The economic fallout from the war in the Middle East is being felt worldwide, from soaring heating oil bills in Yorkshire to school closures in Pakistan. Tehran's retaliation, designed to trigger economic disruption and damage, is proving not fleeting but highly uneven in its impact.
Prominent Iranian footballer Sardar Azmoun has been expelled from the national team for actions perceived as disloyalty to the government, according to Iranian media reports. Azmoun reportedly angered authorities by posting a picture on Instagram of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This act was condemned as a breach of allegiance to the Iranian leadership amid ongoing regional tensions.
A federal arts commission, whose members were all appointed by Donald Trump, has unanimously approved the design of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing the US president's own image. The coin is intended to mark the United States' 250th anniversary.
The exchange of missile strikes between Israel and Iran continued overnight, with Israeli military forces allegedly targeting unspecified infrastructure sites across the Iranian capital, Tehran. In a move purportedly aimed at de-escalation, the Israeli government announced it would refrain from further attacks on the critical South Pars natural gas field, following a request from US President Donald Trump. This decision comes amid growing concerns about the regional conflict expanding beyond the immediate belligerents.
The United States Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency, has approved plans for a commemorative gold coin featuring a portrait of former President Donald Trump. The commission, composed largely of Trump appointees, voted unanimously in favor of minting the coin on Thursday. However, federal law prohibits the depiction of living presidents on U.S. currency. Commission members argued that the coin, as a commemorative item, may sidestep this rule, but critics have denounced it as unlawful and inappropriate for a sitting leader, highlighting ongoing legal and ethical debates.
Mexican authorities have announced that 11 people were killed during a raid that resulted in the capture of Omar Oswaldo Torres, known as 'El Patas', the leader of the Los Mayos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The operation took place in Culiacan, part of the northern state of Sinaloa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “acted alone” in striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, part of the world’s largest natural gas reservoir. This declaration comes amid escalating tensions over attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East, highlighting fractures in the supposed unity between Israel and its Western allies.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals board ruled that Senegal forfeited the Africa Cup of Nations final held in January by leaving the field without the referee's authorization, awarding Morocco a default 3-0 win. This decision, made two months after Senegal's 1-0 extra-time victory, stunned football fans and sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Israel's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, now in its third year, has resulted in further casualties with at least three Palestinians killed in Israeli drone strikes. The attacks targeted the Zeitoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, where two individuals lost their lives.
A coalition of 23 US states, led by California and New York, has filed a legal petition challenging the decision by the administration of former President Donald Trump to revoke a scientific determination that climate change poses a threat to human health and the environment. The petition was submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Thursday.
A United States F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at an airbase in the Middle East after conducting a combat mission over Iran, according to US military officials. The aircraft landed safely on Thursday, and the pilot is in stable condition, stated Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Hawkins said in a statement: “We are aware of reports that a US F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional US airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation.”
The US State Department has approved a $16.5 billion arms sale deal to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan, as tensions with Iran continue to intensify. According to a statement from the department, $8.4 billion is allocated to the UAE for drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft.