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As over 1.5 million Muslims converge on Mecca for the annual Hajj, the pilgrimage unfolds against a backdrop of regional conflict and scorching temperatures. Saudi authorities report record international participation despite the Iran war, while pilgrims express gratitude and hope for peace amid the sweltering conditions.
As the US and Iran move toward a potential deal to end their conflict, analysts disagree on whether the agreement would block Iran's nuclear threat or simply repackage it. Some sources report significant setbacks for Iran's nuclear program, while others caution that the deal may offer concessions without lasting security guarantees.
Talks between the US and Iran have made progress, but key issues remain unresolved, particularly the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran's nuclear program. While President Trump says a deal is close, Iranian officials caution that significant details still need to be negotiated.
Oil prices have experienced sharp fluctuations as markets react to evolving signals from Washington and Tehran over a potential deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While hopes for a breakthrough briefly drove crude prices down, renewed strikes and cautious statements have reversed gains, leaving traders uncertain.
US President Donald Trump says a draft agreement with Iran has been 'largely negotiated,' though the deal is not yet finalized. Reports say he has consulted with regional leaders and plans further talks, while warning of a 50-50 chance of resuming hostilities.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised US President Donald Trump's 'extraordinary efforts to pursue peace' following a phone call that included Pakistan's army chief. Islamabad hopes to host another round of US-Iran negotiations, while Trump announced a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal is 'largely negotiated.'
US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials signaled progress toward a framework agreement to end the war in the Middle East, with Iran finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding. However, key issues remain, including nuclear guarantees, sanctions relief, and the Strait of Hormuz, and some reports suggest the pace of negotiations has slowed.
A new report by Queen Mary University of London and Defend Our Juries finds that Britain's tougher anti-protest laws have led to the imprisonment of 286 climate and Palestine solidarity activists, with many held on remand for months. The report criticizes the use of corporate injunctions and lengthy sentences, while the government defends the measures as necessary for public safety.
Three months into the US war with Iran, President Trump's strategy appears to be facing mounting challenges, with analysts questioning whether he can achieve a decisive victory. Reports suggest a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump's maximalist demands and domestic unpopularity complicate the path forward.
Pakistan's government has reduced petrol and high-speed diesel prices for the second week in a row. The latest cut, announced Friday, reflects lower global prices, with officials noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected recommendations to raise prices despite international increases.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata on May 23, 2026, marking the first visit by an American secretary of state to the city in 14 years. During his four-day trip covering Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi, Rubio emphasized energy cooperation, trade talks, and Quad engagement, while also addressing racist remarks against Indians and U.S. migration reforms.
US President Donald Trump stated he will not attend his son Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas, citing government business and his love for the United States. The wedding took place over the weekend, with the couple already legally married in Florida.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that negotiations with the US will not reach a conclusion if Washington insists on discussing the nuclear issue. He reiterated that Tehran's proposals are reasonable and that the US demands are 'unreasonable' and 'excessive,' while Pakistani mediators continue their efforts.
Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as US Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, citing her husband's recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. President Trump announced her departure on social media, naming Aaron Lukas as acting director.
More than 20,000 sailors are trapped on about 2,000 vessels in the Gulf after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, facing shortages of supplies and fear of attacks. New reports highlight the plight of Hong Kong-linked ships and calls for reopening the waterway.
Russian stock indices closed lower on Friday amid oil price declines and geopolitical uncertainty. The MOEX Index fell, while the RTS Index also dropped. Analysts point to technical resistance and mixed corporate news as factors influencing trading.
The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz is entering a dangerous new phase as US and Iranian forces trade fire, negotiations stutter, and Tehran's oil exports fall to a six-year low. US intelligence assesses Iran can withstand the blockade for months, while diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan-led mediation, struggle to gain traction.
A Qatari negotiating team has arrived in Tehran in coordination with the United States to help secure a deal to end the war with Iran, according to multiple sources. Qatar's involvement comes as it has previously been attacked by Iranian missiles and drones, and as Pakistan continues its official mediatory role.
Iran’s Supreme Leader has directed that the country’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent must not be sent abroad, hardening Tehran’s position against a core U.S. demand. Roughly 440 kilograms of the material is believed to be held in Iran, short of weapons-grade levels but closer than civilian needs require. Officials on multiple sides differ sharply over whether and how any transfer could occur.
The Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, a proposed 2,600 km link from Russia to China via Mongolia, is moving closer to reality as contracts near finalization. With a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters per year, the project could significantly alter global energy trade, reducing China's reliance on LNG and potentially easing supply for other importers. However, analysts note hurdles remain, including pricing and geopolitical tensions.