UN calls on Israel to lift 'brutal blockade' of humanitarian aid to Gaza

The UN has called on Israel to lift its blockade of humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza, saying blocking the desperately needed aid inflicts a "cruel collective punishment".

Tom Fletcher, the UN relief chief, said that: "International law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in. Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip."

Fletcher also said: "The humanitarian movement is independent, impartial and neutral. We believe that all civilians are equally worthy of protection," underlining that they remain ready to save as many lives as they can, despite the risks."

US urges India to avoid broader conflict after Kashmir attack

US Vice President JD Vance has said that Washington hopes that India's response to the recent attack in India-administered Kashmir does not lead to a broader regional conflict.

Vance said that Washington hoped Pakistan would cooperate with India to hunt down those responsible for the attack.

He said that: "Pakistan, to the extent that they're responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with. That's how we hope this unfolds. We're obviously in close contact. We'll see what happens."

Deadly drone attack in Kherson, Moscow blames Kiev

A Ukrainian drone strike on a market area in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Kherson region killed at least seven people and wounded over 20 others, the Moscow-installed governor said.

Vladimir Saldo, the region's Russian-backed governor, accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out the strike in a crowded market district in the city of Oleshky.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the incident a “terrorist” act and accused Ukraine of escalating the war while sabotaging diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan ups diplomacy amid tensions with India

Pakistani leaders doubled diplomatic efforts amid tensions with India following a deadly attack in India-administered Kashmir, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office in Islamabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, reiterating his offer for a credible, transparent and neutral international investigation into the Pahalgam attack.

Sharif also met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad, where the two discussed the situation in the region, thanking to China for its strong and steadfast support to Pakistan in the prevailing situation in South Asia.

High technology, AI key to new world, says TEKNOFEST head

The head of Türkiye's premier technology event, TEKNOFEST, highlighted that high technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are the keys to the new world, stressing that AI, when combined with the right purpose and ethical values, can provide humanity with a much better future.

Selcuk Bayraktar, speaking at the opening ceremony of TEKNOFEST, emphasised that AI can enable groundbreaking innovations in health, equal educational opportunity, and countless opportunities that will make life easier.

He also underscored that the country should be a global centre of attraction for technology and science in the heart of the Mediterranean.