Israeli and Lebanese diplomats are meeting in Washington for talks aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militia. These are the first direct talks since 1993 and aim to end violence and resolve border disputes in southern Lebanon.
Key Facts
Israel and Lebanon are having direct talks at the U.S. State Department to discuss peace and ceasefire terms.
The talks follow a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia active in Lebanon.
Lebanon’s government seeks to end Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon and deploy its army to the borders.
Hezbollah holds significant influence in Lebanon and receives support from Iran.
Israel wants to remove Hezbollah’s military threat; its Defense Minister has mentioned plans similar to previous Gaza operations.
President Donald Trump’s administration promoted the ceasefire and wants to reduce Hezbollah’s power in Lebanon.
The negotiations are seen as a first step toward normalizing relations between Israel and Lebanon.
Experts say the process will be difficult due to Iran’s support of Hezbollah and Israel’s military actions.
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In Gaza City, many people displaced by recent fighting are living in tents surrounded by rubble, facing serious problems with rats. These rats have become more aggressive, attacking residents like a young child who was bitten and now fears for her safety. The rats also spoil food, clothes, and belongings, adding to the challenges for families struggling with poverty and lack of resources.
Key Facts
Samah al-Dabla and her children live in a tent in Gaza among rubble and are troubled by rats invading their shelter.
A rat attacked Samah’s three-year-old daughter, Mayaseen, biting her hand and causing bleeding.
Medical help was sought at a local hospital, but the child remains scared of rats.
Rats have become more aggressive, possibly because they feed on human bodies under the rubble.
Many people in Gaza live in tents due to destruction and forced evacuations from recent Israeli attacks.
Families struggle with basic needs like clean water, food, power, and protecting against pests like rats.
Attempts to buy rat poison are limited by high costs, and rats damage food supplies, clothes, and tents.
The rat problem is widespread and worsening as summer approaches, with no clear reconstruction plans yet.
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China built up a large stockpile of oil last year, much more than other countries, to prepare for potential supply problems. This stockpile now gives China an advantage as the Iran war disrupts oil supplies near the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
China added around 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day to its reserves in 2025.
By December 2025, China’s strategic oil stocks reached nearly 1.4 billion barrels.
The increase happened due to lower oil prices, higher geopolitical risks, and a new Chinese law requiring larger reserves.
China did not join the International Energy Agency’s recent large release of oil reserves.
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve held about 409 million barrels as of March 2026, well below its 714 million barrel capacity.
China also controls over 70% of the global supply chains for solar, wind, battery, and electric vehicles.
The Iran war has caused an oil shock by disrupting supply near the Strait of Hormuz.
China’s energy strategy was designed to handle crises like the current conflict.
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Several candidates are competing to become the next United Nations secretary-general starting in 2027. They emphasized the importance of peace and restoring trust but did not take strong positions that might upset the UN member countries who will vote for the new leader.
Key Facts
The current UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, will finish his second term at the end of 2026.
Four main candidates are running: Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), and Macky Sall (Senegal).
Each candidate answered questions from representatives of the 193 UN member states and civil society groups during three-hour sessions.
Candidates focused on promoting peace and rebuilding confidence in the UN.
They avoided making controversial statements that could harm their chances in the voting process.
The new secretary-general will start their term on January 1, 2027.
The election process is currently ongoing with many member states involved.
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European Union leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Cyprus to mark the release of a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine. The loan had been delayed due to disagreements but was preliminarily approved before the planned talks in Ayia Napa.
Key Facts
The EU will release a 90-billion-euro (about $105 billion) loan to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky will join EU leaders in Cyprus for meetings.
The loan was delayed due to a dispute involving Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Zelensky.
Preliminary approval of the loan was given on Wednesday.
Final approval is expected by Thursday before the EU-Ukrainian talks.
The meetings will take place at Ayia Napa marina in Cyprus.
The loan aims to provide badly needed financial support to Ukraine.
The delay had caused a deadlock in EU financial aid to Ukraine.
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A second French peacekeeper died in Lebanon after being wounded in an ambush on UN forces. The attack happened over the weekend and was blamed on Hezbollah, although the group denies responsibility.
Key Facts
The ambush occurred on a Saturday against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Staff sergeant Florian Montorio was the first French soldier killed in the attack.
The second French soldier died on Wednesday from injuries sustained in the ambush.
President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of the second peacekeeper.
Hezbollah has denied being responsible for the attack.
The incident happened amid ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon.
UN peacekeepers are in Lebanon to help maintain peace and security.
The attack has increased concerns about violence and stability in the region.
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Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on April 22, 2026, killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded a photographer. This was the deadliest day since a ceasefire started on April 16 to stop fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Key Facts
Amal Khalil, a 43-year-old Lebanese journalist, was killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
A photographer accompanying Khalil was wounded in the same incident.
The death toll on April 22 reached five people due to the strikes.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began on April 16.
April 22 was the deadliest day since the ceasefire started.
The information came from a senior Lebanese military official and Khalil’s employer, the Al-Akhbar newspaper.
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The United States accused China of pressuring several African countries to block Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from traveling to Eswatini by revoking air travel permits. China denied these claims and praised the countries for supporting its "one-China" policy, which sees Taiwan as part of China.
Key Facts
Taiwan’s President Lai planned a trip to Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa.
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for Lai’s charter flight without prior notice.
The U.S. said China pressured these countries to block Lai’s travel as part of an "intimidation campaign."
China insists that Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes Taiwan’s international diplomatic activities.
China praised the African countries for supporting the "one-China" principle.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry and officials said China used economic pressure to stop the trip.
The U.S. supports Taiwan’s security but does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet China’s President Xi Jinping next month amid rising tensions.
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Lebanese and Israeli representatives will meet again in Washington to discuss extending a 10-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. This ceasefire, facilitated by the United States, is set to end soon, and Lebanon hopes to keep it going.
Key Facts
Lebanon and Israel are holding talks in Washington, D.C.
This is the second meeting in two weeks between the two sides.
The talks focus on extending a ceasefire that has lasted 10 days.
The ceasefire was arranged with help from the United States.
Hezbollah, a group based in Lebanon, and Israel agreed to the ceasefire.
The current ceasefire is due to expire on Sunday.
Lebanon wants the ceasefire to continue to prevent further conflict.
The talks are part of early efforts to improve relations between the two countries.
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Iran took control of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. This happened after President Donald Trump announced that the US would cancel planned attacks, and there are no signs that peace talks will begin soon.
Key Facts
Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for international shipping.
President Donald Trump canceled planned US attacks indefinitely.
A ceasefire between the US and Iran began two weeks ago.
The ceasefire was expected to end this week, but its current status is unclear.
No new peace talks between the US and Iran have started.
The situation shows ongoing tensions between Iran and the US.
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Pope Leo XIV visited a well-known prison in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, and spoke out about the poor living conditions for prisoners. During his visit, inmates greeted him by singing and dancing despite the rainy weather.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV made a controlled visit to Bata prison in Equatorial Guinea.
The prison is known for its harsh conditions.
The Pope criticized the living conditions of the inmates.
Inmates welcomed the Pope with songs and dances in the rain.
Equatorial Guinea is a very closed-off country with limited outside access.
The Pope leads the world’s Catholic population of about 1.4 billion people.
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Two American agents and two Mexican investigators died in a car accident related to an anti-drug operation in Chihuahua, Mexico. The U.S. and Mexican governments exchanged strong statements about the incident after reports said the Americans were CIA agents.
Key Facts
The accident happened on Sunday in Chihuahua, a northern state in Mexico.
Two Americans and two Mexican investigators died in the crash.
U.S. media reported that the Americans were CIA personnel.
The incident occurred during or after an anti-drug raid.
Mexico's government and the White House publicly criticized each other over the deaths.
The situation has raised tensions between the U.S. and Mexico.
Mexican officials have considered sanctions related to the incident.
The case is part of ongoing cooperation and conflict over drug enforcement between the two countries.
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Palestinians in the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah will hold local elections, the first in several years. These elections include some candidates who support Hamas and will show how much support the group currently has in Gaza.
Key Facts
The elections are happening in Deir al-Balah, a Gaza city not taken over by Israeli ground forces during the war.
Some candidates in the elections support Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza.
These are part of wider municipal elections organized by the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinians see the elections as a way to show national unity.
Many Palestinians oppose a U.S. plan for Gaza they believe will increase separation from the West Bank.
Local elections in Gaza have not been held for several years.
The vote may reveal public opinion about Hamas amid ongoing conflict in the region.
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Two trains collided head-on in Denmark, near Copenhagen, injuring 15 people, four of them critically. The accident happened on a local rail line between the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup, and emergency services quickly took the injured to hospitals.
Key Facts
The collision occurred about 40 km northwest of Copenhagen, between Hillerød and Kagerup.
Four people were critically injured, and 11 others needed hospital treatment.
All injured individuals were transported by air or ambulance.
The accident happened around 06:30 local time on Thursday.
The trains collided on a level crossing and showed visible damage at their fronts.
An expert suggested a train may have passed a stop signal and ended up on the wrong track.
The local rail line involved may lack an automated safety system.
Rail accidents are rare in Denmark, and officials want to prevent similar events in the future.
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Peace talks between the US and Iran are ongoing as Iran has started requiring payments from oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. Iran’s demand for a $2 million toll per tanker could increase oil prices and has raised legal and economic concerns internationally.
Key Facts
Iran and Oman want to charge up to $2 million per ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
This toll is meant to fund reconstruction, according to Iran’s 10-point peace plan.
The Iranian military would escort tankers through a narrow route near Iran’s coast after they pay the toll.
The toll system conflicts with international law allowing free passage through important straits, although Iran and the US have not signed the relevant UN treaty.
Sanctions against Iran complicate any payments from Western shipping companies to Iranian forces.
Adding $1 per barrel in tolls could add $7 billion to global oil costs yearly, based on previous oil flow through the strait.
Increased risks mean shipping companies, insurers, and workers would demand higher fees and payments.
The closure or restricted use of the strait has already cut about 10 million barrels per day of oil exports, causing oil prices to rise significantly.
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British officials received briefings on possibly allowing chicken washed with chemicals, like chlorine, from the US into the UK. This happened during trade talks with the US, despite public statements that the UK had no plans to change food safety rules on this matter.
Key Facts
UK officials were briefed on allowing chemical-washed chicken, including chlorine-treated chicken, before a meeting with the US embassy.
The UK Food Standards Agency reviewed US studies on washing chicken with bacteriophages and chlorine dioxide to kill bacteria.
The US permits chlorine washes to remove harmful bacteria on chicken, but the EU banned this practice in 1997 due to safety and animal welfare concerns.
US officials, including the agriculture secretary and a White House adviser, pushed for the UK to accept all US meat products, criticizing UK sanitary rules as unfair barriers.
Documents show that UK rules allow new substances like chlorine for chicken only after a strict risk analysis process.
The Food Standards Agency studied the effectiveness of chemical treatments against campylobacter bacteria, with reports expected to be published soon.
Campaign group 38 Degrees raised concerns that the UK government might quietly change food safety standards despite public denials.
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has been asked to comment but no statement was included in the article.
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Investigators and security officials say Iranian intelligence and Revolutionary Guards are recruiting teenagers through criminal contacts to carry out small attacks in Europe and the UK. These attacks target Jewish sites and groups linked to Iran’s opposition, and are seen as part of a campaign by Iran to pressure US allies and harm communities supportive of Israel.
Key Facts
Iranian intelligence and Revolutionary Guards are behind low-level "hybrid warfare" attacks in Europe and the UK.
Teenagers are recruited via criminal networks and social media platforms like Snapchat.
The first wave of attacks in March targeted Jewish sites in Belgium, the Netherlands, and US banks.
The second wave focused on the UK with arson attacks on synagogues, a Jewish charity, and an Iranian opposition TV office in London.
British police have arrested seven people for plotting firebombings and a teenager pleaded guilty to arson.
Analysts say there is no direct proof but many factors suggest Iran’s involvement in this coordinated campaign.
MI5 tracked over 20 Iran-backed plots in the UK in 12 months, including surveillance of Jewish sites in 2025.
Similar attacks and recruitment tactics have been reported in Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, France, and Germany.
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An Israeli airstrike hit civilians near a mosque in northern Gaza, killing at least five Palestinians, including three children. Despite a ceasefire agreement, there have been ongoing attacks and restrictions in Gaza, causing many deaths and severe hardships for residents.
Key Facts
The airstrike targeted civilians near Al-Qassam mosque in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza.
Five Palestinians died, including three children.
The bodies were taken to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Gaza’s government says Israel violated the ceasefire over 2,400 times since October.
More than 20,000 children have died in Gaza during the recent conflict, with one child killed every hour on average.
UN reports show that over 38,000 women and girls have died in the conflict from October 2023 to December 2025.
Ceasefire violations include targeted strikes, arrests, blockades, and shortages of food and medical supplies.
At least 786 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire began, including a journalist killed by a drone strike on April 8.
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A top UK Cabinet Office official, Cat Little, is scheduled to give evidence to a parliamentary committee about the security vetting process for Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US. The controversy involves a security agency recommending against Mandelson receiving clearance, but the Foreign Office allowing it anyway, leading to the dismissal of a senior official, Olly Robbins.
Key Facts
Cat Little is the permanent secretary at the UK Cabinet Office and oversees security vetting documents.
UK Security Vetting (UKSV) recommended Peter Mandelson should not receive developed vetting (DV) clearance.
Despite this, the Foreign Office granted Mandelson the clearance by using discretion.
Cat Little discovered the UKSV recommendation during a routine document review.
After the information became public, Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office permanent secretary.
Robbins argued that UKSV only provides recommendations and the Foreign Office made the final decision.
The parliamentary hearing aims to clarify the vetting process and decisions made regarding Mandelson’s clearance.
The Cabinet Office is central to the UK’s security system, and the DV clearance process is usually very secretive.
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The European Union is set to approve a €90 billion loan to Ukraine and a new set of sanctions against Russia after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their block on the measures. This decision follows the restart of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline and will be finalized by 1pm Brussels time.
Key Facts
EU leaders are meeting in Cyprus to discuss the Middle East and the EU budget for 2028.
A €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia had been delayed for four months due to Hungary’s veto.
Hungary and Slovakia agreed not to block these measures after Russian oil deliveries resumed through the Druzhba pipeline.
Slovakia confirmed the oil flow restarted overnight; Hungary is expected to confirm soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the EU summit in Cyprus in person.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will skip the summit, ending his record as the longest-serving European Council member.
Poland’s Donald Tusk will now hold the record for the longest-serving member of the European Council.
Other related events include Prince Harry’s visit to Kyiv and EU trade talks in the United States.
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