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Iran talks resume, South Africa shooting kills eleven, UK growth cut
High-level US-Iran diplomatic talks have resumed in New York, raising hopes for oil-price relief. Elsewhere, a mass shooting in South Africa has killed at least eleven people, whilst the OECD downgraded Britain’s growth forecast due to Middle East instability.
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The top moments from Iran president’s tense visit to US soil as war rages
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, defending Iran’s conduct in its ongoing conflict with the United States and vowing that the country would not surrender. His fiery speech attacked President Trump and challenged the US account of the conflict, providing Iran with a high-profile platform to justify its actions…
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Iran rejects US pressure while keeping diplomatic options open
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told the UN General Assembly that Iran will not submit to US pressure, while saying it remains open to a diplomatic settlement to its nearly seven-month conflict with the US and Israel. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s threat to “annihilate” Iran unless an agreement is reached soon, highlighting continued…
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US delegate walks out during Iranian president’s UN address
The US delegation staged a walkout during an address by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN General Assembly after he accused America and Israel of killing civilians and declared that Iran has been a “victim of terrorism”. Pezeshkian, whilst holding photographs of a US attack on an Iranian school, stated that Iran would never…
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British family of man ‘abducted and tortured by Saudi officials’ condemn Andy Burnham’s ‘moral misstep’ after UK offered the kingdom military assistance
The family of British businessman Rami Naimi, whom they allege was abducted and tortured by Saudi authorities, has condemned Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s approval of military assistance to Saudi Arabia. They say Britain should have used the agreement to seek Naimi’s release and reunification with his family, describing the decision as a missed opportunity and…
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‘Severe escalation’ of forced child marriage and sexual violence in Gaza is revealed in UN report as father ‘sells daughter, 14, for two bags of flour’
UNFPA reports describe a severe escalation in gender-based violence in Gaza amid displacement, famine and the wider humanitarian crisis. Women and girls are reportedly facing rape, forced marriage, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and restrictions on access to food, shelter and healthcare, with male relatives, partners and camp representatives among the alleged perpetrators. The reports, based…
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Lost in translation: Israel, Huckabee blast Macron over Hamas comments as France clarifies wording
At the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, French President Emmanuel Macron drew sharp criticism from Israel and the United States after making remarks about Hamas’s presence in the West Bank. Macron’s original statement was translated as claiming “Hamas was never active in the West Bank,” prompting Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon to challenge the…
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Doha festival to open with Yemeni drama about women’s resilience
Qatar’s Doha Film Festival has announced *The Station*, a drama about a women-only petrol station in war-torn Yemen, as the opening film of its second edition in November 2026. The selection constitutes a statement of artistic commitment: whilst neighbouring Saudi Arabia has cancelled its Red Sea International Film Festival in December citing heightened geopolitical tensions,…
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The conflict sending global oil prices soaring: How Iran-backed Houthis have seized islands in Red Sea shipping route in escalating war with Saudi Arabia
The Iran-backed Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and strategic islands this month, positioning themselves to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Disruption to this route could have far-reaching consequences for global oil supplies, shipping costs, inflation and economic growth. Oil prices have already surged above $100…
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Martin backs Ireland manager after Israel condemns Gaza war comments
Ireland’s prime minister, Micheál Martin, has supported football manager Heimir Hallgrímsson after Israel’s football federation called his comments about the Gaza war “stupid”, “ignorant” and “hypocritical”. Hallgrímsson said Ireland would be playing “against genocide” rather than “with Israel”, prompting Martin to describe Israel’s response as unacceptable and urge it to acknowledge the scale of the…