US-Iran Peace Talks — Closer But Not Done
The dominant story across nearly every source today: the United States and Iran appear to be inching toward a deal to end their three-month conflict, but significant gaps remain.
Iran says deal not imminent despite progress — Iran’s government said “many issues” have been resolved in talks with the US, but warned a peace deal is not imminent. The US Secretary of State had earlier suggested an agreement could come as soon as Monday. Source: BBC
Sides agree in principle on Strait of Hormuz and uranium — A US official said the two sides had agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and commit Iran to disposing of its highly enriched uranium, but stressed that a deal had not yet been signed. Source: New York Times
Iran warns time works against the US — Iran’s parliamentary spokesperson said “our tactic was an eye for an eye” during the military phase, while Trump posted on social media insisting any deal would be “great and meaningful” amid criticism from GOP hawks. Source: Guardian
FT analysis: Iran is beating Trump at the art of the deal — The war could end with Tehran more confident, more hardline, and with new resources to rebuild its nuclear programme, according to the Financial Times. Source: FT
Iran says talks hit “consensus” on many issues, no final deal yet — Asian and European equities climbed on Monday, while Brent crude fell, as signs of a possible deal boosted risk appetite. However, gaps remain, particularly over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme. Source: ZeroHedge
Al Jazeera opinion: The world urgently needs a US-Iran deal now — Without a deal between Washington and Tehran, the fallout from Strait of Hormuz closure could deepen global crises. Source: Al Jazeera
Markets & Finance
Oil prices slide on hopes of US-Iran peace deal — Oil fell as Trump said on Saturday that an agreement would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Source: BBC
European stocks highest since March 2 as peace talks continue — Stocks in Europe tracked their Asian counterparts higher after Japan’s Nikkei 225 breached 65,000 for the first time. Euro zone bond yields dropped on peace hopes. Source: CNBC
Italian stocks hit first record in 26 years — Italy’s benchmark equity index rose past its all-time closing high set in 2000, with a recent rally in energy and chip stocks supercharging it to record levels. Source: Bloomberg
Iran war squeezes India’s gas power supply as demand hits record — India’s gas power generation has plunged to the lowest level in at least six years, with the Iran war hitting fuel shipments and straining electricity supplies during a scorching summer. Source: Bloomberg
HK-based Jardine Matheson buys Australian diagnostic group I-MED for US$2.4 billion — The acquisition of I-MED Radiology Network, spanning 215 diagnostic imaging clinics across Australia and New Zealand, is one of Jardine Matheson’s largest deals in recent years. Source: SCMP
Prometheum bets Wall Street distribution is the missing link for tokenized securities — The crypto-native broker-dealer is positioning itself as a bridge between blockchain-based securities and traditional Wall Street distribution channels. Source: CoinDesk
Middle East & Israel-Lebanon
Israel’s far-right ministers call for strikes on Beirut — National Security Minister Ben Gvir urged PM Netanyahu to coordinate with Trump and declare Israel was “returning to war in Lebanon.” He called for cutting electricity to Lebanon and seizing territory, in response to Hezbollah drone strikes. Source: Middle East Eye
Monarchists’ Savak marches revive memories of the shah’s torture state — Supporters of Reza Pahlavi have marched through European cities wearing military-style uniforms, reviving painful memories of Iran’s notorious pre-revolution secret police. Source: Middle East Eye
China & Asia-Pacific
China coal mine blast kills at least 82 — systemic safety failures blamed — A gas explosion at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province, the country’s worst mining disaster in more than a decade, left 128 in hospital. Miners said several workers had not received proper safety training. Source: SCMP
China’s Xi praises ‘unbreakable’ Pakistan ties as PM Sharif visits Beijing — Xi thanked Pakistan for its “proactive role” in mediating between Iran and the US, as the two countries marked 75 years of diplomatic ties. Sharif also visited Alibaba HQ, where he pushed for a strategic AI and digital economy agreement. Sources: Al Jazeera · SCMP
Chinese human rights cases in limbo after Trump-Xi summit — Advocates are urging the US to apply more pressure on China ahead of Xi’s September visit to Washington, particularly regarding political prisoners including Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Source: DW
19 taken to hospital after suspected tear gas released at Tokyo luxury mall — A man sprayed a substance at an ATM in the Ginza Six shopping centre, leaving 26 people feeling unwell. Sources: BBC · SCMP
Africa
Ebola outbreak raises fears of wider spread in Central Africa — Over 900 suspected cases and more than 200 deaths reported in the DRC. Health workers warn the toll is likely higher due to limited testing, while conflict, mistrust, and lack of treatment for the rare strain are hampering containment. Source: France 24
Senegal’s leadership row mounts as parliament speaker resigns — El Malick Ndiaye stepped down, with speculation that ousted PM Ousmane Sonko may take his place. Source: BBC
South Asia
India orders new deportation centres days after BJP election victory — India’s ruling party ordered detention centres for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in West Bengal, sparking fear among minorities. The directive comes days after BJP won the state for the first time since independence. Source: SCMP
Cattle market empties as fear grips Eid preparations in India’s West Bengal — Tensions rise as BJP’s political shift disrupts Eid al-Adha traditions in the state. Source: Al Jazeera
Europe & Americas
Runners collapse as temperatures soar across France — An unusually early heatwave pushed temperatures above 30°C across France, leading to multiple medical emergencies during running events, with several hospitalised in serious condition. Source: France 24
BHP backtracks on climate action — leaked documents reveal — Internal documents leaked to the Guardian and Australia’s ABC show the world’s biggest miner has halted or delayed emissions-cutting projects and war-gamed ways to massively delay decarbonisation. Source: Guardian
Venezuela prison clashes as prisoners protest alleged mistreatment — Prisoners said their protest was peaceful, but security forces deployed to quell it opened fire. Source: BBC
California chemical tank: no active leak currently, officials say — The tank, containing a highly volatile and flammable substance, had been at risk of a major spillage or explosion. Source: BBC
‘Self-destructive’ Putin loses home support as Ukraine war rages on — Monday’s press review covers waning Russian support for Putin, a police raid on opposition party HQ in Turkey, and disappointing results from the Enhanced Games. Source: France 24
25 stories from 16 sources. All content sourced from RSS feeds fetched at 07:01 CST on May 25, 2026.
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