Pedro Sanchez’s Wife Ordered to Stand Trial in Spain Corruption Case 
Andy Burnham Leadership Speculation May Boost FTSE 100 as Gilt Yields Rise 
US-Iran Peace Talks Show Progress as Switzerland Negotiations Continue 
California Court Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Los Angeles Sanctuary Policy 
Rubio Gulf Tour Aims to Reassure Allies on Trump’s Iran Deal 
Trump Threatens ABC News Lawsuit Over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Coverage 
UNAIDS Urges U.S. to Reconsider South Africa HIV Funding Withdrawal 
DOJ Opens Investigation Into NYC Coffee Shop Over Anti-Goldman Social Media Post 
China Adds MP Materials, USA Rare Earth to Export Control List Amid Escalating U.S.-China Trade Tensions 
Ramiro Valdes, Cuban Revolution Hero and Fidel Castro Ally, Dies at 94 
Starmer Faces Mounting Pressure as Burnham’s Victory Sparks Labour Leadership Speculation 
US Military Says Strait of Hormuz Remains Open Despite Iran Closure Claim 
US-Iran De-Escalation Shifts Washington’s Focus to AI Regulation and Crypto Legislation 
Moscow Downs Dozens of Ukrainian Drones as Airports Halt Flights Amid Escalating Attacks 
US Delivers $13M Autonomous Maritime Drones to Philippines 
Trump Predicts Keir Starmer’s Exit as UK Prime Minister Amid Growing Political Pressure 
Taiwan Launches Five-Day Combat Readiness Drill Amid Rising China Military Activity 
The Israel-Iran air war entered its second week on Friday, escalating regional tensions and prompting urgent diplomatic efforts. Israel launched strikes last Friday to thwart Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks, maintaining its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Israeli airstrikes have killed 639 people in Iran, including top military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran’s retaliatory attacks have reportedly caused at least two dozen Israeli civilian deaths. Reuters has not independently verified these figures.
Israel has focused on targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and missile systems, with sources indicating a broader effort to destabilize Iran’s leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said regime change is not the goal, but hinted it could be a consequence.
Iran claims it is only striking military targets in Israel, but its attacks have also damaged civilian sites, including a hospital. On Thursday, Israel accused Iran of using cluster munitions to deliberately harm civilians—a charge Iran has not responded to.
As the conflict deepens, European leaders are pushing for de-escalation. British, French, and German foreign ministers, alongside the EU’s foreign policy chief, are meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy called for immediate steps to prevent broader regional chaos.
Meanwhile, U.S. involvement remains uncertain. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether to intervene. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, has held talks with Araqchi, though no clear path to resumed nuclear negotiations has emerged. Trump has floated the idea of using bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites, but no decision has been made.
With Iran facing its most serious external threat since 1979, domestic unrest appears unlikely. Activists say citizens are focused on survival, not protest, amid the violence.
