World

Rice Prices Double in Japan as Inflation Accelerates
Rice Prices Double in Japan as Inflation Accelerates

The price of rice doubled in Japan in the 12 months to May, data showed Friday, as an acceleration in inflation piled fresh pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of key elections next month. Polls for parliament's upper house are crucial for Ishiba after public support for his administration tumbled to its lowest level since he took ...

Russia Steps out from Shadows in Africa with State Paramilitary
SpotlightRussia Steps out from Shadows in Africa with State Paramilitary

With the rise of a paramilitary force that analysts say is controlled by the Kremlin, Russia is openly expanding its state military footprint in Africa, after years of distancing itself from mercenaries deployed on the continent to support pro-Russian rulers. Russia is using the Africa Corps force to increase its influence in particular in ...

Day 8 of the Israel-Iran Conflict: Key Developments and Current Status
Day 8 of the Israel-Iran Conflict: Key Developments and Current Status

Early on Friday, a missile launched by Iran struck near a technology hub in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, igniting fires close to a building housing Microsoft’s offices. Emergency responders confirmed that five people suffered minor injuries and shared images on X showing vehicles ablaze at the scene. Israeli news outlets reported ...

European, Iranian Diplomats To Meet as US Mulls Joining Israel Campaign
European, Iranian Diplomats To Meet as US Mulls Joining Israel Campaign

European foreign ministers will hold talks Friday with their Iranian counterpart, hoping to reach a diplomatic solution to the war with Israel as US President Donald Trump mulls the prospect of US involvement. Israel, claiming Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched air strikes against its arch-enemy a week ago, triggering ...

Israel Changing 'The World' with Iran War: Netanyahu
Israel Changing 'The World' with Iran War: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel was "changing the face of the world" in its war with Iran, as he welcomed "all help" in destroying the Islamic republic's nuclear sites. "I said that we're changing the face of the Middle East, and now I say we're changing the face of the world," he told public broadcaster ...

Iran-Israel War: Latest Developments
Iran-Israel War: Latest Developments

Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on Thursday, the seventh day of the war between the longtime enemies. Here are the latest developments: Hospital Strike A hospital in southern Israel was hit as Iran fired "dozens" of missiles, officials said, with impacts also reported in two Israeli towns close to commercial hub Tel Aviv. The Soroka ...

Tehran’s Shadow Arsenal: Chemical, Biological and Radiological Threats
SpotlightTehran’s Shadow Arsenal: Chemical, Biological and Radiological Threats

Despite Iran’s largely nominal commitments to international treaties, mounting evidence suggests the existence of an active or developing chemical, biological and radiological weapons program. Long-sidelined concerns are resurfacing as regional tensions escalate, and a Damoclean sword hangs over the mullah’s regime. On one side, Israel claims ...

Trump Will Make Iran War Decision 'Within Next Two Weeks'
Trump Will Make Iran War Decision 'Within Next Two Weeks'

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to attack Iran within the next two weeks due to a "substantial" chance of negotiations, as Israel and its regional rival traded fire for a seventh day. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a message from Trump at a briefing, saying there had been "a lot of ...

Trump Extends Deadline for TikTok Sale by 90 Days
Trump Extends Deadline for TikTok Sale by 90 Days

President Donald Trump announced Thursday he had given social media platform TikTok another 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States. "I've just signed the executive order extending the deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days (September 17, 2025)," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, putting off the ban for ...

Israel-Iran Conflict Enters Seventh Day
Israel-Iran Conflict Enters Seventh Day

On the seventh day of the conflict, Iranian missiles struck an Israeli hospital and residential areas, while #Israel targeted an inactive nuclear reactor in #Iran and hit state television headquarters in #Tehran. pic.twitter.com/bv7NsHUR8z— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) June 19, 2025  

If Iran's Khamenei Falls, What Would Replace Him?
SpotlightIf Iran's Khamenei Falls, What Would Replace Him?

Israel increasingly appears eager to oust the clerical leadership that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution but is taking a gamble given the Iranian opposition is divided and there is no guarantee new rulers would be any less hardline, analysts say. By striking targets other than nuclear or ballistic facilities, such as Iran's ...

Syrians Watch Missiles Overhead Amid Iran-Israel Escalation
Syrians Watch Missiles Overhead Amid Iran-Israel Escalation

From rooftops in Damascus, Syrians watch as Iran and Israel exchange fire for a sixth consecutive day in their most intense confrontation yet, raising fears of a prolonged conflict that could destabilize the entire region. From rooftops in #Damascus, #Syrians watch as #Iran and #Israel exchange fire for a sixth consecutive day in their most ...