US secretary of state Antony Blinken seeks Middle East unity on Syria's transition after Assad's ouster, aiming to prevent further regional instability and an ISIS resurgence. He finds "broad agreement" with Turkey on an inclusive interim government. Meanwhile, the UN reports attacks on aid convoys in Gaza and condemns Israeli strikes in Syria.
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Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid has sued Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Finance Minister Taif Sami over unpaid salaries for civil servants in Kurdistan. The lawsuit highlights ongoing financial disputes between Baghdad and the autonomous region, exacerbating tensions within Iraq's leadership.
Thailand has introduced free public transport in Bangkok for a week to tackle severe air pollution. Over 350 schools were closed due to hazardous PM2.5 levels. The government also banned crop stubble burning and implemented work-from-home schemes to improve the city's air quality.
​Storm after storm: Tornadoes, wildfires, dust storms and blizzards batter US​
Two young men in Balochistan's Dera Bugti district have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces. Identified as Ashref and Pato Khan, their whereabouts remain unknown. This incident adds to ongoing enforced disappearances in the region, highlighting a persistent human rights crisis. Families face difficulties in seeking justice, with international calls for accountability.
Amid escalating conflict in eastern Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi urged young people to enlist against Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have seized key areas, including parts of Goma and South Kivu. A regional summit called for peace talks, but Tshisekedi was absent. Rwanda’s leader, Paul Kagame, threatened South Africa over its involvement after 13 peacekeepers were killed. Analysts warn of a prolonged crisis driven by control over Congo’s vast mineral wealth.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to northern Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The journey revealed a wasteland of rubble and destroyed neighborhoods. The ceasefire saw Hamas release four female soldiers, while Israel handed over 200 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations continue for the remaining hostages. Approximately 90 hostages still remain in Gaza.
"Unfortunately, President Trump – I have great respect for him as a leader of a nation that we have great respect for, the American people who always support us – unfortunately lives in this disinformation space," Zelenskyy said. Trump reacted sharply to the public badmouthing and said Zelensky is a dictator without elections.
President Donald Trump had a tense 45-minute phone call with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, during which he expressed strong intent to purchase Greenland. Denmark officials reportedly described the conversation as firm, with Trump threatening specific measures like tariffs. Greenland's PM Mute Egede stated emphatically that Greenlanders will decide their future, asserting independence from the US and Denmark.
The Global Terrorism Index 2025 ranked Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Syria, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Israel, Afghanistan, and Cameroon as the world's most terrorism-affected countries. Burkina Faso remained the worst-hit, while Niger saw the largest rise in fatalities. Terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Shabaab continued to escalate violence, targeting civilians and security forces. Despite counterterrorism efforts, the Sahel region, Middle East, and South Asia faced severe... Expand
President Donald Trump is expected to find a middle ground on the recently imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that negotiations are ongoing. The tariff measures have raised fears of a trade conflict, with both nations warning of possible retaliatory actions.