Netanyahu to run in upcoming election despite Trump’s comments, Likud says Following comments from US President Donald Trump, Israel's Likud party announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to run in the next election, according to Haaretz. Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election and "will win, God willing," the party said in a statement. Speaking to ABC News's chief Washington correspondent on Monday, Trump said it was unclear whether Netanyahu "even wants to continue" in his role as prime minister.
Tony Blair's latest intervention reveals a man who learned nothing from Iraq Submitted by Barry Malone on Fri, 06/05/2026 - 18:35 It's high time that the UK's commentariat stop worshipping a man whose hubris has fuelled massacres across the Middle East Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks in Vienna, Austria, on 3 June 2025 (Joe Klamar/AFP) On There were two words everywhere late last month after former British Prime Minister Tony Blair treated us to a 5,700-word essay on UK politics . The 73-year-old, several commentators and media outlets said, had made a “rare” intervention. For others, the intervention was “extraordinary”.
Meet the Mamdani-endorsed candidate that could become the first Palestinian in New York Senate Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 15:59 Aber Kawas has been organising locally around the issues closest to her community for more than a decade Aber Kawas speaks to members and supporters of the New York Immigration Coalition during a rally for immigration reform in Foley Square, New York City, on 28 June 2016 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images via AFP) Off There are fewer than 10 Palestinian Americans who have ever been elected to statewide offices in the US, and Aber Kawas is looking to add to that number. On 23 June, the Democratic Socialist from the New York City borough of Queens is seeking the Democratic candidacy for Senate District 12, in a primary race that pits her against Filipino-American assemblyman Steven Raga. The winner will carry their campaign through the November midterm elections, and if successful, will begin their term in New York's capital, Albany, in January.
Turkey advances historic Hejaz railway project with Saudi Arabia deal Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 16:30 Riyadh signs a railways cooperation deal with Ankara after Syria and Jordan, which could help revive the Hejaz connectivity project A locomotive is exhibited outside the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus, Syria, on 26 January 2025 (Louai Beshara/AFP) Off Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed two separate memorandums of understanding to expand cooperation on railways and connectivity between the two countries. With the agreement, Riyadh has become the latest country to indirectly participate in the revival of the historic Hejaz railway, which would connect Turkey, Syria , Jordan , and Saudi Arabia. Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu travelled to Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with his Saudi counterparts.
UK: Study shows Gaza a major reason for collapse in support for Labour Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 10:40 Findings indicate the enormous significance the genocide continues to have in British politics Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at London Tech Week in London, 8 June (AFP) Off A new study has revealed that over half of former Labour voters who intend to vote for a centre or left-wing party in the next general election cited Israel 's genocide in Gaza as a factor in their decision. The findings indicate the enormous significance the genocide and the UK 's cooperation with Israel throughout it continue to have for British politics. Contrary to some popular misconceptions, the study further explodes the view that outrage over the genocide is a niche, sectarian or purely Muslim concern.
Hezbollah thanks Iran for retaliation, calls for closer Lebanon-Tehran ties Following Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel for attacks on Beirut, Hezbollah thanked Tehran and urged the Lebanese government to strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic, according to Haaretz. The group issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Lebanese authorities to seize this opportunity to “correct their official relations with the Islamic Republic in a way that serves the interests of both countries. ” It emphasised that ongoing truce talks between the US and Iran offer an opportunity for Lebanon to achieve its key national goals, specifically "the liberation of their land, the return of displaced persons, reconstruction, and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Iran will no longer accept endless talks. It is creating deterrence on its own terms Submitted by Seyed Hossein Mousavian on Mon, 06/08/2026 - 16:38 Weekend strikes highlight Tehran's shifting strategic calculus - and a refusal to remain bound by one-sided agreements Iranian pro-government demonstrators wave the flags of Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, in Tehran on 7 June 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) On As conflict flared up again this weekend between Israel and Iran , negotiations with the US have failed to produce any agreement. Neither side can afford another war, but the path towards a diplomatic settlement has been stymied by Washington’s demands for far-reaching concessions from Iran, without any offer of commensurate reciprocal measures, such as the release of even a portion of Iran’s frozen assets.
Trump booed by fans at NBA Finals game in New York US President Donald Trump was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd during an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden in New York, according to US media reports. The Associated Press and videos circulated online showed fans jeering after Trump appeared on the arena’s giant screen during the national anthem while watching the game from an executive suite. The reports came as a new Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated Trump’s approval rating remains near the lowest level of his presidency.
Vance says US in strong position in Iran negotiations US Vice President JD Vance said the United States is in a strong position to achieve President Donald Trump’s objectives through negotiations with Iran, expressing optimism about the direction of the talks. Speaking to Fox News, Vance said Iranian officials appeared interested in ending the conflict and were presenting serious proposals during discussions with Washington. “The Iranians don’t want this war to continue.
Iran says talks with US progressing through Pakistani mediation Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said Tehran and Washington are continuing to exchange views through talks mediated by Pakistan and expressed hope that negotiations could reach a conclusion in the near future. Speaking to reporters after a UN Security Council meeting in New York, Iravani said Iran had not yet received a final document but was working toward that goal. Asked whether an agreement could be reached by the end of the month, he replied: “We hope so.
US seeks verifiable nuclear agreement with Iran, Vance says US Vice President JD Vance said the success of any future agreement with Iran would depend not on "commitments made on paper" but on the ability to verify Tehran's compliance over time. Speaking to Fox News, Vance said the United States would continue pursuing negotiations because doing so "serves American interests" and was a key objective of the administration. Vance said he believes a long-term agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme is achievable, mirroring President Donald Trump's view that diplomacy remains the best path forward.
Trump says US will declare ‘complete victory’ over Iran within two weeks US President Donald Trump said the United States would declare what he described as a “complete victory” over Iran within the next two weeks, while expressing optimism about ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to remarks reported by NewsNation and CNN, Trump said Iranian officials were seeking a “very good deal” and were prepared to make significant concessions, including foregoing the pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply once the United States achieved what he called a “real victory”, though he did not provide details on what form such an outcome would take.
Iran says talks with US continue through Pakistan Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations says Tehran and Washington are still exchanging proposals through Pakistan as they try to reach an agreement. Amir Saeid Iravani made the comments after a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Monday, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency. He said the US and Iran, through Pakistan, “are presenting and exchanging views and opinions to reach the final text”.
ICC bureau suspends Prosecutor Karim Khan pending final vote on misconduct probe Submitted by Sondos Asem on Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:29 Majority of 21 states at the executive body of the court recommend a finding of 'serious misconduct' against the chief prosecutor, but statement says the suspension is not the final outcome in the disciplinary proceedings ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaking last year at the twenty-third session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague (ICC photo gallery) Off The bureau of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court decided on Monday to suspend Prosecutor Karim Khan, disregarding a judicial panel’s opinion that found no evidence of misconduct against him. According to an official press release published late on Monday, a qualified majority of the 21-member bureau, the executive governing body of the court, decided to suspend the prosecutor “with immediate effect” pending the final decision of the ASP as the competent decision-maker on the matter. The decision was made under rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, which indicates that a two-thirds majority of bureau members present and voting recommended a finding of “serious misconduct”, paving the way for a vote at the larger ASP which first needs to uphold the decision, then vote on whether to remove the prosecutor.
Iran says it has ‘no trust’ in US as peace talks stall Senior Iranian official Ebrahim Azizi says Tehran has “no problem” continuing peace talks with the United States in principle, but only if Washington proves it is negotiating honestly. Azizi, who heads Iran’s parliamentary national security and foreign policy committee, told CNN that any deal depends on a change in US behaviour after months of deep mistrust. “If we could reach confidence that they are people of negotiation and that they also submit to the rules of negotiation, then the Islamic Republic, because it has the logic of negotiation, because it has the logic of dialogue, would have no problem with negotiating,” he said.
Ghalibaf says US tanker attack proves Washington rejects dialogue Iran’s top negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says Washington’s latest actions show the United States is “neither committed to a cease-fire nor believes in dialogue”. His comments came after US forces attacked a tanker they said was heading towards Iran in breach of Washington’s naval blockade. Ghalibaf said the attack showed the US “only understands the language of power”, sharpening Tehran’s criticism of Washington’s military pressure at sea.
Palestinians in Chile push back over new president's pivot toward Israel Submitted by Ana Maria Monjardino on Mon, 06/08/2026 - 14:07 Chile’s Palestinian community, the largest outside the Arab world, pushes back against Jose Antonio Kast's moves to restore ties with Israel Demonstrators carry a banner against Israel's genocide in Gaza during the so-called “Las Ollas Vacias” (Empty Pots) march organised by the Palestinian community in Chile, in Santiago on 9 August 2025 (Rodrigo Arangua/AFP) Off A new wave of right-wing governments are deepening ties with Israel across Latin America, overturning the “pink tide” that drove foreign policy in solidarity with Palestine in the continent for many years. In few places is this more surprising than Chile, home to the largest Palestinian community outside of the Arab world and North Africa. President Jose Antonio Kast was elected in December following a campaign centred on countering immigration, bolstering national security and cutbacks on public spending.
Hezbollah official says group had no direct contact with Trump Hezbollah has had “no direct contact” with US President Donald Trump, despite recent statements from the US president suggesting otherwise, a senior Hezbollah official said. Senior Hezbollah figure Mahmud Qomati told AFP that “there has been no direct contact between President Trump and Hezbollah officials. ” “We actually spoke with Hezbollah for the first time, ever,” Trump had told reporters last Wednesday, referring to efforts to halt the war.
Pezeshkian says Iran still at negotiating table Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained at the negotiating table after halting attacks on Israel following the first exchange of fire since the April truce. "Diplomacy and defence are the two wings of national power; we have neither left the battlefield nor the negotiating table," Pezeshkian said in a post on X, adding that Tehran "will not retreat in the face of any threat".
Senior Iranian official says Iran will not yield to pressure Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the representative of Iran’s supreme leader on the Supreme Defence Council, said Iran would not submit to external pressure and warned that any further threats or attacks would be met with a stronger response. In a statement issued after Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, Ahmadian said the sound heard over Tel Aviv was “the voice of the Iranian nation” and described the operation as a demonstration of national resolve. He added that Iranian officials, backed by public support, would remain steadfast and warned that any continuation of pressure or military threats against Iran would result in what he called a more decisive and crushing response.
