tighten

Tensions are mounting around a fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, with Washington accusing Tehran of failing to honour commitments on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel launching strikes on Lebanon that Iran says breach the truce. There was still no indication that Iran intended to ease its near-total blockade of the strait, a choke point that has triggered the most severe disruption ever seen in global energy supplies. Iran pointed to Israel's continuing assault on Lebanon, including what were described as the…

Arsenal tightened its hold on the Premier League title race as 16-year-old Max Dowman came off the bench to become the competition’s youngest scorer, capping a 2-0 win over Everton that was followed by Manchester City dropping points at West Ham. The results extended Arsenal’s lead to nine points on a day that could prove pivotal in the run-in. Arsenal 2, Everton 0 — Viktor Gyokeres 86’, Max Dowman 90+7’ West Ham 1, Manchester City 1 — Bernardo Silva 31’, Konstantinos Mavropanos 35’ Chelsea 0, Newcastle 1 — Anthony Gordon…

Australia advances national gun buy-back, tighter checks after Bondi mass shooting Australia is poised to pass sweeping new gun-control measures, including a national firearm buy-back and tougher background checks, following last month’s mass shooting at a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the country’s deadliest in decades. The legislation cleared the House of Representatives by a vote of 96-45 despite opposition from conservative lawmakers. It now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with support from…

Iran protests subside under sweeping crackdown and internet blackout as Reza Pahlavi vows return TEHRAN — Mass protests that erupted across Iran a week ago have largely subsided under a sweeping security crackdown and a nationwide internet blackout, monitors said, even as opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged fresh demonstrations and declared he would return to the country. The latest unrest began Dec. 28 with a shutdown in Tehran’s historic bazaar amid mounting economic grievances, then swiftly widened into the largest…

SYDNEY — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proposed tougher gun laws after a father and son opened fire on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people before the older man was shot dead, in what officials called a targeted anti-Semitic attack. The death of the 50-year-old father brought the toll to 16, police said. His 24-year-old son was critically wounded and remains in hospital. Albanese said his government would take “whatever action is necessary,” adding that firearms licensing rules need tightening. “People can be…

Mogadishu races to deliver voter cards as Dec. 25 Banadir local elections near MOGADISHU — Nearly 200,000 registered voters in Banadir have received official voting cards ahead of the Dec. 25 local council elections, Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) said Saturday, easing fears that delays could keep many Mogadishu residents from the polls. The vote will be the first time Mogadishu residents directly elect their local council and mayor — a milestone the commission has called historic.…

Somali lawmakers pass amendments to Accountants Bill to tighten financial oversight MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s House of the People on Monday approved amendments to the Somali Accountants Bill, a measure aimed at strengthening financial oversight across federal institutions and raising professional standards in the public accounting sector. The chamber voted 140-1 to adopt the revisions, with four lawmakers abstaining. Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow announced the tally shortly after debate opened on the…