The Pakistani government has mediated a two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran. This deal is being hailed as a major achievement for Islamabad on the international stage, but what comes next in negotiations is likely to be even more complicated.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the sole European leader at the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump for his second term, having been dubbed the "chosen one" by Trump to supposedly "straighten out the world." She positioned herself as the only European capable of de-escalating Trump's trade wars, but the US-Israeli war on Iran has severely tested this cozy relationship.
Several Gulf nations have reported missile and drone attacks on their territories, occurring just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated on Wednesday that its air defences were actively engaging incoming projectiles from Iran, with explosions heard across the country due to interceptions of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The UAE’s Defence Ministry emphasized in a statement: “The air defences are currently dealing with missiles and drones coming from Iran.”
Uzbekistan Welcomes Ceasefire and Truce Announcement in the Middle East
A two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran has been brokered by Pakistan, temporarily halting 40 days of US-Israeli attacks and Iranian retaliatory strikes that had pushed the Middle East to the brink of a wider conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the cessation of hostilities on X, stating, “Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability.”
In the race for clicks, likes, and followers, some travel influencers are facing criticism for promoting Afghanistan while overlooking the harsh realities of Taliban rule. Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are increasingly filled with videos from creators who visit Taliban-controlled Afghanistan under sensational headlines such as "The most dangerous country in the world," often disregarding official travel warnings.
In October 1965, the Indonesian army and its allies killed, tortured, and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of Indonesians suspected of communist sympathies, many of Chinese descent. However, historian Geoffrey B. Robinson argues that the violence would never have reached such a scale without active encouragement from Western powers, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Celebrations have erupted in Tehran following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which will allow for the initiation of peace negotiations. The temporary cessation of hostilities comes into effect, with talks scheduled to begin on Friday in Pakistan, after US President Donald Trump declared he would suspend military operations if Tehran fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign minister confirmed that safe passage through this critical waterway will be coordinated with Iranian armed forces during the two-week period.
Military clashes between Iran and the United States, which lasted for 40 days, have been suspended through a two-week ceasefire agreement. Under the terms, combat operations will halt, and the vital Strait of Hormuz—a waterway through which 20% of global oil flows—will be opened for safe passage for a period of two weeks.
Mircea Lucescu, a towering figure in Romanian football who won numerous trophies as both a player and coach, has died at the age of 80. His death was confirmed by the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he was admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning. In a statement, the hospital said: "Mr Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984. Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Wednesday that it supports US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks. However, the ceasefire regime does not extend to Lebanon, highlighting ongoing regional instability and the selective nature of the agreement.
Mukalla, Yemen – Mohammed Salem heads out every morning for his job as a teacher at a government-run school. But once his shift ends there, he goes to a private school where he also teaches. After a brief stop home for lunch, Mohammed is off to his third job, at a hotel, where he works for the rest of the day.