Japan said Saturday it was making "progress" in talks aimed at easing US President Donald Trump's tariffs but cautioned that the two sides have not found "a point of agreement yet".

A record fire season in Brazil last year caused the rate of deforestation to accelerate, in a blow to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's pledge to protect the Amazon rainforest, official figures have showed.

When Donald Trump met privately with White House officials on Wednesday, there was little to suggest that the US president was close to a public break with Elon Musk, the billionaire businessman who helped him win a second term in office.

Aid distribution in Gaza was halted on Friday after the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said overcrowding had made it unsafe to continue operations, in the latest disruption to its troubled relief effort.

The Kremlin said on Friday the Ukraine war was "existential" for Russia, after it launched a wave of retaliatory drone and missile strikes that killed at least four people.

Three of President Donald Trump's top aides will face their Chinese counterparts in London on Monday for talks to resolve a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies that has kept global markets on edge.

Despite a wave of recent defense agreements and President Prabowo Subianto’s history of being outspoken at the annual forum, Jakarta opted for a quieter approach this year, prompting speculation over whether Indonesia is attempting to avoid offending major power, or if it simply lacks a coherent security posture.

Indonesia has expressed regret after the UNSC again failed to adopt a resolution on Gaza calling for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access, which was stymied by a veto from key Israeli ally the United States.

Thousands of white-robed pilgrims recited Quranic verses from dawn on the 70-meter rocky rise near Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.

Singapore and Indonesia conduct various joint military exercises. 

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave.

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to protect against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats.

In temperatures that are expected to climb to more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims will slowly circle the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site -- the black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque.

Lee has used this origin story to cultivate a loyal support base and frame himself as understanding the struggles of the underprivileged.

Lee has expressed more conciliatory plans for ties with China and North Korea, in particular singling out the importance of China as a major trading partner while indicating reluctance to take a firm stance on security tensions in the Taiwan strait.

Lee's decisive victory in Tuesday's snap election over Kim Moon-soo, the candidate for the conservative People Power Party, hands the liberal leader a resounding mandate and his Democratic Party in control of parliament.

Wilders has been frustrated with what he saw as the slow pace of introducing the "strictest-ever immigration policy", agreed with coalition partners after his shock election win in November 2023.

Harvard University asked a federal judge on Monday to issue a summary judgment ruling to unfreeze US$2.5 billion in funding blocked by President Donald Trump's administration, which Harvard said was illegal.

The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by June 4 as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters.

Trump reignited strains with China last week when he accused the world's second-biggest economy of violating a deal that had led both countries to temporarily reduce huge tit-for-tat tariffs.

US President Donald Trump is "open" to meeting his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in Turkey, the White House said, after the two sides failed on Monday to make headway towards an elusive ceasefire.

South Koreans began voting Tuesday for a new president, six months to the day after ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the country into political chaos with his disastrous declaration of martial law.

"It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

In a victory for European conservatives inspired by US President Donald Trump, Nawrocki secured 50.89 percent of the vote, election commission data showed, an outcome that presages more political gridlock as he is likely to use his presidential veto to thwart Prime Minister Donald Tusk's liberal policy agenda.

"We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," FBI chief Kash Patel said on X.

The announcement came during the visit to Manila of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for meetings with Manalo as well as a courtesy call with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Marine Corps personnel conducted two separate exercises to improve their reconnaissance and artillery firepower capabilities