Author: Onu Akter

Iran and France are reportedly nearing an agreement on a prisoner exchange that could include the release of an Iranian woman detained in France over her online posts linked to the Gaza conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said late Thursday that Mahdieh Esfandiari is expected to be freed as part of the swap, which he hopes will occur “in the coming days.” Esfandiari, a translator who has lived in Lyon since 2018, was arrested in February on charges related to terrorism for posts she allegedly made on Telegram regarding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which triggered…

The United Kingdom has rolled out 100 new sanctions against Russia, focusing on revenues and military supplies. The measures, announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during her visit to Kyiv, target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers and companies providing vital equipment for its war effort. The sanctions come as Moscow escalates its assault on Ukraine. In the largest air attack of the war so far, Russian forces launched more than 800 missiles and drones in one night. Strikes in recent weeks have damaged Ukraine’s cabinet of ministers’ offices, as well as buildings linked to the British Council and…

For decades, the wealthy Gulf Arab states promoted themselves as safe havens in a turbulent region. Their cities grew into hubs of modern architecture, powered by oil wealth and millions of foreign workers seeking opportunity. That image of stability is now under strain after direct strikes by Iran and Israel on a Gulf nation this year. In June, Iran targeted an American base in Qatar after the U.S. carried out strikes on its nuclear sites. Then, earlier this week, Israel launched an attack in Doha aimed at Hamas political leaders. These incidents marked the first time Gulf territory was directly…

Canadian officials held what they described as constructive talks with their Chinese counterparts this month to address the steep duties Beijing has placed on Canadian canola. The discussions, which took place during a visit to China from September 6 to 9, were led by the premier of Saskatchewan, Canada’s largest grain-growing province, alongside federal legislator Kody Blois, who advises Prime Minister Mark Carney on agricultural policy. China, the world’s largest buyer of canola, imposed preliminary duties of 75.8 percent on Canadian canola seed imports in August. A final ruling is expected next year, but the move has already rattled Canadian…

Iran’s parliament convened an emergency session on Saturday to review the government’s new cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), intensifying a political clash in Tehran over the country’s nuclear future. The meeting, called by the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, brought together Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior lawmakers who demanded explanations on how the deal aligns with existing legislation that suspended cooperation with the agency after June’s conflict with Israel. More than sixty lawmakers backed the request for the special session, citing concerns that the government was bypassing parliament while the legislature remained in recess…

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded central London on Saturday for a rally organized by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson. Waving English and British flags, demonstrators packed the streets south of the River Thames before marching toward Westminster, home of the UK parliament. The Metropolitan Police deployed more than 1,600 officers across the capital, including 500 from outside forces, in anticipation of clashes. A counter-demonstration organized by the group Stand Up to Racism gathered nearby, reflecting deep divisions in Britain’s political and cultural debate. Robinson billed the march—called “Unite the Kingdom”—as both a free speech event and a memorial for American…

After the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump released a four-minute Oval Office statement condemning the killing as a “tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.” However, rather than calling for national unity, Trump focused exclusively on political violence targeting Republicans or acts he associates with the left. In his remarks, Trump listed assassination attempts against himself, attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the murder of a healthcare executive in New York, and the congressional baseball shooting that nearly killed Representative Steve Scalise. He attributed these acts directly to the radical left and their…

The United States is on edge following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah, prompting heightened security across the country. President Donald Trump’s teams relocated his 9/11 commemoration speech and are increasing protection measures at a planned baseball game in New York. Several universities were placed on lockdown after receiving anonymous threats. At least one high-profile political figure announced plans to carry firearms, reflecting rising concerns about public safety. Authorities continue to search for Kirk’s shooter, contributing to nationwide unease. Trump’s remarks at the Pentagon, one of the attack sites 24 years ago, were…

Nearly 300 South Korean workers detained during a large-scale US immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution battery project in Georgia returned home on Friday, September 12. The workers, many wearing face masks, disembarked a chartered flight at Incheon International Airport, where they were greeted by relatives, company representatives, and senior officials including the presidential chief of staff. Their return followed a week of tense negotiations between Seoul and Washington. The raid, which also swept up 10 Chinese nationals, three Japanese workers, and one Indonesian, shocked South Korea, a key US ally, and drew widespread outrage after…

Chinese actor Alan Yu Menglong has died at the age of 37 after falling from a building in Beijing. His management confirmed the news on Weibo on September 11, saying police had ruled out any criminal involvement. “With unbearable sorrow, we announce that our beloved Menglong fell to his death on Sept 11. Police have ruled out any criminality. We hope he rests in peace and his loved ones remain strong,” the statement read. The sudden news has stunned China’s entertainment industry and sparked an outpouring of grief among fans across Asia. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes. One…