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The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association had challenged the decision to grant planning permissionConstruction of a new Chinese super embassy in London can go ahead after the High Court dismissed a challenge to the government’s decision to grant planning permission.The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association (RMCRA) brought legal action against the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Continue reading...

F-16 fighter jet intercepted drone in Romanian airspace over Black Sea, defence minister saysRomania has said it was summoning Russia’s ambassador after the Nato member’s military shot down the third drone in as many days.Romania has experienced frequent drone incursions since Russia launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but had not shot down any until Friday. Continue reading...

Foreign affairs select committee says Peter Mandelson episode was ‘nothing short of disastrous’ for governmentPolitical selections for ambassador posts should be subject to a veto by MPs, a parliamentary committee has recommended, as it made damning criticisms of how Peter Mandelson became Britain’s top diplomat in Washington.The foreign affairs select committee concluded that Mandelson’s appointment was “nothing short of disastrous”, “highly damaging” for the British government and “painful and offensive to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein”. Continue reading...

• Researchers from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed the world's first neurodynamic chip based on phase-change memristors. • This breakthrough in neuromorphic computing allows hardware to process information similarly to biological brains, utilizing massively parallel and event-driven architectures. • The technology is significant because it offers orders of magnitude more energy efficiency compared to the GPUs currently dominating the AI industry.

• The Israel Embassy in India faced social media backlash after posting a recruitment notice for a six-month unpaid Political Intern. • The role requires the selected candidate to monitor political developments, analyze legislation, and track geopolitical trends to support the embassy's Political Department. • Critics have questioned the ethics of the internship terms, specifically the lack of financial compensation for professional diplomatic work.

• The Pastef party, holding 130 of 165 National Assembly seats, is proposing constitutional reforms to reduce the powers of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. • Pastef claims the changes are intended to strengthen the separation of powers between Senegal's executive, legislature, and judiciary. • Opposition members have condemned the move as political revenge orchestrated by former prime minister Ousmane Sonko, who maintains strong influence over the parliamentary majority.

• US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced that President Donald Trump may visit India soon following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in France. • Speaking at the IX USISPF Leadership Summit in Washington DC, Gor also confirmed that an upcoming Quad meeting will be held in the Philippines. • These developments underscore a growing strategic focus on Indo-Pacific maritime security and the strengthening of diplomatic ties between India and the United States.

Activists aim to repeat disruption of Jeff Bezos’s wedding when billionaire Tilman Fertitta drops anchorProtesters in Venice are planning to disrupt a visit by the billionaire US ambassador to Italy in his 117-metre superyacht, which they fear he plans to dock in the lagoon city.“We ruined the party for Jeff Bezos’s wedding last year – this year let’s ruin the ambassador’s tour!” said Stella Faye, a 28-year-old researcher and activist, at a meeting of about 40 demonstrators on Thursday. Continue reading...

Alejandro Gertz Manero’s cars and properties contrast starkly with Morena party’s long association with austerityWith his million-dollar jewellery collection and his two Rolls-Royces, Mexico’s new ambassador to the UK will fit right in with the Mayfair crowd.Former attorney general Alejandro Gertz Manero was appointed to the post by President Claudia Sheinbaum last year, but only recently disclosed his financial assets. Continue reading...

The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva described Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a red line in negotiationsHello and welcome to our live blog of the Middle East.The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva has just warned that Tehran’s red line in negotiations with Washington is that Israel will cease attacks on Lebanon, including the capital of Beirut. The ambassador added that Iran “will respond” if Israel violates the memorandum of understanding established on Thursday in any way, including with attacks on Lebanon and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.JD Vance said the talks with Iran created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” to end the war. “The final deal is the house,” the US vice-president told reporters. “We set the foundation. We haven’t built the house, but we’ve laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people.”When asked how soon IAEA inspectors could come to Iran, JD Vance said nuclear inspectors were called at 2am last night – but no one picked up the call. “As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning,” the vice president said.US secretary of state Marco Rubio will begin a trip to three Gulf countries on Tuesday amid negotiations with Iran to end the war in the Middle East, his spokesperson said. Visiting the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, Rubio will discuss “the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” state department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.Tehran ⁠did not negotiate on its nuclear ⁠programme ⁠and did ​not accept any ⁠new commitments in Sunday’s talks with the ⁠US in ​Switzerland, ‌foreign ministry spokesperson ‌Esmaeil Baghaei told ‌the official IRNA news agency on Monday. Iran’s interaction with the International ‌Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue in ​accordance with current procedures, subject to the approval ⁠of Iran’s parliament ​and the decisions ​of ​the Supreme National ​Security ‌Council, ​Baghaei added. Continue reading...

Progressive challenger to face incumbent mayor in November as former reality star Pratt trails behindNithya Raman, a progressive Los Angeles city council member, has advanced to the November runoff for LA mayor.She will face incumbent mayor Karen Bass, who is seeking a second term to lead America’s second largest city. Continue reading...

Darren Jones’s messages include requests for advice on the reshuffle and remarks about former business secretary Jonathan ReynoldsThe prime minster’s close ally Darren Jones sent his commiserations to Peter Mandelson after he was sacked as US ambassador in messages that were not disclosed as part of the humble address release.Jones’s texts also included requests for advice on the reshuffle and disobliging comments about the then business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and the influence of trade unions. Continue reading...

Incumbent comes out on top in primary election – but with less than 50% of votes – and will take on challenger in NovemberKaren Bass has come out ahead in Tuesday’s heated primary for Los Angeles mayor, but with less than 50% of the vote will have to defend her seat in November’s general election.Bass will face either Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, or city council member Nithya Raman, in November. As of Tuesday evening, it was still unclear who would move on. Continue reading...

Mexico’s president says ambassadors must avoid political affairs after Ron Johnson’s post on drug trafficking disputeMexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday appeared to chide Ron Johnson, a US ambassador, for interfering in the country’s politics amid rising tensions between her country and Washington over efforts to tackle drug trafficking.“It is also very important, and I say this respectfully, to remember that ambassadors should focus on coordination and collaboration,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning news conference. “Ambassadors must respect the internal political affairs of their countries.” Continue reading...

• The CDC and DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have implemented enhanced public health screenings at designated airports starting May 28, 2026. • These measures are a direct response to an active Ebola disease outbreak to prevent the virus from entering the United States. • The screening requirements apply to all U.S. citizens and residents traveling from affected regions.

Charles conferred LVO after his US visit on James Roscoe who had been standing in for Peter MandelsonA top diplomat who abruptly left his post at the British embassy in Washington earlier this week after standing in as interim ambassador for Peter Mandelson has been honoured by King Charles.No reason has yet been given for James Roscoe’s departure. An investigation is now under way into the leak of discussions at a meeting of the UK’s national security council. Continue reading...

Abrupt exit for charge d’affaires who stood in after Peter Mandelson’s removal as US ambassadorA diplomat in Washington who stood in as interim ambassador after the sacking of Peter Mandelson has abruptly left his post.In a brief statement, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “James Roscoe has left his post.” No further explanation was officially given on Tuesday night for the departure of Roscoe, who had served as deputy head of mission at the British embassy since 2022. Continue reading...

MPs will decide whether Corin Robertson will face questions over decision to award security clearance against adviceThe UK’s next ambassador to Japan could be called to give evidence over the decision to award Peter Mandelson security clearance against the advice of vetting officials.Corin Robertson was the Foreign Office’s (FCDO) chief operating officer when she was involved in the decision in late January 2025 to grant Mandelson clearance, according to evidence given to MPs. Continue reading...

Prosecutors have described fatal shooting outside of DC’s Capital Jewish Museum last year as calculated and plannedThe US justice department will seek the death penalty for the man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum, prosecutors said in a court filing on Friday.Elias Rodriguez faces federal hate crime and murder charges in the killings of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim as they left an event at the museum last May. Rodriguez shouted “free Palestine” during the shooting and later told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” according to his indictment. Continue reading...

The former TV anchor’s tenure leading US global media agency ends after court ruled appointment unlawfulUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump has nominated Kari Lake, a longtime ally and former TV anchor who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor, to serve as the next US ambassador to Jamaica.If confirmed by the Senate, it would end Lake’s tenure as the key official responsible for Voice of America (VOA), the global media organization created in 1942. Continue reading...

Casting director urges Keir Starmer to intervene in case of Paata Burchuladze, 71, jailed for seven years after singing at anti-regime demonstrationsThe Royal Opera House in London has urged Keir Starmer to intervene in the case of Paata Burchuladze, a world-renowned bass singer who has been imprisoned in Georgia since October on a charge of leading a coup against the country’s authoritarian leader.The 71-year-old has performed at the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and collaborated with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. He was arrested after joining a protest outside the presidential palace in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Last week he was given a seven-year jail sentence which Burchuladze suggested to the court was equivalent to a life sentence given his age. Continue reading...

• The United States has closed its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, transferring all diplomatic functions and responsibilities to the main embassy in Islamabad. • The consolidation reflects the U.S. government's restructuring of its diplomatic footprint in Pakistan and aims to streamline operations. • The move impacts diplomatic engagement in northwestern Pakistan, a strategically important region bordering Afghanistan.

Naturalist says he has been ‘overwhelmed by greetings’ as milestone is marked with event at Royal Albert HallDavid Attenborough said he had been “completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings” for his centenary on Friday and thanked wellwishers “most sincerely”. The naturalist said he had hoped to celebrate his 100th birthday quietly. Instead, the milestone will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall broadcast on BBC One, featuring music from his programmes as well as stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.In a recorded audio message shared on Thursday night, Attenborough said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas. Continue reading...

Objection after museum removes word ‘Palestine’ from list of countries of ancient Levant and Egypt and from some explanatory panelsThe Palestinian ambassador to the UK has called for Foreign Office intervention after the British Museum removed references to Palestine from its exhibits.The UK recognised the state of Palestine in September 2025, but the same year the museum removed the name “Palestine” from a panel listing the present-day countries encompassed by the ancient Levant, and replaced it with Gaza and the West Bank. Continue reading...

Austrian foreign minister says ‘forest of antennae’ at mission in Vienna being used for illicit collection of dataAustria has expelled three Russian embassy staff on suspicion of spying after determining that a “forest of antennae” on the diplomatic mission in Vienna, Europe’s espionage capital since the cold war, was being be used for illicit data collection.“It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage,” Austria’s foreign minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, said on Monday. She added that the three embassy staff – whose expulsions bring the number of Russian diplomats sent home by Vienna to 14 since 2020 – had already left the country. Continue reading...

Mandelson’s replacement made comments in February, with diplomat also saying Israel has special relationship with USThe UK’s new ambassador to the US has described Keir Starmer as having been “on the ropes” over the Peter Mandelson scandal and said it is Israel rather than Britain that has a “special relationship” with the White House.Christian Turner, who took office in February to replace Mandelson as the UK’s most senior diplomat in Washington, made the remarks privately to a group of students visiting the US in the same month he was appointed. Continue reading...

David Brat represented Virginia in the House of Representatives for two termsThe White House has nominated David Brat, a former Republican member of the US House of Representatives, to be the next ambassador to Australia.Brat represented Virginia in Congress and served two terms before he was defeated by a Democrat in 2018 in a close race. He is currently a vice-president of business relations at Virginia’s Liberty University. Continue reading...

• Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Greece in protest over new Greek legislation claiming expanded maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea, escalating long-standing territorial tensions. • The Greek parliament passed the law Friday with support from NATO allies; Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned the move as an "aggressive provocation" and violation of international law. • NATO has called for dialogue between the two member states; US State Department officials expressed concern about rising tensions within the alliance.