Prime Minister Edi Rama is under fire over a proposed resort with Trump ties, and a planned concert by the controversial musician known as Ye. In both cases, he cites the need for tourism.

A huge crowd surrounded Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s coffin in his hometown, Mashhad, on Thursday, the final day of his funeral procession. The supreme leader’s body was transported to the Imam Reza Shrine, where it will be buried.

A fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China killed at least 28 people on Thursday, Chinese state media said. China’s leader, Xi Jinping, called on authorities to investigate the blaze and hold those responsible accountable, according to CCTV.

American officials said they were trying to safeguard maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it had responded by firing at U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Israeli military confirmed the authenticity of the photo, which circulated widely after it was shared by a Palestinian activist. Israeli rights groups said it depicted a war crime.

As oil prices fall back to levels not seen since before the Middle East war began, the Kremlin will be forced to confront a deepening budget deficit.

Analysts expressed skepticism that the vote would take place as planned. In 2021, Mahmoud Abbas, the authority’s leader, scheduled and then canceled a similar election.

This difference reflects Iran’s limited firepower and degraded air defenses, and highlights how the war is taking a disproportionate toll on Iranians.

Igor Rogov, who has publicly opposed the Kremlin, was arrested in 2024 and later confessed to spying for Russian intelligence on regime opponents living abroad.