Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as his representative in Lebanon, responsible for religious and non-litigious affairs. Qassem succeeds Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Hezbollah, part of Iran's "axis of resistance," delayed public commemorations for Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine until a February 23 funeral due to security concerns amid recent Israel-Lebanon tensions.
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Taiwan detected six Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels operating around the island within a 24-hour period. Three aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's ADIZ. This heightened activity continues to raise tensions and concerns over regional stability as China asserts its claims over Taiwan.
The Heritage Foundation urges President Trump to release Prince Harry's immigration file after he admitted to drug use in his memoir. The foundation questions whether Harry may have been dishonest about his drug history during his visa application, seeking transparency and accountability.
Turkey has threatened a military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they agree to specific conditions for a peaceful transition post-Assad. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan demanded the withdrawal of fighters linked to the PKK and signaled readiness for action if the demands aren't met.
Director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard admitted that a reporter was mistakenly included in a high-level Signal chat about planned strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, but no classified information was shared. Conflicting accounts emerged about the information's classification, raising national security concerns. CIA director John Ratcliffe and Gabbard testified before the House Intelligence Committee as the investigation continued.
SpaceX’s seventh Starship test flight on Thursday achieved a significant milestone as the Super Heavy booster was successfully caught by robotic arms. However, the spacecraft’s engines failed mid-flight, and contact was lost 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
Susie Wiles, the first female White House Chief of Staff, emphasizes her role in ensuring smooth operations during Donald Trump’s second administration. Highlighting key priorities such as trade discussions, economic rebuilding, and international peace efforts, Wiles reflects on her long-standing dynamic with Trump and their focus on impactful governance.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont led a mission to India, aiming to enhance trade ties and attract investments. The delegation engaged industry leaders and government officials in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, discussing collaborations in technology, biosciences, and financial services, and signed an MoU with Tamil Nadu to expand cooperation.
France, Germany, Italy, and the UK support a $53 billion Arab-backed plan for Gaza's reconstruction. The plan, endorsed by Arab leaders, includes three phases over five years, emphasizing housing and infrastructure. The European countries advocate for the Palestinian Authority's role and the removal of Hamas from governance.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty for violent criminals upon his inauguration. This move comes in reaction to President Joe Biden's recent commutation of 37 death row inmates' sentences, a decision that has deeply distressed victims' families and invited criticism from the Republicans.
A new generation of Africans is increasing pressure on Western museums to return looted artefacts, reflecting growing awareness and changing attitudes, says Unesco's Ernesto Ottone. While countries like France and Britain hold vast collections of stolen cultural heritage, restitution efforts remain complex, often requiring bespoke laws. Some items, like Benin bronzes and Madagascar's royal crown, have been loaned, but widespread returns face legal and political resistance, stalling progress.