Germany fails to win UN Security Council seat for first time ever

Germany has failed to win a temporary seat on the UN Security Council for the first time, losing a General Assembly vote to Austria and Portugal. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the outcome “a real disappointment,” after Berlin had won all six of its previous bids.

Hezbollah must withdraw from Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon – US

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a renewed ceasefire that requires the militant group Hezbollah to stop firing and withdraw from southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement released after US-mediated talks at the State Department on Wednesday.

Israel’s defence minister says military operations in Lebanon will continue despite ceasefire

Israel has announced it will keep troops in southern Lebanon and continue military operations despite a newly brokered ceasefire. The decision has sparked criticism at home and raised fresh doubts about whether the truce can hold.

Netanyahu faces plunging support in north Israel as voters demand tougher Lebanon stance

The growing voter backlash is complicating ceasefire efforts and increasing political pressure ahead of national elections.

Trump acknowledges calling Netanyahu ‘crazy’ and says Israel is complicating peace talks with Iran

President Donald Trump acknowledged a heated phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing frustration over the continued fighting in Lebanon.

Trump says Iran talks could yield result this weekend

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that talks with Iran are going "very well" and could yield results over the coming weekend.

Israel, Lebanon agree to implement ceasefire, boosting hopes for Iran deal

Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, the Trump administration said on Wednesday, in a boost to hopes for a broader deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran.

In blow to Trump, US House votes for measure that would end Iran war

The Republican-led US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from continuing the war against Iran, reflecting growing concern among members of his party about the three-month-old conflict.

Ukraine strikes oil terminal in St Petersburg as Putin’s ‘Davos’ gets under way

Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal and naval base in St Petersburg just hours before Vladimir Putin’s high-profile economic forum began. The attack highlights Kyiv’s expanding reach deep inside Russia as the war continues with no end in sight.