Category: World

Are US and Iran close to peace or sliding back to war?4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul AdamsDiplomatic correspondentReutersUS President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was “not satisfied” yet with the terms of a deal being negotiated with Iran.A ceasefire “hanging by a thread”. A diplomatic process “making progress”. A president “not satisfied”. And explosions echoing around the Gulf.
What to make of the current, confusing state of relations between the US and Iran – are we close to peace or sliding back to war?
The latest word from the White House is that negotiators from both sides have agreed a framework for a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, to allow room for further talks – but that this still needs US President Donald Trump's approval. This has not been confirmed by Iran.
It comes towards the end of a week that has tested the ceasefire, which came into effect on 8 April and has now lasted considerably longer than the active phase of fighting which prece..

Gaza City hospitals say several killed in strike, as Israel targets Hamas leaders4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleYolande KnellMiddle East correspondent, JerusalemReutersFive children were reported to be among those killed in a strike targeting a senior Hamas operative in a residential buildingAt least 10 people, including five children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a building in Gaza City late on Wednesday, according to local hospitals.
The target of the attack appeared to have been a local Hamas battalion commander Imad Asleem, who was killed alongside his teenage daughter Israa and buried on Thursday.
Hamas has not officially commented.
The Israeli military has released a short statement saying it struck “two central Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip”, without disclosing their identities.
It is the latest Israeli strike targeting senior Hamas figures in Gaza in recent days.
Footage from Thursday's attack showed a badly damaged residential building ..

Israel issues evacuation order for swathes of southern Lebanon7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSamantha Granville,BeirutandDavid GrittenAFPSmoke rises into the air following an Israeli strike near the southern city of Tyre on WednesdayThe Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for large parts of southern Lebanon, declaring the areas “combat zones” ahead of fresh strikes against Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged residents to move north of the Zahrani River, about 40km (25 miles) from the border. The IDF said it would act “with extreme force”, accusing Hezbollah of repeated ceasefire violations.
It is the largest evacuation order since the ceasefire took effect on 17 April, covering about 14% of Lebanese territory.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israel carried strikes on the southern city of Tyre. Hezbollah, which itself accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, said its fighters had clashed with Israeli troops.
Wednesday's strikes came after Israeli Pri..

Ebola-hit DR Congo faces 'catastrophic collision' of disease and conflict, WHO warns2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDan SalesAnadolu via Getty ImagesDR Congo is the epicentre of the outbreak though a few cases have been detected in UgandaOngoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is hampering the Ebola outbreak response, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Ituri province in the east of the country was at the centre of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict”.
In a statement posted on X, Tedros said the WHO could not “build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling”. He is due to travel to DR Congo this week to spearhead efforts to contain the virus.
Meanwhile Uganda has announced it is temporarily closing its border with DR Congo. There have been 220 suspected deaths since the outbreak was declared.
Aid workers have been struggling as travel is difficult because of ..

Iran condemns US strikes as 'gross violation' of ceasefire5 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleIan AikmanGetty ImagesIran said US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz had violated the fragile ceasefire, which started in AprilIran says the US has committed a “gross violation” of the ceasefire with new air strikes it launched on the country.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines had been targeted with what it called “self-defence strikes” in southern Iran on Monday.
Iran's foreign ministry said it held the US responsible for the consequences of its “aggressive and unjustified actions” in the Hormozgan region, which has a coast along the Strait of Hormuz – the crucial waterway Iran has blocked causing a spike in world energy prices.
It is unclear what impact the strikes will have on talks aimed to end the conflict.
“Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not h..

Russia threatens more Kyiv strikes and tells foreign nationals to leave17 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleIan AikmanandLaura GozziReutersRussian strikes destroyed several buildings in the Ukrainian capital on SaturdayRussia has threatened to launch a fresh wave of “systematic strikes” against Kyiv, days after carrying out one of its largest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the start of the war.
The new strikes will target “decision-making centres and command posts”, alongside drone manufacturing facilities in the city, Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Moscow has called for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv “as soon as possible” and warned citizens to stay away from administrative and military buildings.
Ukraine said Russia's threats were “nothing short of shameless blackmail” and urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow.
With its warning to foreign nationals, Moscow is “effectively admitting that its shelling is aimed, among oth..