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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that sanctions on Iran will not be lifted unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened and free of restrictions imposed by Iranian forces. “We ourselves have imposed significant sanctions on Iran. But it is out of the question that any sanction whatsoever be lifted as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked,” Barrot told French broadcaster RTL. “It cannot be blocked, subjected to tolls, or used as leverage or blackmail.” France must ensure it never finds itself again in a situation where it’s forced to pay the price for wars it didn’t choose to launch, Barrot said. “That is why we must focus on … how Europe can rid itself of all these dependencies on hydrocarbons and oil – no longer being dependent on oil, no longer being dependent on digital technologies. In short, no longer being dependent on things that, in one way or another, draw us into conflicts, disasters, and crises in which we are not participants.” Input from Al Jazeera  

Voting began across the United Kingdom on Thursday in local and regional elections widely viewed as a major test of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, with his governing Labour Party bracing for significant losses. Millions of voters are choosing around 5,000 local council members, along with several mayors in England, and representatives for semi-autonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales. Polls opened at 7:00am and are set to close at 10:00pm (2100 GMT), with most results expected on Friday. Although local elections typically focus on municipal services, analysts say this vote has taken on national significance and is being treated as a midterm verdict on Starmer’s government. Labour, which holds about 2,500 council seats, is expected to lose ground after a difficult period for the prime minister, whose popularity has declined amid economic challenges, strained public services, and rising living costs. His government has also faced criticism over policy missteps and political controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, which drew backlash due to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Political analysts say the election could further weaken Starmer’s position within his party, though immediate leadership change is considered unlikely. Far-right Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is expected to be one of the biggest winners, targeting working-class voters in former Labour strongholds with an anti-establishment and anti-immigration platform. The Green Party is also projected to gain seats in urban and university areas, while the Conservative Party is expected to suffer losses, with the Liberal Democrats making modest gains. Experts say the results could signal a fragmentation of Britain’s traditional two-party system, with smaller parties increasingly challenging Labour and the Conservatives. Despite internal pressure, Starmer did not directly mention the Conservatives in his final campaign message, instead framing the vote as a choice between Labour’s “progress and a better future” and what he described as the “anger and division” of Reform and “empty promises” from the Greens. Reform UK leader Farage has suggested that a strong performance for his party could threaten Starmer’s leadership within months, while both Reform and the Greens have faced scrutiny over funding and candidate controversies. In Scotland and Wales, nationalist parties are expected to maintain strong positions, even as Reform seeks to expand its influence. Observers say Labour is contesting a highly fragmented political landscape, facing competition on multiple.  

“We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday. “We hope the parties will reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but to international peace as well.” But he declined to give a timeline, saying Pakistan would not disclose details of the ongoing diplomatic efforts. “What I can tell you and this is what I have stated before that we remain positive, we remain optimist, and we hope the settlement will be soon rather than later,” he said. Asked whether Pakistan was expecting any response from Iran later Thursday, Andrabi said: “I will not comment on specifics or the movement of the messages.” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking in televised remarks Thursday, said Islamabad remained in “continuous contact with Iran and the United States, day and night, to stop the war and extend the ceasefire.”  

Iran said Thursday it is examining a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of renewed military strikes if an agreement is not reached, including the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Global markets reacted positively to hopes that the two-month war could soon come to an end, despite heightened tensions after the US military targeted an Iranian oil tanker accused of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said in a social media post that oil and gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could resume if Iran agrees to a proposed deal, though he did not disclose details of the arrangement. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump warned. A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has mostly remained in place since April 8. However, direct talks hosted by Pakistan last month failed to produce a breakthrough. The conflict began on Feb. 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Pakistan Hopeful About AgreementPakistan expressed optimism that negotiations could soon yield results. “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday, adding that Islamabad hopes for a peaceful and lasting resolution benefiting both the region and global stability. He declined to provide details or a timeline regarding the diplomatic process. Conflicting Signals from WashingtonThe Trump administration’s messaging throughout the conflict has frequently shifted, especially regarding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring the war to a close. Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping route, disrupting the movement of oil, gas and petroleum products, while the US continues to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports. US Central Command said Wednesday that an American fighter jet disabled the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade. Trump Warns of Further Military ActionTrump insisted Iranian officials are eager to negotiate but warned that the US is prepared to escalate military action if talks fail. “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much,” Trump said. According to Axios, the White House is nearing a preliminary one-page agreement with Tehran that could include limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment, easing US sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The White House has not officially commented on the report. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Tehran strongly opposed the proposal outlined by Axios but confirmed Iran is still reviewing the latest American offer. Hormuz Crisis Continues to Disrupt Global TradeTrump recently suspended “Project Freedom,” a short-lived US operation aimed at securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Only two US-flagged merchant ships reportedly used the guarded route after it opened earlier this week. The US military also said it destroyed six Iranian boats it claimed threatened civilian shipping. The closure of the strait has caused sharp increases in fuel prices and intensified pressure on the global economy, particularly for countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies, including China. Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is costing the company around $60 million per week due to higher fuel and insurance expenses. Brent crude prices stabilized near $100 per barrel on Thursday amid uncertainty over whether the waterway would reopen. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said France’s aircraft carrier strike group is moving toward the Red Sea in preparation for a possible joint French-British mission to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. China Calls for CeasefireChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a comprehensive ceasefire during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang said China was deeply concerned by the conflict, while the Trump administration has urged Beijing to use its close relationship with Tehran to help reopen the strategic waterway. Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing next week for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Iranian minister said discussions covered the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions imposed by Washington. Trump continues to demand major restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

Nearly 40 passengers aboard a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak disembarked earlier at the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena after the first death was reported, Dutch officials said Thursday. According to the Dutch foreign ministry, the group included the wife of a Dutch passenger who died during the voyage. The passengers left the vessel while it was docked at the British overseas territory. The cruise operator had earlier confirmed only that the Dutch woman departed the ship at St. Helena with her husband’s body before traveling onward to South Africa on a commercial flight. The company, however, has not publicly confirmed that additional passengers also left the vessel. Dutch authorities did not specify the current whereabouts of those who disembarked. Officials in South Africa and Europe are now working to trace people who may have come into contact with the passengers after they left the ship. At least three passengers have died in the outbreak, while several others remain ill.  

World stock markets rose on Thursday amid growing optimism that a potential US–Iran agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil shipments to resume, while Brent crude prices remained just above the $100 mark. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged nearly 6% to a record high, with the index jumping more than 3,300 points to 63,086.00 after trading resumed following the “Golden Week” holiday. The rally was driven largely by strong gains in technology and semiconductor stocks. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.7%, while South Korea’s the kospi climbed 1.4% to another record close. Taiwan’s Taiex also advanced 1.9%, boosted by gains in major chipmaker TSMC. European markets showed mixed trends, with Germany’s DAX edging higher and France’s CAC 40 posting slight gains, while Britain’s FTSE 100 slipped. Investor sentiment improved after reports that Washington and Tehran are nearing a deal that could ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. The prospect lifted Wall Street on Wednesday, with US stocks posting strong gains and oil prices falling sharply. However, crude oil remained volatile. Brent crude traded around $100 per barrel on Thursday after fluctuating in early Asian trading, reflecting continued uncertainty over supply disruptions linked to the conflict and US military pressure on Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy shipments, has been at the centre of tensions amid the ongoing war, which has disrupted tanker movement and contributed to inflationary pressure worldwide. US markets had previously rallied after comments suggesting the waterway could reopen under a potential agreement, while strong corporate earnings from major technology firms also supported investor confidence. Currency markets showed limited movement, with the US dollar trading slightly lower against the Japanese yen and the euro edging higher.  

Pakistan on Thursday warned of a strong response to any future aggression as it marked the first anniversary of last year’s four-day military conflict with neighbouring India that pushed the two nuclear-armed rivals close to war before a US-brokered ceasefire ended the fighting. In a statement, Pakistan’s military said any “hostile design” against the country would be met with “greater strength, precision and resolve” than during the May 2025 confrontation, which Islamabad named “Marka-e-Haq” or “Battle of Truth.” The conflict erupted after gunmen attacked tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, most of them Hindu visitors. India accused Pakistan-backed militants of carrying out the attack, an allegation Islamabad denied while demanding an independent investigation. On May 7 last year, India launched strikes inside Pakistan, prompting retaliatory attacks from Pakistan involving drones, missiles and artillery shelling. The clashes left dozens dead on both sides before a ceasefire was reached on May 10 through US mediation. Pakistan had claimed during the conflict that it shot down at least seven Indian military aircraft, including a French-made Rafale fighter jet. India acknowledged losses but did not disclose details. Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for helping prevent a wider war between the two neighbours. India and Pakistan have long maintained tense relations and have fought two of their three wars over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both countries claim in full.    

At least 16 people were killed and four others injured after a passenger bus collided head-on with a fuel tanker truck on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday, officials said. The accident took place around midday on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in North Musi Rawas regency of South Sumatra province. According to local disaster management official Mugono, the intercity bus carrying at least 20 passengers was travelling from Lubuklinggau in South Sumatra to Jambi city when it crashed into a tanker truck coming from the opposite direction. Initial findings suggested the bus may have produced sparks shortly before the collision, prompting the driver to move toward the right side of the road in an apparent attempt to avoid danger. However, the tanker truck was approaching at high speed, leaving little room to avoid the crash. “The forceful impact triggered a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leaving many victims trapped inside,” Mugono said. Among the dead were the bus driver, 13 passengers, and the tanker truck’s driver and assistant. Officials said all of them were burned to death after the vehicles caught fire. Four passengers from the bus survived and were taken to a nearby health facility. Three suffered serious burn injuries, while another sustained minor injuries. Authorities said they are still verifying the exact number of passengers and victims as the passenger manifest remains incomplete. Images and video footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed firefighters trying to control the blaze as thick black smoke and flames rose from the wreckage. The remains of both vehicles were badly damaged, with twisted metal scattered across the highway. Rescue workers, disaster response teams and traffic police carried out operations to recover victims and remove debris from the road. Several victims were trapped inside the burned vehicles, making rescue efforts more difficult and causing traffic disruption along the highway. North Musi Rawas traffic police chief Muhammad Karim said 16 body bags had been sent to Siti Aisyah Hospital in Lubuk Linggau for identification. Karim said police forensic teams have so far identified five victims, including the bus driver, two bus crew members, the tanker driver and one passenger. “The bodies are severely burned, which has complicated the identification process,” Karim said. He added that the remains would later be transported to Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Palembang, the provincial capital, for autopsies. Karim later revised earlier preliminary findings, saying investigators now believe the bus entered the opposite lane while attempting to avoid a pothole, leading to the head-on collision and fire. Road accidents are frequent in Indonesia due to inadequate road infrastructure and weak safety standards. Last week, at least 15 women were killed near Jakarta after a long-distance train crashed into a commuter train that had stopped near a station following a taxi breakdown on the tracks.

The personal assistant of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead in West Bengal’s Madhyamgram area near Kolkata, days after the state assembly election results. The victim, identified as Chandranath Rath, was travelling in a car when unidentified attackers allegedly followed the vehicle and opened fire after it slowed down in North 24 Parganas district. According to reports, four rounds were fired and Rath was hit by three bullets. Visuals from the scene showed bullet marks and a shattered front-side window of the vehicle. Rath had worked closely with Adhikari for several years and was known to handle the BJP leader’s political coordination and organisational activities. He was considered part of Adhikari’s close circle. Adhikari rushed to the hospital in Madhyamgram where police kept Rath’s body after the attack. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Buddhadeb, was also injured and taken to hospital for treatment, sources said. Adhikari was not in the car during the attack, his brother Dibyendu Adhikari told Indian media. He demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation and alleged involvement of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress. BJP leader Nikhil Prasun described the incident as part of a broader culture of political violence in the state. “This incident is symptomatic of the culture of violence prevalent all these years, cultivated by the Trinamool Congress. He has been brutally murdered. This should be thoroughly investigated. There is a deeper conspiracy behind the killing,” he told media. Speaking outside the hospital, Adhikari termed the incident a “cold-blooded murder” and claimed the attackers had carried out reconnaissance before the shooting. “The incident is heart-wrenching; we condemn the incident,” Adhikari said. “The way the attack was executed clearly suggests that the assailants had done a recce beforehand,” he alleged. Another BJP leader, Devdas Mondal, accused the Trinamool Congress of targeting an “innocent man.” “We will identify the accused and bring them to justice,” he told media. The All India Trinamool Congress condemned the killing in a post on X and alleged that “BJP-backed miscreants” had been involved in post-election violence in recent days. The party’s candidate Rathin Ghosh recently won the Madhyamgram seat by 2,399 votes after a close contest with the BJP. The incident came amid growing political tension in West Bengal following the election. The BJP has alleged that Trinamool workers posing as BJP supporters were trying to trigger violence in different areas. Videos circulating on social media showed scattered incidents of vandalism and damage to public property. Ajay Kumar Nand said police had arrested at least 80 people in connection with violence-related incidents. Of them, 65 were taken into custody in specific cases, while 15 others were detained as a preventive measure. Adhikari, often referred to as a “giant killer” after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by more than 15,000 votes, is considered one of the leading contenders for the post of chief minister. #From NDTV

The global energy crisis and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are expected to dominate discussions as leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather on the Philippine island of Cebu this week. The two-day summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will bring together leaders along with foreign and economic ministers from the 11-member regional bloc. According to report, ensuring energy and food supply security for ASEAN’s nearly 700 million people will be among the top priorities at the meeting. Analysts say the worsening fuel crisis is likely to test the Philippines’ leadership as ASEAN chair, requiring Manila to coordinate a regional response while also keeping attention on other unresolved regional tensions, including Myanmar’s civil war and the long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. “Planning to cushion the economic fallout could eventually outweigh other immediate regional issues,” Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst and lecturer at Manila’s De La Salle University, told media. #From Al Jazeera