live President of European Commission arrives in Azerbaijan
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit....
Türkiye’s intelligence chief has held talks with the head of Hamas’ negotiating team as part of ongoing efforts to advance the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Turkish security sources said on Saturday.
According to the sources, National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin met Khalil Al-Hayya in Istanbul, where discussions focused on the steps required to move forward to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan. The meeting took place within the framework of the existing ceasefire agreement.
The talks also addressed what the sources described as violations of the ceasefire by Israel, and the measures that could be taken to prevent further breaches. In addition, the two sides discussed ways to resolve outstanding issues that could hinder progress towards the next phase of the plan, though no further details were disclosed.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.
Türkiye has played an active diplomatic role in the Gaza crisis, maintaining contacts with multiple regional and international actors while calling for a permanent ceasefire and increased humanitarian access. Ankara has repeatedly stressed the importance of sustaining the current truce and creating conditions for a broader political process to bring an end to the conflict.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
Iran has ruled out direct talks with senior U.S. envoys in the Gulf, saying any contact will take place through Qatari mediators. Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have met in Doha with Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday (30 June), as demonstrations across the country turned violent in some areas, although most remained peaceful.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
At least five people have died after a fire swept through a 10-storey apartment building in the Belgian city of Antwerp, authorities said on Wednesday.
Eight Kenyan schoolgirls have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students and injured dozens more at a boarding school in the country's Rift Valley region.
Trump travelled to North Dakota on Wednesday to dedicate the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, using the occasion to promote a message of American greatness as Independence Day celebrations got under way ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.
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