TEHRAN, April 22 — Iran’s political center is shrouded in uncertainty after more than six weeks without a public appearance or recorded message from Mojtaba Khamenei, the man named as the country’s supreme leader amid a tense ceasefire countdown with the United States. The 56-year-old cleric was presented as the successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the elder leader died in late February. Yet since the announcement, he has remained out of sight, while state media have filled the vacuum with written remarks…

Washington’s trust with Tehran collapsed last February, when talks over Iran’s nuclear programme fell apart after the United States, alongside Israel, launched their joint operation known as Epic Fury. Now, as Washington and Tehran work with Pakistan to broker an end to the violence, rebuilding confidence has become central to the diplomatic push. The Vice President’s entry into the US negotiating team may be a sign that the White House wants to accelerate progress, especially given JD Vance’s long-held doubts about foreign…

UAE warns of possible action if Iran attacks continue ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates may take stronger measures, including the possibility of military action, if Iran continues launching missiles and drones toward its territory, the country’s minister of state for international cooperation said in a televised interview. Reem Al-Hashimi told CNN the UAE is prepared to defend itself against what she described as an ongoing threat, signaling a sharpened posture should the attacks persist. “We are…

Four months after a ceasefire in Gaza was hailed from Washington as a breakthrough, the ground reality tells a different story: violence persists, the humanitarian crisis deepens, and the political architecture meant to secure the truce looks unsteady. US President Donald Trump declared on Oct. 13 that “at long last we have peace in the Middle East” and that “the war in Gaza is over.” Since then, hundreds have been killed and injured in the enclave, while the West Bank has edged toward a new flashpoint. United Nations…

LISBON — Portugal braced for another bout of heavy rain and gale-force winds as nearly 200,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity days after Storm Kristin swept the country, killing five people, officials said. The national weather agency, IPMA, placed all of mainland Portugal on alert through Monday for persistent downpours accompanied by gusts up to 100 km/h. With rivers already swollen and soils saturated, authorities warned that the new system could bring flash flooding in urban areas, as well as…

Somalia deploys former Puntland State forces to Sool front lines as president plans landmark Las Anod visit Units from Danab Brigade and Puntland State Security Force bolster positions near Gumays as Mogadishu consolidates authority in newly recognized Northeastern Regional State. LAS ANOD, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has deployed former Puntland State regional forces — including units of the elite Danab Brigade and the Puntland State Security Force — to front-line positions in the Sool region, regional officials…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A major opposition meeting opened Tuesday night in the capital as political tensions over Somalia’s electoral process intensified, with participants warning that the country is not ready to hold one-person, one-vote polls within the current government’s term. Leaders of the Madasha Samatabixinta Soomaaliyeed, an opposition coalition, convened the forum at the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu to air grievances about the federal government’s handling of the electoral framework and to gather public input ahead of…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the United Nations that military operations against Hezbollah will persist, effectively squashing any hopes for the 21-day ceasefire advocated by France and the United States earlier this week. “Hezbollah has made a choice, and that choice is war. Therefore, Israel must act, and we possess every right to safeguard our citizens and ensure their safe return home,” Netanyahu stated during his address to the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that offensive actions against…

Recently, tragedy struck in KwaZulu-Natal when two individuals succumbed to the perilous effects of hypothermia after being ensnared by a relentless snowstorm on the N3 highway. This heartbreaking incident unfolded over the weekend, showcasing the unforgiving nature of winter weather. As snow blanketed the roads, rendering them treacherous, many motorists found themselves caught in an unexpected deluge of white. The sudden onset of severe weather can often catch drivers off guard, emphasizing the critical need for caution…

As Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, stood before the camera for a televised address on Thursday, the unmistakable sound of Israeli jets roaring overhead delivered a stark warning. This sonic disruption served not only to interrupt his speech but also to instill fear in many viewers across Lebanon, a message underscored by the previous week’s bombings targeting Hezbollah's communications systems. The blasts resulted in numerous fatalities, left countless individuals injured, and reverberated across the nation,…