US Vice President JD Vance yesterday said talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a “good foundation” for a final peace deal, despite tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon.

The leaders of Europe’s top military powers will meet Wednesday in Berlin to discuss the Ukraine conflict and an upcoming Nato summit, the German government said.

Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinian teenagers in the occupied West Bank yesterday, Palestinian officials said, while the Israeli military said the two had attacked a nearby Jewish settlement with fire bombs and burning tyres.

The Indian government is in talks with the UAE to sell some of its flagship defence systems, including the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, four Indian sources said, as the Gulf nation steps up arms procurement following the war in the Middle East.

A fire at a building housing a library and coaching centre for college students in India killed at least 14 people yesterday, officials said.

Other BRICS representatives, including Russia, South Africa, and Brazil, are also in New Delhi

The general license, announced by the Treasury Department, allows the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products ​of Iranian origin through August 21

Authorities say a 'technical accident' caused explosion

Jose Luis Abalos was convicted of offences including criminal organisation, bribery, embezzlement and influence peddling

Of the victims, 224 were women and 153 children

Resignation follows months of political setbacks and falling approval ratings

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said today he would resign, with a new leader to be in place by the time parliament returns in September, paving the way for Britain to have its seventh leader in 10 years.

In France, 49 of the country's 96 mainland departments were on a red alert weather warning, up from 35 over the weekend

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hailed the "major progress" achieved with the help of mediators Pakistan and Qatar, while the United States government has yet to issue a statement

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the talks took place in 'a positive and constructive atmosphere'

Veteran Labour politician Andy Burnham is due to take up his seat in the House of Commons, three days after clinching victory in a crunch by-election and clearing the path for an anticipated leadership challenge

The 10 entities include Aveox, which holds aerospace defence contracts with the US military, and Oshkosh Defense, which produces military vehicle fleets

A 'technical incident' caused the blast on Sunday in Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial zone, the ministry said

Police used tear gas to try to disperse a crowd of thousands, some of whom wielded bricks and bars in anger at the victory of Abelardo de la Espriella

King Charles III will reveal his personal tax bill in a bid to improve transparency, Buckingham Palace confirmed to AFP yesterday, as royal finances come under increasing public scrutiny in Britain.