Iran is hosting an international nuclear conference. Head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi is attending has urged Iran to take 'concrete steps' to bolster cooperation on its nuclear program.

Isfahan

Iran is hosting a significant international nuclear conference, attended by prominent figures including Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At this meeting, Grossi has voiced a call for Iran to engage in "concrete steps" towards enhancing cooperation regarding its nuclear program. This conference has attracted over a thousand participants, mostly comprised of nuclear scientists.

The conference's convening comes as an effort by Iran to reinitiate dialogue about its nuclear program and the scope of international inspections. Grossi, marking his first visit to Iran since a joint statement was made a year prior regarding Tehran's agreement to allow IAEA inspections at four of its nuclear sites, has been received as a gesture of goodwill. However, following disagreements, the agreed inspections had not materialized, halting progression in dialogue between the two entities.

Amidst claims by Iran of its nuclear program being purely for civilian use, skepticism from Western countries persists. The IAEA has reported Iran's enrichment of uranium up to a 60 percent purity level, a significant figure albeit below the 90 percent threshold considered weapons-grade. The organization expresses concern over the limited scope of its inspections, suggesting a strained relationship attributed to political pressures, notably from Israel, according to Iranian officials.

The backdrop for this conference is the city of Isfahan, home to numerous nuclear facilities including the notable Natanz nuclear power plant. Notably, the region has recently been a target of attacks attributed to Israel, further complicating the landscape of trust and cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. Despite the complexities involving technical and political differences, the meeting in Isfahan has surfaced opportunities for re-engagement on discussions and has reaffirmed the importance of a joint statement made in the previous year as a basis for continued collaboration. Both sides have expressed a commitment to de-escalate tensions, albeit acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.



Iran nuclear conference: IAEA chief urges for 'concrete' cooperation

This conference on nuclear science and energy is hosting more than a thousand people, most of them nuclear scientists. But Iran also invited the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, hoping to resume talks on the country's nuclear program and inspections. As a show of good faith, Grossi accepted the invitation. Grossi was last in Iran a year ago, when the two sides issued a joint statement with Tehran agreeing to open four of its nuclear facilities to inspections by the IAEA. But after a series of disagreements, that didn't happen, and little has since happened between the two. Iran's nuclear chief accuses the IAEA of being influenced by the third parties, in particular Israel. There are hostile approaches against Iran's nuclear program that are originated from the Zionist regime. We should consider that these approaches should not influence the interaction between Iran and the IAEA. Iranian officials say the country's nuclear program is peaceful and for civilian use, but Western countries doubt that. The IAEA says Iran has enriched uranium up to 60 percent. Ninety percent is needed to reach weapons-grade level. Grossi's visit has raised hopes the two sides might agree to de-escalate tensions between them. The world's nuclear chief says they have agreed to revive their joint 2023 statement. We are not intending to have any agreed formal document. As the vice president and myself have repeated, the joint statement of March last year continues to be a very satisfactory framework for our cooperation. The conference is being held in Isfahan that hosts several nuclear facilities, including the widely known Natanz nuclear power plant. Isfahan province was recently attacked by Israel. There is a huge lack of trust between Iran and the world's nuclear watchdog. The IAEA says its inspections are being limited. Iran says the IAEA is under political influence by the third parties. During the conference, the two sides agreed to resume talks, but technical and political differences suggest that won't be easy.

A prominent member of Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to quit if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't outline a post-war plan for Gaza by early next month. There's also pressure from protesters who are calling on the government to do more to secure the release of captives.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel-Gaza War

Key ally of Netanyahu threatens to quit over Gaza

Sunday is the final day of the Premier League season, with both Manchester City and Arsenal in contention to win the title. A victory against visitors West Ham will guarantee a fourth championship in a row for City.

Manchester

Man City know ‘it’s win or Arsenal will be champions’

New York police have beaten and arrested several protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brooklyn, according to witnesses. The New York Post said at least 12 people were arrested.

New York

Pro-Palestine protesters beaten, arrested in New York

There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

A police officer has been stabbed in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack near Hyde Park in Sydney city. The injured constable then chased his attacker, who was eventually tasered by a patrolling riot squad officer.

Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

The Hague

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Manhattan

Trump's lawyer accuses Cohen of lying at hush money trial

Authorities have charged an alleged gunman with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following emergency surgery, Fico's condition is now listed as stable but serious.

Banská Bystrica

Alleged gunman charged with Slovak PM's attempted murder

Peter Dutton has announced if the Opposition wins Government it will cut permanent migration numbers in half in an effort to ease the housing supply crisis.

Canberra

Opposition plans to slash foreign arrivals

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, banned TikTok and imposed a state of emergency after three nights of clashes that have left four dead and hundreds wounded.

TikTok banned in New Caledonia amid riots

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met in Beijing. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia.

Russia's Vladimir Putin meets China's Xi Jinping in Beijing

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice said Boeing did not hold up their end of the bargain after 737 Max crashes and now it's a possibility the company could face charges.