Hundreds have rallied in the West Bank against Israel's new death penalty law, which human rights groups are calling 'cruel' and discriminatory against Palestinians, with the EU, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, and Jordan also expressing 'great concern' and condemning it as a 'step towards apartheid'. Concerns are also being raised about the Israeli right's sudden focus on settler violence, which some critics label as 'fake news' to distract from the new law.
Israel's defense minister has announced plans to establish an expanded buffer zone in southern Lebanon, extending up to the Litani River, and has threatened to destroy all homes in Lebanese villages near the border, adopting a 'Rafah and Beit Hanoun model' from Gaza, raising concerns about the displacement of approximately 600,000 people.
The US Supreme Court has ruled against a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors, citing First Amendment grounds and indicating it likely violates free speech, casting doubt on similar prohibitions in other states. The 8-1 majority sided with a Christian counselor challenging the ban, with the ruling being blasted as 'reckless' and having 'catastrophic fallout' for LGBT+ youth.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to reaffirm the United States' commitment to NATO's collective defense, stating that President Trump will make the decision regarding Article 5 due to a perceived lack of support from European allies. Adding to the uncertainty, Fox News host Laura Ingraham questioned if President Trump was 'fully briefed about the risks of all of this from the beginning' regarding the Iran war plan.
China and Pakistan have jointly called for an immediate end to the Middle East war and the swift launch of peace talks, announcing a shared five-point initiative to restore peace and stability. Both nations continue to urge a Middle East ceasefire, with China emphasizing enhanced strategic coordination with Pakistan on the Iran crisis to promote dialogue and help end the conflict.
Unilever has finalized the sale of its foods division to US sauce and spice producer McCormick, which plans to establish a new headquarters in the Netherlands, with McCormick confirming the merger and further updates on the deal.
Leading US stock exchanges are experiencing significant gains following reports that Donald Trump is considering ending the war against Iran, despite the Strait of Hormuz not being opened.
Gas prices in the US have eclipsed $4 a gallon, reaching their highest level since 2022, though Wall Street analysts suggest this is unlikely to trigger Federal Reserve rate hikes and could even lead to cuts.
Qatar has cautioned Iran that its attacks on neighboring countries have crossed 'red lines' and called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions. Meanwhile, Pakistan and China are leading diplomatic efforts for peace in the region, as Doha states Iranian attacks are having a 'catastrophic effect' on relations.
Iran has reportedly stepped up executions, with experts and Amnesty International warning that these state killings are being used to suppress political dissent. Two recent executions occurred without advance notice, denying the individuals legal counsel or farewells.
New Zealand's Reserve Bank (RBNZ) is navigating an uncertain economic landscape, with the Iran war and a resulting oil shock significantly impacting its outlook.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a threat to target US tech firms, stating that such actions would be taken if more Iranian leaders are killed. This warning escalates tensions amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Jordan has strongly condemned the Iranian attack on its territory involving ballistic missiles, which occurred during US and Israeli strikes on Iran, and is seeking calm amidst the Middle East storm.
A British expat living in the US shares her top 11 favorite items to purchase at the American grocery chain Trader Joe's, highlighting unique products and freezer staples.
US gas prices have reached an all-time high since 2022, hitting $4 a gallon, as the Iran war escalates and drives up energy prices, marking the first time in nearly four years the average cost has climbed above this threshold.
A Russian tanker has arrived in Cuba with an oil shipment, testing the limits of US sanctions and Trump's Cuba squeeze. Cubans cautiously welcome the delivery, though some warn it will do little to ease the energy crisis.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated that Iran will play its World Cup games in the United States as scheduled, despite the ongoing Middle East conflict and requests from the Islamic Republic to move matches to Mexico. Infantino insists Iran "will play at the World Cup" as planned.
The UK government has announced it will send additional air defence systems and troops to the Middle East to defend Gulf allies against Iran’s ‘aggressive’ attacks, reinforcing Britain's commitment despite Donald Trump's jibes over British military involvement.
The Israeli Knesset has passed a controversial law mandating the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of deadly terror attacks, a move that has drawn opposition within Israel and a call from a UN commissioner for its immediate repeal, citing discrimination and violation of international humanitarian law.
Amid escalating Middle East tensions, China and Pakistan have jointly presented a detailed five-point initiative, urging an immediate ceasefire, peace talks, and normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to end the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.
TechnologymorgunbladidTimes of Indiaklix-ba+1ndtv1h ago4 sources
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has escalated threats against leading American technology companies, including Apple, Google, and Meta, vowing attacks on 15-18 US tech giants starting tomorrow and demanding their regional offices evacuate. This follows alleged Israeli-US intelligence-backed strikes that Iran claims, with the Guards listing companies complicit in the 'targeted assassination' of officials.
WorldirozhlasmarketwatchTimes of India2h ago3 sources
Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his call for European allies to either purchase jet fuel from the United States or take it themselves from the Strait of Hormuz. He criticized NATO and suggested countries needing oil should be more assertive in securing it, stating the US will not come to the aid of allies who did not help in the past.
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, announced that Gulf states are united in their commitment to de-escalation and support diplomacy, with Qatar specifically stating its readiness to help with US-Iran negotiations and insist on being part of any solution for the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
US gas prices have surpassed $4 a gallon, reaching their highest level since 2022, while consumer confidence inches up despite soaring prices brought on by the war in Iran, even as stock markets experience gains.
An analysis suggests a potential US ground invasion of Iran's Hormuz and Kharg island could take weeks or months, requiring significant troop deployment and explaining any delays in military action.
Before their friendly match against Costa Rica in Turkey, Iran's players and team officials posed with photographs of children killed in the Middle East war, an event attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
A new report indicates that hundreds of hospitals across 44 US states and Washington, D.C., serving 6.6 million Americans, are threatened by potential Medicaid cuts.
The US military has confirmed that its 70-year-old B-52 Stratofortress bombers are now conducting overland missions in Iran, indicating an expansion of US air superiority in the region.
A viral video circulating online, which claimed to show a significant US military deployment to the Middle East, has been debunked as completely fake, according to reports.
China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point peace plan for the Middle East, urging a ceasefire, as Iran's Revolutionary Guards continue to issue warnings against US companies like Apple, Google, and Meta, citing retaliation for 'targeted assassinations' of Iranian leaders.
Politicsdigi24index-hrobservador+6hotnewsTimes of Indiahindustan-timesjerusalem-postnaftemporikiANSA2h ago9 sources
Mojtaba Khamenei, identified as the new supreme leader of Iran, is reportedly in the country but avoiding public appearances for security reasons, according to the Iranian ambassador to Rome and a Russian diplomat. The Iranian ambassador has explicitly stated that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, dismissing rumors to the contrary as 'propaganda and disinformation,' with the Russian envoy further clearing the air on his whereabouts and confirming he is in Iran but avoiding public appearances.
European inflation saw its steepest jump since 2022, driven by soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war, even as core CPI unexpectedly shrank. This surge has led leading economic research institutes to lower their growth forecasts and predict higher overall inflation for the eurozone.
Gold and silver prices have strengthened, and FTSE stocks have risen following reports that Donald Trump is prioritizing diplomatic efforts in the Iran war. Barrick Mining Corporation also surged due to strong gold prices, reflecting broader market reactions to the perceived de-escalation.
Israel's Defence Minister has announced plans to demolish all houses in Lebanese villages near its border, stating that 600,000 people who fled the south will not be allowed to return until northern Israel is secure, and vowing to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area.
France and Italy, along with Spain, are blocking the United States from using their airspace and bases for military flights related to the Iran conflict, with an increasing number of European countries withholding support, causing tensions and drawing criticism from President Trump.
BusinessThe IndependentTimes of Indiahindustan-times+1straits-times4h ago4 sources
An Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Pine Gas, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite facing a nearly three-week delay due to Iran's selective passage policy, with its crew witnessing missiles and drones overhead and Indian warships providing assistance.
On day 32 of the US-Israel war against Iran, President Trump claimed to have "obliterated" Iran, despite earlier reports from Defense Secretary Hegseth that Iran retained its ability to strike. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have now confirmed the killing of a brigadier general in a US-Israeli airstrike, who was sanctioned by the US over an oil network funding Tehran-backed proxies.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned Israel’s military deployment against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, calling it an “illegal invasion” that violates the country's integrity and sovereignty.
A US government panel has exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species rules, a decision critics argue exploits a 'self-made gas crisis' and could endanger the rare Rice's whale.
A study revealed evidence of a lost baptismal rite stage in a Byzantine-era church near Kinneret, Israel. Additional discoveries at the site included the largest bronze candelabrum and marble reliquary ever found in Israel.
Iran is reportedly preparing for further US escalation in the ongoing conflict, with officials expressing confidence in their ability to outlast the United States and questioning if the war can conclude before it widens.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has stated that the development of a nuclear bomb by Iran, alongside the growing number of nuclear-armed states, would make a global nuclear disaster harder to avoid. He emphasized that this trend fundamentally alters the global risk landscape.
The U.S. Treasury Department has unveiled a new whistleblower portal designed to combat transnational fraud rings targeting Medicare and Medicaid programs.
