Author: none@none.com (AFP)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was laid to rest after a tragic helicopter crash, with throngs of mourners bidding farewell in Mashhad and other cities. The five days of mourning will precede an election for a new president. Raisi, widely expected to succeed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was mourned by his supporters and foreign dignitaries alike. The funeral was attended by regional militant groups and world leaders, with talks on the Israel-Hamas conflict held on the sidelines. The uncertainty surrounding Raisi’s successor has sparked concern among Iranians about the future leadership. Raisi’s presidency was marked by economic crises and armed…

President Lai Ching-te, a Harvard graduate with roots in a humble coal-mining town in Taiwan, recently assumed office in the midst of escalating tensions with China. Pledging to defend Taiwan’s democracy and resist Beijing’s claims, Lai faces the challenge of navigating a fractured parliament and strained relations with China. In his inaugural speech, Lai urged Taiwanese citizens to unite to safeguard their nation against threats from China, while vowing to continue the military policies of his predecessor for defense against potential invasion. Despite making overtures for dialogue with China, experts believe Lai is likely to face resistance from Beijing. Known…

An Israeli minister threatens to resign from the “war cabinet” unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to a long-term plan for Gaza. In a televised address, Benny Gantz outlined six strategic goals, including toppling Hamas and returning Israeli prisoners. He called for establishing a civilian administration in Gaza to pave the way for an alternative to Hamas and Mahmoud Abbas. Gantz also urged for ties with Saudi Arabia to strengthen alliances against Iran. Divisions within the cabinet emerged as Hamas fighters reappeared in northern Gaza, causing tensions. Netanyahu’s reluctance to consider a Palestinian authority ruling Gaza after normalization has strained…

Tragedy Strikes in Bamiyan: Spanish Tourists Among Victims in Deadly Shooting Tragedy struck in the picturesque tourism destination of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan, as three Spanish tourists and an Afghan lost their lives in a shooting incident on Friday. The news was confirmed by Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani, who also reported that four other foreigners and three Afghans were wounded in the attack. Spain’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed that three of the deceased were Spanish nationals, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident. The European Union joined in condemning the attack…

India’s Opposition Condemns Prime Minister Modi for Anti-Muslim Comments India’s main opposition party has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making anti-Muslim remarks during election campaign speeches, causing concerns about sectarian tensions in the country. Modi, known for his popularity and affiliation with the Hindu-nationalist party BJP, has been using divisive language targeting Muslims to gather support for the upcoming general elections. Former finance minister P. Chidambaram accused Modi of dividing Hindus and Muslims, while Congress party’s Jairam Ramesh dismissed Modi’s statements as “bogus” and “nonsensical”. Modi’s rhetoric has raised alarms among the 200-million-plus Muslim minority in India, fueling apprehensions…

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and is currently in critical condition, according to President-elect Peter Pellegrini. Surgeons worked to save the 59-year-old leader after the shooting, which took place during a public event. The alleged gunman has been charged with attempted murder, with the motive believed to be dissatisfaction with election results. The incident has sparked concerns of political escalation in the divided nation of Slovakia. Pellegrini, a Fico ally, has called for calm and urged a halt to political campaigning for the upcoming EU parliament election. Slovakia’s political landscape has long been divided between pro-Europeans…

An award-winning journalist in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) has finally returned home after spending over five years in jail. Asif Sultan, a reporter with a now-closed magazine, was granted bail in an ongoing terrorism case by a court in the disputed region. Accused of “harbouring known militants” in August 2018, Sultan faced additional charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after being implicated in a jail riot. Released briefly in February, he was rearrested two days later on fresh charges. Fortunately, Sultan has been released once again this week, although with strict bail conditions limiting his communication. The situation for…

The United States faces a growing threat from extremist movements in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as highlighted in a recent study. The group, made up of former senior US policymakers, emphasized the need for the US to move on from the trauma of two decades of war and refocus efforts on counterterrorism. While the study does not advocate for a return to America’s longest war, it urges decision-makers to address the rising threats posed by extremist groups in the region. Extremist movements like the Islamic State of Khorasan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are gaining strength and posing a danger to US and…

A shocking revelation was made in Vancouver as a fourth Indian national was charged with the 2023 murder of separatist Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Amandeep Singh, already in custody for gun charges, now faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. This incident led to a diplomatic clash between Canada and India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at Indian intelligence involvement in the killing. Nijjar, who advocated for the creation of a separate Sikh state called Khalistan, was shot dead in a Sikh temple parking lot. Trudeau later confirmed allegations linking Indian intelligence to the assassination.…

Activists in their 80s Charged After Glueing Themselves to Magna Carta Display In a bold protest at the British Library, two elderly activists, Anglican priest Sue Parfitt, 82, and retired teacher Judy Bruce, 85, glued themselves to the glass case containing the historic Magna Carta document. They held up a sign declaring “The government is breaking the law,” before being charged with criminal damage and released on bail by London’s Metropolitan police. Fortunately, the damage to the glass case was deemed minimal, and the Magna Carta itself remains intact. However, the gallery housing the display will remain closed until further…