World

Taiwan president visits Eswatini despite Chinese objections

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te arrived in the African nation of Eswatini on Saturday, announcing the trip on social media. In a post on X, he said that he had arrived in Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa to "affirm our longstanding friendship." "Taiwan will never be deterred by external pressures," Lai added.

Ukraine to Raise Military Pay and Start Phased Discharge

Ukraine plans to raise military wages, improve contracts and implement a phased discharge system for long-serving personnel, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday. The reforms, set to begin in June, aim to address acute manpower shortages after more than four years of full-scale war with Russia. What reforms did Zelenskyy announce?

Merz deputy: Germany doesn't need advice from Donald Trump

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Friday has defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz against criticism from the United States, pushing back at President Donald Trump. Klingbeil's remarks came after Trump hit back at Merz, government policy — and Germany — over the chancellor's assertion that Tehran had "humiliated" Washington. What did the German vice chancellor say?

Iran Sends 14-Point Reply to U.S. Proposal

Vehicles drive past a billboard with graphic showing Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of U.S. President Donald Trump in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption toggle caption Vahid Salemi/AP Iran has submitted a 14-point response to the U.S.

Mali Probes Soldiers Over Role in Rebel Assaults

Mali is investigating several soldiers suspected of involvement in coordinated attacks by jihadi and separatist fighters across the West African country last week, authorities said late Friday.

Pistorius: US Troop Withdrawal from Germany Expected

Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said the announced withdrawal of US troops from Germany "was to be expected" The police union GdP has said at least 10 officers suffered slight injuries during May Day demos in Berlin "Timmy" the humpback whale has been set

How the Iran conflict is disrupting air travel

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the US and Israel first attacked Iran in February. The reason: Both Iran and the US have at different points blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for a fifth of the world's oil and gas tankers.

US to Remove About 5,000 Troops from Germany

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 American soldiers stationed in Germany, the Pentagon said on Friday. The drawdown, which would cut US troop numbers in Germany by 14%, is to be completed over the next six to 12 months, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

Why US Military Bases in Germany Still Matter

US President Donald Trump didn't like Chancellor Friedrich Merz's latest statements on the Iran war, that much was clear from Trump's recent rant on Truth Social, where he claimed the German leader "doesn't know what he's talking about!" So what happened?

Syrian Kurds Stranded in Qamishli After Assad's Fall

Children play outside a vacant school that is now being used to house displaced people in Qamishli, Syria. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR QAMISHLI, Syria — The children running through the courtyard of a school in this northeastern city are a blur of motion.