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President Trump says the US-Iran war is 'very close to over,' with peace talks expected to resume in Pakistan after the first high-level negotiations in Islamabad ended without a deal. As the US naval blockade continues, Trump hinted at a possible 'grand bargain' with Tehran, while the IMF warned of a global recession risk and regional tensions persist.
Russian officials and commentators have responded to reports that the US is promoting a new military bloc with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Washington seeks to shift the burden of containing Russia onto Europe, while a Turkish journalist called the idea impossible due to lack of NATO solidarity.
A 14-year-old student killed eight students and a teacher in a school shooting in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on Wednesday, marking the country's second school attack in as many days. Turkish authorities have detained dozens over social media posts praising the attacks and launched investigations into both incidents.
Australia's Labor government announced a record $425 billion defence spending plan over the next decade, adding $53 billion to boost capabilities and self-reliance. The plan raises spending to 3% of GDP by 2033 under NATO methodology, but still falls short of President Trump's 3.5% demand. Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized the indispensable US alliance while stressing greater self-reliance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for extending the US-Iran ceasefire and easing tensions, while also leveling accusations against Israel and suggesting possible military intervention. Reports highlight contradictory signals from Ankara and denials from Israel and the US regarding Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire.
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that the alliance's survival over the next decade is not guaranteed, citing internal disagreements and US President Donald Trump's past threats to withdraw. Stoltenberg urged European members to increase defense spending and ensure the US remains a reliable ally.
Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of Charles de Gaulle, has said that the US and Israel fatally underestimated Iran in their recent confrontations, and criticized Washington's crude approach to foreign leaders. His comments came amid reports of failed US-Iran talks in Islamabad, with President Pezeshkian asserting Iran's readiness to negotiate within international law while the US refuses to accept its development.
After Viktor Orban’s defeat on April 12, Peter Magyar has vowed to ‘tear down the Orban system,’ promising constitutional reform, anti-corruption measures, and a more balanced foreign investment policy. The transition raises both hope and concern, especially among Chinese businesses that thrived under Orban.
During Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's fourth visit to China since 2023, President Xi Jinping called for closer economic ties and warned against a return to the 'law of the jungle' in international relations. Sánchez sought to position Spain as a bridge between China and the EU, addressing trade imbalances and Middle East conflicts.
Marie-Thérèse Ross, an 86-year-old French citizen, was detained by US immigration authorities in Alabama and held in Louisiana after overstaying her visa. Following intervention by French officials, she was released and returned to France, sparking debate over US immigration enforcement policies.
US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying she lacked courage for not supporting US strikes on Iran. The rebuke comes amid tensions over Trump's remarks about Pope Leo XIV and Italy's suspension of a defense agreement with Israel.
Lord George Robertson, a co-author of Britain's strategic defence review, has accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government of 'corrosive complacency' over defence, urging faster action on spending plans. Fellow author Fiona Hill echoed concerns about a 'bizarre' lack of urgency, as critics point to delays in a key 10-year investment plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for inter-governmental talks, resulting in a strategic defence partnership including drone cooperation and Patriot missile funding. Merz also addressed Ukraine's EU accession prospects, ruling out immediate membership while supporting closer ties.
Viktor Orban's Fidesz party has been defeated in Hungary's parliamentary election, with the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, securing a two-thirds majority. Record turnout of nearly 80% marked the end of Orban's 16-year rule, with Orban conceding defeat and vowing to serve in opposition.
Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule in Hungary ended with a landslide defeat to Péter Magyar's Tisza party, which secured 138 seats in the 199-seat parliament. The result is seen as a setback for global far-right movements, with analysts debating the extent of policy change under Magyar's new government.
EU leaders have congratulated Péter Magyar on his election victory in Hungary, which ends Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. Officials express hope for stronger EU-Hungary relations, while Magyar signals intent to implement reforms and draw on Poland's experience in restoring democratic standards.
The United States has initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas, enforcing restrictions on maritime traffic as tensions between Washington and Tehran persist. President Trump has warned that any Iranian vessels challenging the blockade will be destroyed, while Iranian officials downplay the impact on their economy and food supplies.
Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party decisively won Hungary's election, has pledged to repair ties with the EU, fight corruption, and end Orbán's 16-year rule. In his first major press conference, he also addressed relations with Russia and the US, and his stance on Ukraine's EU membership.
Lufthansa pilots began a 48-hour strike on Monday, with cabin crew following on Wednesday, causing widespread cancellations at German airports. The airline, already grappling with union disputes, faces four consecutive days of disruption, adding to its operational and financial pressures.
The United States has initiated a naval blockade on all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of weekend peace talks. Iran has condemned the move as illegal piracy and threatened retaliation, while the UK has declined to participate and oil prices have surged. The blockade raises concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security in the region.