Trump continues pause on Iran strikes as Pentagon reveals higher casualty figures | First Thing

• Express.co.uk is providing breaking international news coverage across the US, Europe, China, and Africa. • Recent reports highlight the geopolitical strategies of Donald Trump and the Iranian government's crackdown on political opponents.

• President Trump is struggling to find a strategic exit from the conflict with Iran, despite possessing significant military power. • The situation has revealed limits to the president's perceived power, leading to increased frustration and erratic behavior.

Alternative für Deutschland, topping polls ahead of state elections, accuses government of failing to tackle Islamist radicalismEurope live – latest updatesGerman officials have called for a tightening of laws for known extremists after a deadly attack in Berlin on one of Europe’s biggest Pride parades, as the far right seeks to mobilise outraged voters before three key state elections.The anti-migration, anti-Islam Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), the top party in national opinion polls, accused the government of failing to tackle Islamist radicalism on German soil, while the conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, pledged to act with “prudence but also determination” to address security gaps. Continue reading...

Commonwealth and Western Australia to fund study into construction of large-scale petrol refinery as buffer against fuel vulnerabilityGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s first new oil refinery in 60 years could be built in Western Australia under the Albanese government’s long-term strategy to shield the country from future global oil shocks.The commonwealth and the WA government will fund a $4m early-stage feasibility study into construction of what would be the country’s third large-scale petrol refinery. Continue reading...

Scientists say decision is blow to UK astronomy as deep space observatory is home to world-leading facilitiesJodrell Bank Observatory, which runs a world-leading network of radio telescopes, is facing closure after the government’s major funder cut support for the facility.The deep space observatory, which hosts the Grade I-listed Lovell telescope, is prized by astronomers who study galaxies, black holes, star formation, planets beyond the solar system and the afterglow of the big bang. Continue reading...

Coalition says Chemours downplayed health and climate risks in bid to fast-track the compound’s useA coalition of 17 environmental groups is demanding the Environmental Protection Agency reject a new Pfas that chemical giant Chemours is attempting to fast track for approval for use in cooling datacenters, and would almost certainly pollute regions around the facilities.In formal comments submitted to the agency, the groups accuse Chemours of using bad science to downplay the chemical’s toxicity and climate risks. Approving Chemours’ application as it is would violate the law, the Earthjustice legal non-profit, a lead author of the comments, wrote. Continue reading...

Europe and US risk being outpaced on innovation, as happened in the car industry, warns Pascal SoriotAstraZeneca must operate at “Chinese speed” to ensure it doesn’t suffer the fate of the western automotive industry by losing out to more innovative rivals, the drug company’s boss has said.The FTSE 100 company is watching the rise of China’s pharmaceutical industry closely and collaborating to take drugs to global markets, but its chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said the US and European pharmaceutical sector must focus on increasing the speed of innovation. Continue reading...

Chicagoans come together for cathartic and communal screaming experience as activity gains traction across USPeople strolling along North Avenue Beach, a sandy strip on Lake Michigan, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, are apt to see something unusual on Sunday evenings.That’s because Chicago’s “Scream Club” meets there every week during the city’s warmer months, bringing together a community of up to 300 people who like to scream out over the water – and it’s an activity that seems to be spreading across the US. Continue reading...

Artificial intelligence firm should provide $100m for cyber defences, says Hugging Face CEOBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of the startup hacked by an OpenAI agent has called for the investigation into the incident to show “radical transparency”.Clement Delangue, chief executive of Hugging Face, said the “unprecedented” attack on his business required a similar response. Continue reading...

Women aged 19, 24 and 36 taken to hospital after assault in Porte de Clichy area in north of capitalA French off-duty police officer has detained a man after he attacked and wounded three women with two kitchen knives in Paris on Monday.Three women aged 19, 24 and 36 were taken to hospital after the assault at about 11.30am (0930 GMT) in the Porte de Clichy area in the north of the capital, said the interior minister, Laurent Nuñez. Continue reading...

Refugee family reunions in limbo, despite Foreign Office saying it is ready get people out of war-torn territoryThe Home Office is blocking the evacuation of dozens of women and children from Gaza, despite the Foreign Office saying it is ready to get people out of the war-torn region.Last September, the Home Office announced it was suspending refugee family reunion applications and that new, more restrictive rules would be announced in the spring. So far there has been no announcement and the process remains suspended. Continue reading...