Republic in West Asia; cradle of civilisation; modern state with a complex political landscape
France has secured top spot in Group I following a 4-1 win over Norway, with Ousmane Dembélé notching a first-half hat-trick and Kylian Mbappé contributing further. Norway rested most of its starting lineup, and Didier Deschamps has returned to France for his mother’s funeral. France now advances to the knockout phase.
Turkey has warned of Kurdish mobilisations in Iran and Iraq while PKK elements push for guarantees and a defined role for Abdullah Ocalan. Ankara maintains disarmament as a precondition for broader reforms, with stalled parliamentary momentum and ongoing regional tensions complicating prospects for renewed peace.
Dean DelleChiaie, 35, of Nashua, has been charged with interstate communication of a threat against the president after sending a personal-email message on April 21 stating he intended to neutralize/kill the president. The case follows earlier FAA computer searches and a suspension, with investigators noting his remorse during a February interview.
The United States has sanctioned Iraq’s deputy oil minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly and three leaders of Iran-aligned militias, accusing them of diverting Iraqi oil to benefit Iran. The move, tied to broader pressure on Iran and its Iraqi proxies, follows sanctions on related figures and comes as Tehran’s influence in Baghdad faces renewed scrutiny.
Multiple outlets have reported that Israel has established covert military sites in Iraq's western desert to support air operations against Iran. Reports say the installations have hosted special forces, logistics and search-and-rescue teams; Iraqi patrols investigating were struck in early March, killing one soldier and injuring others.
The UAE has emerged as a more direct participant in the Iran conflict, with reports that it carried out strikes against Iran, including an attack on the Lavan Island refinery. The ceasefire holds but regional tensions are rising as Gulf states respond to Iran's actions and to allied pressures from the US and Israel.
Curaçao has confirmed the return of Dick Advocaat as manager, three months after his resignation over his daughter’s health issue. He will coach Curaçao at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the tournament’s oldest manager, with Fred Rutten having stepped down and discussions with Advocaat ongoing.
Saudi air force has targeted Iran-linked militia sites in southern Iraq amid a broader Gulf escalation, with rockets reported from Kuwaiti territory and retaliatory strikes from Kuwait. Reuters cites Iraqi security officials and Western officials; the US has not commented. The events follow a pattern of Gulf-wide military responses tied to Iran-linked groups.
Iraq’s new prime minister has formed a partial cabinet with 14 ministers approved by parliament. Interior and defence posts remain unresolved as lawmakers grapple with coalition lines and external pressure from the U.S. and Iran amid ongoing regional tensions.
A drone has struck an electrical generator outside the Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi after Emirati air defences have intercepted two other drones. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation has said the plant has remained safe, with no radiological release or injuries, while the IAEA is following the situation closely.
Trump has warned Iran to move quickly toward a peace deal, saying “there won’t be anything left of them” if negotiations fail. The U.S. and Israel remain locked in a broader clash with Tehran, with regional outages and drone incidents intensifying the conflict. Ceasefire efforts in Lebanon and Gaza are fragile amid renewed strikes.
The UAE has intercepted most drones aimed at the Barakah nuclear power plant. One drone penetrated the perimeter and struck a generator outside the inner perimeter. Officials say there were no radiological releases and the plant remains safe, stable and operational.
Oil markets are facing a prolonged impact from the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, with analysts and industry leaders warning that a full rebound in flows may take years. Saudi and UAE officials emphasise resilience strategies to cushion prices, while other observers caution that the damage to global trading systems will extend beyond the immediate conflict.
Armed groups in Iraq have begun inventorying weapons and aligning under state authority following calls from top Shiite authorities and political blocs. Muqtada al‑Sadr has pledged to separate Saraya al‑Salam from his movement and integrate it into state structures, while Asaib Ahl al‑Haqq and Imam Ali Brigades are also moving to surrender arms and coordinate with the armed forces amid renewed U.S. pressure.
The United States has left its Baghdad ambassador post vacant for 18 months. President Trump has appointed Tom Barrack as Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq and Syria while he remains ambassador to Turkey. Barrack’s role in Syria and Iraq is expanding amid shifting diplomatic priorities, with several chargés d’affaires having led the Baghdad mission since late 2024.
Graham Platner has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine despite weeks of damaging reporting about sexually explicit messages, a chest tattoo linked to Nazi imagery and accounts from former partners describing volatile behavior. Platner has held to the campaign, high-profile Democrats have continued to back him, and he will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Palestinian communities face renewed displacement as settlers advance into areas near Ramallah and East Jerusalem, intensifying clashes amid a broader Western sanctions package targeting settlements. The Palestine Professional League remains suspended due to security concerns, affecting players and clubs.
Iraq has secured a playoff win and earned a spot in the 2026 World Cup, despite a grueling travel saga. Players and staff faced long, interrupted journeys from Baghdad to Amman, then to Mexico, before beating Bolivia 2-1 to reach the final. Back home, celebrations electrify Baghdad as the nation basks in a rare moment of national unity.
Countries across the Gulf remain on edge as renewed strikes and counterstrikes test a fragile ceasefire. Iran, the United States and allied forces report ongoing exchanges in Kuwait, Bahrain and Lebanon, with diplomacy continuing even as military actions intensify.
A roundup of how African, Arab and European teams are finalising squads and tactics for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Managers reshuffle, injuries and tactical changes shape expectations as teams prepare to the tournament. The Guardian and other outlets report on Egypt, DR Congo, Jordan, Tunisia, and more as they approach their first appearances or campaigns.
Iraq has secured a historic World Cup berth after a tense qualifying campaign, overcoming political and logistical obstacles. Arnold’s side has battled through stress, war-related disruption, and long travels to reach Monterrey and clinch a place in the finals.
Iran's national football team has landed in Tijuana after training in Turkey and has secured U.S. visas for players only. Fifteen technical and administrative staff have been denied U.S. entry. Under visa conditions the squad will operate from a Mexican base and will cross into the United States around match days for their Group G fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle.
An AI-generated feature by Ash Koosha has screened at Tribeca, using AI tools to render a full production with no traditional cast. Koosha says AI enabled independence and speed, while acknowledging limits and risks for conventional filmmaking and employment. The project memorializes Iranian protesters and raises broader questions about the future of cinema.
Iraq's World Cup striker Aymen Hussein has been held for hours at Chicago's O'Hare airport and questioned as part of U.S. entry checks; the team's photographer was denied entry. Iraq return to the World Cup after 40 years, with group opponents France, Senegal and Norway.
Oil flows through key Gulf routes have been disrupted as conflicts escalate. Countries are adjusting production and trade, while insurers assess risk. The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point as sanctions’ adjustments and new toll discussions surface amid regional tensions.
A passenger bus crashed and burst into flames in Thi Qar province, southern Iraq, killing 21 and injuring 20. Officials say poor road conditions and a shortage of ambulances contributed to the death toll. Iranian nationals are among the dead; several bodies burned beyond recognition.
Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National and Dulles International face intermittent flight suspensions during America 250 events, with the MWAA warning that airspace closures could affect schedules through late summer. Travelers are urged to monitor updates and contact airlines for changes.
England has opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, Texas. Harry Kane has scored twice in the first half, Jude Bellingham has put England ahead just after half-time and Marcus Rashford has sealed the win late on. Elsewhere Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo and Ghana beat Panama 1-0.
The United States has launched strikes on Iran, targeting surveillance, communications and air-defence sites, in response to Iran’s downing of a US Apache helicopter. Iran has retaliated with attacks on US bases and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis has drawn in regional partners and heightened energy-market volatility as leaders promise further action.
The World Cup in the United States is facing renewed scrutiny as visa delays and immigration enforcement collide with the event’s logistics. Referees and players have faced entry issues, drawing international attention to how U.S. policies could affect a global tournament.
Leaders of the world’s seven largest economies are gathering in Evian-les-Bains as divisions over Iran, Ukraine, and economic imbalances test cohesion. A deal to end the Iran war is anticipated, but consensus remains elusive as European allies push for firmer action and the U.S. position under Trump remains uncertain.
The World Bank has cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5% and has warned growth could fall to 1.3% if disruptions to oil and fertiliser flows from the Middle East persist. Rising energy and food costs are pushing inflation higher and hitting developing countries hardest; the bank has pledged up to $100bn in support.
A June 18 Makerfield by-election has become a national leadership test after Labour has installed Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as its candidate. A string of ministerial resignations and polling showing Reform UK divided with a Farage splinter have left Keir Starmervulnerable; a Burnham win will force a leadership contest and intensify political instability.
Heads of football associations face US visa denials as the World Cup hosts struggle to grant entry for officials and media. Iran, Palestine and other delegations have encountered travel restrictions, complicating the tournament’s logistics and diplomacy.
Australia’s World Cup campaign has opened with a 2-0 win over Turkey, highlighted by Nestory Irankunda’s goal and a young, refugee-rich squad. The team has released a video promoting multiculturalism, featuring players born in refugee camps, as a statement amid rising anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Iraq has earned its place at the 2026 World Cup under Australian coach Graham Arnold, marking the country’s return to the tournament after 40 years. Arnold has steered the team through a lengthy qualifying campaign, with travel disruptions and geopolitical tensions shaping the road to the tournament.
The United States and Iran have reached a framework to end their war, with a signing ceremony planned in Switzerland this Friday. The pact would trigger a 60-day ceasefire and set the stage for talks on Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and regional issues. Readers should expect ongoing negotiations over the nuclear file and possible future steps.
A tentative deal has reopened the Strait of Hormuz and allowed some vessels to leave the Persian Gulf, but global oil flows have not returned to normal. Producers and shipowners have cut output and delayed shipments; tankers stranded in the Gulf and shut-in fields will take weeks to months to restart full exports, keeping pressure on prices and inventories through summer.
Mbappé scores twice to move France to 58 international goals, becoming the nation's all-time top scorer. Dembele nets a hat-trick in earlier group win over Senegal; Barcola adds late goal as France beat Senegal 3-1 to seal Group I victory. Norway advance to last 32 after earlier results.
World leaders are engaging on North Korea as Washington seeks to balance denuclearisation with dialogue. Trump has indicated openness to diplomacy, while South Korea urges leadership from Washington. Talks cover sanctions, shipbuilding, and broader regional coordination.
Three or four covert Iraqi cells, each around 10 fighters, have conducted at least seven drone attacks on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE from desert areas near Basra and Samawa between 20 April and 17 May. The groups report directly to Iran's IRGC and operate outside the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, with Baghdad pledging to prevent Iraqi territory from being used for hostile acts.
A ceasefire deal has halted fighting across parts of the Middle East, but Iranians react with exhaustion and mixed hope. Protesters face a challenging path ahead as the ceasefire takes hold amid hard-liner opposition and ongoing domestic strain.
Global oil routes are reopening as Iran and the United States sign a memorandum to end the conflict, promising the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open for at least 60 days. Backlogs and safety concerns remain as shippers begin phased restarts amid mine clearance and navigational risks.
Ashoura is being observed across major Shiite communities as conflict continues in Iran and Lebanon. Mourners mark Imam Hussein’s martyrdom in Karbala while security forces and militias reinforce processions amid ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah clashes and US-Iran diplomacy. The day blends ritual mourning with the realities of a regional war.
France has beaten Iraq in Philadelphia after a two-hour storm delay, with Mbappé scoring twice and Dembélé securing a first major tournament goal. Deschamps has backed Dembélé and Olise’s contributions as France progresses to the knockout stage amid chaotic weather.
Norway has secured a knockout berth after Haaland’s double secures a 3-2 win over Senegal, with Pedersen and a late Sarr brace shaping a tense finish. France is also through after a France-Iraq match earlier in the day.
Algeria has beaten Jordan 2-1, scoring late to overturn a first-half deficit. Benbouali and Gouiri strike after the break as Algeria climbs Group J standings and eyes a knockout berth; Argentina leads the group.
The United States and Iran have signed a preliminary 60-day deal to halt hostilities and open negotiations on sanctions, Iran's nuclear programme and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has suspended planned transit charges for 60 days but says it will retain control; Iran and Oman have formed a working group to study administration and service fees.
Global tech shares have pulled back after a rally in AI-related stocks. Benchmark indices in Asia show sharp declines, including South Korea’s Kospi, as investors reassess valuations amid rising chip costs and AI infrastructure spending. US futures show mixed signals as investors await key inflation data.
Norway has made a triumphant return to the World Cup, beating Iraq 4-1 in their first tournament appearance in 28 years. Haaland starred, while Norway’s players celebrate in Boston; the team has advanced to the knockout rounds.