World

Authorities confirm no direct military threat but warn of recurrence as war in Ukraine continues; prisoner swap mediated by UAE proceeds concurrently.

Al Jazeera reports that the narrative of the 1948 displacement is now being measured by the extent of land taken by Israel, a figure that reportedly continues to rise as Palestinians observe the 78th anniversary on 15 May 2026.

A France 24 report highlights the dual reality of Nigeria’s digital asset market: a hedge against naira depreciation for millions, yet a landscape rife with financial risk and regulatory challenges.

A United Nations aid convoy en route to Kherson was hit by drones twice, coinciding with Russia’s most intensive aerial offensive in two consecutive days, which saw nearly 1,600 drones deployed against Ukraine.

While President Donald Trump described the two-day talks as historic, Beijing withheld confirmation of major purchases, citing mutual benefit and ongoing work on investment mechanisms.

Prime Minister Takashi Takashita and US President Donald Trump held a 15-minute telephone conversation on May 15, as Tokyo moves to understand the details of the recent high-level talks in Beijing.

NHK reports that traffic records suggest the vehicle used in the robbery left Tochigi Prefecture and entered Saitama on the same day.

UN data reveals over 5,900 Palestinians displaced since January 2023, with 45 communities erased, as violence in Area A and B continues to displace families despite legal protections.

A three-day meeting in Beijing has seen the US and China agree to a business-first approach, though divergent official readouts highlight lingering tensions over Taiwan and Iran.

China has restarted purchases of US soybeans, reversing a total cessation triggered by Washington’s trade war, though the durability of this renewed commercial relationship remains uncertain.

As the nation’s second-largest industry, salmon farming drives an economic boom in southern Chile but faces allegations of deadly workplace accidents and ecological damage.

While the White House confirms a consensus on the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing sidesteps questions on agricultural and aviation deals as leaders depart for a September meeting in Washington.

The airport office in Iwate Prefecture closed the runway on 15 May after a bear entered the premises, prompting a temporary suspension of operations amid recurring spring wildlife concerns.

Authorities in Japan are investigating the escape vehicle used by accomplices in a deadly residential robbery, following an arrest and confession from a high school student.

Beijing and Washington agree to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while oil prices rise on reports of a crude oil purchase deal, amid broader tensions over trade and artificial intelligence.

The Trump administration’s push for regime change intensifies as reports emerge of planned charges relating to the 1996 downing of humanitarian planes, while Havana faces total fuel exhaustion.

Business deals touted by the White House failed to generate market enthusiasm, while Beijing issued stern reminders regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict in Iran.

As Lebanon and Israel enter talks in the US capital, public opinion remains sharply split between those seeking stability and hardline factions rejecting normalisation.

Retail costs for the staple food item continue to ease, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The 27-metre herbivore, unearthed in northeast Thailand and fully excavated in 2024, has been formally classified as a new species following analysis published in *Scientific Reports*.

Palestinian historian Nadim Bawalsa argues that national identity and aspirations for return were established in Latin American communities decades before the 1948 displacement associated with the founding of the State of Israel.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting urgent cross-border surveillance talks with neighbouring states.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa disputes the assertion, citing fitness concerns and risk management, while confirming the French forward will start on Sunday.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets Cuban counterparts to deliver President Trump’s message on security, as Havana rejects conditional aid and demands blockade lifting

The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil action, which accused the pair of bribery and misleading investors, concludes with a settlement subject to court approval.

As millions observe the anniversary of the 1948 dispossession, displaced populations remain confined to a fraction of Gaza’s territory, underscoring the Nakba’s status as a continuing process rather than a historical event.

Palestinians across historic Palestine and the diaspora mark the anniversary of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, with media reports describing the event as a continuation of displacement.

The 100-million-year-old herbivore, named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, is estimated to weigh as much as nine adult Asian elephants, marking the most significant palaeontological find in the region to date.

The Hindu nationalist organisation seeks to dispel allegations of violence and systemic persecution as experts warn of escalating hate speech and discriminatory legislation under the current Indian government.

President Xi Jinping’s agreement to maintain the critical waterway’s openness follows a summit in Beijing, even as Iranian officials condemn the ongoing US-Israel military campaign and negotiations in Washington struggle to halt hostilities in southern Lebanon.

The Japan Football Association has finalised its roster for the FIFA World Cup in North America, with coach Shunsuke Nakamura set to join pre-tournament camps.

The French national team head coach has unveiled his final roster for the North American tournament, marking the end of an era for Les Bleus with a mix of seasoned players and a single debutant.

The top US admiral has told Congress that recent strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s defence infrastructure, marking a key moment in the administration’s review of its military campaign alongside Israel.

White House confirms both nations agree the waterway must remain open, as oil supply drops and environmental concerns mount near Iran.

Washington and Beijing are expected to extend a one-year pause on tariff escalation, but experts warn that deep-seated rivalry and China’s push for technological self-sufficiency constrain meaningful concessions.

The security-focused report details the potential legal and social ramifications for those who decline participation in armed conflict, though specific jurisdictional frameworks remain undefined in the current summary.

Washington and Beijing coordinate diplomatic pressure on Iran as trade summit continues and energy markets react to regional instability.

Government response follows reports of packaging adjustments by major manufacturers, including Kagome, amid fears of procurement instability linked to the situation in Iran.

The Japanese Football Association is set to announce its final 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 15 May, with the physical condition of key personnel, including Kaoru Mitoma, determining the final composition of the squad.

The 2026 Song Contest approaches its Saturday finale at the Wiener Stadthalle, with officials preparing for further demonstrations amid broader geopolitical tensions.

Daiwa Securities confirms the rise in long-term interest rates, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s financial landscape nearly three decades after the previous peak.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem and Romania’s heavy rock entry secure their spots in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final, joining qualifiers from Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Malta, Norway, and Ukraine.

Small dynamite explosions were heard in the capital as demonstrators attempted to breach the presidential palace, though the administration has ruled out stepping down despite opening dialogue on subsidies.