Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday described indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman as “much more serious and frank,” even as President Masoud Pezeshkian categorically rejected Washington’s demand for Tehran to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure.

In an unprecedented escalation, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a major offensive comprising 71 coordinated attacks across more than 51 locations in what it refers to as "occupied Balochistan." The group has declared that a "new order has become inevitable" in South Asia, issuing a stark warning of impending regional transformation.

On his trip this week to the Middle East, US President Donald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, though his most pressing regional challenges concern two other countries: Israel and Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy said he is hoping for a full and temporary ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, adding he would be in Turkiye to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally.”

Thane: A female teacher from a school in Maharashtra's Thane district has died in an accident in Indonesia's Bali during the tour of her school to the archipelagic country, the authorities of the educational institute said on Sunday.

Dhaka/New Delhi: Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League on Sunday rejected "with disgust" the interim government's decision to ban the party and vowed to continue its operations despite the restriction.

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff.