Reuters: World

China wants to work with Indonesia to tackle risks, challenges, Premier Li says China is willing to work with Indonesia to strengthen cooperation, further consolidate the framework of independent collaboration, jointly address risks and challenges, and promote common development, Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday. Li made the remarks in a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. source

Vietnam orders messaging app Telegram to be blocked, government document shows Vietnam's technology ministry has instructed telecommunication service providers to block the messaging app Telegram for not cooperating in combating alleged crimes committed by its users, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters. The document, dated May 21 and signed by the deputy head of the telecom department at the technology ministry, ordered telecommunication companies to take measures to block Telegram and report on them to the ministry by June 2. read more

Suspect charged with murder in fatal DC shooting of two Israel embassy aides A Chicago-born man arrested as the lone suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington was charged on Thursday in federal court with two counts of first-degree murder in a killing widely condemned as an act of antisemitism. Elias Rodriguez, 31, is accused of opening fire on a group of people on Wednesday night as they left an event for young professionals and diplomats hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel. read more

Iran's Khamenei slams 'outrageous' US demands in nuclear talks Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous", state media reported, voicing doubts whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. "I don't think nuclear talks with the U.S. will bring results. I don't know what will happen," Khamenei said, adding that Washington should avoid making "nonsense" demands in the negotiations, four rounds of which have been held. read more

Russia-Ukraine talks end after less than two hours in Turkey The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years lasted well under two hours, with no apparent sign of progress so far in narrowing the gap between the sides, and a Ukrainian source called Moscow's demands "non-starters". Delegations from the warring sides met in Turkey on Friday, their first face-to-face meeting since March 2022, the month after Russia's invasion of its neighbour. read more

US targets Iran-backed Hezbollah with new sanctions, Treasury Departments says The United States targeted two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators with new sanctions on Thursday for their role in coordinating financial transfers to the Iran-backed group, the Treasury Department said. The latest sanctions come as President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms. read more

Trump starts Gulf visit in Saudi Arabia, focus on mega economic deals U.S. President Donald Trump began a tour of wealthy Gulf states on Tuesday by visiting oil power Saudi Arabia, with his focus on securing mega investment deals rather than resolving pressing security problems in the Middle East. Emerging from Air Force One on his first formal state, with a who's who of U.S. business leaders including Elon Musk in tow, Trump punched the air in a show of solidarity as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted him on his arrival in Riyadh. read more

US and China reach deal to temporarily slash tariffs, easing slump fears The United States and China have agreed to temporarily slash reciprocal tariffs in a deal that surpassed expectations as the world's two biggest economies seek to end a damaging trade war that has stoked fears of recession and roiled financial markets. The U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April this year to 30% from 145% and Chinese duties on U.S. imports will fall to 10% from 125%, the two sides said on Monday. The new measures are effective for 90 days. read more

Fragile ceasefire holds between India, Pakistan as Trump offers more help A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of overnight fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he will work to provide a solution regarding Kashmir. The arch rivals were involved in intense firing for four days, the worst in nearly three decades, with missiles and drones being fired at each other's military installations and dozens of people killed. read more

Trump says India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations. Pakistan's foreign minister also said both countries had agreed to a ceasefire "with immediate effect". read more

Pakistan minister denies nuclear body meeting after offensive launched on India Pakistan's defence minister said on Saturday that no meeting of the top military and civil body overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal had been scheduled following a military operation against India earlier in the day. Pakistan's military said earlier that the prime minister had called on the authority to meet. The information minister did not respond immediately to a request for comment. read more

Pope Francis has died, Vatican says in video statement Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution. He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. read more