Breakfast News Recap: Iran stages Khamenei funeral as Ukraine, West Bank and heatwave crises deepen
Iran has begun funeral ceremonies in Tehran for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with state media presenting the days of mourning as a display of national unity after his death in US Israeli airstrikes. Crowds gathered at the Grand Mosalla complex as authorities opened a week of public rites. đź”—In Ukraine, a Russian glide bomb struck the centre of Sumy, killing at least four people, including a child, and injuring 27 more, in one of the latest attacks to hit the north of the country. đź”—Across the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers have intensified attacks on Palestinian communities, damaging electricity... [Continue Reading]
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Iran begins days-long funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran
Iran has begun days-long funeral ceremonies in Tehran for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing large crowds to the Grand Mosalla mosque complex. State television said the ceremonies officially started on Saturday, with mourners gathering from early morning to pay their respects. The event is being presented by Iranian officials and state media as a display of national unity and strength at a sensitive moment for the country.Authorities unveiled the casket containing Khamenei's body at the Grand Mosalla, where people were seen weeping, chanting and holding posters of the former leader. Reports from the scene said thousands of... [Continue Reading]
Iran begins six-day funeral programme for Ali Khamenei as a display of power
Iranian authorities are beginning a six-day public funeral programme for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, presenting the ceremonies as a show of national unity and strength. The public events are due to start on Saturday in Tehran, where officials say they expect what they describe as the largest gathering in the city's history. The funeral was delayed by the conflict in the Middle East and announced only after a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran took effect.According to officials cited in the supplied material, the programme is intended to reinforce cohesion across political, social and religious groups. Tehran's acting... [Continue Reading]
Iran begins week-long state funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran
Iran has begun week-long state funeral ceremonies in Tehran for its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after his death in US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February. The body is to lie in state before a procession through Tehran, Qom and Iraq's Karbala, ahead of burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Authorities have urged citizens, government officials and members of paramilitary groups to take part in the mourning events.President Masoud Pezeshkian has called the funeral the start of a new chapter of national unity, urging what he described as massive public participation. He said the ceremonies should demonstrate Iran's resilience... [Continue Reading]
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Iran begins week of funeral ceremonies for slain Supreme Leader Khamenei
Iran has begun a week of funeral ceremonies in Tehran for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose body lay in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex on Friday. Black-clad mourners carried his coffin through the capital as top Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries gathered to pay their respects. The ceremonies mark the start of public mourning for a leader who headed the Islamic Republic for more than three decades.State television showed President Masoud Pezeshkian at the coffin, alongside parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ahmad Vahidi, described as head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also appeared... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran funeral, Ukraine strikes and Hormuz shipping disruption dominate a tense day
Iran began a week of public mourning and funeral ceremonies in Tehran for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with thousands of mourners, senior clerics and foreign dignitaries gathering as the city was heavily fortified. India sent an official delegation, while Western nations were absent from the ceremonies. đź”— đź”— đź”—Satellite imagery has shown damage at a range of Iranian military and nuclear sites after US and Israeli strikes, adding to the pressure on Tehran as it also said Israel had once considered targeting its negotiators during ceasefire talks. Iran is also preparing to host dozens of foreign leaders for... [Continue Reading]
Merz defends Germany's NATO spending as Trump renews criticism ahead of Ankara summit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended Germany's NATO defence spending after Donald Trump renewed his criticism of alliance members' contributions. The exchange comes days before NATO leaders are due to meet in Ankara next week. Trump described the spending balance as "ridiculous" and "one-sided" in posts earlier this week, while Merz said Germany would double its defence budget within four years.Merz said the planned increase would amount to the greatest effort Germany has ever made to strengthen its defence capabilities. He added that Germany had "no reason to shy away from anyone" and said the country was acting with responsibility... [Continue Reading]
Iran begins state funeral in Tehran for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as foreign dignitaries attend
Thousands of mourners, senior clerics and foreign dignitaries gathered in Tehran on Friday as Iran began a week-long state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ceremonies are taking place across Iran and Iraq and were presented by Tehran as a display of national unity after Khamenei's 37-year rule ended with his death in US-Israeli airstrikes. The funeral marks the start of a sequence of processions that officials say will continue for a week.Late on Thursday, Khamenei's coffin was unveiled before a large crowd of supporters who chanted, wept and beat their heads in rhythm with mourning hymns, according to the... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Kyiv death toll climbs as Hormuz shipping stays tense and Iran mourns Khamenei
Ukraine said the death toll from Russia’s massive barrage on Kyiv has risen to at least 30, making it the deadliest attack on the capital this year. Officials said three more bodies were recovered as rescue work continued after the strike. 🔗In the Middle East, Iran warned ships in the Strait of Hormuz against using unapproved routes, saying any breach could bring an immediate and forceful response. Reporting from the waterway said shipping remains disrupted despite a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with dozens of boats still waiting offshore. 🔗 🔗Iran is also in days of public... [Continue Reading]
Damascus cafe blast kills nine as authorities say explosive device was planted
A bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus has killed at least nine people and injured 22 others, according to Syrian state media. The explosion happened near the Palace of Justice in the capital's Hejaz district, placing it in one of the city's busiest central areas. Officials said an explosive device had been planted inside the cafe.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. The interior ministry said the device was placed inside the venue, which is about 100 metres from the Palace of Justice. Graphic footage posted on social media showed people lying motionless on... [Continue Reading]
Iran begins public mourning and funeral processions for former Supreme Leader in Tehran
Iran has begun several days of public mourning and funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the main ceremonies centred on Tehran. His body is due to lie in state at the Grand Mosalla for three days before burial in his hometown of Mashhad next Thursday. Officials have said the funeral could draw up to 20 million mourners, and authorities have already ordered office closures and traffic restrictions in the capital.The official funeral ceremony is scheduled for Saturday in Tehran, while the airspace over the city will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on... [Continue Reading]
WHO begins Ebola treatment trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The World Health Organization has announced the start of a clinical trial of two potential Ebola treatments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the country continues to battle an outbreak that has also spread to Uganda. The first patient has been enrolled in the trial, according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The trial is focused on the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.Tedros said the enrolment marked the beginning of the trial, which is being sponsored by the WHO and coordinated by scientists at the National Biomedical Research Institute in... [Continue Reading]
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Russia's petrol crisis worsens as citizens feel the impact of the war in Ukraine
Russia is facing a worsening petrol crisis that is increasingly being felt by ordinary citizens, according to the supplied report. The situation is described as a fresh development in the country's domestic fuel market, with the effects now reaching consumers more directly. The incident is taking place in Russia and is linked in the report to Moscow's war in Ukraine.The available material confirms that the report was published on 2 July 2026 at 06:00 UTC. It does not provide a detailed breakdown of affected regions, fuel grades, or official figures, but it clearly frames the problem as a deterioration rather... [Continue Reading]
Senegal to hold referendum after parliament backs constitutional reform
Senegal's president is set to call a referendum after the National Assembly overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that would shift the balance of power between the executive and parliament. The vote took place on Monday in a tense atmosphere outside and inside the chamber, with opposition protesters trying to force their way into the building and police using tear gas during scuffles. The reform was proposed by the ruling Pastef party and is now headed for a national vote.Justice Minister Moussa Sarr told lawmakers that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had decided to inform the speaker of the National Assembly that... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
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WAR CRIMES OR HUMANITY ON LIFE SUPPORT?
The Thin, Bloody Line Between Justice and Jungle Rule IS KILLING WITHOUT MERCY NOW LEGAL? By Anthony Sterling In September 2025, the United States military launched what became known as Operation Southern Spear, a lethal campaign targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters. The stated objective was to combat narco trafficking networks operating beyond territorial jurisdiction. The ethical shock came on 2 September 2025, when a double strike in the Caribbean left survivors clinging to wreckage for nearly an hour. Drone footage reportedly showed two individuals waving from debris after the first impact. Instead of rescue, three additional munitions... [Continue Reading]
Navigating the Perils of Information in a Global Age
Navigating the Perils of Information in a Global Age In today’s world, where information flows ceaselessly and unchecked, the stakes for migrants have never been higher. Critical thinking is not just a skill, it’s a lifeline. The ability to sift fact from fiction, especially in matters as consequential as migration, is essential for individuals, communities, and the institutions that serve them. The migration landscape is uniquely vulnerable to the hazards of mis-, dis-, and mal-information, collectively known as MDM. The consequences of inaccurate or misleading information can ripple far beyond the individual, affecting entire communities and the systems that govern... [Continue Reading]





