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European countries threaten to ramp up Russia sanctions
European foreign ministers threatened to step up sanctions on Russia at a crunch meeting in London on Monday, as the continent's top diplomat accused the Kremlin of "playing games" over peace negotiations with Ukraine.

Trump heads on major Middle East tour
US President Donald Trump on Monday left for Saudi Arabia on what he called a "historic" tour of the Middle East that will mix urgent diplomacy on Gaza and Iran with huge business deals.

Hamas says freed US-Israeli hostage
Palestinian militant group Hamas said its armed wing handed over a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza since October 2023 on Monday, ahead of a regional visit by US President Donald Trump.

Indian PM Modi vows strong response to any future 'terrorist attack'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed Monday to respond strongly to any future "terrorist attack", and warned that New Delhi would not tolerate "nuclear blackmail" in the event of further conflict with Pakistan.

Jihadist attack kills 'several dozen' in Burkina Faso
Fresh jihadist violence has killed "several dozen" soldiers and civilians in simultaneous attacks in a town in northern Burkina Faso which for three years has been besieged by armed groups.

Kremlin rejects Europe's 'ultimatums' for truce with Ukraine
The Kremlin said Monday it would not accept "ultimatums" set by European leaders to enter a ceasefire with Ukraine, without responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Gaza faces 'critical risk of famine': UN report
Gaza is at "critical risk of famine", with 22 percent of the population facing an imminent humanitarian "catastrophe" after more than two months of an aid blockade by Israel, a food security monitor warned Monday.

Indian teams defuse bombs in Kashmir border areas
Expert teams on Monday defused unexploded bombs in India's border areas with Pakistan before letting displaced Kashmiri villagers return home following a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed foes.

France condemns 'fake news' over Europe leaders' cocaine accusation
The French presidency on Monday condemned "fake news" spread by "France's enemies" after social media accounts of far-right figures and Russian officials falsely claimed that European leaders including President Emmanuel Macron were seen taking drugs on a train.

Indian PM Modi set to address nation after Pakistan truce
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to address the nation on Monday for the first time since a weekend ceasefire with Pakistan that brought the nuclear-armed rivals back from the brink of all-out war.

With Israel ties on the table, UAE offers Saudis an example
US President Donald Trump's Gulf tour this week will take him to Saudi Arabia, which he would like see recognise Israel, and the neighbouring UAE which has benefitted from Israeli ties but also paid a price.

UK urges Putin to 'get serious about peace'
The UK's foreign minister called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "get serious about peace" in Ukraine on Monday, as he hosted key London talks backing calls for a swift ceasefire.

Markets rally after China, US slash tariffs
Stock markets, the dollar and oil prices rallied Monday after Chinese and US officials slashed tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, fuelling hopes the two sides will pull back from a standoff that has rattled global markets.

Leo XIV urges release of jailed journalists as Zelensky invites to Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV called Monday for the release of jailed journalists and urged reporters against using words that fan hatred, as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to the war-torn country.

Drones hit Ukraine as Zelensky awaits Putin reply on talks
Russia fired more than 100 drones at Ukraine overnight, Kyiv said Monday as it awaits the Kremlin's response to Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin this week.

UK hosts European ministers for Ukraine talks amid ceasefire call
The UK on Monday hosted European ministers for "critical" talks on "repelling Russian aggression", after Ukraine's allies demanded that Moscow accept a ceasefire.

Hamas says will release US-Israeli hostage Monday
Hamas's armed wing said it would release on Monday a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza since October 2023, even as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of an "intensification" of fighting in the war-ravaged territory.

Ocalan: founder of the Kurdish militant PKK who authored its end
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed founder of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), is an icon to many Kurds but a "terrorist" to many within wider Turkish society.

Kurdish militant PKK says disbanding, ending armed struggle
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Monday announced its dissolution, saying it was ending its armed struggle against the Turkish state and drawing a line under its deadly four-decade insurgency.

US, China agree to slash tariffs in trade war de-escalation
The United States and China announced Monday an agreement to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, de-escalating a trade war that has roiled financial markets and raised fears of a global economic downturn.

India, Pakistan military to confer as ceasefire holds
Indian and Pakistani military chiefs were set to confer Monday as a ceasefire that brought the nuclear-armed rivals back from the brink of all-out war held.

Kurdish militant group PKK says disbanding, ending armed struggle
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Monday announced its dissolution, saying it was ending its armed struggle against the Turkish state and drawing a line under its bloody four-decade insurgency.

Netanyahu vows further fighting despite planned US-Israeli hostage release
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no ceasefire in exchange for Hamas's release of a US-Israeli hostage, who a source close to the group said could be freed Monday.

Sweltering Philippines votes with Marcos-Duterte feud centre stage
Millions of Filipinos braved long lines and soaring temperatures Monday to vote in a mid-term election seen as choosing sides in an explosive feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.

Romania's far-right candidate clear favourite in presidential run-off
After triumphing in the first round of the presidential election, Romania's far-right candidate George Simion is tipped to win this weekend's run-off unless his pro-European rival can mobilise the masses who abstained last time.

Indian army reports 'first calm night' after Kashmir truce with Pakistan holds
The frontier between arch-foes India and Pakistan was peaceful and had the "first calm night in recent days", the Indian army said Monday, after a surprise weekend ceasefire.

Indians buy 14 million ACs a year, and need many more
Aarti Verma is about to join the growing ranks of Indians installing air conditioning, scraping together savings to secure relief from sometimes deadly temperatures that can reach nearly 50 Celsius.

Election campaigning kicks off in South Korea
The candidates vying to lead South Korea kicked off their official campaigns Monday ahead of a snap presidential election to replace the country's impeached ex-leader, removed over a thwarted martial law bid.

UK hosts European ministers for Ukraine talks after ceasefire ultimatum
The UK will on Monday host European ministers for "critical" talks on "repelling Russian aggression", two days after Ukraine's allies demanded that Moscow accept a ceasefire.

Leo XIV gets down to business on first full week as pope
Pope Leo XIV launches his first full week as leader of the world's Catholics on Monday, with journalists, diplomats and top Vatican officials all set to meet the newly elected pontiff.

Trump hails Air Force One 'gift' after Qatari luxury jet reports
Donald Trump on Sunday defended plans to receive a new Air Force One as a gift, after reports he will accept a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar despite strict rules on presents for US presidents.

US and China to publish details of 'substantial' trade talks in Geneva
The United States and China are set to provide details on Monday of the "substantial progress" made during talks in Switzerland over the weekend aimed at cooling trade tensions ignited by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.