Trump calls Chicago mayor 'useless', warns Iran on nuclear weapons

US President Donald Trump denounced Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as "useless" on Saturday while insisting that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, posting the twin messages on his Truth Social platform one day after the Democratic mayor met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Netanyahu holds urgent security meeting on northern Lebanon front

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene an urgent security meeting with defense officials on Saturday to assess the deteriorating situation on the northern front, as Hezbollah rocket fire reached Israeli cities for the first time since an April ceasefire.

Russia says Ukrainian drone struck Zaporizhzhia plant turbine hall

Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Saturday that a Ukrainian combat drone struck the turbine hall at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, causing structural damage and prompting fresh warnings from the corporation's chief about the risk of a serious nuclear incident.

Lebanese premier warns of 'unprecedented' Israeli escalation despite truce

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned on Saturday that his country is facing dangerous and unprecedented Israeli military escalation in the south, insisting that Beirut remains committed to US-mediated negotiations to secure a lasting ceasefire despite ongoing violations.

US envoy Barrack to remain central on Syria, Iraq policy: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ambassador Tom Barrack will maintain a leading diplomatic role on Syria and Iraq, confirming the veteran envoy will continue as Washington's representative to Türkiye while advancing President Donald Trump's strategic cooperation with Damascus and Baghdad.

US forces disable Gambia-flagged vessel bound for Iran: CENTCOM

US Central Command announced on Saturday that American forces disabled a Gambia-flagged commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the crew failed to comply with more than 20 warnings, firing a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine room to enforce the ongoing maritime blockade as a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect.

Hamas in talks with mediators, accuses Israel of undermining deal

Hamas said on Saturday it remains in contact with mediators to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, accusing Israeli authorities of systematically undermining diplomatic efforts through continued military operations and territorial expansion plans.

Iranian media details draft deal with US on Hormuz, assets

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said Saturday a draft informal understanding with Washington includes provisions granting Tehran exclusive authority over Hormuz navigation and access to $12 billion in frozen funds, according to the state media report.

Israeli military pushes deeper into Lebanon past Litani River

Hebrew media reports say the Israeli military has constructed bridges over the Litani River to expand ground operations deeper into Lebanese territory, as the death toll from the conflict surpasses 3,300 despite a fragile ceasefire.

Syria says Amjad Youssef killed six children of Dr. Rania Al-Abbasi

Interior Ministry announces the perpetrator of the 2013 Tadamon massacre was involved in the death of the chess champion's children, who disappeared after their arrest in Damascus.

Israel closes beaches, suspends schools near Lebanon border as tensions rise

The Israeli military announced on Saturday the suspension of educational activities and the closure of beaches in communities near the Lebanese border, citing security assessments as ground operations deepen and cross-border exchanges intensify.

Israeli strike kills nine Syrian refugees from same family in Lebanon

Lebanese authorities said nine Syrian refugees from the same family, including six children, were killed when Israeli warplanes struck their residential house in the southern town of Adloun, marking the latest violation of a fragile ceasefire extended for 45 days beginning May 17 following US-mediated talks.

Iran says final draft not approved, can quit US deal over violations

Saeed Ajorlou said Saturday that Tehran has not approved the final draft of a proposed agreement with Washington and could abandon the deal if the other side violates commitments regarding asset access and the maritime blockade, noting that implementation matters more than the text itself.

Iran warns military vessels in Hormuz will be targeted

Iran's highest military command says any military interference in the strategic waterway will draw a response, as Washington insists it—not Tehran—retains control of the chokepoint.

Israeli settler attacks injure four Palestinians in occupied West Bank

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its crews transported four injured Palestinians to hospital on Saturday following settler attacks on the town of Madama, as documentation shows occupiers carried out 540 attacks across the West Bank during April alone.

California chemical leak firm produced F-35 parts for Israel: Report

The aerospace manufacturer behind a chemical leak that forced thousands to evacuate in California produces canopy components for F-35 fighter jets likely destined for Israel, with the facility securing over $255 million in defense subcontracts since 2017, according to a US media report.

Palestine welcomes Israel's inclusion on UN sexual violence blacklist

The Palestinian Authority on Saturday welcomed the UN's decision to include Israel on its annual blacklist for sexual violence in conflict, calling the move a realistic and objective outcome based on extensive documentation of abuses against Palestinian detainees in occupied territory.

Clashes erupt at New Jersey detention center amid ICE protests

New Jersey State Police deployed tear gas and mounted officers to disperse over 200 demonstrators outside the Delaney Hall detention center late Saturday, as anti-ICE protests turned violent following days of rising tensions over immigration enforcement and detainee conditions.

Turkish president marks 573rd anniversary of Istanbul conquest, praises Fatih Sultan Mehmet

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday commemorated the 573rd anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, describing the 1453 victory as a transformation that brought light and security to the historic metropolis while honoring Sultan Mehmed II as the commander who achieved the feat at age 21.

Türkiye sees strong drone cooperation potential with Japan: Turkish foreign minister

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Nikkei Asia that Ankara is eager to deepen defense-industrial relations with Tokyo, highlighting that Türkiye's field-tested unmanned aerial systems and complementary capabilities could form the basis for mutually beneficial collaboration in advanced aviation technologies.

CHP rival camps trade accusations as leadership feud deepens

Former CHP chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu and incumbent Ozgur Ozel held competing gatherings in Ankara on Saturday, trading sharp accusations over a court ruling that restored Kilicdaroglu's legal party chairmanship pending a new congress.

US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues despite Trump pledge

Iranian seafarers reported on Saturday that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains fully in effect despite President Donald Trump's announcement that the restrictions would be lifted, with vessels continuing to receive stop warnings from US Central Command, according to Tasnim news agency.

Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes, farmland in occupied West Bank

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in the northern town of Beita and damaged farmland in the southern Masafer Yatta area on Saturday, Palestinian media reported, amid a documented surge in violence that saw 540 attacks against civilians across the occupied West Bank in April alone.

Ukraine strikes Russian military, energy targets; Moscow retaliates

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces conducted long-range strikes on Russian oil and military infrastructure deep inside the country, while Moscow's Defense Ministry reported launching retaliatory attacks on Ukrainian facilities and intercepting hundreds of drones overnight.

Pakistan says no Israel shift without Palestinian state

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan will not normalize relations with Israel unless there is concrete progress toward an independent Palestinian state, reaffirming Islamabad's long-standing position following talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.