War

President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the fighting between the two countries. Iran had floated opening the strategic waterway as part of efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The rejection signals that Washington sees no basis for a deal on those terms, keeping tensions high around one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has vowed that Russia will see the war in Ukraine through to the end, signaling no change in Moscow's position despite mounting international pressure and continued fighting. The declaration underscores the Kremlin's refusal to compromise as the conflict grinds on, and is drawing attention from observers weighing its implications for peace prospects and Western support for Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia's war in Ukraine will continue 'through to the end', signalling no let-up in Moscow's military campaign despite international pressure for negotiations. The comments drew strong reactions, with many viewing them as a blunt rejection of peace efforts and a sign that the conflict will grind on indefinitely.

Before the war, around 300,000 children attended 288 schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Of the 22 healthcare centres it once operated across the Gaza Strip, only six remain active. The figures highlight the scale of destruction of education and health services in the territory, amid ongoing calls for a ceasefire.

Russia is expected to step up hybrid warfare against Europe, according to reporting by Deutsche Welle. The warning points to heightened risks of sabotage, disinformation, cyberattacks and other covert operations targeting European countries amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine. European officials and security services have repeatedly cautioned that such non-military tactics are likely to increase in the coming period.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States, according to Al Jazeera. The statement marks a sharp shift in tone from a president who took office promising engagement with the West, and signals deepening pessimism in Tehran about diplomacy after months of stalled nuclear talks and renewed sanctions pressure.

Fresh fighting has broken out in Ethiopia's Tigray region, prompting fears that the country could slide back into a full-scale civil war. Observers warn that renewed hostilities could unravel the fragile peace that followed the devastating 2020-2022 conflict between federal forces and Tigrayan authorities, with civilians already caught up in the violence and regional tensions rising.

Reporting indicates Ethiopia is sliding back into war, renewing concern about renewed large-scale conflict in the country. Observers are asking which armed and political actors are involved and what is driving the escalation. Details on the parties, causes and scale of the fighting remain unclear from current coverage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is not ready to end the war, pointing to Moscow's continued spending on jet-powered drones as evidence it is preparing for a prolonged conflict. The remarks come amid ongoing international discussion about prospects for peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

A newly resurfaced account details Operation Sea-Spray, a 1950 US Navy experiment in which Serratia marcescens bacteria were sprayed over San Francisco to test how vulnerable the city was to a biological attack. The tests exposed some 800,000 residents without their knowledge and were later linked to infections and at least one death, renewing debate over government accountability and consent.

A leaked Belgian government document warns that the United States under President Trump can no longer be counted on as a reliable ally, according to the Financial Times. The assessment reflects growing unease among European governments about Washington's commitment to NATO and transatlantic security ties.

Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran outlining a seven-day roadmap to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The rejection appears to keep tensions high between Washington and Tehran, with the strategic waterway remaining closed and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict stalled. The proposal's fate leaves open questions about the next steps for both sides.

The Pentagon has identified all six American service members killed in Kuwait, the first US troop deaths connected to the war with Iran. ABC News reported the identification of the fallen troops, though details of their names and the circumstances of the incident have not been fully detailed in initial coverage. The deaths mark a significant escalation for American forces stationed in the Gulf region.

Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal for a conditional ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reports, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted projectiles launched toward Saudi Arabia. The twin developments point to an escalation rather than de-escalation between Washington and Tehran, with Gulf states drawn directly into the confrontation.

Investors are cautioning that Anthropic, the OpenAI rival behind the Claude chatbot, could have difficulty maintaining its revenue growth once it goes public. The warning reflects broader skepticism about whether heavy AI spending and enterprise deals can translate into durable, sustained revenues, adding to debate over valuations of leading AI startups ahead of potential public listings.

Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros is reportedly leaving CNN staff shaken, with insiders describing the mood inside the news network as 'like a funeral' and its future path as hazy. The deal places CNN under new ownership, raising uncertainty about editorial direction, potential restructuring and job cuts at the network.

Veterans in Michigan are describing how the Iran War is affecting their daily lives and criticizing Republican leadership over the conflict. Their remarks, reported by Michigan Advance, add a local voice to the national debate over US military involvement in Iran, with veterans expressing anger at how elected officials are handling the war.

Pakistan's Prime Minister has warned that any diversion of the Indus river waters would be treated as an act of war. The statement underscores how central the Indus river system is to Pakistan's agriculture and water security, and it comes amid tensions with neighbouring India over river-sharing arrangements.

Donald Trump has rejected a peace proposal from Iran, saying that war between the two countries will resume after the US midterm elections. The remarks suggest Washington sees no basis for a diplomatic settlement in the near term, with the US president signalling military action could restart once voting is over.

A small farm cidery in Albany, New York, is being hit hard by President Trump's trade war with Canada, according to Gothamist. Tariffs and cross-border trade tensions are raising costs and disrupting supplies for the local business, illustrating how US-Canada trade disputes are affecting small producers far from the border.