War of words as talks kick off in Swiss town

Iran yesterday warned the United States to “be careful” after President Donald Trump threatened to strike the Islamic republic over its support for Hezbollah, even as the arch-foes held talks in Switzerland seeking a deal to permanently end the Middle East war.
22 June 2026

‘Starmer thinking about quitting’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was considering his political future yesterday, after rival Andy Burnham’s decisive election victory to parliament prompted more ministers in the governing Labour Party to call for him to go.
22 June 2026

Jordan hangs six after 9-year death penalty pause

Jordan hanged on Sunday six men convicted of killing security personnel, a government official said, ending a nine-year moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
22 June 2026

Trump blames ‘terrible vandals’ for Washington pool renovation woes

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday “terrible vandals” had sabotaged his renovation project of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, which will have to be revamped again, as it was blighted with algae and peeling paint.
22 June 2026

Poll finds Israelis believe Iran won Mideast war

The poll of 3,644 respondents, conducted between June 17 and 20 by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in collaboration with the Agam Institute, paints a stark picture of public sentiment following the US-Iran deal.
21 June 2026

Iran says Lebanon conflict 'main topic' in US talks

Iran said on Sunday that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between Israel and militant group Hezbollah will top the agenda in talks with the United States in Switzerland, as well as issues such as frozen Iranian funds and the sale of the country's oil
21 June 2026

Top-level US-Iran peace talks to begin at Swiss resort with Hormuz in spotlight

Mediators Pakistan, Qatar also attend, Swiss foreign ministry says
21 June 2026

Vance arrives in Switzerland for Iran peace talks with Hormuz in spotlight

In addition to Vance, the US negotiating team includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.
21 June 2026
21 June 2026

Al Jazeera says Israeli strike kills journalist in Gaza

The strike was carried out by a drone in the refugee camp and also wounded several people
21 June 2026

UN Security Council warns of 'imminent risk of mass atrocities' in Sudan

The majority-Muslim southern city, in the Kordofan region, has been under siege for several months by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023
21 June 2026

US disputes Iranian claims about closing Strait of Hormuz as negotiators head to Switzerland

Iran says it closed Strait of Hormuz because of Israeli attacks in Lebanon
21 June 2026

US and Iran set for new talks after delay and deadly strikes

Follow-up talks had been planned in Switzerland on Friday but were postponed at the last minute after Israel launched deadly strikes in Lebanon following the deaths of four of its soldiers in combat.
21 June 2026

US slams Cuba reforms as ‘superficial’

The US State Department on Friday slammed Cuban economic reforms announced the previous day as “superficial smoke signals.”
21 June 2026

Hormuz closes again as dozens killed in Lebanon

Iran yesterday said it was once again closing the vital Strait of Hormuz over Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as Iranian and US negotiators prepared to converge on Switzerland for talks on implementing a deal to end the Middle East war.
21 June 2026

UN envoy calls for release of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi on 81st birthday

The UN special envoy for Myanmar on Friday called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi, as the opposition icon spent her 81st birthday under detention inside the military-controlled nation.
21 June 2026

Israeli strikes kill 9 more in Gaza

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least nine people, including a child, in the Gaza Strip yesterday, health officials said.
21 June 2026

‘None of your concern’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni fired back at US President Donald Trump yesterday, saying his “constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless” after he escalated a diplomatic row by accusing her of repeatedly seeking a photograph with him.
21 June 2026

Trump escalates spat with Italy's Meloni over G7 photo claim

He accuses her of trying to repair relations with Washington for domestic political reasons
20 June 2026

Lebanon says Israel-Hezbollah war toll tops 4,000 after 83 killed Friday

Health ministry reports 12,121 wounded since March 2
20 June 2026