US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations over a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will remain separate from broader efforts to reach a peace deal with Iran. Speaking during a visit to the Gulf region, Rubio said Washington wants to hear the views of its regional allies as talks with Tehran continue. His comments came as US officials reported progress in negotiations with Iran following recent talks in Switzerland. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan for discussions linked to regional diplomacy. Differences remain over nuclear inspections and other key issues in the ongoing negotiations. (PC: X)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to resume peace talks with Ukraine after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeted oil refineries and other infrastructure inside Russia. Putin accused Kyiv of trying to destabilise Russia through attacks on civilian and energy facilities. Despite the latest strikes, he said Moscow remains open to negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said Russia is prepared to continue talks from where previous discussions ended. Ukraine has said the strikes are aimed at weakening Russia’s war effort and energy sector. The conflict continues as both sides exchange attacks while diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. (PC: Sky News)

Larry the Cat, the famous Chief Mouser of Downing Street, is back in the spotlight after a playful social media post suggested he had "accepted" Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation as his chief servant.   The post drew attention online and added to Larry's long-running popularity in British politics. The cat has lived at 10 Downing Street since 2011 and has remained in place through six different prime ministers.   Over the years, Larry has become one of the most recognisable residents of Downing Street. While political leaders have come and gone, the well-known feline has continued his role, earning a loyal following both in Britain and abroad. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran has agreed to the highest level of international nuclear inspections for an extended period, describing it as a major concession that would ensure “nuclear honesty.” The statement followed technical-level US-Iran talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the West Asia conflict. Trump said continued negotiations depended on Tehran accepting inspections and added that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open as part of broader concessions. However, Iran rejected US claims that it had agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country, maintaining that cooperation would continue only under existing procedures. Tehran has denied making any new commitments.

Two Republican senators have criticised Pakistan and Qatar over their involvement in discussions linked to the Iran peace process. Senator Rick Scott said, “Pakistan and Qatar have long histories of harbouring terrorists,” while questioning their role as mediators. Senator Tim Sheehy also argued that countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel should be included in the talks. The remarks came after US Vice President J D Vance joined negotiations with leaders from Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland. The comments have intensified debate in Washington over regional diplomacy, alliances and the future of the Iran negotiations.

Iran's judiciary has announced the arrest of more than 3,000 people accused of helping Israel or acting against the state. Officials said 3,292 people were detained, including hundreds accused of carrying out operations for Israel. Others were charged with spreading anti-government propaganda. Authorities said more than 1,000 indictments have already been issued, and assets belonging to some suspects have been seized. The arrests are part of a wider crackdown that followed anti-government protests and the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Human rights groups have criticised the detentions and called for due process. (PC: Reuters)

The Pentagon is seeking about $80 billion from the US Congress, mainly to cover costs linked to the war with Iran. Defence officials said the money would help replace military stockpiles, repair equipment and support ongoing operations. The request comes as President Donald Trump pushes for a record defence budget of $1.5 trillion. Some lawmakers have expressed concern about increasing military spending while many Americans face economic challenges. Others argue the funding is needed to strengthen national security and replenish weapons supplies. The proposal is expected to face intense debate before Congress decides whether to approve it. (PC: AP)

At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured after an explosion at Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone, home to one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facilities. Authorities said the blast was caused by a technical accident at the Barzan gas supply facility. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said there was no sign of sabotage and that an investigation is underway. Officials confirmed that those killed were from India and Pakistan. Emergency teams quickly brought the fire under control. The incident is not expected to affect Qatar’s energy exports. (PC: AFP Via Getty Images)

Oracle has confirmed that it cut about 21,000 jobs worldwide during fiscal 2026 as the company expands its use of artificial intelligence. The workforce fell from around 162,000 employees to 141,000 by the end of May 2026. Oracle said AI technologies have already reduced staffing needs and could lead to more job cuts in the future. The company is investing heavily in AI and cloud computing infrastructure, including large data centres for AI services. Oracle spent $1.84 billion on restructuring costs during the year. The company is also planning major investments to support its AI growth strategy.

Iran briefly walked out of high-level talks in Switzerland after objecting to fresh threats made by US President Donald Trump. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not continue discussions under pressure, stating, “We never negotiate under threats or pressure.” He said the issue was raised directly with US Vice President JD Vance during the meeting. Iran also refused to take part in a planned joint photo with the US delegation. Despite the walkout, discussions continued through Qatari and Pakistani mediators as efforts to ease regional tensions and advance a broader agreement moved forward. (PC: AFP)