Samir Haddad

The United States launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran on Sunday evening, marking a significant escalation in ongoing hostilities that have cast doubt on the future of a June interim ceasefire agreement. The exchange of fire follows conflicting claims regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway through … Read more

In one of the largest drug seizures in South African history, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted a consignment of methaqualone valued at nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge port of entry. The substance, which is a key ingredient in the production of Mandrax tablets, was discovered following an intelligence-driven operation coordinated by the … Read more

Global Muslim demographics include an estimated 2 billion adherents, comprising approximately 26% of the world’s population. While the religion originated in 610 CE, modern reporting indicates Muslims face varying levels of persecution, occurring alongside Islam’s status as the world’s fastest-growing religion. Global Population and Regional Distribution The Muslim population is currently estimated at 2 billion … Read more

United States President Donald Trump announced on Friday, July 10, 2026, that Washington has agreed to a request from Iran to continue negotiations, even as he declared the June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU) “OVER.” The announcement follows two days of escalating military exchanges between the two nations, centered on control of the vital Strait … Read more

Singapore-Led Resolution on Navigational Rights and Maritime Security According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the initiative was co-sponsored by 30 nations, including Indonesia and Malaysia, signaling a broad regional consensus on the necessity of maintaining predictable sea lanes. The resolution also reiterates the importance of complying with regulations and standards adopted … Read more

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Auckland International Airport at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Friday, marking the first official visit by an Indian leader to New Zealand in 40 years. Arriving directly from Australia aboard his Boeing 777, designated “India One,” Modi was greeted on the tarmac by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and senior … Read more

Fiji’s Constitutional Review Commission is currently weighing a contentious proposal from the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to reserve the term Fijian exclusively for indigenous citizens. The debate, which pits competing visions of national identity against one another, has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and civil society groups alike. The Great Council of Chiefs … Read more

Anti-immigrant protest groups have begun conducting door-to-door searches in Johannesburg townships, including Alexandra and Soweto, to identify and remove undocumented foreign nationals. Following an informal June 30 deadline for migrants to leave South Africa, these groups have increasingly seized individuals and handed them to local police, heightening regional tensions and sparking mass repatriation efforts. Protesters … Read more

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday following a surge in deadly Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. Rosemary DiCarlo, the chief of UN political and peacebuilding affairs, told the meeting that the Security Council must use every tool and diplomatic channel to reach an urgent de-escalation amid the escalating … Read more

On May 1, 2026, the European Union and the Mercosur bloc officially began provisional application of a historic free trade agreement, creating the world’s largest free trade zone. This deal, which covers approximately 720 million consumers, aims to reduce trade barriers and strengthen economic resilience amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics. The European Union and Mercosur … Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for refusing to support Washington during the Iran conflict, calling her a nice person but claiming she made a mistake in their relationship. Trump’s Personal Attacks on Meloni Escalate Tensions At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump accused Meloni of refusing to get involved in … Read more

On July 6, 2026, Hamas announced the dissolution of its government in Gaza, transferring authority to a Palestinian technocratic committee as part of a U.S.-backed peace plan. The move, which follows a stalled ceasefire agreement, aims to facilitate a transition to civilian rule but faces immediate challenges, including Israeli restrictions on the new administration’s entry … Read more