Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian ‘Aggression’ RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a “dangerous escalation” that threatens the stability of the region. In a high-level phone call, the two leaders said member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council would “spare no effort” to defend their sovereign territories. They pledged to mobilize all…

Gulf Powers Call for Unified Front Against Rising Iranian ‘Aggression’ RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a joint warning Monday, condemning continued Iranian attacks against Gulf states as a “dangerous escalation” that threatens regional stability, and vowing that Gulf Cooperation Council member states would “spare no effort” to defend their territories. In a high-level call, the leaders pledged to mobilize “all available capabilities” to…

Iran, Israel and the United States struck defiant tones as the Middle East war neared the two-week mark, with leaders vowing to press on despite a mounting death toll, widening regional attacks and fresh aftershocks in global energy and financial markets. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message since taking power, vowing to keep fighting and to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut. In remarks read out by a state television presenter, he urged neighboring countries to close U.S. bases on their…

Russia says ‘productive’ Florida talks with U.S. envoys as oil sanctions ease; Ukraine reports teen killed in strike Florida — A top envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin said he took part in a “productive meeting” with U.S. negotiators in Florida, in what he described as the first talks between Moscow and Washington since the start of the Iran war. The engagement comes days after the United States lifted some sanctions on Russian oil imposed after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a move framed as an effort to ease…

Ukraine to dispatch counter-drone teams to Middle East as demand surges after ‘Operation Epic Fury’ Ukraine is sending drone defense specialists to the Middle East this week after 11 countries requested help countering Iranian-made drones fired in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes launched under Operation Epic Fury, Ukrainian officials said. Speaking at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna said Kyiv’s response is designed to provide immediate, practical support rather than “concern or…

Trump says Omar, Tlaib should be sent ‘back’ after State of the Union protests WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib should be sent “back from where they came from,” escalating a clash with two Muslim Democratic lawmakers who loudly protested his immigration remarks during his State of the Union address. In a late-Wednesday post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the congresswomen of behaving like “crooked and corrupt politicians” and used demeaning language to describe them.…

Iran remains a ‘very grave threat’ to U.S., Rubio warns ahead of Geneva talks WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran remains a “very grave threat” to the United States and its regional allies, pointing to Tehran’s efforts to rebuild elements of its nuclear program and expand its ballistic missile capabilities as high-stakes talks set to begin in Geneva. Speaking to reporters in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rubio said Iran is not currently enriching uranium but is working to reach a threshold that…

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said he expects to finalize a draft counterproposal within days after talks with the United States this week, even as President Donald Trump said he is considering limited military strikes if Tehran fails to accept a deal within 10 to 15 days. Two U.S. officials told Reuters that military planning on Iran has reached an advanced stage, with options that include targeting specific individuals and, if ordered by Trump, exploring steps toward leadership change in Tehran. The high-stakes…

MOGADISHU — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTAMS) on Thursday welcomed the formal launch of talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council, calling the dialogue a crucial step toward easing the country’s political impasse ahead of looming constitutional deadlines. The meeting, chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace, brought together senior government officials and opposition-aligned leaders amid heightened tensions and with less…

Prime Minister Mark Carney led a candlelight vigil in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, pledging Canada’s enduring support to a grief-stricken community reeling from one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s history. Eight victims were killed in Tuesday’s rampage, which began at a family home and continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Carney arrived in the remote mining town with the heads of opposition parties in a show of national solidarity. “I know that nothing I can say will bring your children home. I…