Turkish diaspora key to global influence, envoy says

Turkish Ambassador to Washington Sedat Onal said the strong diaspora abroad has helped Türkiye become a global actor whose voice is heard internationally, praising the community's growth and achievements while outlining plans to strengthen solidarity among Turkish Americans at the annual cultural festival.

Trump says Iran interested in deal but warns of 'very bad time'

US President Donald Trump told French broadcaster BFMTV on Saturday that Iran maintains an interest in reaching a diplomatic agreement, warning that the Islamic Republic faces a "very bad time" if diplomacy fails while he considers whether to resume military strikes in the coming hours.

UN rapporteur accuses Israel of 'systematic torture' in detention centers

UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese said Israel uses torture against Palestinian detainees and the wider population in occupied territories, submitting a report to the UN Human Rights Council that examines widespread abuses since the escalation began in October 2023.

Israeli army, occupiers injure four Palestinians in West Bank

The Palestinian Red Crescent said four Palestinians including a teenager were injured Saturday in separate attacks by Israeli forces and occupiers across the occupied West Bank, as violence in the territory continues alongside the war in Gaza.

Russian, UAE presidents discuss Middle East and Iran crises

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed on the need for diplomatic solutions to Middle East crises during a Saturday phone call, as regional tensions remain high following two months of war between the US, Israel and Iran.

Egypt, Eritrea: Red Sea security 'exclusive' to littoral states

Egyptian and Eritrean foreign ministers affirmed on Saturday that Red Sea security remains the exclusive responsibility of littoral states, rejecting attempts by non-coastal nations to impose security arrangements amid regional tensions over maritime access.

Israeli strike kills one, wounds 4 in Gaza despite ceasefire

Medical officials in Khan Younis said one Palestinian was killed and four others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, as Israeli forces advanced into southern Gaza and pushed buffer zone boundaries westward despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

Meloni hails Council of Europe backing for migrant return hubs

Meloni said the declaration recognizes the legitimacy of processing asylum claims in third countries, marking a decisive shift from policies she initiated with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that only a year ago were considered controversial but have now become shared European principles.

Syrian president meets US envoy Barrack in Damascus

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with US envoy Tom Barrack in Damascus on Saturday to discuss developments in Syria and the region and ways to enhance economic cooperation, as the US manages diplomatic outreach to Damascus alongside stalled negotiations to end the war with Iran.

Israel uses military orders to expand West Bank settlements

The Palestine Liberation Organization said Israeli authorities are systematically using military infrastructure and seizure orders to expand illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank, with recent data indicating that 81% of military seizure orders issued between 2023 and 2025 served settlement expansion rather than security needs.

US aircraft carrier returns after 11-month Iran war, Venezuela deployment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed nearly 4,500 sailors aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford at Naval Station Norfolk on Saturday, praising their roles in Operation Epic Fury against Iran and the Caribbean mission that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

US suspects Iranian hackers breached gas station tank systems: Report

US officials suspect Iranian hackers may have breached automatic tank gauge systems at gas stations across multiple American states, potentially altering fuel level displays and raising safety concerns about possible gas leak concealment, according to CNN.

Erdogan says Israel provocations must end for Middle East peace

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Israel's "endless provocations" must be neutralized before genuine peace can be built in the Middle East, warning that Tel Aviv seeks to expand the war against Iran across the region while vowing that Ankara would continue efforts to prevent the crisis from deepening.

Türkiye's foreign minister meets Iran's Bagheri in Istanbul

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Istanbul on Saturday for talks on bilateral and regional issues, diplomatic sources confirmed, as Ankara and Tehran maintain regular consultations on Middle East security.

Türkiye: Syria advances toward stability despite regional unrest

Türkiye's UN envoy Ahmet Yıldız told Security Council members on Friday that Damascus has remained among the least affected by regional tensions since December, praising Syria's progress toward sustainable stability while warning that Israeli military activities threaten to derail recent gains.

Pakistani minister in Tehran for unannounced talks: Sources

Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday for unannounced talks with senior Iranian officials, as Islamabad presses its mediation bid to secure a lasting ceasefire between the United States and Iran following failed negotiations in the Pakistani capital earlier this month regarding the ongoing conflict.

China, US agree on tariff cuts, Beijing confirms aircraft deal

China's Commerce Ministry said Beijing and Washington agreed to establish a Trade Council to discuss tariff reductions and confirmed arrangements for Chinese procurement of US aircraft, as the two sides committed to reciprocal tariff cuts on products of equal scale following President Donald Trump's state visit.

Putin to meet Xi in Beijing next week for strategic talks

The Kremlin announced on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing on May 19-20 to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing key international issues, with the two leaders expected to sign a joint statement and several agreements during the visit.

US energy chief: Hormuz could reopen by summer

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen by summer's end at the latest, warning that the US military stands ready to intervene if Iran continues holding the world economy hostage through the vital chokepoint even as he signaled that a diplomatic breakthrough could emerge within days.

Iran committed to diplomacy, president tells pope

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pope Leo XIV that Tehran remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful solutions, noting his appreciation for the Catholic leader's moral stance on recent military aggressions and calling on the international community to act against illegal actions.

Syria arrests Assad-era deputy chief of staff, air commander

Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced on Friday that Syrian authorities have detained two high-ranking Assad-era military officials, including a former deputy chief of staff and an air division commander, as the transitional government pursues accountability for alleged wartime abuses committed during the 2011-2024 conflict.

Hezbollah says 33 attacks hit Israeli forces in south Lebanon

Hezbollah said Friday it had carried out 33 attacks targeting Israeli military positions, troop gatherings and vehicles across southern Lebanon within the past 24 hours, citing continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement and strikes on civilian areas as justification for the operations.

Armenian PM rejects external guarantors for peace with Azerbaijan

Nikol Pashinyan said Saturday that Armenia does not require third-party security guarantees to maintain peace with Azerbaijan, citing the failure of past arrangements including the CSTO alliance which he said had prepared for war against Yerevan.

US extends Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by 45 days after Washington talks

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott announced that the April 16 cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress, with political negotiations set to reconvene June 2 and a dedicated security track launching at the Pentagon on May 29.

Trump says US can 'knock everything out in two days' in Iran

US President Donald Trump said Washington retains the capacity to rapidly destroy Iranian infrastructure while insisting he had not underestimated Tehran's resilience, as diplomatic efforts between the two sides continue to falter amid ongoing military tensions.