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Far-right French president no certainty despite rise of extremes

France's local elections show the appeal of political extremes is growing in France, but Marine Le Pen's far-right party is not necessarily poised to win the presidency next year when Emmanuel Macron must step down, analysts said Monday.

Trump tells AFP 'things are going very well' on Iran

US President Donald Trump told AFP on Monday that "things are going very well" regarding Iran, shortly after announcing talks with Tehran and a five-day pause on targeting the Islamic republic's power plants.

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Citing 'strategic mistake' EU pivots back to nuclear energy

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said Europe's turn away from nuclear power had been a "strategic mistake", as soaring oil prices rekindled concerns about the bloc's energy vulnerability.

Defiant Iran vows to block Gulf oil until US-Israel bombing stops

Iran vowed on Tuesday that not one litre of oil would be exported from the Gulf while the United States and Israel continue their bombardment, as the United Arab Emirates closed its biggest oil refinery after a drone attack.

Finland warns end of Ukraine war could bring more Russian spying

Finland's intelligence agency warned Tuesday that Russian spies could boost their efforts to target and destabilise the new NATO member once the Ukraine war ends.

'Home' at last: Ghana grants citizenship to 150 members of African diaspora

Tightly holding her citizenship certificate against her chest, Patrice Ann Robertson wiped away a tear; she's now officially Ghanaian nearly a decade after she started living in the west African country.

EU chief, Macron say Mideast war exposes Europe energy vulnerability

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called on European countries to boost the use of civilian nuclear power to secure the continent's energy independence, saying the Middle East war had exposed Europe's vulnerability.

Red Cross launches Iran emergency appeal as needs soar

Humanitarian needs in Iran are growing sharply due to the war, the Red Cross said Tuesday as it launched an emergency appeal for more than $50 million.

Iran vows to fight 'as long as needed' as Trump says war will end 'soon'

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday his country would keep fighting as long as necessary, casting doubt on US President Donald Trump's insistence that the conflict would be over "soon."

Trump says will waive some oil sanctions as Iran war roils markets

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he will waive some sanctions on oil to boost supply and bring down prices, due to market turmoil over war in the Middle East.

What we know about alleged strike on Iran school

A new investigation by the New York Times has shed more light on events surrounding a reported attack on a school in Iran at the start of the Middle East war.

AI-enhanced images of real events distort view of Mideast war

The Middle East war has unleashed a torrent of AI-driven disinformation. Beyond entirely fabricated visuals, another kind of content is spreading: authentic images "enhanced" in ways that experts say are subtly distorting perceptions of what's happening on the ground.

Crude plunges, stocks rally as Trump says war 'pretty much' complete

Oil prices tanked and equities rallied Tuesday following a wild day of swings that came after Donald Trump said the US-Israel war on Iran would be ending earlier than thought.

Vance, Hegseth attend return of seventh US troop killed in Iran war

US Vice President JD Vance on Monday attended the dignified transfer ceremony for the seventh soldier killed in the Middle East war.

Myanmar civil war drives drugs epidemic in Thai hills

Hundreds of thousands of people in northern Thailand have become collateral damage from the civil war in neighbouring Myanmar, turning to drugs as supply through the area rockets on the back of the conflict.

Fertilizer prices surge from Iran war, squeezing weary US farmers

American farmers are again feeling the squeeze after a year marked by trade turmoil and low crop prices, with the US-Israeli war on Iran fueling a fertilizer cost surge as planting season approaches.

Trump says Iran war will end 'very soon'

US President Donald Trump on Monday pushed the idea of the Iran war ending soon, but remained vague on a timeline for ending the attacks that have rocked the Middle East and shaken the global economy.

Anthropic sues Trump admin over Pentagon blacklisting

Anthropic filed suit Monday against the Trump administration, alleging the US government retaliated against the company for refusing to let its Claude AI model be used for autonomous lethal warfare and mass surveillance of Americans.

US, Israel see gap on Iran as Trump under pressure

Ten days after attacking Iran together, the United States and Israel have seen a public divergence, with President Donald Trump facing political pressure and not sharing Israel's long-term goals.

US stocks end wild session higher as Trump says Iran war 'pretty much' over

Comments from President Donald Trump declaring the Middle East war "pretty much" over sent US stocks skyward at the end of Monday's session after surging oil prices weighed on stocks earlier in the day.

Tech researchers sue US Trump administration over visa bans

A coalition of tech experts on Monday sued US President Donald Trump's administration over a policy resulting in visa denials, detention or deportation for researchers and fact-checkers reporting on social media platforms.

UK warplanes down drones in Middle East, conduct 'defensive' sorties for UAE

British warplanes have begun "defensive air sorties" in support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and taken out drones elsewhere in the Middle East amid the ongoing war, the UK defence ministry said Monday.

Australia grants asylum to Iran women footballers

Australia has granted asylum to some of Iran's visiting women's football team over fears they faced persecution at home for not singing the national anthem before a match, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Tuesday.

Lebanon president accuses Hezbollah of working to 'collapse' state

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday accused Hezbollah of working to "collapse" the state and expressed Beirut's readiness for "direct negotiations" with Israel, drawing the backing of his Syrian counterpart for his goal of disarming the Iran-backed group.

Colombia's left boosted by legislative vote

President Gustavo Petro's left-wing coalition was on track to be the largest bloc in Colombia's next Congress on Monday, after a better-than-expected showing in legislative elections.

Four years after banning Russia, FIFA and IOC passive in the face of war

Four years after world sport rushed to ban Russia for invading Ukraine, the leading governing bodies are reacting guardedly to the US-led attack on Iran, raising accusations of double standards.

UK finance minister warns of higher inflation amid Iran war

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves warned on Monday the country could face rising inflation due to the fallout of the US and Israel's war.

Iraq coach calls for World Cup playoff to be re-scheduled

Iraq coach Graham Arnold pleaded with FIFA on Monday to postpone his team's intercontinental playoff for the World Cup because many of his players and backroom staff are stranded by the growing Iran war.

France, allies preparing bid to 'gradually' reopen Strait of Hormuz

France and its allies are preparing a "defensive" mission to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, President Emmanuel Macron said Monday as the Middle East war entered its second week.

Zelensky says 11 countries asking Ukraine for drone help against Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that 11 countries had tapped Kyiv for help in how to counter Iranian drones being fired by Tehran in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

France, allies preparing 'defensive' mission to reopen Strait of Hormuz: Macron