Iran Iran seeks 'fair and equitable' talks with the US to ease tensions Iran’s President says he has instructed the country’s foreign minister to pursue constructive negotiations to ease tensions and a looming threat of conflict with the US. The move signals a shift in approach for Tehran, who for weeks has countered with its own threats against Washington. 04/02/2026
Iran US-flagged tanker challenged by Iranian gunboats in Strait of Hormuz The Stena Imperative was approached by small armed vessels belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, but continued on its way as planned. 03/02/2026
Health news 22.6 million deaths by 2030 if foreign aid cuts persist, study finds As cuts in international aid continue worldwide, a new study projects 22.6 million people will die by 2030, including 5.4 million children under the age of five. 03/02/2026
USA Trump urges quick House vote to end partial government shutdown Trump has implored lawmakers to quicky end the partial government shutdown, promising to “work in good faith” on raised issues and concerns. The shutdown comes as Democratic lawmakers demand changes to immigration operations after the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis in January. 03/02/2026
USA Clintons agree to testify in House investigation into Epstein An attorney for the Clintons said the pair had agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee on matters related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It comes after months of political wrangling and as Republican lawmakers advanced contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary. 03/02/2026
Culture news 'F*ck ICE': Artists stand up to Trump at politically-charged Grammys This year's Grammy Awards saw several artists stand up to Donald Trump and ICE. From host Trevor Noah to Olivia Dean, Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny - who targeted US immigration authorities in his acceptance speech - politics loomed large at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. 02/02/2026
Iran Iran summons EU ambassadors to protest IRGC listed as terror group Tehran summoned EU ambassadors to protest the bloc's decision to classify Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as a terror group. 02/02/2026
USA Johnson says partial shutdown expected to last through to Tuesday US House Speaker Mike Jonson has blamed Democrat lawmakers over their lengthy demands to end a weekend-sprung partial government shutdown, but is convinced he has enough votes to end the impasse by Tuesday. 02/02/2026
No Comment 'No words': Danish war veterans hold silent march in Copenhagen to protest against Trump's remarks In Denmark, veterans who went to war alongside US troops took to the streets of Copenhagen. 01/02/2026
World News US ‘starting to talk to Cuba’, Donald Trump says moves to cut its oil The US president did not offer any details about what level of outreach his administration has had with Cuba recently or when, but said, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.” 01/02/2026
USA US Senate passes Trump-backed government funding deal The bill passed 71-29 and will now head to the House, which is not due back until Monday, meaning the government could be in a partial shutdown temporarily over the weekend until they pass it. 31/01/2026
World News UN risks 'imminent financial collapse' by July, Antonio Guterres warns Guterres' warning comes as US President Donald Trump's administration has, in recent months, reduced its funding to some UN agencies and has rejected or delayed some mandatory contributions. 31/01/2026
USA US Justice Department releases 3 million pages of Epstein files The material was released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the disgraced financier. 30/01/2026
USA US journalist Don Lemon arrested after covering Minnesota protest Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, has said he has no affiliation to the organisation that went into the church and that he was there as a journalist chronicling protesters. 30/01/2026
Culture news Afrobeats legend Fela Kuti to get Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award The award comes nearly 30 years after Fela Kuti's death, and two years after the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category. 30/01/2026
Business Hong Kong 'firmly rejects' ruling cancelling operation of Panama ports The court’s ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller, which alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021. 30/01/2026
Nature Albatross puzzles scientists after flying 4,800km from its home Conservationists have been left baffled by the bird's odd movements, with fears that they could be triggered by environmental factors. 30/01/2026
Syria Kurdish SDF forces say comprehensive agreement with Damascus reached Syria's new leaders, since toppling former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, have struggled to assert full authority over a country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war. 30/01/2026
USA Man impersonating FBI agent tries to break Luigi Mangione out of jail Mangione is being held at the Brooklyn jail while awaiting state and federal murder trials in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 30/01/2026
Culture news Kennedy Center official resigns two weeks after taking the job Kevin Couch’s abrupt resignation as senior vice president of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center comes amid recent turmoil and artist cancellations, following a leadership overhaul initiated by Donald Trump. 30/01/2026