Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
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Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation, stressing their shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.

During a joint press conference at Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Pezeshkian stated that frequent exchanges between officials from both countries reflect strong historical, economic, and cultural ties, as well as aligned perspectives on regional and international issues.

Pezeshkian stated that his talks with Sheikh Tamim covered “current regional developments” and reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the right of the Syrian people to determine their own future.

He further stressed Iran’s belief that regional countries can contribute to stability and security through good neighborly relations, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation. He called for the establishment of a joint framework to enhance regional collaboration.

Sheikh Tamim expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Iran, emphasizing the importance of strengthening historical ties based on good neighborly relations. He underscored the need to expand cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for initiatives that promote regional stability and prosperity.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and energy. Both sides explored investment opportunities and exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

The Palestinian issue was also a key topic of discussion. Sheikh Tamim reiterated the importance of maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. He expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to an end to civilian suffering and pave the way for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian crisis.

Later, during a meeting with Sheikh Tamim, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries. He voiced hope that the agreements signed between Iran and Qatar would serve the interests of both nations and called for stronger regional cooperation and increased economic exchanges between Tehran and Doha.

Khamenei described Qatar as a “brotherly and friendly nation” but pointed out unresolved issues, particularly concerning Iranian funds transferred from South Korea to Qatar. He claimed that US pressure was the main obstacle to implementing the related agreement.

“If we were in Qatar’s position, we would not have yielded to such pressure,” he said, adding that Iran still expects Qatar to take decisive action on the matter.

Sheikh Tamim acknowledged the complex and challenging conditions in the region, pointing to the need for stronger cooperation among regional countries. He announced that the Iran-Qatar joint committee would soon commence its work, predicting a significant increase in economic exchanges between the two nations in the near future.



Trump Declares Himself in Perfect Health After Physical Exam

President Donald Trump salutes during the playing of taps at the 158th National Memorial Day Observance coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
President Donald Trump salutes during the playing of taps at the 158th National Memorial Day Observance coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
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Trump Declares Himself in Perfect Health After Physical Exam

President Donald Trump salutes during the playing of taps at the 158th National Memorial Day Observance coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
President Donald Trump salutes during the playing of taps at the 158th National Memorial Day Observance coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)

US President Donald Trump, who turns 80 next month, said "everything checked out perfectly" after having his physical on Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, following a year of public attention on apparently minor health issues.

Trump offered no details of the physical in a brief Truth Social post saying he had completed his six-monthly exam. Trump frequently casts himself as more energetic and fitter than Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor who left office last year at age 82 after facing questions about his fitness for the job.

Still, recent photographs showing a blotchy neck rash have added to questions about Trump's health, following images in July 2025 of swollen ankles ‌and a bruised ‌hand concealed with makeup.

Trump, whose birthday is June 14, became the ‌oldest ⁠person to assume the ⁠presidency when he began his second term in January 2025.

The visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was Trump's third in 13 months.

Trump maintains an active golf schedule, but joked about his relative lack of exercise at a recent Oval Office event where his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, said the president walks nine miles (14.5 km) every time he goes golfing.

"When I am not using the cart," Trump said.

White House physician Sean Barbabella has said Trump is using a ⁠common cream as "a preventative skin treatment" to address the neck rash, but ‌he has not given details of the condition being ‌treated.

After the photographs of the president's legs and hands were published last July, Barbabella said in a ‌letter that the ailments were benign and that there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis ‌or arterial disease.

Trump's leg swelling was from a "common" vein condition, and his hand was bruised from shaking so many hands, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Trump said last October that he had received a magnetic resonance imaging exam that month.

The White House initially declined to share further details on the ‌reason for the scan. Leavitt said only that it indicated "exceptional physical health" for Trump.

The president later told reporters he got the MRI as ⁠part of a second physical ⁠exam.

"Getting an MRI is very standard. What, you think I shouldn't have it? Other people get it. ... I had an MRI. The doctor said it was the best result he has ever seen as a doctor," Trump said.

Medical experts noted that MRIs are not typically part of a routine physical and are usually prescribed to get detailed images of the body.

In a memo after the second exam, Barbabella said the president's cardiac age - a validated measure of cardiovascular vitality via ECG - was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age.

Trump has also faced questions after appearing to fall asleep during several meetings, including a session with his Cabinet.

"Some people said, he closed his eyes. Look, it got pretty boring," Trump told laughing officials in February. "I didn't sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell outta here."

Biden last year was diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that spread to his bones, and underwent radiation therapy.


Iran Partially Restores Internet Access After Months-Long Shutdown

People walk past shops along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
People walk past shops along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Iran Partially Restores Internet Access After Months-Long Shutdown

People walk past shops along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
People walk past shops along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26, 2026. (AFP)

Iranian authorities partially restored internet connectivity Tuesday after an almost three-month shutdown imposed against the backdrop of the war against Israel and the US, said a monitor, a senior official and sources inside the country.

The shutdown left Iranians largely cut off from international networks, with only a domestic intranet working for daily tasks like shopping, ride-hailing and education.

"Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in Iran on day 88," of the shutdown, monitor Netblocks said on X, saying it was "unclear" if this meant a permanent end to the "longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history".

Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said in a post on X that the "first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken," adding that the demands of Iranians "will be fulfilled."

State news agency IRNA and Fars news agency said "full international internet connectivity has been restored" for users of fixed broadband services, but this had not been confirmed by internet monitor NetBlocks.

Witnesses inside Iran also told AFP that mobile internet remains cut but home internet with Wi-Fi had been restored, even though VPNs were still needed to access some social media.

"A few minutes ago I could open international websites using my home internet provider," said a 22-year-old woman from the western city of Kermanshah, asking not to be named.

A user in Tehran said the internet service for his company in Tehran has been restored but "mobile connection remained the same" without any access. Others reported that general access remained extremely patchy.

- 'Long way to go' -

The shutdown imposed when war erupted on February 28 followed a similar blackout imposed from January 8 as the country was rocked by mass anti-government protests.

Activists said that the January closure was aimed at masking the scale of a crackdown on the protests, which left thousands dead according to rights groups, as well as preventing more demonstrations.

Doug Madory, head of internet analysis at US network monitoring firm Kentik, said the partial restoration needed to be kept "in perspective".

"Iran has a long way to go to get back to pre-Jan-8 levels of traffic volumes," he wrote on X.

The shutdown had also caused considerable debate inside Iran with the administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian -- regarded as a more moderate figure -- impatient to end a measure which was also hugely damaging for the economy.

However, Pezeshkian by no means has the final say on such issues.

Yaghoub Rezazadeh, member of Iran's national security commission at the parliament, told the Hamshahri daily Monday that the final decision on such issues "rests with the Supreme National Security Council" under hardliner Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr.

Iran's judiciary earlier Tuesday suspended a fledging presidential body that had ordered the restoration of the internet.

The Special Headquarters for Organizing and Governing the Country's Cyberspace was formed on May 12 by Pezeshkian.

The body had on Monday reached a decision to "restore the internet" in Iran, according to government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani, after local media reported that Pezeshkian had decreed the measure.

Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to appear in public since his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the war, meanwhile is in theory the country's number one figure.

Some Iranians expressed glee on social media over the restoration of a degree of connectivity.

"YouTube without a VPN!!! Oh my God, am I dreaming?" wrote one on X.

"Hello my dear Twitter," said another, using the former name for X.


Police Fire Tear Gas to Break Up Türkiye Opposition Protest

Türkiye’s Republican People's Party (CHP) ousted leader Ozgur Ozel stands atop of a bus as he delivers a speech during a rally, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Türkiye’s Republican People's Party (CHP) ousted leader Ozgur Ozel stands atop of a bus as he delivers a speech during a rally, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Police Fire Tear Gas to Break Up Türkiye Opposition Protest

Türkiye’s Republican People's Party (CHP) ousted leader Ozgur Ozel stands atop of a bus as he delivers a speech during a rally, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Türkiye’s Republican People's Party (CHP) ousted leader Ozgur Ozel stands atop of a bus as he delivers a speech during a rally, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026. (AFP)

Riot police in Türkiye fired tear gas and water cannon to break up a rally called by ousted opposition leader Ozgur Ozel Tuesday, days after a court dismissed him from office.

The protest in Izmir came two days after riot police battered their way into the main opposition CHP's headquarters in the capital Ankara, firing tear gas and beating party members before throwing them out, Ozel told AFP on Sunday.

The dramatic scenes followed a shock court ruling on Thursday that overturned a 2023 party primary that elected Ozel.

It was the latest in a string of moves against the CHP, Türkiye's oldest political party, which scored a major political win over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AKP in 2024 local elections and has been rising in the polls.

Since the court ruling, the party has been in chaos.

Ozel called the lunchtime rally in Izmir as Türkiye was poised to shut down for the four-day Eid al-Fitr holiday, which begins on Wednesday.

Ahead of the rally, the governorate ordered the closure of the city's central Cumhuriyet Square, deploying a large number of riot police with water cannon trucks who tried to break up the flag-waving crowd, Turkish media reported.

"President Ozgur, free Türkiye!" they shouted in scenes broadcast live on TV.

- 'Let's compete' -

Thursday's shock court ruling overturned the 2023 party primary that elected Ozel, ordering his defeated rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a lackluster ineffective politician, to resume his position as CHP leader.

In Izmir, thousands of chanting demonstrators waved flags as Ozel addressed the crowd from the top of a bus, urging Kilicdaroglu to agree to a party congress "immediately" so members could choose their leader.

"Bring whoever you want as a delegate and let's compete," he said, directly challenging Kilicdaroglu to hold a party primary "within a week or two" of Eid al-Fitr which ends Saturday.

The ousting of CHP's elected leadership was "not an internal matter for the party," he said.

"Anyone who sees it that way is deceiving the people... this is between the people and Erdogan," Ozel said.

"The issue is about stopping a party that is on the march toward ultimate power."

The court case concerned allegations of vote-buying at the 2023 primary, but was thrown out by an Ankara court in October for lack of substance only to be overturned on appeal.

The assault on the CHP began in earnest with the jailing of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan's main political rival and the party's presidential candidate, on charges widely seen as political.

"Erdogan has lost all restraint," Ozel told AFP late Sunday.

"Just as he imprisoned the presidential candidate who could defeat him, he is now effectively shutting down the political party that could defeat him," he said.

"Türkiye has ceased to be a modern democratic republic and has turned into a one-man regime."