Germany to Deliver Two Patriot Systems to Ukraine in Deal with US

A handout photo made available by the press service of the 93rd 'Kholodnyi Yar' Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 31 July 2025 shows damage in the frontline city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, 30 July 2025, amid the Russian invasion.  EPA/UKRAINE'S 93RD MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the press service of the 93rd 'Kholodnyi Yar' Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 31 July 2025 shows damage in the frontline city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, 30 July 2025, amid the Russian invasion. EPA/UKRAINE'S 93RD MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT
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Germany to Deliver Two Patriot Systems to Ukraine in Deal with US

A handout photo made available by the press service of the 93rd 'Kholodnyi Yar' Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 31 July 2025 shows damage in the frontline city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, 30 July 2025, amid the Russian invasion.  EPA/UKRAINE'S 93RD MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the press service of the 93rd 'Kholodnyi Yar' Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 31 July 2025 shows damage in the frontline city of Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, 30 July 2025, amid the Russian invasion. EPA/UKRAINE'S 93RD MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT

Germany said on Friday that it will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the US that Berlin will be first in line to receive the latest systems in return.

Thanks to the US commitment, "Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and then with additional Patriot system components," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement.

The Bundeswehr army will initially deliver additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine in the coming days, followed by additional system components to be handed over in two or three months, Reuters said.

In return, Berlin will receive new Patriot systems, for which it is providing the funding, from the United States at an accelerated pace.

Ukraine's needs for air defense have grown more urgent as Russia has intensified its nationwide aerial attacks this summer, and the Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles.

Germany has already delivered three of its Patriot systems to Ukraine and said on Friday that sending the additional systems will not affect its contribution to the NATO defense alliance.



Australia: 13 Citizens Linked to Alleged ISIS Members Returning from Syria

FILE PHOTO: Members of Australian families believed to be linked to ISIS militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of Australian families believed to be linked to ISIS militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
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Australia: 13 Citizens Linked to Alleged ISIS Members Returning from Syria

FILE PHOTO: Members of Australian families believed to be linked to ISIS militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of Australian families believed to be linked to ISIS militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo

A group of 13 Australians related to alleged ISIS militants is returning home from Syria, Australian authorities said Wednesday, warning some will face arrest.

The four women and nine children, who had been living in Roj camp in Syria, are expected to land in Sydney and Melbourne airports on Thursday, according to local media.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he received an alert Wednesday morning when the group's travel booking was made, AFP reported.

"The government is not assisting and will not assist these individuals," he told a news conference.

"They made an appalling, disgraceful decision, if any of these individuals find their way back to Australia, if they have committed crimes, they can expect to face the full force of the law, without exception."

Police said they collected evidence in Syria as they investigated whether Australians had committed crimes under Australian law, including travelling to a prohibited area and engaging in slave trade.

"Some individuals will be arrested and charged," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.


Ten Hurt in Fire at Shopping Center West of Tehran

 People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
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Ten Hurt in Fire at Shopping Center West of Tehran

 People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
People ride motorcycles near a billboard featuring an image of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

At least 10 people were hurt after a fire broke out in a shopping center west of Tehran, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB cited ‌the fire ‌department as saying that ‌the ⁠fire had been "largely ⁠contained".

The cause of the incident remains unknown, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Iranian media, including Fars, showed video of ⁠a plume of heavy ‌smoke rising ‌from the site.

Reuters was ‌able to verify the ‌location by the buildings, utility poles, trees and road layout that matched the archive and ‌satellite imagery of the area.

The fire broke out ⁠as ⁠a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States comes under renewed pressure following an exchange of fire between the two sides on Monday.


Iran Nobel Winner Mohammadi ‘Between Life and Death’, Say Supporters

 Chirinne Ardakani, lawyer for Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who was urgently transferred from prison to a hospital intensive care unit in Tehran, speaks during a news conference, while sitting next to Mona Armande of the Narges Mohammadi Association, in Paris, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP)
Chirinne Ardakani, lawyer for Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who was urgently transferred from prison to a hospital intensive care unit in Tehran, speaks during a news conference, while sitting next to Mona Armande of the Narges Mohammadi Association, in Paris, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP)
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Iran Nobel Winner Mohammadi ‘Between Life and Death’, Say Supporters

 Chirinne Ardakani, lawyer for Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who was urgently transferred from prison to a hospital intensive care unit in Tehran, speaks during a news conference, while sitting next to Mona Armande of the Narges Mohammadi Association, in Paris, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP)
Chirinne Ardakani, lawyer for Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who was urgently transferred from prison to a hospital intensive care unit in Tehran, speaks during a news conference, while sitting next to Mona Armande of the Narges Mohammadi Association, in Paris, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP)

Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life after being hospitalized under guard for the last five days with a heart condition, her supporters said on Tuesday.

"We are not just fighting for the freedom of Narges, we are fighting so that her heart continues to beat," said her Paris-based lawyer Chirinne Ardakani at a news conference of her supporters, adding that the 2023 laureate was now "between life and death".

Jonathan Dagher of Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which is also part of her support committee, said: "This is the first time we are saying that she is between life and death, that there is a risk of death."

"We must act before it is too late," he added.

Mohammadi, who has spent much of the past two decades in and out of prison for her activism, was arrested most recently in December after denouncing Iranian authorities at a funeral for a lawyer.

Already suffering from a heart condition, she had two suspected heart attacks on March 24 and May 1 in prison in Zanjan in northern Iran, according to her supporters.

After the most recent incident, she was rushed to hospital in Zanjan for treatment but remains under constant guard, Ardakani said.

Mohammadi is experiencing an "unprecedented degradation" of her health, said Ardakani.

"We have never been so afraid for Narges's life; she could leave us at any moment," she added.

Mohammadi has lost 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in prison, has difficulty speaking and is currently "unrecognizable" from her former state before her latest arrest.

Her supporters want Mohammadi to be transferred to Tehran for treatment by her personal medical team but there has been no sign of her being moved from Zanjan.

Mohammadi's twin teenage children and her husband live in Paris and Ardakani urged the French foreign ministry and President Emmanuel Macron to take a tougher line on her case.

"We are expecting the president of the republic (Macron) to take a strong position. I don't think this is something excessive," she said.