Online Reporter
US and Israel launch joint attack on Iran as Trump urges regime change
ISRAEL and the US have launched a war on Iran, with Donald Trump declaring the start of “major combat operations” and calling on Iranians to rise up against their government.
The US president’s comments came soon after explosions were heard across central Tehran.
One apparent strike hit near the offices of the supreme leader, Ayatolla Ali Khamenei.
Iran is preparing a “crushing retaliation”, an Iranian official told Reuters.
Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles and drones at targets in Israel and at US military bases across the Middle East.
Explosions were heard in Israel, Bahrain, the home of the US fleet in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Israel had earlier declared a state of emergency, warning civilians to stay near air raid shelters, in anticipation of Iranian drone and missile strikes in response.
Iran and Israel both closed their airspace to civilian flights.
The US had built up a large military presence in the region in recent weeks in preparation for an attack, including two aircraft carrier strike groups.
Both the US and Israel called for regime change in Iran and urged a popular uprising after Saturday’s attacks.
He offered the Iranian military “immunity” should they surrender, or “certain death” if not, and told Iranians the “hour of your freedom is at hand”, urging them to rise up and “take over your government”. – Guardian UK
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Gabon in talks with Meta and TikTok over social media ban
Gabon is in talks with Meta and TikTok over the country’s social media ban, the communication ministry said on Thursday.
Gabon’s media regulator suspended all social media platforms earlier last month, blaming online content for stoking conflict and division.
Companies failed to act despite numerous warnings about defamatory, violent and pornographic content, deputy presidency spokesperson Jennyfer Melodie Sambat said on Monday.
It is “inconceivable that, after numerous alerts from the government, the group should do nothing”, she added.
TikTok has contacted the media regulator to express its shared commitment to maintaining a “safe digital environment that respects the rights of Gabonese citizens”, according to local media.
Government critics have condemned the ban, calling it “disproportionate” and unconstitutional.
Despite the suspension, some users are still managing to access social media.
VPN provider Proton reported a 60 000 percent increase in downloads since the suspension was announced.
Authorities say the ban is not definitive, rather it’s a suspension pending better regulation. — Wires
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World Bank pledges US$6bn for Mozambique
The World Bank announced on Monday it aims to provide Mozambique with US$6 billion in mostly concessional financing over the next five years to support public investment projects, as the Southern African nation grapples with strained public finances and recent IMF warnings over worsening debt dynamics.
“We have a balance sheet of around US$3 billion on the bank side, and we are hoping to mobilise another US$3 billion,” said Fily Sissoko, World Bank division director for Mozambique.
The financing is “very concessional” and primarily grants, aimed at supporting the government’s development strategy.
An additional US$4 billion in private sector funding is also being targeted.
Mozambique’s Finance Minister Carla Louveira said the partnership framework aims “to ensure macro-fiscal consolidation, with a view to sustaining economic recovery”.
While optimism surrounds the resumption of TotalEnergies’ major LNG project, the IMF has highlighted challenges including debt-service delays and persistent fiscal deficits.
The country also faces recurring climate shocks, with cyclones and floods exacerbated by climate change. — Agencies
Tinaye Agere