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With fuel costs climbing in the wake of the Iran war, Victoria is moving swiftly to blunt the impact on households by making public transport free from tomorrow. In a post on social media, state Premier Jacinta Allan described the decision as a "temporary measure to take pressure off the pump and ease the cost of living for Victorians right now". "It won’t solve every problem, but it is an immediate step I can take to help Victorians right now," she added. The plan in Victoria, whose capital is Melbourne, is set to remain in…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Friday that it would benefit every G7 member to press for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route currently blocked by Iran. Rubio made the case as he prepared to fly to France for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers scheduled outside Paris, saying bluntly that assisting in any effort to restore access “is in their interest.” The trip marks Rubio’s first return to international travel since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28.…

Caf awards 2025 Afcon title to Morocco after overturning Senegal’s final win Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Caf ruled Senegal forfeited the final following a controversial walk-off during the match. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match and awarding a 3-0 win to Morocco. The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation…

Zimbabwe civic group urges international bodies to block bid to extend presidency and Parliament terms The Defend the Constitution Platform called on international organisations to stop proposed constitutional changes that would extend the tenure of Zimbabwe’s presidency and Parliament, citing reports of intimidation and violence around the debate. The Defend the Constitution Platform has urged international organisations to block planned amendments to Zimbabwe’s constitution that would lengthen the terms of the presidency…

DOHA, Qatar — Iran launched missiles and drones across the Gulf on Wednesday, claiming strikes on U.S. forces in Kuwait, as several Gulf states reported intercepts and casualties and maritime authorities said two commercial ships were hit near the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation comes hours before a United Nations Security Council vote on a Gulf Cooperation Council-backed resolution demanding Tehran halt attacks on its Arab neighbors. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired four missiles at the headquarters of…

Iran launches missiles and drones across Gulf as tankers struck near Hormuz; oil prices surge Iran fired missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf on Wednesday, including what it said were two missiles aimed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, as regional militaries scrambled to intercept incoming threats and maritime authorities reported commercial ships hit near the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation, which Tehran described as the 37th wave of attacks on day 12 of the U.S.-Israel war “on Iran,” deepened fears over energy…

Somalia’s constitutional crisis has moved from a simmering dispute to a direct test of the country’s democratic commitments, as a recent bid to amend the Provisional Federal Constitution triggered accusations of procedural violations, executive overreach and erosion of federal norms. The constitution is meant to be Somalia’s stabilizing contract: a framework that binds clans, regions and political actors to shared rules. Changing it is not a technical exercise. It requires transparent debate, broad-based political consensus…

African Countries Hosting U.S. Bases Face Potential Risk from Iranian Missiles DJIBOUTI — Escalating confrontation between Iran and its rivals, including the United States and Israel, is pushing parts of Africa closer to the geopolitical firing line. Security and economic analysts warn that nations hosting American military facilities — most notably Djibouti’s Camp Lemonnier, the largest U.S. base on the continent — could be drawn into a broader conflict and face potential exposure to Iran’s long-range missile capabilities.…

MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held separate telephone calls with the King of Jordan and the Amir of Qatar as regional tensions spiked following Iranian missile strikes, the presidency said Monday. In statements issued by Villa Somalia, the president and his counterparts discussed the deteriorating security climate across the Middle East and stressed the need to reduce tensions and intensify diplomatic efforts to preserve stability. The Somali leader reaffirmed Mogadishu’s support for both Jordan and…

The Trump administration is canceling humanitarian aid programs it previously identified as lifesaving, according to an internal State Department email obtained by The Atlantic, a move that could sharply reduce assistance to vulnerable populations in parts of Africa. The internal communication, made public by The Atlantic, says the new round of cuts will end all U.S. humanitarian funding in seven African countries. The report did not identify the countries by name in its initial coverage. The email marks a reversal from…