After a 2-0 loss to the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, the Iranian team stood silent during their national anthem before their opener on Tuesdays, drawing treason accusations from state media that could mean death penalties amid Iran’s post-Khamenei chaos. Two days ago, Iranian state media branded the women “wartime traitors.” When the regime TV host vowed the football team will be punished when they return to Iran. Protesters blocked their bus, police cleared a path to the hotel, and figures J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter author has called on football associations to step in and...
Women’s Day Marches In Brazil Decry Gender-Based Violence, Fueled By Alleged Gang Rape In Copacabana
Sunday’s marches in Brazil for International Women’s Day served as a rallying cry against gender-based violence, fueled by the latest case to outrage the country involving the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Copacabana. The case in Rio de Janeiro’s famed, beachside neighborhood took place in January, but gained national traction this week when four suspects handed themselves over to authorities. Described by police as a gang rape, it has added fuel to the fire in a nation where reports of violence against women have surged in recent months, sparking nationwide protests and a flurry of digital activism....
US Begins Large Military Drill With South Korea While Waging War In The Middle East
The United States began a large military exercise with South Korea involving thousands of troops Monday while also waging an escalating war in the Middle East. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff has said about 18,000 Korean troops will take part in Freedom Shield, which runs through March 19. U.S. Forces Korea hasn’t confirmed the number of American troops participating in the training in South Korea. The allies’ combined exercise comes amid South Korean media speculation that Washington is relocating some assets from South Korea to support fighting against Iran. U.S. Forces Korea said last week it would not comment...
Oil Prices Soar After Iran Names Mojtaba Khamenei The New Supreme Leader
Iran launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf countries Monday, hours after Iranian state TV said Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the country’s late supreme leader and long considered a contender, had been named his successor. Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard answers to the supreme leader and the younger Khamenei will have a central say in the war strategy. Oil prices skyrocketed Monday, leading to more worries that higher energy costs will fuel inflation and lead to less spending by U.S. consumers, the main engine of the economy. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged as much as 7% in early Monday...
Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader
Iranian state TV early Monday said Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the country’s late supreme leader, has been named his successor. He had long been considered a contender, even before an Israeli strike killed his father at the start of the war, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position. Iran’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard answers to the supreme leader, and the younger Khamenei will have the central say in war strategy. U.S. President Donald Trump told ABC News earlier Sunday he wants a say in who comes to power once the war is over; a new leader...
Istanbul’s Mayor Goes On Trial With Some 400 Defendants In Corruption Case
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is standing trial on Monday with more than 400 other defendants accused of widespread corruption in a case critics see as a politically motivated move against Turkey’s opposition. Imamoglu, who has been behind bars for nearly a year, is the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 23-year rule. He was elected as the main opposition party’s candidate for an election due in 2028 just days after he was detained. Most of the 402 defendants worked for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, headed by Imamoglu since 2019. Many are elected officials from the Republican People’s Party, or...
Iraq Coach Graham Arnold Urges FIFA To Delay His Team’s World Cup Playoff Because Of The Iran War
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has issued an urgent plea to soccer’s international governing body to delay his team’s intercontinental qualifier for the World Cup because of disruptions caused by the escalating Iran war. The Iraq squad faces major logistical issues ahead of a winner-takes-all playoff against either Suriname or Bolivia, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico. With Iraqi airspace closed until April 1 due to the escalating conflict, Arnold’s squad — containing predominantly players from the domestic league — is unable to fully gather. Players haven’t secured visas for the playoff tournament in Mexico due to foreign embassy...
A Retired Lebanese Security Officer Vanishes And His Family Thinks It Was A Covert Israeli Abduction
A retired Lebanese security officer vanished in December after going to meet a possible buyer for a plot of land. Lebanese officials and the family of retired General Security Directorate Capt. Ahmed Shukr believe he was abducted and spirited away to Israel in an intelligence operation aimed at getting information on the fate of an Israeli airman who disappeared in Lebanon four decades ago. The family believes Shukr was taken because of his brother’s possible links to the disappearance of Israeli navigator Ron Arad. The family says Shukr was never part of a militant group and played no role in...
Fox News Apologizes For Showing Old Video Of A Hatless Donald Trump At A Dignified Transfer Ceremony
Fox News apologized for airing old video of a hatless President Donald Trump during coverage Sunday of his attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony for U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East war, insisting it was an honest mistake. In a polarized time, some online critics suggested without evidence that it wasn’t an error — that the network was trying to make Trump look better by not showing him wearing a baseball cap during what is considered one of the most solemn duties of a commander in chief. The return of the bodies of six soldiers took place Saturday at...
Bag Containing Weed And Cash Accidentally Donated To A New Zealand Charity Shop
Two teenagers mistakenly left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash at a donation area outside a New Zealand charity shop then returned in a panic to retrieve the bag, police said Monday. A volunteer at the store noticed a pungent aroma before opening the knapsack and finding plastic bags of marijuana amounting to 43.2 grams (1.5 ounces) and 3,700 New Zealand dollars ($2,200) in banknotes, New Zealand Police said in a statement. Using marijuana recreationally and selling the drug are illegal in New Zealand. Some medical use is allowed with a doctor’s prescription. Police said the episode happened Feb. 18...