Diplomacy
Diplomacy is covered here as a working craft: summits, back channels and the deals that hold or fail. Iran runs through much of the page, from the nuclear inspection row straining a fragile US deal to the 60-day oil licence granted as Switzerland peace talks press on. Other threads follow NATO chief Mark Rutte heading to the White House, Britain and the EU setting a 22 July date for their second summit, Ezra Jin's release spotlighting quiet diplomacy with China, and Mexico testing Caribbean energy diplomacy by resuming oil shipments to Cuba.
Ezra Jin's Release Puts Quiet Diplomacy and China's House Churches Back in Focus
The Zion Church founder has been released from prison in China and reunited with his family in the US, in a rare case that tests case-by-case diplomacy.
Japan says China has detained two citizens in rare-earths case
Tokyo says Chinese customs notified its consular offices of detentions over alleged smuggling, reportedly linked to critical minerals.
Israeli deployment in southern Lebanon clouds Iran diplomacy
Israel's insistence on keeping forces in parts of southern Lebanon has become a fresh obstacle to easing regional tensions involving Iran.
Kyiv warns its ceasefire patience is not endless as war passes grim milestone
Ukraine has signalled that its offer of a full and unconditional ceasefire may not stay on the table indefinitely, raising the pressure on diplomacy and on Moscow's response.
Mexico's plan to resume oil shipments to Cuba tests the limits of Caribbean energy diplomacy
President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico wants to restart deliveries to an island gripped by blackouts, but she is steering the move through private firms to avoid a direct collision with Washington.
US-Iran nuclear inspection row exposes strain in public diplomacy
A dispute over access to Iran's enrichment sites is testing whether fragile post-war commitments can be turned into verifiable action.
NATO chief Mark Rutte heads to White House ahead of sensitive summit
The secretary-general's visit centres on managing relations with President Trump, defence-spending expectations and keeping allied unity visible.
Iran farmer claims deepen dispute over frozen assets in fragile US deal
A row over food, sanctions and unfrozen money has complicated America's tentative interim agreement with Tehran, with Washington and Iran clashing over how released assets should be spent.
US Grants 60-Day Iranian Oil Licence as Switzerland Peace Talks Press On
Washington has issued a temporary sanctions licence permitting Iranian oil production, delivery and sales through 21 August, offering negotiators an economic bridge as they pursue a permanent end to the war that began in February.
Britain and EU set 22 July date for second summit as Starmer pushes 'reset' deeper
Sir Keir Starmer has agreed with European Council President Antonio Costa to hold a second UK-EU summit in Brussels on 22 July, with a youth mobility scheme expected to be among the headline outcomes.
G7 leaders gather in Évian with Iran fallout and China tensions topping agenda
France hosts the Group of Seven in the lakeside town of Évian, where the aftermath of the Iran war and economic friction with Beijing are set to dominate, alongside high-stakes sideline talks.
US and Iran edge towards a deal, but the two sides cannot agree on what it says
President Trump has signalled that an agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close, yet Tehran has cast doubt on the timing and disputed his account of the terms.
Europe's leaders back Zelenskyy's call for direct talks as Putin rebuffs summit
Britain, France and Germany endorsed Ukraine's push for face-to-face ceasefire negotiations after a London meeting, but the Kremlin dismissed the proposal as fighting continued on the front lines.
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh mark 640 years of the world's oldest alliance in Portugal
Prince Edward and Sophie undertook a three-day visit to Portugal to celebrate the anniversary of the Treaty of Windsor, laying wreaths at Batalha Monastery and viewing the original 1386 documents.