Israel’s military has been ordered to intensify preparations for a possible conflict across several fronts, according to senior defence officials. The directive follows growing regional uncertainty and ongoing unrest in Iran.

Military leaders have instructed the Israel Defense Forces to accelerate readiness measures, including operational planning, troop preparedness, and coordination across branches. Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring the military can respond quickly to a range of potential threats.

Israeli officials have voiced concern that instability in Iran could lead to actions by allied groups in neighbouring regions, increasing the risk of escalation along Israel’s borders. Some reports have suggested ...

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Delcy Rodríguez as tensions surrounding Venezuela continued to escalate. The call focused on the security situation and recent developments affecting the country.

During the discussion, Lavrov expressed Russia’s support for Venezuela’s sovereignty and political independence, according to official statements. The two sides also addressed ongoing bilateral cooperation and coordination on international platforms.

Venezuelan officials briefed Moscow on the domestic situation following reported foreign military actions, while stressing the government’s position on defending national interests. Russia reiterated its opposition to the use of force and external pressure against Venezuela.

The talks form part of ...

Global reactions continued to emerge following reports that the United States carried out military strikes in Venezuela. Governments and international organisations assessed the implications for regional stability and international law.

Russia said the reported strikes clearly violated international law and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Russian officials warned that the use of force without international authorisation risked undermining global security and setting a dangerous precedent.

Other world leaders expressed concern about escalation and urged restraint, while calling for clarification of the circumstances surrounding the operation. Some governments emphasised the need to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty and resolve ...

Following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, focus has turned to who could emerge as Venezuela’s next leader amid political uncertainty and competing claims of legitimacy.

Opposition figure María Corina Machado has been widely cited as a prominent potential successor. She has long been a leading critic of Maduro’s government and played a central role in mobilising opposition support in recent years, though legal and political obstacles remain regarding her eligibility to assume office.

Other scenarios under discussion include the formation of an interim administration or a transitional process involving multiple opposition factions, potentially overseen by international mediation. Analysts note that divisions within ...

Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has warned that those involved in ongoing protests must be dealt with firmly, as demonstrations and clashes with security forces continue in multiple cities across the country.

Authorities reported that the death toll linked to the unrest has risen, with fatalities resulting from violence during protests and confrontations. Security forces have increased their presence, using crowd-control measures to disperse gatherings and restore order.

The protests, which erupted over political and social grievances, have spread beyond the capital to other urban centres. Officials have accused some demonstrators of vandalism and incitement, while activists and rights groups have raised ...