live U.S. launches strikes on Iran over Hormuz commercial vessel attack
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in Gaza on Monday near the line separating zones of Israeli control, exposing tensions in the ceasefire agreement signed on 9 October.
Palestinian medics said an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group east of Khan Younis, killing two and wounding another, while a tank shell killed one person on Gaza City’s eastern edge. The Israeli military said it targeted “terrorists” attempting to cross the so-called yellow line and approach its troops, describing the group as posing an immediate threat.
Highlighting ongoing challenges with the ceasefire, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced in a statement later on Monday, that it had located the body of one of the three hostages still missing in Gaza, in an area under Israeli control. The group did not provide a timeline for handover.
These escalations follow the ceasefire Hamas and Israel signed on 9 October, halting two years of devastating conflict but leaving key disputes unresolved. Under the agreement, Hamas released 20 surviving hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while the remains of 28 hostages were swapped for 360 militants. Since the truce, both sides have accused each other of violations.
Meanwhile, support for the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan is growing internationally. On 15 November, the United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye issued a joint statement urging the UN Security Council to swiftly adopt a resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s plan. The statement also referred to discussions during the UN High-Level Week, describing the initiative as a roadmap for Palestinian self-determination and eventual statehood.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who helped develop the plan and may join the proposed international board of peace, met PA deputy leader Hussein al-Sheikh on Sunday in the West Bank. Sheikh said via social media that they discussed implementing the Security Council resolution and the requirements for Palestinian self-determination.
In Cairo, a Hamas delegation led by exiled official Khalil al-Hayya held talks with Egyptian mediators on advancing the ceasefire. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem acknowledged the process was “complex” and warned Israeli violations were undermining progress.
One of the main obstacles remains the proposed international security force. Israel insists the force must disarm Hamas, while Hamas argues the force must prevent Israeli troops from approaching civilians. Highlighting uncertainty, a Palestinian official close to the Cairo talks said, “There is complete uncertainty. Without a political track, without an understanding among all Palestinian factions, any deployment of forces would only make matters more complicated.”
The UN estimates that more than 15,000 people have been displaced in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, with limited access to food, water, and medical care. Humanitarian agencies warn that ongoing violence and delays in implementing the peace plan continue to threaten civilian lives.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
Kazakhstan has not received an official request from Russia for petrol supplies, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, as fuel shortages and sales restrictions in Russia raise concerns over fuel supplies across Central Asia.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (26 June) condemned as "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" a statement issued following a joint meeting of foreign ministers from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama, Bahrain.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, marking another milestone in the carrier's long-term fleet modernisation programme aimed at improving efficiency, expanding capacity and enhancing the passenger experience.
Pakistan is seeking to revive economic ties with Iran by reopening transport links and reassessing imports of discounted Iranian crude oil, as recent regional de-escalation raises hopes of broader economic cooperation.
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