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Portugal and Austria defeated Germany for seats on the powerful but deeply divided U.N. Security Council on Wednesday in a hotly contested race after intense campaigning. The 10 rotating seats on the 15-member Security Council are earmarked for different regions of the world. The assembly elects five countries by secret ballot every year to serve two-year terms alongside the council’s five permanent veto-wielding members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. In the other contested race, after four rounds of voting in the 193-member General Assembly, Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 and will join the council for the first time. Zimbabwe, the African candidate, and Caribbean candidate Trinidad and Tobago had no opponents and both were elected with more than 180 votes. In the race for the two seats for the group of mainly Western nations, Portugal received 134 votes and Austria 131 votes, while Germany, Europe’s economic powerhouse which had served six previous terms on the council, received 104 votes. Austria’s foreign ministry said its election capped a 15-year campaign and is a “strong international sign of confidence” in the country. Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev told reporters “we understand now is a turbulent time” and said Kyrgyzstan will work together with other council members. The five new members will take up their seats on Jan. 1. They will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia. The Security Council is mandated under the U.N. Charter with ensuring international peace and security, but it has failed in the three major current conflicts because of the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and of the United States, Israel’s closest ally, often on Gaza and on Iran. There have been decades of efforts to reform the Security Council to reflect the geopolitical realities of the current world, not of the post-World War II era 80 years ago, when the United Nations was established. But they have all failed, though a new attempt is underway.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “crazy” during a phone conversation earlier this week, expressing frustration that Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon were complicating ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement with Iran. In an interview released Wednesday on The New York Post’s “Pod Force One,” Trump acknowledged tensions with Netanyahu but emphasized that their relationship remains strong. “We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him,” Trump said, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. Trump said he was “a little bit perturbed” by Israel’s actions in Lebanon, which he believes have hindered diplomatic progress with Tehran. The remarks come as the US administration faces increasing pressure to end the regional conflict amid concerns over rising energy prices, economic uncertainty and their potential political impact ahead of midterm elections. Despite the challenges, Trump said negotiations involving Iran were continuing, although he declined to provide a clear timeline for a resolution. He noted that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz could remain closed through the US Labor Day holiday on Sept. 7 but expressed confidence that the situation would likely be resolved sooner. “I think this will resolve itself fairly quickly,” Trump said. The US president also said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is playing a role in ongoing peace discussions despite reportedly suffering injuries in an earlier airstrike. According to Trump, Iranian officials continue to seek Khamenei’s approval on key decisions. Meanwhile, tensions remained high in Lebanon. An Israeli strike hit a vehicle on a busy highway south of Beirut on Wednesday, just hours before a second round of Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington. It was not immediately clear whether the targeted individual was killed. The strike came days after Lebanon and Israel reached a US-mediated understanding under which Israel agreed not to target Beirut’s southern suburbs and Hezbollah pledged to halt attacks on northern Israel. The arrangement was reached shortly after Israel had announced plans for major strikes near the Lebanese capital. The US State Department said progress had been made during the first day of talks on Tuesday. Lebanon is seeking a broader nationwide ceasefire, while Israel is demanding the immediate disarmament of Hezbollah before ending military operations and withdrawing troops from several Lebanese towns and villages. Shortly after Wednesday’s strike, the Israeli military reported intercepting what it described as a hostile aircraft originating from southern Lebanon, though it did not directly blame Hezbollah. The group has not claimed responsibility for any cross-border attacks since the recent agreement was reached.

Somali security forces, backed by international partners, have killed 29 al-Shabaab militants including a senior commander during a joint operation in the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions of central Somalia, officials said. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday that the allied forces had launched two separate, coordinated raids after intelligence reports revealed that dozens of group members were gathering to organize terrorist activities across the region. "The forces killed 23 al-Shabaab militants near Masjid Ali Gudud in Middle Shabelle in the first operation, and they later killed five and a commander at Buq Aqable in the Hiran region," NISA said.

A senior Iranian official has warned that Tehran will not allow the United States to “overreach” in ongoing negotiations or in any ceasefire process, while vowing a strong response to any future attacks. Mohsen Rezaee, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said any aggression against Iran would be met with a forceful military response. “The response to every shot and aggression will be a barrage of missiles and drones,” Rezaee wrote in a post on X. “History will not turn back, and the aggressor will be swiftly punished.” Rezaee also stressed that Iran would not permit Washington to exert excessive influence in either diplomatic negotiations or efforts related to a ceasefire. “Neither in negotiations nor in the ceasefire process will we allow America to overreach,” he added. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and continuing diplomatic efforts involving Iran, the United States and other regional actors. Rezaee’s comments reflect Tehran’s firm stance on safeguarding its interests while warning against any perceived external pressure or military escalation. Source: Al Jazeera

Iran and the United States carried out fresh strikes across the Persian Gulf region on Wednesday, further testing an already fragile ceasefire and briefly forcing Kuwait to shut down its main international airport after a drone attack caused damage and casualties. Kuwait said its airport was partially shut after Iranian drones struck the passenger terminal, damaging the building and killing at least one person, according to officials. The airport later reopened in a limited capacity, with some flights resuming from an alternate terminal. The latest violence came as Iranian semi-official media reported that Tehran had stopped communicating with mediators over extending a ceasefire with the United States and Israel. However, a regional official involved in the talks said Iran wanted the truce in Lebanon enforced before returning to negotiations. US President Donald Trump insisted discussions were still ongoing. The repeated exchanges of attacks across the Gulf, along with the widening conflict in Lebanon involving Iran-backed Hezbollah, have further complicated ceasefire efforts that have already been dragging on for weeks. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said “a number of hostile drones” hit the airport’s passenger building, causing heavy damage and injuries. Later, the foreign ministry confirmed at least one death. State media reported that Kuwait Airways suspended operations following the attack. Aviation authorities said the airport partially reopened later in the day, but operations remained severely restricted. The airport had only reopened earlier this week after being closed due to the ongoing conflict. The US military said Iran also fired missiles toward Kuwait, which broke apart mid-air, while American forces shot down multiple drones targeting US personnel in the country. It added that US and Bahraini forces intercepted additional missiles aimed at Bahrain, where Iran allegedly targeted areas near the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Bahrain’s defence ministry said it destroyed several incoming missiles and drones. In response, the US said it struck an Iranian military ground control facility on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as retaliation for attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed it had targeted US military facilities, including the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, though it did not specifically mention Kuwait. It said its actions were in response to earlier US strikes. Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US attack on Qeshm Island, calling it a violation of the ceasefire and describing it as an “act of aggression.” Amid rising tensions, an Emirati diplomat called for a united Gulf response, warning that the conflict threatens the entire region rather than any single country. Iranian news agencies reported that Tehran had paused communication with ceasefire mediators, linking the talks to conditions involving the conflict in Lebanon, where fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah has intensified. However, a regional mediator told The Associated Press that Iran had not responded to outreach efforts on Tuesday. President Trump rejected claims that negotiations had stopped, saying discussions had continued daily and urging Iran to reach a deal. “The conversations between us have been going on continuously… It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a deal,” Trump wrote on social media. The broader conflict has also become tied to Israel’s war in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have expanded operations despite a nominal ceasefire with Hezbollah. The situation has created friction between Washington and Israel, with the US urging restraint while Israel pushes for stronger military action. Reports also suggested a tense recent phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though no official details were provided.

Solomon Islands' newly elected Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced plans to review the country's security agreement with China, a deal that has raised concerns among the United States, Australia and other regional partners since it was signed in 2022. The agreement was reached under former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and sparked fears that it could eventually allow China to establish a naval presence in the South Pacific. Speaking during a visit to Australia on Wednesday, Wale said he had only recently obtained a copy of the treaty and was still examining its contents. "I've had a look at it, but not in detail," Wale told reporters in Canberra, adding that the agreement contains a confidentiality clause that prevents its immediate public release. He said the government would review the China pact along with other security agreements the country has with foreign partners. Wale had previously called for greater transparency regarding the treaty before becoming prime minister through a parliamentary vote on May 15. Responding to the announcement, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing was ready to work with the new Solomon Islands government to expand cooperation in various sectors for the benefit of both countries. The visit to Australia marks Wale's first overseas trip since taking office. During the visit, he and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to begin negotiations on a broader strategic partnership covering security and economic cooperation. Wale said the two countries were seeking to "reset" relations after several years of difficulties under the previous administration. Albanese reiterated Australia's position that it should remain the Solomon Islands' preferred security partner rather than China. He said Australia wants Pacific nations to work together to maintain regional security and stability. Wale expressed support for a regional approach to security, saying it was the direction his government wanted to pursue. China has already provided police training and support to the Solomon Islands under the existing security agreement. The Pacific nation does not have a military, giving its police force a broader role in national security. The Solomon Islands strengthened ties with Beijing in 2019 when the government switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, a move widely seen as a major diplomatic win for Beijing.

Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal in Russia’s St. Petersburg, triggering a fire and disrupting airport operations ahead of a major international economic forum expected to feature President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones travelled more than 1,000 kilometres to reach the target, describing the strike as part of Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy and military infrastructure. Videos circulating on social media showed thick black smoke rising above the port area after the attack. Russian authorities confirmed that Ukrainian drones targeted infrastructure in St. Petersburg but did not provide details about the damaged facility. Flights at the city’s airport were temporarily suspended overnight, while mobile internet services were also disrupted. The attack came as St. Petersburg hosts its annual international economic forum, a high-profile event promoted by President Vladimir Putin. Although Western leaders and investors have largely stayed away since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Saudi Arabia is attending this year as a special guest country with a large business delegation. The strike is seen as an embarrassment for the Kremlin, coming weeks after security concerns over Ukrainian drone attacks forced authorities to scale back Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The latest developments follow a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities a day earlier that killed at least 22 civilians and injured 138 others, according to Ukrainian officials. As fighting along the front line remains largely unchanged, both Russia and Ukraine have increasingly relied on long-range drone attacks to target infrastructure and military assets deep inside each other's territory. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones also struck the Kronstadt naval base near St. Petersburg and a weapons-related manufacturing facility in Russia’s Tambov region. Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence systems shot down 354 Ukrainian drones overnight. In Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, local authorities said a Ukrainian strike hit a passenger bus travelling from Moscow to Crimea, killing seven people and injuring 11 others. Meanwhile, officials in Russia’s Smolensk region reported that two firefighters were killed and three others injured in a separate Ukrainian drone attack. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 198 drones overnight, adding that 189 of them were intercepted or neutralised. Regional authorities in Ukraine reported civilian casualties from continued Russian attacks, including one death and 15 injuries in Sumy region. In the southern Kherson region, an 86-year-old woman was killed and five others were wounded in overnight shelling and drone strikes.

At least 21 people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out in a multi-storey building in New Delhi on Wednesday, police said. The building, located in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi, housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel on the upper floors. The neighborhood is a densely populated residential area that is popular among students and young professionals. According to Delhi Police, firefighters brought the blaze under control with the assistance of eight fire engines. More than 40 people were rescued from the building and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Television footage and images from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the building as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Several people trapped inside were seen hanging from windows and calling for help while fire and smoke spread through parts of the structure. Local residents joined rescue efforts, helping evacuate occupants and carrying some injured victims to safety. Local media reported that some of those killed were foreign nationals who had travelled to India for medical treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims, according to a post by his office on X. The post also said the families of those killed would receive financial assistance of 200,000 rupees (about $2,088) each.

At least seven people were killed and 11 others injured after a drone struck a passenger bus in a Russian-controlled area of eastern Ukraine early Wednesday, according to local authorities installed by Moscow. Denis Pushilin, the Russia-backed head of the Donetsk region, said the bus was travelling from Moscow to Simferopol in Russian-annexed Crimea when it came under attack near Yenakiyevo. He said seven civilians were killed in the strike, while the injured were receiving medical treatment. The incident occurred amid a fresh wave of overnight drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine. Russian officials said air defence systems intercepted more than 350 drones across several regions, including Belgorod, Kursk, areas near Moscow and over the Sea of Azov. Authorities also reported that more than 50 drones were shot down over the Leningrad region, home to St. Petersburg, where the annual International Economic Forum is set to begin on Wednesday. The drone activity temporarily disrupted operations at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, prompting flight restrictions, according to Russia’s aviation authority. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said an 86-year-old woman was killed in a Russian drone attack in the southern Kherson region overnight. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 198 drones targeting multiple regions, adding that 189 of them were intercepted or destroyed. The latest attacks follow one of the largest Russian aerial assaults since the war began in 2022. Ukrainian officials said at least 22 people, including women and children, were killed on Tuesday when Russia launched more than 700 missiles and drones across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said civilian infrastructure and energy facilities were among the targets, and that more than 100 people were injured. Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strikes were carried out in response to earlier Ukrainian attacks and claimed all intended targets had been hit. The Kremlin said the campaign of strikes would continue, describing them as retaliatory actions and maintaining that they were aimed at Ukraine’s military infrastructure. With inputs from BBC

Kuwait suspended commercial flights on Wednesday after a drone attack attributed to Iran struck its international airport, injuring several people and damaging parts of the passenger terminal, officials said. The incident came hours after renewed missile exchanges between Iran and U.S. forces in the region, further escalating already high tensions in the Gulf. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi said “a number of hostile drones” targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to the passenger building and leaving several people injured. The airport had only recently resumed operations on June 1 after an earlier shutdown linked to regional conflict. Late Tuesday, the U.S. military said it carried out strikes on an Iranian military facility in retaliation for missile fire that it said originated from Iran and targeted Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the U.S., two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait disintegrated mid-air, while others targeting Bahrain were intercepted. U.S. Central Command also said it had shot down multiple drones directed at American forces stationed in Kuwait. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, however, said it had launched strikes targeting the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain and another location, though it did not name Kuwait. It said the attacks were in response to earlier U.S. military action against an Iranian oil tanker. “We had previously warned that any aggression would be met with a stronger response,” the Guard said in a statement. Central Command said it responded by striking an Iranian ground control facility on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iranian semi-official news agencies reported that Tehran had paused communication with mediators over a possible ceasefire, as regional tensions also intensified in Lebanon involving Iran-backed Hezbollah. However, a regional official involved in the talks told The Associated Press that Iran had not responded to mediation efforts on Tuesday, despite earlier discussions on linking negotiations to a ceasefire in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump rejected claims that talks had stalled, saying discussions were continuing daily. “The conversations between us have been going on continuously… Where they lead, one never knows, but it’s time for a deal,” Trump said in a social media post. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a congressional hearing, did not confirm any break in communication but expressed cautious optimism about nuclear-related negotiations, while noting that an agreement was not guaranteed.