Iran’s new supreme leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in his first statement since taking office.
The message, broadcast on Iranian state television and read by a news anchor rather than delivered in person, warned that Tehran would use the blockade of the world’s busiest oil shipping route as leverage against its adversaries.
Khamenei also pledged to “avenge the blood” of Iranians killed during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, while cautioning neighbouring countries against hosting US military bases.
He assumed power on March 8, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the war. Iranian reports say the younger Khamenei was lightly injured in the same strike that reportedly killed several members of his family.
Netanyahu says Israel ‘stronger than ever’ amid war with Iran
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister has declared that Israel is “becoming stronger than ever” as the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran continues.
Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said Israeli strikes had killed leading Iranian nuclear scientists and inflicted severe damage on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia units.
The Israeli leader also dismissed Iran’s new supreme leader as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards”, claiming Tehran’s military infrastructure had been severely weakened by the attacks.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s party wins Nepal election
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has secured a landslide victory in Nepal’s parliamentary elections, positioning rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah to become the country’s next leader.
The party won 182 seats in parliament, falling just short of the two-thirds majority needed to dominate the lower house, while the Nepali Congress finished second with 38 seats.
The result marks the biggest electoral victory for a single party in Nepal in decades and reflects strong support among younger voters following last year’s protests that toppled the previous government.
Israeli strikes on central Beirut escalate Lebanon conflict
Israeli forces have launched new air strikes on central Beirut, targeting the Bashoura neighbourhood and areas in the city’s southern suburbs.
The attacks mark a major escalation in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah after nearly two weeks of heavy bombardment across Lebanon.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least 687 people have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded since the fighting intensified, while over 800,000 residents have been displaced by the violence.
Iran warns Trump against escalating war
Iran has warned the United States against expanding the war after Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s electricity infrastructure.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said any such attack could plunge the region into darkness and put US troops at risk.
His comments come as Washington claims it has significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities during the conflict.
AFRICA
Chinese national arrested for attempting to smuggle queen ants from Kenya
Kenyan authorities have arrested a Chinese national accused of attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 queen garden ants out of the country.
The suspect, Zhang Kequn, was intercepted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with the insects hidden in his luggage.
Investigators believe he may be linked to a wider trafficking network involved in the illegal trade of protected species.
Somalia warns against Israeli military base in Somaliland
The government of Somalia has warned that its territory must not be used for foreign military operations following reports that Israel may seek to establish a base in the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, said such a move could further destabilise the Horn of Africa.
Reports suggested the potential base could be located near the strategic port city of Berbera along the Gulf of Aden.
South Africa summons US ambassador over remarks
The government of South Africa has summoned the US ambassador following what it described as “undiplomatic remarks”.
Foreign minister Ronald Lamola said the envoy, Leo Brent Bozell III, had been called to explain comments that have heightened tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated amid disputes over trade tariffs and allegations from the Trump administration regarding discrimination against white Afrikaners.
Landslides and floods kill at least 64 in Ethiopia
At least 64 people have died following landslides and severe flooding in southern Ethiopia.
Authorities said more than 120 people remain missing after heavy rains triggered the disaster in the Gamo Zone.
Rescue workers have managed to pull at least one survivor from the mud as search operations continue.
Senegal parliament passes tougher anti-gay law
Lawmakers in Senegal have approved legislation that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to ten years and criminalises the “promotion” of homosexuality.
The bill, backed by president Bassirou Diomaye Faye and prime minister Ousmane Sonko, passed overwhelmingly in parliament.
Human rights organisations and the UN have raised concerns, warning that the law could increase discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.
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