Three planes carrying residents evacuated from Oleshky arrive in Belarus, news agency reports - Reuters

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• Iran warns of unfettered retaliation if attacked as mediators try for peace

  Tehran's supreme leadership has ordered armed forces to strike back globally if targeted, as US and Israeli military preparations stoke fears of a broader war. Concurrently, Qatari intermediaries are shuttling to the Iranian capital to defuse the standoff through diplomatic terms tied to nuclear monitoring and critical shipping lanes. The escalating standoff threatens key regional waterways while domestic voices inside Iran urge officials to pursue negotiations to avert open conflict.

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• Zakir Naik Defends Taliban On Girls' Education, Gets Slammed By 3 Countries

  Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's public justification of Afghanistan's female schooling restrictions has triggered international pushback. He claimed the governing regime has not permanently banned women from classes, but rather delayed their education until national security is verified. This defense quickly invited formal condemnation from three separate nations.

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• Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran aimed at restarting direct U.S.-Iran negotiations, source says

  Diplomatic envoys are working to prevent a potential resumption of American-led military strikes following the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The push follows the collapse of a June cease-fire, with discussions slated to move to Doha as both nations trade severe threats of retaliation. Meanwhile, growing maritime instability in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified regional tensions and driven global energy prices higher.

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