Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed
Iran's newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed in his first statement since taking office.
The message, which aired on Iranian state television and was 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 warning neighboring 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 early stages of the war. Iranian reports said the younger Khamenei was slightly injured in the same attack that reportedly killed several members of his family.
Netanyahu says Israel 'stronger than ever' amid war with Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is “coming stronger than ever” as the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran continues.
Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said the Israeli strikes killed key Iranian nuclear scientists and caused serious damage to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia units.
The Israeli leader dismissed Iran's new supreme leader as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards”, claiming that Tehran's military infrastructure had been severely weakened by the attacks.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's party has won the Nepal elections.
The Rashtriya Swatantra Party has won a landslide victory in Nepal's parliamentary elections, making rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah the country's next leader.
The party won 182 seats in Parliament, slightly short of the two-thirds majority required for dominance in the lower house, while the Nepali Congress came in second place with 38 seats.
The result marks the largest electoral victory for a single party in Nepal in decades and reflects strong support among young voters after last year's protests that toppled the previous government.
Israeli attacks on central Beirut escalate conflict in Lebanon
The Israeli military has launched new airstrikes on central Beirut, targeting the Beshoura neighborhood and areas in the city's southern suburbs.
The strikes mark a major escalation in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah after nearly two weeks of heavy bombardment across Lebanon.
At least 687 people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured since fighting intensified, according to Lebanese officials, while more than 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 power infrastructure.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said any such attack could plunge the region into darkness and endanger US troops.
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 for attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 queen garden ants out of the country.
The suspect, Zhang Kekun, was caught at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with the insects hidden in his luggage.
Investigators believe he may be linked to an extensive trafficking network involved in the illegal trade of protected species.
Somalia warns against Israeli military base in Somaliland
Somalia's government has warned that its territory should 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 minister of state for foreign affairs, said such a move could further destabilize the Horn of Africa.
Reports have revealed that the potential base could be located near the strategic port city of Berbera along the Gulf of Aden.
South Africa summons US ambassador over comments
South Africa's government has summoned the US ambassador after “undiplomatic comments”.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said envoy Leo Brent Bozell III had been summoned to clarify the comments, which have escalated tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated amid disputes over trade tariffs and allegations by the Trump administration of discrimination against white Africans.
At least 64 people killed in landslides and floods in Ethiopia
At least 64 people have died due to landslides and severe floods in southern Ethiopia.
Officials said more than 120 people are missing after the disaster caused by heavy rains in Gamow zone.
Rescue workers managed to pull out at least one survivor from the mud as the search operation continued.
Senegalese parliament passes tough anti-gay law
Lawmakers in Senegal have approved legislation that doubles the maximum prison sentence for gay relationships to ten years and criminalizes the “propaganda” of homosexuality.
The bill, supported by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, passed parliament with an overwhelming majority.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have expressed concern, warning that the law could increase discrimination and violence against sexual minorities.
