United States

07:19

Middle East Conflict

Hezbollah claims attacks on Israel; Pentagon shows footage of strikes on Iranian tankers - Middle East conflict on 9 May

Efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war appeared to stall as the two sides exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz. A reported CIA assessment suggested Tehran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade for months despite mounting sanctions and renewed Gulf attacks.

18:21

Middle East Conflict

Iranian FM says missile capacity at 120%; Deadly Israeli strikes hit Lebanon - Middle East conflict on 8 May

The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides signalled they did not want escalation. The clashes come as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a proposed deal to end the war while leaving key disputes, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now.

13:52

Expert View

Türkiye seeks lasting Iran-U.S. ceasefire as Ankara pushes diplomacy

Türkiye is urging Washington and Tehran to turn their fragile truce into a permanent ceasefire, as analysts say Ankara is seeking to use its geopolitical position to prevent a wider regional conflict.

08:35

DOGE

U.S. judge rules Trump-era DOGE grant cuts unconstitutional

A federal judge on 7 May ruled that the Trump administration’s cancellation of hundreds of humanities grants under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was unconstitutional and amounted to “blatant viewpoint discrimination”.

20:47

U.S.-Iran

How a U.S.–Iran deal could reshape Israel’s regional security strategy

As diplomatic talks over a possible U.S.–Iran framework agreement continue, analysts are assessing how any deal could alter security dynamics across the Middle East.

19:16

Middle East Conflict

U.S. launches 'retaliatory strikes' on Iran as Tehran's military says ceasefire breached - Middle East conflict on 7 May

The U.S military said it carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran on Thursday (7 May). Meanwhile, Iran's Joint Military Command accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire, by striking an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on several Iranian cities. 

11:01

Middle East Conflict

Tehran reviews U.S. peace plan as Trump pushes for deal

U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a swift end to the war with Iran, as Tehran considers a U.S.-backed peace proposal that sources say could formally end the conflict but leaves several core disputes unresolved.

10:30

Markets

Asian stocks surge to record highs on Middle East peace hopes

Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices eased and the U.S. dollar weakened amid shifting global risk sentiment.

09:17

Global Debt

Record global debt hits $353 trillion as investors shift from U.S. Treasuries

Global investors are showing early signs of diversification away from U.S. Treasuries as worldwide debt levels climbed to a record $353 trillion by the end of March of 2026, according to a new report from the Institute of International Finance (IIF) published on 6 May.

07:49

Hantavirus Update

CDC evaluates risk level after deadly cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

The United States is closely monitoring American passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on 6 May.

07:06

Epstein Files

Alleged Jeffrey Epstein suicide note released in court filing

A federal judge in New York released a handwritten document described as a suicide note purportedly written by late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nearly seven years after his death in a Manhattan jail cell. The document was released late Wednesday (6 May).

16:30

Middle East Conflict

Iran wants to make deal, Trump says - Middle East conflict on 6 May

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached. 

10:41

Middle East Conflict

Iranian FM Araghchi holds talks in Beijing, ahead of U.S.-China leaders' summit

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China’s top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday (6 May), underscoring deepening ties between Tehran and Beijing ahead of high-level U.S.-China talks expected to touch on Iran and the Gulf crisis.

08:57

Fashion

'Fashion is Art': Celebrity guests stun on the 2026 MET Gala red carpet in New York

The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.

16:33

View from Iran

Iran warns U.S. forces over Hormuz escort plan as tensions escalate

The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command has warned the U.S. against deploying forces to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, saying any such move would be met with force.

12:07

Expert View

Iran-U.S. peace talks 'definitely not dead' says analyst as Trump rejects Tehran's proposal

Talks between the U.S. and Iran remain in a delicate state after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a 14-point proposal conveyed via Pakistan, while simultaneously suggesting that discussions with Tehran have been “positive.”

15:26

U.S. diplomacy

Marco Rubio to visit Vatican and Italy amid Pope Leo dispute

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.

14:37

Defence deal

Israel approves F-35 and F-15IA jet deal with Lockheed and Boeing

Israel has approved a major defence deal to purchase new squadrons of advanced fighter jets from U.S. manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the country’s defence ministry said on Sunday (3 May).

08:52

NATO tensions

Germany urges Europe to boost defence as U.S. plans troop withdrawal

Germany has said a planned reduction of U.S. troops should push Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defence, as concerns grow in Washington over the impact of the move on regional security.

16:45

View from China

He Lifeng, Bessent and Greer Hold Talks as Trade War Drags On

At a moment when the trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies remains deeply strained, senior officials from Beijing and Washington have resumed direct talks.

16:11

Expert View

U.S.-Iran tensions remain high as Trump warns military action still possible

Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated after renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump that military action against Iran has not been ruled out, alongside claims that Iranian leadership is eager to reach a deal.

13:40

U.S.-Venezuela

U.S. passenger flights resume to Venezuela after seven-year suspension

U.S. passenger air services to Venezuela resumed on Thursday (30 April), as an American Airlines flight landed in Caracas, restoring a commercial link between the two countries after seven years.

11:53

View from Iran

Iran asserts Hormuz Strait control as Tehran marks Persian Gulf Day

The Iranian leaders have commemorated the National Day of Persian Gulf stressing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran’s southern ports, a fragile ceasefire, and stalled negotiations.

12:05

Explainer

How U.S. military bases in the Gulf shape security, energy and global power shifts

In the Gulf, U.S. military bases have long been central to regional security. But rising tensions and shifting global dynamics are prompting new questions about what they protect - and whose interests they serve.