▪️ North Korea is demonstrating a “very serious increase” in its ability to produce atomic weapons, according to Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Grossi made these remarks during a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, highlighting the challenges in monitoring the country’s nuclear program due to the lack of inspector access since 2009.
Beirut, Lebanon – Myra Aragon tosses chicken wings into a large pot, stirring them before adding garnishes and spices. Her kitchen and community centre, Tres Marias, located in a suburb north of Beirut, feeds approximately 200 people daily, most of them migrant workers. Amid the ongoing war and a massive displacement crisis, some migrants have taken initiative to serve their community, highlighting resilience in the face of adversity.
▪️ Cabin crew at Germany's national carrier Lufthansa have begun a two-day strike, disrupting flights from major hubs including Frankfurt and Munich airports. The strike is organized by the Independent Flight Attendants' Organization (UFO), which cites a lack of progress in negotiations over a new collective agreement as the reason for the action.
Families across Sudan were forced to flee their homes, cities, and even the country after war reached their streets in April 2023. Three years later, most are still running, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
US President Donald Trump has claimed that the war with Iran is 'very close to over,' as Israel and Lebanon held rare direct talks in Washington, DC. This statement comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon, highlighting the risks of further regional escalation and the complexities of the US regime's Middle East policy.
The Pakistani government has announced securing $3 billion in funding from Saudi Arabia. This financial assistance is aimed at bolstering the country's foreign exchange reserves and facilitating a $3.5 billion debt repayment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pakistan's Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, stated that an existing $5 billion Saudi deposit would also be extended for an unspecified period, further supporting economic stability.
The Iranian government has demanded compensation for destruction caused by attacks from the United States and Israeli regimes, as Tehran remains defiant amid ongoing regional mediation efforts. Iran's envoy to the UN alleged on Tuesday that five regional countries must pay compensation, claiming their territories were used to launch attacks on Iran.
England's women's national football team took a significant step towards qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 by defeating defending champions Spain 1-0, with Lauren Hemp scoring the decisive goal. The match was held at Wembley Stadium in London, marking the first encounter between the teams since England's penalty shootout victory in last year's European Championship final.
A former student opened fire inside a vocational high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province, Turkey, in a random shooting incident. The attacker, born in 2007, used a pump-action shotgun to fire indiscriminately in the corridor. According to officials, 16 people were injured, including 10 students, four teachers, a canteen employee, and a police officer.
Uzbek 20-year-old grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov secured an early victory in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge for the World Chess Championship. At a press conference, Sindarov shared his post-victory reflections, detailing the difficulties faced during the tournament and his future plans. He described the past week as 'the hardest week of my life,' noting sleepless nights and intense pressure in the final days.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has released its concluding statement following a visit to Uzbekistan. According to the report, in 2025, Uzbekistan's real GDP growth reached 7.7%, the unemployment rate fell to 4.8%, and inflation slowed from 9.8% to 7.3%. The current account deficit narrowed to 3.9% of GDP.
The US military has declared that its blockade of Iranian ports has been “fully implemented,” with economic trade entering and leaving Iran by sea “completely halted.” The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations “entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran.” According to US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, an estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fueled by international sea trade, and in less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have entirely stopped economic trade moving into and out of Iran by sea.