World

The ambiguity surrounding the war aims of the United States and Israel in their strikes against Iran is hindering the actions of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, according to Kurdish analysts speaking to Al Jazeera. Former US President Donald Trump's calls for Iranians to overthrow their government and Washington's purported justifications, allegedly pressured by Israel, have left US plans unclear, creating uncertainty among potential allies.

New claims about Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti emerged just before his 551st birthday anniversary. Independent researcher Valentina Salerno presented a theory that the master hid his artworks in a secret room before his death, leaving keys with trusted friends. She also attributed a marble bust of Christ in a minor Roman church to him, based on archival research she conducted over the past decade.

The Kremlin has stated that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has prompted a significant increase in demand for Russian energy products. This announcement came a day after the U.S. Treasury issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that Russia has been and remains a reliable supplier of oil and gas, including pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas, and is capable of guaranteeing the continuity of all deliveries under concluded contracts.

As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies, the European Union (EU) is facing growing scrutiny over its fragmented and ineffective response. The EU, its key member states, and the United Kingdom have called for adherence to international law and condemned the Iranian government. However, European powers have so far failed to articulate a coherent common approach, appearing divided, sidelined, and ineffectual as a major crisis unfolds in the Middle East with potential global ramifications.

German voters are deeply concerned about the global ramifications of the massive US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the situation in the Middle East, according to the latest ARD Deutschlandtrend survey. Three-quarters of respondents stated they feel threatened by the global situation and are very worried, highlighting the widespread anxiety within German society over escalating international tensions.

Thandi Jolingana, a 46-year-old resident of the 'Taiwan' informal settlement in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township, beams with pride as she shows off the bathroom she built in her corrugated iron shack, after her husband was robbed at gunpoint while using a communal toilet one night. Her home is located on the edge of Khayelitsha, where a private toilet is considered a luxury.

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Spain for refusing to provide military bases for operations against Iran and for its reluctance to increase defense spending within NATO. He made these remarks in an interview with the New York Post, highlighting growing friction within the transatlantic alliance.

The US regime has granted India a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil, marking a surprising policy shift less than a month after India agreed to halt such imports as part of a trade deal with Washington. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on social media that this decision is linked to expectations that New Delhi will increase purchases of US oil, and that this temporary measure allegedly aims to alleviate pressure caused by Iran's purported attempt to hold global energy hostage.

Iranian authorities are reportedly storing tens of thousands of Shahed drones in underground production facilities, as shown in recently released footage, signaling long-term deployment plans. These drones have been deployed this week in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting an expanding conflict in the region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the US-Israeli war on Iran has prompted a significant increase in demand for Russian energy resources. This statement came a day after the US Treasury issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. Peskov emphasized that Russia has been and remains a reliable supplier of oil and gas, including pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas, and is capable of guaranteeing the continuity of deliveries under existing contracts.

Israel is implementing military tactics in Lebanon that mirror its operations in Gaza, a strategy described as the 'Gaza playbook' by the humanitarian group Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The organization warned on Friday that Israel's bombings and forced displacement orders for all of southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut are instilling widespread fear among civilians. MAP CEO Steve Cutts stated that these actions include collective punishment, forced displacement, and the deliberate terrorizing of civilian populations, including already traumatized Palestinian communities.

Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that any deal with Iran must result in the country's "unconditional surrender," setting maximalist war objectives for the United States. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, he issued this demand, rejecting the prospect of compromise amid Iranian confirmation of diplomatic mediation to end the conflict. Trump's remarks represent a hardline stance aimed at establishing complete Washington dominance over Tehran.