… Trump nominated Daniel Perez, a state representative from Florida, who is a close ally of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on 1 June without seeking Brazil’s approval beforehand – a common diplomatic step. …
… US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both announced that talks had progressed, potentially allowing shipments to resume as soon as this week. …
… US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both announced talks had progressed to allow shipments to potentially resume as soon as this week. …
… OIL PRICE SURGED LAST MONTH At a cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump said he believed U.S. negotiators, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, could reach a deal with Iran. …
… Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said in June that it was time to re-engage with the Geneva-based global alliance Gavi, which helps the world’s poorest countries buy vaccines to protect children from diseases such as measles and diphtheria, citing both congressional concerns …
… RUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio …
… US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back against critics who may be concerned about Saudi Arabia’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon in the future. …
… US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said Washington was still willing to engage in diplomacy with Tehran, but added that he did not believe Iran was serious about talks. …
… Diplomacy Strained Amid Ongoing Strikes Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that while the United States remains open to diplomacy, the burden of de-escalation rests with Tehran. …
… As the strikes continued over the weekend between the US and Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the US “always remains open to a diplomatic solution”. …
The US has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington in a reciprocal action after Brazil denied visas to two US State Department officials last month, with Brazil's government claiming the officials sought to meddle in its elections. The cancellation marks the latest escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which have also involved US tariffs on Brazil and terrorist designations of Brazilian gangs.
The US has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington in a reciprocal action after Brazil denied visas to two US State Department officials last month, with Brazil's government claiming the officials sought to meddle in its elections. The cancellation marks the latest escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which have also involved US tariffs on Brazil and terrorist designations of Brazilian gangs.
Oil prices fell to a three-week low as US officials announced progress in talks with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz waterway. Brent crude dropped nearly 5% to under $80 a barrel, with US West Texas Intermediate also falling more than 5% to $76, both reaching their lowest levels since 13 July.
Oil prices fell to a three-week low after US officials announced progress in talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude dropping nearly 5% to under $80 a barrel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks had progressed and a deal could be agreed as soon as this week.
President Trump said the U.S. will hold off on attacking Iran if a deal can be reached quickly to end Iran's nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
The Trump administration unfroze $600 million in congressionally appropriated funds for Gavi, a global alliance helping the world's poorest countries purchase vaccines, after Washington withheld the money over concerns raised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The State Department said the decision followed Gavi's commitment to transition away from mercury-containing vaccines and expand access to mercury-free alternatives.
Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, saying they violated a blockade of Saudi ports, while the US carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran. Oil prices surged to $100 per barrel following the escalation.
The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement" that will allow the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme and provide American companies access to the Saudi nuclear energy program. The deal reportedly could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future, which experts say would be a first for the US and carries risks of nuclear proliferation in the region.
President Trump threatened that the US would destroy Iranian bridges or power plants, including targets near Tehran, if attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue. The threat follows US strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night, with Iranian air defences activated and explosions reported in several cities including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr.
The U.S. Department of Defence identified two American service members killed during Iranian strikes in Jordan over the weekend: 19-year-old Army Private Isabella Gonzales of Texas and 25-year-old First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii. Both were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission against the Islamic State.
President Trump said the latest US strikes hit Iran "very hard" in honour of three US soldiers killed in recent days—two in Jordan and one in Iraq. US Central Command launched strikes for the ninth consecutive night targeting Iranian military sites and communications networks.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche faced bipartisan questioning on Capitol Hill during his confirmation hearing, where he apologized for "mistakes" in the Epstein files release and fielded questions about his personal relationship with President Donald Trump and his independence from the administration.
Two US-based advocacy groups are suing the Trump administration, arguing that sanctions imposed against the International Criminal Court and Palestinian human rights groups violate free speech rights by suppressing pro-Palestinian advocacy. The groups say the February 2025 executive order illegally "police the political expression of millions of Americans," while Washington defends the sanctions as necessary to protect American citizens and allies.
President Trump announced a 20% toll on all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to reimburse US security costs, but abandoned the proposal the next day in favour of trade and investment deals with Gulf allies. The shift reflects a president seeking ways to end a four-month conflict that remains unpopular and shows no sign of resolution despite a month-old ceasefire agreement.
The US is demanding Iran publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships as part of negotiations scheduled for Saturday, following this week's fighting that the White House says violated a June ceasefire agreement. According to US officials, Tehran has privately acknowledged the ship attacks were a mistake, attributing them to a rogue hardliner faction.
US President Donald Trump offered Ukraine the right to produce Patriot interceptor missiles during a NATO summit in Ankara, saying they could be produced quickly once explained. Ukraine has requested licensed production as it faces increased Russian ballistic missile strikes, though the US has acknowledged limited supplies of the expensive systems.
The Trump administration is offering hundreds of millions of dollars to African countries for healthcare and disease control, but the deals include conditions requiring recipient governments to increase their own health spending toward self-reliant systems. Kenya's landmark $2.5bn agreement, signed last December, faced court challenges from activists but received cabinet approval last month.
U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of a red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun's one-game ban for a probationary period of one year, allowing him to play in Monday's knockout game against Belgium.
Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-game ban. The suspension will be held for a probationary period of one year, though it will be enforced if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity.
The IAEA director general said the nuclear watchdog will carry out inspections in Iran under a preliminary peace agreement with the US, with details on dates, procedures, and places to be worked out soon. Iran's deputy foreign minister stated that access to its damaged nuclear facilities would only be addressed in a final deal with the US.
Oil prices fell more than 1% on Wednesday, extending weekly losses and trading near four-month lows, as signs emerged that stranded tankers in the Gulf are set to move through the Strait of Hormuz. Prices also came under pressure from Washington's 60-day sanctions waiver allowing Iran to sell oil and easing hostilities in Lebanon.
The UN's International Maritime Organization plans a large-scale evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf due to the US-Israel war against Iran, working with Iran, Oman, the US, and other regional partners. An interim deal was signed to end the conflict, but the US and Iran continue to dispute details of the Memorandum of Understanding, particularly regarding nuclear inspections and missile provisions.
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court for ignoring a High Court order to halt construction of a US-funded 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at a military base in Nanyuki. The project has sparked protests in the town, during which three people died as police attempted to disperse demonstrators.
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court for ignoring a High Court order halting construction of a 50-bed US-funded Ebola quarantine centre at a military base in Nanyuki. The facility, intended for US citizens suspected of contracting Ebola, has sparked protests in which three people died.
The US says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed a ceasefire following intense Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that killed 47 people, though Israeli forces said they would continue removing immediate threats and rescue officials reported at least 12 strikes in the city of Nabatieh since the ceasefire began.
US President Donald Trump promised to visit India during a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in France, signalling a thawing of relations between the two countries following strain over tariffs and the killing of three Indian sailors by US military forces. The pair discussed efforts to reach a trade deal, with Trump calling Modi a "tough negotiator."
The Iranian national soccer team must depart the United States within hours of completing their remaining World Cup group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Iran's coach expressed frustration that the requirement prevents players from using standard post-match recovery time, though US officials say the policy follows established procedures for national security.
Right-wing Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin prayed and sang religious songs at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem with around 20 others, openly stating intentions to build a new Jewish temple on the site—actions that violate a sensitive agreement designed to maintain peace at one of the world's holiest places.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of jailed former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has been convicted by Brazil's highest court of lobbying US authorities to help his father during his coup trial by imposing tariffs or sanctions on Brazil. The 41-year-old, who relocated to the US in 2025, called the conviction "baseless and senseless" and claimed he lacked due process.
Iran's national soccer team landed in Los Angeles on Sunday to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the same day Washington and Tehran announced a peace agreement ending a four-month war. The squad had previously been exiled to Mexico after U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran raised uncertainty about Iran's participation.
Four members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.