World News

Around us, a cacophony of sound - the wails of sirens blended with chants, shouts and revving engines.Ramallah is never a quiet city but today, here in its heart, it was frenetic. Ahead of us, three coaches edged their way through the crowds, accompanied by motorbikes and Palestinian police officers, pushing people out of the way.And on board, peeking out of the windows, dozens of people about to walk into […]

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's controversial choice for US defence secretary, has been confirmed for the job.The 44-year-old ex-veteran and former Fox News host narrowly secured the top Pentagon post with vice president JD Vance casting the 51-50 tie-breaking vote. Three Republican senators - Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky - joined Democrats to oppose his nomination.It is the second time in history a […]

Four Israeli soldiers held by Hamas have been released as part of a ceasefire deal that has brought an end to 15 months of brutal fighting in Gaza.Hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all aged 20, and 19-year-old Liri Albag, were all serving with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) when they were captured. Surrounded by armed Hamas fighters, the women waved and smiled as they were led on to […]

I'm staring into the eyes of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary who founded the Soviet Union.It feels like I've travelled back in time. In fact, I've come to the headquarters of the Communist Party of Belarus. A huge portrait of Lenin dominates the room in which I'm interviewing Sergei Syrankov, the party chief. He is one of five candidates in Sunday's presidential election.It seems Lenin isn't the only leader he […]

Saudi Arabia has asked legendary Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer to work on a new version of its national anthem, according to a senior official in the country.The move comes as the conservative Arab kingdom is reportedly trying to improve its image on the world stage as it seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy. Zimmer won Oscars for his film scores for The Lion King in 1995 and Dune in 2022.He […]

Hamas has released the names of four female soldiers expected to be freed on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel.Hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all aged 20, and 19-year-old Liri Albag, who were serving with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), are set to return from the war-ravaged territory to Israel in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.All four were taken captive from the Nahal Oz base […]

Conquering Mount Everest will cost climbers an extra $4,000 (£3,270) after Nepal hiked up fees for the first time in almost a decade.Nepal's government has announced a 36% increase in permit fees, meaning they will go from $11,000 (£8,930) to $15,000 (£12,200) from September. Income from permit fees and other spending by foreign climbers is a key source of revenue and employment for the cash-strapped nation, home to eight of […]

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has told Sky News he is seeking the arrest of two senior Taliban figures over the "systemic and deliberate" persecution of women in Afghanistan.Karim Khan KC, speaking on Sky News' The World with Yalda Hakim, said the pair bore "criminal responsibility" over the treatment of women and girls in the country. It comes after the ICC announced earlier on Thursday it had […]

A survivor of the 7 October Hamas attack has been chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision.Yuval Raphael was at the Nova music festival when Hamas led a cross-border attack from Gaza into southern Israel. Hundreds were killed and many were taken hostage at the event.The amateur singer was there with friends and later told Israel's parliament she hid under dead bodies for eight hours. Image: Yuval Raphael. Pic: Eurovision/Tal Givoni […]