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Middle East
USIran rejects Trump’s diplomatic claims, calls them fake news
South AfricaSouth Africa seeks Nigeria fuel deal amid shortages- WorldSix dead as Qatari military helicopter crashes after 'technical fault'At least six people have died after a Qatari military helicopter crashed in the Gulf state’s waters, authorities have said. Seven personnel were on board at the time of the incident. Qatar’s interior ministry said on Sunday that specialised operations are continuing to locate the final missing…March 22, 2026
- WorldIran says Strait of Hormuz open except for ‘enemies’Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, but warned that vessels linked to what it calls its “enemies” will not be allowed to pass. The statement comes amid rising tensions with the United States and growing concern over global energy supplies. The Strait of…March 22, 2026
- WorldMutsvangwa calls for dialogue to end Middle East conflictZimbabwe’s ruling party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has called for diplomacy and international dialogue to resolve the escalating Middle East conflict, arguing that lasting peace depends on addressing the rights of the Palestinian people. Speaking at an Al-Quds Day solidarity event last…March 16, 2026
- OpinionHopewell Chin’ono Weighs in on the Iran Regime Change WarZimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono has offered a detailed critique of the ongoing Iran regime change war, arguing that the conflict’s stated objectives, strategy and consequences raise serious geopolitical questions. According to Chin’ono, every war must have clear objectives…March 15, 2026
- South AfricaSouth Africa Urged to Take Firmer Line on Iran conflictSouth Africa has expressed concern about rising tensions in the Middle East following military action involving the United States and Israel against Iran, describing the situation as an escalating regional crisis. In a recent statement, the government said the current Iran conflict had been…March 9, 2026
- USTrump rejects talks as Iran conflict deepensUS President Donald Trump has said the war between the United States and Iran may only end with the destruction of Iran’s military and ruling leadership, as Tehran moves closer to choosing a new supreme leader. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump dismissed the possibility…March 8, 2026
- USTrump Maintains US Should Help Choose Iran’s Next LeaderUS President Donald Trump has said the United States should have a role in choosing the next leader of Iran, describing a possible successor to the country’s leadership as “unacceptable”. Speaking in interviews with media outlets, Reuters and Axios on Thursday, Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei, the son…March 6, 2026
- WorldKhamenei funeral plans revised amid security concernsFuneral arrangements for Ali Khamenei have been altered several times this week, highlighting rising security concerns and uncertainty surrounding the country’s political future. Officials in Tehran have not provided detailed explanations for the repeated revisions, but state media reports suggest…March 6, 2026
- ZimbabweZimbabwe Assures of Fuel Stocks for Up to Three MonthsThe government of Zimbabwe says it has enough fuel reserves to last between two and three months, as officials monitor rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that could affect global energy markets. Information Minister Soda Zhemu told the Parliament of Zimbabwe that authorities are…March 5, 2026
- ZimbabweAnother Zimbabwean dies in Russia-Ukraine warAnother Zimbabwean has reportedly been killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, raising fresh concerns about the recruitment of African nationals into the conflict. The development comes weeks after the death of Mandla Ncube, whose family said he had travelled to Russia seeking employment before…March 5, 2026
- USWhy the US is bombing Iran, for dummiesThe US with help from Israel, targeted Iranian military sites. Airstrikes started on 28 February 2026. US officials say the goal is to stop Iran from using missiles or nuclear technology to threaten other countries. Iran has fired back with missiles and drones at US forces in the Gulf with the…March 4, 2026
- South AfricaANC joins global calls for maximum restraint over Middle East crisisSouth Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), has added its voice to growing international calls for maximum restraint as tensions in the Middle East intensify following days of military exchanges. The appeal comes amid reports of sustained airstrikes involving Iran and…March 2, 2026
- WorldIran claims missile strike on US Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrierIran has claimed it launched a missile attack against a United States aircraft carrier, a day after a major escalation in tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel. The claims, made by Iran’s elite military force, have not been independently verified and have been met with silence from…March 1, 2026
- WorldEU says Iran faces uncertain future after supreme leader's deathEuropean Union leaders have warned that the killing of Iran’s supreme leader could bring both opportunity and danger, describing the moment as potentially transformative while cautioning against the risk of wider instability. Speaking on Sunday, senior figures from the European Union said the…March 1, 2026
- South AfricaSouth Africans invited to comment on Bill targeting Israel supportSouth Africans are being encouraged to take part in a public consultation process on a proposed Private Members Bill that seeks to criminalise support for Israel. Civil society organisation Dear SA says public interest has been strong, with about 50,000 responses already submitted through its…December 31, 2025
- WorldTrump warns Hamas has ‘short period of time’ to disarmPresident Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, saying the militant group would have a “short period of time” to disarm following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The remarks came as the US administration seeks to reinforce the Gaza ceasefire and progress to…December 30, 2025
- WorldIsraeli Military Fires Senior Generals After October 7 AttackThe Israeli military has dismissed several senior officers, including three generals, over failures connected to the October 2023 Hamas assault, the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. The decision, announced Sunday, follows months of internal reviews and growing public pressure for…November 24, 2025
- WorldHamas Reaffirms Commitment to Gaza TruceGAZA CITY – Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the Gaza truce and to returning the remains of Israeli hostages believed to be buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. The statement comes as Turkey dispatched specialist teams to assist in locating the bodies of 19 hostages, who were…October 17, 2025
- South AfricaSix SA Flotilla Activists Return Home after Israeli DetentionJOHANNESBURG, South Africa- Six SA flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have returned home to a warm welcome at OR Tambo International Airport. The group was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international initiative that set sail to deliver…October 8, 2025
- South AfricaMandla Mandela Set for Release on TuesdayPRETORIA, South Africa- South African officials have confirmed that Mandla Mandela and five other South African activists detained by Israeli forces will be released on Tuesday, following diplomatic efforts to secure their freedom. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)…October 6, 2025
- WorldHamas Negotiator Returns to Spotlight after Deadly Doha StrikeDOHA, Qatar- Hamas’s senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has appeared on television for the first time since last month’s Doha strike, in which Israel targeted him and other Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital. In a pre-recorded message aired overnight in Qatar, al-Hayya broke weeks of silence…October 5, 2025
- South AfricaTensions Rise as South Africa Demands Mandela’s ReleasePRETORIA, South Africa- The South African government is working to secure the release of Mandla Mandela and four other citizens detained by Israeli forces during a recent humanitarian flotilla mission to Gaza. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has been holding…October 5, 2025
- WorldSAMA Suspends Israeli Medical ties amid Gaza CrisisJOHANNESBURG, South Africa- The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has announced the immediate suspension of its relationship with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), citing concerns over the ongoing Gaza crisis. SAMA said its decision followed a comprehensive review of its professional…October 5, 2025
- PoliticsHamas Seeks More Time to Review Trump Gaza PlanGAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories- A senior Hamas official has said the Palestinian group needs additional time to assess Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory. The unnamed official told the media on Friday that Hamas was “continuing…October 3, 2025
- WorldIsraeli PM Slams Leaders Over Palestinian StateTEL AVIV, Israel- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised recent recognitions of a Palestinian state by several Western nations, including the UK, France, and Canada. Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday before departing for the United States, Netanyahu described…September 25, 2025
- WorldFrance, Others Move to Recognize Palestine as UN MeetsNEW YORK, USA- France and a growing number of countries have signalled plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations’ annual General Assembly. On Sunday, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal declared their recognition of Palestine…September 22, 2025
- WorldIran to Suspend Cooperation With UN Nuclear WatchdogTEHRAN, Iran- Iran has said it will suspend cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog if European powers move ahead with plans to reimpose sanctions. The announcement came after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to pass a resolution on Friday that would have permanently lifted…September 21, 2025
- AfricaIan Khama Calls IDF ‘Terrorist Organization’Former Botswana President Ian Khama has described the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) as the “only terrorist organization in the Middle East” and likening its leadership to a “Hitler clone” and “Bin Laden Netanyahu.” The statement has drawn attention due to its provocative language amid the ongoing…August 26, 2025
