Iran says it is negotiating with Oman over a strategic shipping route near the Strait of Hormuz, while explicitly ruling out direct talks with the United States. President Trump meanwhile insisted new Iran talks are coming, signaling a continued diplomatic standoff. The developments carry significant weight for regional shipping security and nuclear diplomacy.

Fighting has resumed in northern Ethiopia, prompting hundreds of residents to flee amid growing concerns that the region could slide back into full-scale civil war. The clashes involve local forces and the Ethiopian military, reviving memories of the devastating two-year conflict that ended in 2022. The renewed violence threatens regional stability and the fragile peace deal.

A critical CVE was assigned to an alleged SQLite vulnerability that appears to be hallucinated by an AI tool or erroneous analysis. The claim is disputed by the SQLite developers. This matters because false CVEs can trigger unnecessary emergency patching and undermine trust in vulnerability databases.

Suspected mass bird flu deaths have been detected in a second Australian state, following similar cases elsewhere. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the situation is "the beginning" of a wider outbreak. The spread threatens poultry flocks and could disrupt supplies, prompting urgent biosecurity measures.

The Guardian reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement obtained court orders to force-feed at least 10 detained hunger strikers, a tactic described as a stark example of brutality. The move highlights escalating coercive measures inside immigration detention facilities.

Senate Republican leaders are moving quickly to pass a budget bill in order to prevent a government shutdown. The urgency comes as the midterm elections approach, making a shutdown politically risky. The bill's passage is critical to keeping federal agencies funded and avoiding disruption.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement gathered DNA samples from nearly one million individuals in the past year, a sharp increase that includes young children. The expansion raises significant privacy and civil liberties concerns, as the data is stored in federal databases used for law enforcement.

President Trump stated that new negotiations with Iran are beginning, though key details remain unclear. The announcement signals a potential shift in U.S.-Iran relations after years of tension over Tehran's nuclear program. The talks could have major implications for Middle East stability and global oil markets.

Members of Parliament are pressing for explanations about why Fujitsu remains eligible for lucrative government contracts, following the company's role in the Post Office Horizon scandal. The demands highlight ongoing concerns about accountability and whether the firm should continue to receive public money. This matters because it could reshape procurement rules and address a major injustice.