A loud explosion was reported over Jerusalem early Tuesday following two rounds of missile launches from Iran, heightening tensions in the already volatile Middle East region. Israeli authorities confirmed that air raid alerts were triggered across several areas, prompting residents to take shelter as defense systems responded to the incoming threats. According to the Israeli military, the missile launches occurred within a short interval, with the second wave followed by an audible

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has asserted that the country has delivered a significant strategic setback to its adversaries amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States. In a written message released on Friday to mark the Persian New Year, Khamenei emphasized that national unity and resilience among Iranians had played a decisive role in shifting the balance in the confrontation. The statement comes at a time when the conflict has entered its fourth week, casting a shadow over Nowruz celebrations across the country. Despite the subdued atmosphere, Khamenei highlighted what he described as unprecedented solidarity among citizens from diverse religious, cultural, and political backgrounds. He stated that this unity had left Iran’s opponents disoriented, leading them to issue what he characterized as inconsistent and contradictory statements. Tensions escalated further following a blast in Jerusalem’s Old City, which created a crater near several significant religious landmarks, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Israeli authorities accused Tehran of being linked to what they described as an attack on sacred sites, intensifying already strained relations in the region. Khamenei rejected these allegations, firmly denying any involvement by Iran or its regional allies in reported incidents in Oman and Turkey during the conflict. He attributed such claims to what he called deliberate misinformation by Israel, referring to it as a “Zionist enemy” engaged in deceptive tactics. The current situation marks a period of heightened geopolitical tension, with both rhetoric and military developments continuing to evolve. Adding to the symbolic shift within Iran, large banners marking Nowruz have replaced images of former leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed at the outset of the conflict on February 28. As the crisis unfolds, Iran’s leadership continues to project confidence and defiance, framing the ongoing developments as a demonstration of national strength and unity in the face of external pressure.

Multiple explosions were reported across parts of Kabul late Monday night, heightening concerns over escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Residents in several neighborhoods, particularly in the western parts of the Afghan capital, said powerful blasts were followed by the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude over the city. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere as security forces and emergency responders rushed to the affected areas to assess the situation. Sources indic

Farooq Abdullah, the 88-year-old President of Jammu and Kashmir’s National

Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack targeting United States military bases across the Middle East, with several strikes also reported in the United Arab Emirates, triggering panic in major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions were heard in multiple locations on Saturday, prompting emergency responses and heightened security across the Gulf region. Authorities confirmed that precautionary evacuations were carried out in several high-profile locations, including the Burj Khalifa

Selena Gomez has seemingly addressed the social media backlash following her husband Benny Blanco’s viral “dirty feet” moment. The incident, which unfolded during the premiere episode of the new podcast Friends Keep Secrets, led to heated discussions online, especially regarding Blanco’s grooming and public image. In what many fans interpreted as a direct response, Gomez shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, featuring the couple in an intimate moment, with the caption, “I

A suicide bomber targeted a police checkpost in Pakistan’s Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening, killing four policemen and injuring several others in an attack that has heightened security concerns in the region. The explosion occurred around 7 pm near a bridge connecting Dera Ismail Khan with Punjab, according to local police officials. Initial reports had indicated that two police personnel were killed and four injured, but officials later confirmed that the death toll had risen

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are gearing up for one of the most talked-about weddings of the year. As they prepare for their big day on February 26, the spotlight is once again on their combined wealth, which is estimated to exceed Rs 130 crore. This power couple from Tollywood has made a mark not only in cinema but also in business and luxury living. Rashmika, often referred to as the "National Crush," boasts a net worth of approximately Rs 66 crore. Her wealth is bolste

At least 14 military personnel, 18 militants and three civilians, including a child, were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to military and police officials. The violence, which involved two bomb explosions and a subsequent gunfight near a security checkpoint, also left at least 12 people injured. Security officials said the deadliest incident occurred near a military check post in Bajaur district on Monday when militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a wall close to the facility. The powerful blast killed 11 members of the security forces and a young girl who was nearby at the time of the explosion. Authorities described the attack as a deliberate attempt to breach the checkpoint’s defenses. In a statement issued Tuesday, the military’s media wing said troops responded swiftly after the blast. According to the statement, security personnel engaged the attackers who attempted to flee the scene. The military reported that 12 militants were killed during the follow-up operation, crediting what it called a “vigilant and resolute response” by troops on the ground. Officials maintained that the attackers’ plan to overrun the check post was successfully thwarted. In a separate operation in Shangla district, police confirmed that three security personnel and three militants were killed during what was described as a search-and-rescue mission. Authorities said the militants involved in that encounter had been linked to plots targeting Chinese nationals working in the region, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of foreign workers in Pakistan’s sensitive border areas. The latest violence comes amid a broader surge in militant activity across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal regions. Security analysts note that attacks have increased since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. Official data indicates that more than 2,400 people were killed in terror-related incidents during the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a sharp rise in militant violence compared with previous years. Pakistani authorities have blamed the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for many of the recent attacks. The group, whose fighters largely originate from Pakistan’s tribal belt near the Afghan border, has intensified operations against security forces and government targets. Officials say counterterror operations will continue as security agencies attempt to contain the growing threat. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, and additional security measures have been reinforced across vulnerable districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

A tragic explosion occurred at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, during Friday prayers, resulting in multiple injuries. The blast took place at the Tarlai Imambargah, located in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad. Local media reports confirmed the incident, detailing that several people were injured as a result of the explosion. Police and rescue services have swiftly arrived at the scene, initiating rescue operations to assist the victims and prevent further casualties. As investiga

In a significant legal blow to actor Vijay, the Madras High Court has upheld a Rs 1.5 crore tax penalty imposed by the Income Tax Department and dismissed his appeal challenging the levy. The penalty is linked to the alleged non-disclosure of additional income derived from the 2015 film Puli. According to the Income Tax Department, during tax searches conducted in 2015, it was revealed that of Vijay’s total remuneration of around Rs 15 crore, nearly Rs 5 crore was paid in cash and

RALEIGH, N.C. — Drivers across central North Carolina are being urged to use extra caution on area roads as a cold front moves through the region, bringing a mix of snow and rain followed by plunging overnight temperatures. Weather officials warn that conditions late Sunday into early Monday could create patchy black ice, potentially making the morning commute hazardous. The cold front delivered light snow in some areas and primarily rain in others across central North Carolina on

At least seven people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion struck Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, an area widely regarded as one of the Afghan capital’s most secure neighborhoods. The blast hit a hotel on Gulfaroshi Street, close to a restaurant popular with foreign visitors, triggering panic in a locality known for hosting diplomats, business travelers, and international residents. Emergency teams rushed to the scene as smoke and debris filled the street

Iran remained largely cut off from the global internet on Sunday, January 18, as a nationwide communications blackout extended into a tenth consecutive day following a brief and tightly controlled restoration of access. Internet monitoring organizations reported that limited connectivity, which had been temporarily allowed for select online services, was once again curtailed, leaving much of the country isolated amid continuing nationwide unrest. According to NetBlocks, a group that

Several airlines operating from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar suspended flights to Iran on Friday as widespread protests and communication disruptions continued to affect the country, leading to growing uncertainty across the regional aviation sector. The cancellations affected key routes linking major Gulf and Turkish hubs with Iranian cities, underscoring the broader impact of the unrest on international travel. According to information published on the Dubai Airports

Iran remained largely cut off from the global internet on Friday as authorities enforced a nationwide digital blackout while protests continued to spread across the country, intensifying an already volatile political and economic crisis. Internet monitoring data showed that connectivity across Iran had dropped to almost zero for more than 12 hours, severely limiting access to online communication platforms as demonstrators gathered in cities nationwide. According to internet trackin

Iran witnessed a dramatic escalation in nationwide unrest as anti-Khamenei protests intensified following a rallying call by exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Demonstrations entered their 12th consecutive day, with residents across Tehran and other cities chanting slogans from homes and marching through streets despite heavy restrictions imposed by authorities. Late Thursday, internet connectivity and telephone services were abruptly cut across the country, triggering what monitorin

WASHINGTON — The first day of Kwanzaa was observed in Southeast Washington with a gathering that brought together multiple generations to reflect on culture, history, and community. Nearly 150 people filled two rooms of the Anacostia Community Museum as families assembled to mark the start of the weeklong celebration, which runs from December 26 through January 1. The event centered on storytelling led by Mama Ayo, a longtime cultural educator who has spent decades teaching the pr

AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities are investigating a large overnight fire that erupted at an affordable housing development under construction in Southeast Austin, causing widespread damage and prompting concern among nearby residents. The Austin Fire Department reported that the intensity of the flames forced crews to take a defensive approach, battling the blaze from the outside due to rapidly growing heat and structural instability. The incident occurred at a building site along Sou