 50.2 percent, compared with Sanchez on 49.8 percent, according to the latest confirmed count.The result underscores the deep political polarisation in the South American country. Fujimori said late on Sunday that there was still no winner and that there would be "long days ahead". Sanchez described the contest as a... [Continue Reading]
Armenia's Pashinyan wins election amid allegations of Russian pressure
Armenia's governing Civil Contract party has won the country's parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan describing the result as a historic victory. The vote is being seen as a key test of whether Armenia will continue moving closer to the West and reducing its reliance on Russia. International observers said the campaign period was marked by pressure and attempts to influence the outcome.Civil Contract won 49.8% of the vote, according to the figures supplied in the latest reporting, ahead of the Strong Armenia Alliance on 23.2%. The Armenia Alliance came third with 9.9%. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council... [Continue Reading]
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Armenia begins counting votes in pivotal parliamentary election
Armenia has begun counting ballots after polls closed in a decisive parliamentary election that is being watched closely for its impact on the country's future direction. The vote took place on Sunday evening, with polling stations closing at 20:00 local time, and the first official count now under way. The result is expected to shape not only domestic politics but also Armenia's position in the South Caucasus.Officials said turnout was higher than in the 2021 parliamentary election, but lower than in 2012 and 2017. As counting started, unofficial exit poll projections circulated on social media, prompting warnings for caution. Prime... [Continue Reading]
India and Indonesia expand strategic talks ahead of likely Modi visit to Jakarta
India and Indonesia have held high-level talks in New Delhi focused on defence, maritime security, digital connectivity and infrastructure, as both sides look to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. The discussions were co-chaired by India's external affairs minister and his Indonesian counterpart at the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting. The ministers also discussed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Jakarta next month.According to the confirmed details, the meeting covered a wide range of bilateral issues, including political and security cooperation, trade and investment, health, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser, critical minerals, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides also exchanged views... [Continue Reading]
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US downs Iranian drones as Iran-US war reaches 100th day
The US said it shot down two Iranian drones that it said threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as the war between the two countries reached its 100th day. The incident adds to a series of exchanges that have continued despite indirect negotiations and mediation efforts. It also comes as the conflict has raised concern over shipping through one of the world's most sensitive waterways.According to the supplied report, the drones were destroyed by US Central Command. The statement said they threatened traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage linking the Gulf to the wider... [Continue Reading]
Canadian PM Mark Carney to visit Dublin and Mayo before G7 summit
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is due to visit Ireland next week for meetings in Dublin and Mayo before travelling on to France for the 2026 G7 Leaders' summit. The trip will include talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin and a separate meeting with President Catherine Connolly in Mayo. It will be the first bilateral visit to Ireland by a Canadian prime minister in nearly a decade.Carney's office said the visit will focus on deepening Canada-Ireland ties and expanding cooperation across agri-food, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals and climate. The itinerary also has a personal dimension, with his office... [Continue Reading]
Armenia votes in parliamentary election seen as test of Pashinyan's westward pivot
Voting is under way in Armenia's parliamentary election, with the result being watched as a test of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's push to move the country closer to Europe and further from Russia. The vote is also tied to efforts to secure a peace deal with Azerbaijan, while opposition parties have campaigned on security and identity issues. Polls opened at 8am local time and are due to close at 8pm, with two political blocs and 17 parties taking part.Pashinyan, whose Civil Contract party is seeking a strong mandate, cast his ballot on Sunday and said Armenia would continue strengthening its... [Continue Reading]
Australia's AUKUS submarine plan reignites debate over war risk with China
Australia's AUKUS submarine plan has returned to the centre of political debate after the government reaffirmed that the pact is moving ahead and the Greens warned it could pull the country into a future US war with China. The dispute is focused on Australia's plan to buy secondhand Virginia-class attack submarines from the United States. It comes as the government continues to defend the multi-decade defence agreement, which has become one of the country's most contested security projects.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said AUKUS was "full-steam ahead", according to the report, after the Greens renewed calls to cancel the nuclear-powered submarine... [Continue Reading]
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