Reuters

Reuters

EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola addressed the EU Ambassadors Conference, urging diplomats to abandon slow institutional habits for faster decision-making in an unpredictable world, while reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine, condemning the Iranian regime's destabilization, and accelerating Europe's strategic sovereignty through economic security and partnership diversification.

Reuters

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unveiled the "Shield of the Americas" initiative, establishing a sustained security-first partnership with Latin American leaders to combat designated terrorist cartels and foster regional economic prosperity through direct diplomatic engagement.

Reuters

President Trump hosted leaders from 17 Latin American nations to launch a new security alliance committed to using lethal military force against drug cartels, offering US missile strikes and establishing the 'Shield of Americas' initiative while announcing a revival of the battleship program.

Reuters

Thousands gathered in London to protest US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, demanding the UK government withhold support for what speakers framed as an illegal war and drawing explicit parallels to the failed 2003 Iraq invasion.

Reuters

Japan's HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft successfully departed the International Space Station after a 4.5-month cargo mission, beginning a 99-day free-flying scientific operations phase before its eventual controlled de-orbit over the Pacific Ocean.

Reuters

A celebration of Reverend Jesse Jackson's life in Chicago features gospel performances and tributes highlighting his historic presidential campaigns that united diverse coalitions, his personal loyalty to friends, and his foundation in the Black church tradition, attended by former presidents and dignitaries.

Reuters

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership, announcing intensified defense cooperation, joint critical mineral security initiatives, and major expansions in LNG trade and investment.

Reuters

President Trump hosted 2025 MLS Cup champions Inter Miami at the White House to celebrate Lionel Messi and the team's historic victories, while using the occasion to detail extensive U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran and tout record economic achievements including the Dow hitting 50,000.

Reuters

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer detailed a defensive military response to Iran's regional attacks, confirming that while Britain declined to join initial US-Israeli offensive strikes, it pre-deployed air and naval assets in January to protect 140,000 British nationals and has begun a large-scale evacuation.

Reuters

The WHO highlighted major advances in cervical cancer elimination through massive HPV vaccination campaigns in India and South Africa, the breakthrough approval of long-acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, and new GLP-1 obesity treatment guidelines, while warning of severe health system disruptions from the escalating Middle East conflict.

Reuters

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defends the US-led campaign against Iran's nuclear capabilities while emphasizing NATO's vigilance after an Iranian missile struck Turkey, and addresses concerns about alliance resources being split between Middle East air defense needs and Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

Reuters

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva argues that Asia must navigate a new era of persistent uncertainty by harnessing AI (potentially boosting GDP by 0.8 percentage points), managing divergent demographic pressures, and deepening regional trade integration to sustain its role as the engine of global growth through 2050.