Story Highlights
Tehran’s Retaliation and Israel Conflict
Last weekend, Tehran retaliated against a Damascus strike by launching an unprecedented attack on Israel. This came after a senior Iranian military official and eight others were killed in a strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. Iran blamed Israel for the attack and cited it as the reason for their retaliation.
During the early hours of Friday, Iranian state media reported a series of explosions resulting from air defenses hitting three drones over Isfahan in central Iran. The incident was referred to as an attack by “infiltrators”, shifting the blame away from Israel.
Maldives Political Landscape
In a significant development for Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, his People’s National Congress (PNC) secured a two-thirds majority in the country’s parliament. This victory has shifted the balance of power in Male, with the ruling alliance now having a parliamentary majority.
- PNC: 66 seats
- MDP: 11 seats
- Independent: 6 seats
- MDA: 2 seats
- JP, AP, MNP: 1 seat each
Ecuador’s Fight Against Gang-Related Crime
Ecuadorans participated in a referendum to vote on proposed measures to combat gang-related crime. The country has been experiencing a surge in violence, attributed to gangs with connections to transnational cartels using its ports for drug trafficking.
Philippines’ Strategic Move with India
Manila received the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India, marking a strategic development amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. This delivery is part of a significant deal between New Delhi and Manila to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
Beijing Half Marathon Controversy
In a controversial turn of events, the top four finishers of the Beijing Half Marathon were stripped of their medals after an investigation revealed that three African runners deliberately slowed down to let a Chinese competitor win. The incident sparked a debate on sportsmanship and fair play.