A sudden shift at the top of Iran’s government has sparked a scramble among its elite. In early March, after the death of the long‑time Supreme Leader in an airstrike, a son named Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to fill the vacuum. The selection process was far from a simple succession; it read more lik
In Maine, a new referendum will let voters decide whether girls’ school sports teams must stay separate from boys and transgender athletes. Organizers gathered over 71, 000 signatures, more than the required 67, 682, so the proposal is set for the November ballot. If it passes, schools would have to
Iranian sports stars who left their country face sudden upheaval. One former futsal player, after being photographed playing with men and without a hijab in Switzerland, learned she could no longer return home. She lost family ties, safety and even her pet, and now lives in a new country where she m
In the United States, people who say they have no religious affiliation—often called “nones”—now outnumber Catholics and trail Protestants by only a few points. Although many of these nones still believe in God, they differ from traditional churchgoers in ways that can affect society. Studies show t
Israel has been dropping bombs on Lebanese towns since rockets began coming from the south. The strikes have hit homes, shelters for refugees and even a medical centre. Over 800 people in Lebanon have died and more than a million were forced to leave their houses, according to local officials.
The Novosibirsk region in Russia has declared a state of emergency to control an outbreak of cattle disease. Authorities say five cases of pasteurellosis and 42 rabies incidents were found, prompting the removal of many farm animals. Farmers argue that pasteurellosis can be treated with antibiotics
A court in Brussels has decided that a former Belgian diplomat must stand trial for his role in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first prime minister. The case is a final effort to clarify the unclear events that led to Lumumba’s death, which remains controversial decades later. Lumumb
In recent weeks, tensions have risen sharply between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Taliban government accused Islamabad of attacking a drug rehabilitation center, an allegation that Pakistan has firmly denied. This clash comes at a time when both sides fear a sudden escalation of violence, so u
The mayor is eyeing the council’s finance chief for a new role, stirring friction during budget talks. The move comes as the city’s leaders are already at odds over spending plans. By hiring the finance chief, the mayor could add a new layer of strain to an already tense relationship. The c
Britain, Finland and the Netherlands are thinking about working together to buy weapons and equipment. They want to split costs so each country spends less while getting better gear. The idea is part of a bigger plan that could start by 2027. The three governments are not the only ones involved. Ot
