Lead Story
Trump rejects Iran's seven-day Hormuz plan, weighs resuming strikes after midterms
President Trump has rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for a full ceasefire and sanctions relief, telling aides on September 26 that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections. The Wall Street Journal reported Trump remains reluctant to launch major combat operations in the meantime, with the scope of any renewed strikes still undecided, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has yet to receive an official US response to its Hormuz offer.
Read more →Lead Story
Trump rejects Iran's seven-day Hormuz plan, weighs resuming strikes after midterms
President Trump has rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for a full ceasefire and sanctions relief, telling aides on September 26 that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections. The Wall Street Journal reported Trump remains reluctant to launch major combat operations in the meantime, with the scope of any renewed strikes still undecided, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has yet to receive an official US response to its Hormuz offer.
France to send troops and air defenses to Saudi Arabia as Houthi war escalates
France announced it will deploy troops and air-defense systems to protect Saudi oil infrastructure around Yanbu after the Saudi-led coalition intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces on September 26, prompting Saudi strikes on Taiz in southwestern Yemen. Military chiefs of staff from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met September 25 to coordinate a joint response, as the UN Security Council separately condemned the Houthi campaign and the escalation displaced more than 125,000 people inside Yemen this month.
Read more →France to send troops and air defenses to Saudi Arabia as Houthi war escalates
France announced it will deploy troops and air-defense systems to protect Saudi oil infrastructure around Yanbu after the Saudi-led coalition intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces on September 26, prompting Saudi strikes on Taiz in southwestern Yemen. Military chiefs of staff from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met September 25 to coordinate a joint response, as the UN Security Council separately condemned the Houthi campaign and the escalation displaced more than 125,000 people inside Yemen this month.
Lavrov accuses Europe of sabotaging Ukraine peace talks in UN speech
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that European nations are doing everything possible to derail Ukraine peace talks that the Trump administration favors, insisting Moscow will still achieve its wartime goals. Lavrov met separately with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and held the first Moscow-Berlin foreign minister meeting since before the war, with German counterpart Johann Wadephul, even as he accused the West of escalating tensions by continuing to arm Kyiv.
Read more →Lavrov accuses Europe of sabotaging Ukraine peace talks in UN speech
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that European nations are doing everything possible to derail Ukraine peace talks that the Trump administration favors, insisting Moscow will still achieve its wartime goals. Lavrov met separately with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and held the first Moscow-Berlin foreign minister meeting since before the war, with German counterpart Johann Wadephul, even as he accused the West of escalating tensions by continuing to arm Kyiv.
Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds as first France visit reaches Paris
Pope Leo XIV is midway through his first apostolic journey to France, a September 25-28 tour of Paris, Lourdes and Metz that includes meetings with civil authorities, a visit to UNESCO headquarters, and a youth Mass at the Stade de France expected to draw around 80,000 attendees. Paris police estimate up to 250,000 people will line his procession route as he addresses topics including artificial intelligence, immigration and the state of the Catholic Church in France during his fifth international trip as pope.
Read more →Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds as first France visit reaches Paris
Pope Leo XIV is midway through his first apostolic journey to France, a September 25-28 tour of Paris, Lourdes and Metz that includes meetings with civil authorities, a visit to UNESCO headquarters, and a youth Mass at the Stade de France expected to draw around 80,000 attendees. Paris police estimate up to 250,000 people will line his procession route as he addresses topics including artificial intelligence, immigration and the state of the Catholic Church in France during his fifth international trip as pope.
Trump predicts Cuba deal 'without hostilities' as Havana condemns blockade at UN
President Trump said around September 27 that the US and Cuba will reach an agreement without military action, even as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that Washington's oil blockade amounts to an act of "collective punishment" designed to trigger a humanitarian crisis. The State Department says bilateral talks are continuing, contradicting Havana's suggestion that dialogue has stalled, with Washington offering humanitarian and fuel assistance in exchange for opening Cuba's energy sector to private investment.
Read more →Trump predicts Cuba deal 'without hostilities' as Havana condemns blockade at UN
President Trump said around September 27 that the US and Cuba will reach an agreement without military action, even as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the UN General Assembly on September 26 that Washington's oil blockade amounts to an act of "collective punishment" designed to trigger a humanitarian crisis. The State Department says bilateral talks are continuing, contradicting Havana's suggestion that dialogue has stalled, with Washington offering humanitarian and fuel assistance in exchange for opening Cuba's energy sector to private investment.