NewsFeed Hezbollah has condemned a US-brokered ceasefire framework accepted by Israel and Lebanon, describing it as harmful to Lebanon’s interests. The plan would establish Lebanese army-controlled security zones near the border, contingent on Hezbollah withdrawing its fighters. Published On 4 Jun 20264 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Source link
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans cleared the first hurdle on Thursday as they are struggling to pass legislation to fund President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies, narrowly beating back a Democratic effort to permanently block Trump from creating a $1.776 billion settlement fund for payouts to allies who claim they were persecuted by the government. Republicans still face a gauntlet of Democratic amendments before the bill can advance, setting up a daylong test of party unity. More votes on the settlement fund are planned, including proposals from Republicans, and it was unclear if GOP leaders would be able to fend them all off and pass the legislation. “I can’t predict how it comes out,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters between discussions with some of the holdouts off the Senate floor. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats plan to force votes on the tax immunity granted to Trump as part of the settlement and a host of other issues — including Trump’s East Wing ballroom project, his tariffs, his war with Iran …
Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on June 4 that an agreement on implementing a ceasefire announced in Washington after talks with Israel was the “last chance” to reach a comprehensive truce. Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images Hezbollah has officially rejected a ceasefire deal that had been provisionally agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel. The leader of the Iran-backed group — which was not part of the talks the day before in Washington — said in a statement the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel were “absurd, humiliating and insulting.” The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire that stipulated that Hezbollah, but not Israel, stop attacks. The agreement also called for a demilitarized zone in parts of southern Lebanon now occupied by Israeli forces, to be administered by the Lebanese national army, which is not …
Former Rep. George Santos is disputing allegations that he improperly benefited from prediction-market trading as federal authorities reportedly examine activity connected to his account on Kalshi. In a June 3 post on X, Santos said he learned through media reports that the Department of Justice could be looking into the matter. He said his attorneys had already contacted federal officials for clarification and that he would cooperate with any requests for information. To the 100’s of reporters calling me through the night. Stop! My legal team and I were made aware by a report from NPR yesterday that the DOJ might be looking into me. So now my legal team is in contact with the DOJ to see what is going on. I will comment further when… — George Santos (@Georgesantos) June 3, 2026 “The bases of the accusation is preposterous and I look forward to supplying any information asked of me to any agency that inquires,” Santos wrote. Reports from NPR, the Associated Press and other outlets say investigators are reviewing trades tied to …
Via Middle East Eye The US has reaffirmed “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Somalia, in a move seen as a blow to Somaliland, the breakaway region recently recognized by Israel and close to the United Arab Emirates. In a report to Congress on “Potential Areas for Improved United States Engagement with Somaliland”, the US State Department stated that Somaliland was included in the Federal Republic of Somalia. “Within that framework, the United States maintains a positive, constructive relationship with Somaliland and continues to explore additional opportunities for engagement with Somaliland authorities,” the report says. Israel became the first country in the world to formally recognize Somaliland on December 26 last year. Reuters/MEE: Somaliland military armed vehicles take part in a parade during the self-declared Independence Day, with celebrations commemorating their 1991 breakaway from Somalia, on 18 May 2026 The month before, Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed secretly visited Israel, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other “top officials”, according to multiple sources in Somalia and Somaliland. Those other officials included Mossad chief David Barnea and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who visited Somaliland immediately after …
SAO PAULO, June 3 (Reuters) – The Brazilian government expressed “deep disagreements” with the United States’ proposal of new tariffs linked to forced labor in a statement on Wednesday, saying the move distorts the issue of protecting working conditions to justify unilateral, protectionist measures. The proposal of tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, including Brazil, came after the Trump administration determined they had failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labor, an assertion that was rejected by U.S. trading partners. (Reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Kylie Madry) Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters. Source link
The health secretary has decided only a few thousand men at high risk of getting prostate cancer will be offered targeted screening for the disease. James Murray said he was “following the science” after the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) concluded that offering it to more people could do “more harm than good”. Men with the BRCA2 genetic mutation, which means they have a far higher risk of prostate cancer, will now get a test every two years between the ages of 45 and 61. To be eligible, they must also have a family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer. Campaigners – who had urged the government to reject the committee’s advice – called it a missed opportunity to save lives. Some wanted it offered to all men over 45, or to other groups with an increased risk, such as black men and those with a family history of the disease. They argued many men are dying unnecessarily because their disease is going undiagnosed until it’s too late. Under the new approach, it’s …
Rwanda’s $134m claim has been thrown out, which bodes ill for other governments seeking ‘return hubs’. Published On 1 Jun 20261 Jun 2026 An international court has ruled that the United Kingdom does not need to pay Rwanda more than 100 million British pounds ($134m) in compensation over a scrapped migrant deportation deal. The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration on Monday rejected all financial claims brought by Kigali, which had argued that Britain should honour the terms of the controversial asylum plan, which was cancelled by London in 2024. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The collapse of the deal, under which Rwanda would have been paid to take in migrants who had illegally arrived in Britain, and the compensation case bodes ill for other governments seeking to secure “return hubs” as proof of a tough stance on irregular migration amid surging support for far-right parties. In a 76-page ruling dated May 15 and formally announced on Monday, the three-judge panel found that diplomatic exchanges between the two governments after the UK scrapped …
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi accuses China of lacking military transparency and stresses the importance of dialogue for regional stability. Published On 31 May 202631 May 2026 Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has dismissed claims that Tokyo is pursuing “new militarism” and accused China of rapidly expanding its military with limited transparency. China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level, Koizumi said on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “China’s external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community at the same time,” he added. “Think about it. There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’?” Koizumi said Japan’s record since World War II “speaks for itself”, citing its adherence to international law and commitment to the United Nations Charter alongside efforts to uphold a “free and open international order”. In May, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called …
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attends the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP via Getty Images) Jam Sta Rosa | Afp | Getty Images “Japan’s door to dialog is always open” to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines, according to defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Koizumi said that Tokyo has consistently respected international law, adding that “Japan’s path as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by the international community. This fact will not be shaken by false claims because it is a fact.” He also said about accusations Japan is engaging in “neo-militarism” that there’s “nothing further from the truth.” China’s defense ministry on May 28 had called on the international community to jointly contain Japan’s “neo-militarism,” according to state media outlet Xinhua. Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its …
