U.S.-Iran peace deal negotiations advance while regional conflicts simmer; food weaponization surges in conflicts; African crises from Ebola to terrorism escalate geopolitical tensions

U.S. and Iran have agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Iran will dispose of highly enriched uranium as part of preliminary peace negotiations, though officials stress no final deal has been signed and maintain differing descriptions of terms.

Russia launched its third Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile attack on Kyiv in a major overnight assault that killed at least two people, representing one of the largest aerial barrages since the invasion began.

Hunger is increasingly weaponized in conflicts globally, with over 20,000 documented attacks on markets, farmland, and food distribution systems recorded since 2018, establishing a new pattern of food-related warfare.

Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have tripled in a week with suspected cases tripling amid aid cuts, cultural barriers around burials, and community distrust hampering response efforts described as 'deeply worrisome' by WHO officials.

Pakistan hopes to host the next round of U.S.-Iran peace talks 'very soon' and hailed Trump's efforts to pursue peace after a phone call with world leaders, positioning itself as a diplomatic intermediary.

Pakistan and 13 other nations condemned Somaliland's opening of an 'embassy' in occupied Jerusalem as illegal and unacceptable, signaling unified opposition to moves recognizing Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.

Turkish police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition CHP party, reflecting escalating political tensions and potential democratic backsliding in a key NATO ally.

China launched its Shenzhou-23 mission featuring an astronaut set to spend a full year in orbit, advancing Beijing's Moon exploration ambitions and space race competition with Western powers.

At least 14 people were killed and 20 injured in a suicide bombing targeting a shuttle train in Quetta, Pakistan, highlighting ongoing terrorism threats in South Asia's volatile border regions.

Israel's leader expressed concerns to Trump that a potential Iran deal may not sufficiently degrade Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, signaling Israeli skepticism about negotiations affecting regional security dynamics.