live U.S., Iran closer to deal, timing remains unclear
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Hamas has postponed the release of Israeli hostages, citing Israeli breaches of the ceasefire, including delays in aid and return of displaced Gazans. Israel has rejected the claims and ordered military readiness at the highest level. Talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt show little progress.
Hamas announced on Monday that it would halt the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire deal that came into effect on January 19. The group claims Israel delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, obstructed humanitarian aid, and targeted civilians.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz dismissed Hamas' claims, stating that the militant group itself had violated the agreement. He said he had instructed the military to maintain the highest level of readiness in Gaza and to protect Israeli communities.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., has largely held, but sporadic incidents have heightened tensions. Mediators now fear the agreement is on the brink of collapse.
So far, 16 out of 33 Israeli hostages scheduled for release in the first phase of the deal have been freed, along with five Thai nationals. In return, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas argues that Israel has failed to uphold key conditions, particularly regarding aid deliveries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations on Monday, while the security cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday. Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation returned from ceasefire talks in Qatar, but negotiations remain deadlocked due to growing mistrust between both sides.
In a separate development, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested relocating Palestinians out of Gaza to develop the enclave into a U.S.-controlled waterfront real estate project. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed the remarks, sparking tensions with Egypt, which accused Israel of stalling ceasefire progress.
As talks for a second phase of the ceasefire remain stalled, uncertainty looms over the agreement’s future and the fate of the remaining hostages.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party has announced it will merge with a party launched only a month ago by allies of the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
An Indian pollution regulator has accused a Tata components factory supplying Apple iPhones of contaminating groundwater near farmland with wastewater, raising the prospect of a forced shutdown unless the company provides a satisfactory response.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
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