Author: staff
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, initially set to expire Sunday, will be extended by an additional 45 days, the U.S. State Department announced on Friday after two days of talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations concluded in Washington. The political delegations will reconvene in early June with hopes to “advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on social media late Friday. Additionally, the Pentagon is set to host talks with military delegations from both countries…
She suggested it was one of Russia’s tactics to threaten Moldova over its efforts to reintegrate Transnistria, a Moscow-backed region in eastern Moldova where Russian troops have been stationed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Since the war in Ukraine began, most of the people from the region took their Moldovan citizenship because they felt safer to have the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova and not the citizenship of Russia,” said Sandu, who was speaking at a security conference in Tallinn. Moldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022 and formally started negotiations to join the bloc in…
Following a complaint filed by the NGOs Trial International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a French investigating judge is to look into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The dissident journalist, who was living in the United States, was murdered in 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His body, which was dismembered, has never been found. US intelligence services had pointed to the direct responsibility of Mohammed bin Salman. In July 2022, during a visit to France by the Saudi crown prince, Trial International and Democracy for the Arab World Now…
Taiwan asserted its sovereignty Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump warned against Taiwanese self-determination following the American leader’s two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwan “is a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry’s remarks come as a swift rebuke against Trump, who said Friday that he was “not looking to have somebody go independent” when asked about whether the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s rescue in the event of an invasion by China. “And, you know, we’re supposed to…
Published on 16/05/2026 – 16:39 GMT+2•Updated 16:42 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked off the European leg of his official tour with a meeting with the Dutch King and Queen in The Hague. Modi is currently on a six-day trip across the Middle East and Europe that began in the United Arab Emirates and will later see him visit Sweden, Norway, and Italy, meeting a host of key leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Modi met with the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, as well as a number of Dutch business executives, at the Huis…
His trip to France, as well as a previously announced June visit to Spain, showcases the Vatican leader’s interest in building ties with secular Catholic countries in Europe. It will be the first papal visit to France in 18 years. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news Saturday, sharing on social media that “we are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his trip to France. This visit next September will be an honor for our country, a joy for Catholics, and a great moment of hope for everyone.” Macron visited the Vatican in April, where he extended…
John Bolton, der einst unter Donald Trump Nationaler Sicherheitsberater im Weißen Haus war, hat sich zu einem seiner schärfsten Kritiker entwickelt. Im exklusiven Interview zieht er eine düstere Bilanz der aktuellen US-Außenpolitik und analysiert die unberechenbare Strategie des Präsidenten. Bolton spart nicht mit deutlichen Worten in Richtung Washington. Er diente unter Reagan sowie beiden Bushs und versuchte fast zwei Jahre lang als Trumps nationaler Sicherheitsberater, dessen impulsive Sprünge in eine geordnete Strategie zu verwandeln. Ein, wie er heute selbst sagt, völlig aussichtsloses Unterfangen. Im Gespräch rechnet Bolton mit Trumps aktuellem Kurs im Iran-Konflikt ab. Während der Präsident glaubt, an der…
Published on 16/05/2026 – 12:19 GMT+2 Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a visit to his Chinese counterpart from 19 to 20 May, just days after US President Donald Trump wrapped up a state visit to Beijing, the Kremlin has announced. In a post on Telegram, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Putin would make the official trip “at the invitation” of Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that it was intended to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two nations. The pair are set to discuss ways to…
Putin and Xi “will discuss current bilateral matters, ways to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, and exchange views on key international and regional matters,” according to a Kremlin statement. The Russian leader last visited China in 2025, when he signed several deals with Xi that boosted economic ties in areas such as energy and technology. China is Russia’s largest trading partner, as Moscow has shifted its economic focus to Asia after Western sanctions over Putin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. During the Tuesday-Wednesday visit, Putin will also discuss…
Published on 16/05/2026 – 12:31 GMT+2 OpenAI has signed its first partnership with a national government bringing the paid version of ChatGPT for free to residents of Malta. OpenAI and the Government of Malta on Saturday announced a deal that will give every citizen free access to the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for one year through a government-led AI literacy programme. Citizens and residents registered with Malta’s online identity system can apply after completing a free online course called AI for All, developed by the University of Malta. According to the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, the course is designed to…