Category: News

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed launching a retaliatory missile strike on the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in response to the recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The operation, codenamed “Annunciation of Victory”, was reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Monday. Eyewitnesses in Doha reported loud explosions and visible flares in the sky, indicating the activation of air defence systems. Qatar’s Defence Ministry announced that its forces successfully intercepted the incoming projectiles, preventing any casualties or major damage. The ministry credited the interception to “the vigilance of the armed forces and precautionary measures taken.” While Iran has vowed a broad response to the US-Israeli strikes that targeted its Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, the scale and intent of Monday’s attack remain unclear. “This may be just the beginning of Iran’s retaliation,” said Al Jazeera’s Tehran correspondent Ali Hashem, noting uncertainty around whether this would escalate into a broader confrontation or remain a symbolic act. Analysts speculate the attack may have been choreographed to avoid escalation, potentially mirroring Iran’s restrained retaliation in 2020 after the US assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. However, officials have not confirmed such coordination, and the situation remains volatile, with fears growing that the Gulf could become another active theatre in the widening regional conflict.

Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced a formal ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, marking what he called the official end to the 12-day war that has rocked the Middle East. In a dramatic statement posted Monday evening, Trump declared that both nations had agreed to halt all hostilities in a staggered 24-hour ceasefire window, beginning in approximately six hours. According to the announcement, Iran will initiate a 12-hour ceasefire first, allowing time for both sides to conclude ongoing military operations. Following that, Israel will implement its own 12-hour ceasefire, after which the war will be officially considered over. Trump hailed the deal as a significant achievement and praised the “Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” of both countries for averting a prolonged regional conflict. “This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will,” Trump said in the message, which bore his signature and title: President of the United States of America. While it was not immediately clear whether the announcement was officially endorsed by either government, Trump presented the ceasefire as a done deal and called on the world to recognize the end of the hostilities. The surprise ceasefire comes after nearly two weeks of heavy bombardment, cyberattacks, and retaliatory strikes between the two regional adversaries. Trump ended his message with a sweeping appeal for unity and peace, invoking divine blessings on Israel, Iran, the Middle East, and the world. Observers are now waiting to see if the ceasefire terms hold and whether official statements from Tehran and Tel Aviv confirm the conclusion of the conflict.

Tehran, Iran – Iran has vowed a decisive response to the United States following Sunday’s airstrikes on its Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. As tensions spike in the region, Iran launched a fresh wave of drone and missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in Ashdod, Lachish, and several other areas. Iran’s military leaders say the US has now fully entered the conflict. General Abdolrahim Mousavi accused Washington of violating Iran’s sovereignty and warned of further retaliation. Meanwhile, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s retaliatory efforts, said the attacks on Iran were designed to prop up a “dying Zionist regime,” adding that Tehran will expand its range of legitimate targets. Israel responded with extensive air raids across Iran, striking airports, missile storage sites, and even central Tehran. Key sites hit included Mehrabad Airport, parts of Shahid Beheshti University, and a technical facility used for live TV broadcasting. Over 400 Iranians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the escalating conflict, according to Iran’s health ministry. Following US President Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear sites were “obliterated,” Iranian officials warned they may target American military bases and are debating exiting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Lawmakers have signalled support for suspending ties with the IAEA, pending a decision by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Nigeria has been ranked the 7th friendliest country to strangers in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and Gallup. The report assesses 147 countries based on overall life satisfaction and prosocial behaviours, such as volunteering, helping others, and charitable giving. Despite its strong showing in informal generosity, Nigeria ranked 105th overall in happiness, indicating low levels of life satisfaction due to poor institutional trust, economic challenges, and systemic shortcomings. The report pointed out a common pattern in several African countries: a wide gap between spontaneous personal kindness and confidence in public systems. Data on trust showed Nigeria ranking 33rd in likelihood of a lost wallet being returned by a stranger, but falling to 71st if found by a neighbour, and a dismal 126th if found by the police. The report concluded that in countries with fragile institutions, “helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence.” Nigeria also placed 45th globally in charitable donations, reflecting a strong culture of direct, person-to-person support over structured giving through institutions. Other countries with similar patterns of informal generosity include Jamaica, Liberia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Venezuela, all of which made the top 10 for friendliness to strangers.