International
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
Violent clashes erupted across Iran on Wednesday as anti-government protests driven by a deepening economic crisis entered their 11th day, leaving multiple casualties and hundreds arrested amid a heavy security crackdown.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported that two police officers were shot dead by armed individuals during unrest in Lordegan, a town in the country’s south-west. The officers were identified as Hadi Azarsalim and Moslem Mahdavinasab.
Videos circulating on social media and verified by BBC Persian showed tense confrontations between protesters and security forces in several cities, with gunfire and tear gas heard and seen as crowds chanted slogans and hurled stones.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), protests have spread to 111 cities and towns across all 31 provinces. HRANA said at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed, while more than 2,200 protesters have been arrested. BBC Persian has independently confirmed the deaths and identities of 21 people, while Iranian authorities acknowledge the deaths of five security personnel.
The protests began on December 28 in Tehran, after shopkeepers demonstrated against another sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. The currency has hit a record low, with inflation rising to about 40%, as sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, coupled with government mismanagement and corruption, continue to strain the economy.
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Demonstrations quickly spread to universities and other cities, with protesters chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and, in some cases, expressing support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah.
On Wednesday, verified footage showed crowds in Qazvin chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Long live the shah.” In Bandar Abbas, protesters briefly called on police to support them before being dispersed. In Mashhad, clashes forced security forces to retreat, while in Abadan, demonstrators chanted slogans rejecting Iran’s clerical leadership.
As night fell, security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Aligudarz, while additional footage appeared to show officers opening fire as they retreated from advancing crowds in other locations.
Following a cabinet meeting, Vice-President Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah said President Masoud Pezeshkian had ordered that peaceful protesters should not face security measures, while warning that armed individuals attacking police or military sites would be treated as rioters.
State media reported that the government had begun paying 71 million citizens a new monthly allowance of about $7 to ease the impact of the rising cost of living. Meanwhile, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said those involved in violence would face swift prosecution to deter further unrest.
Ayatollah Khamenei said authorities should engage with protesters but insisted that “rioters should be put in their place,” comments that followed warnings from US President Donald Trump, who threatened intervention if peaceful protesters were killed.
Analysts say the unrest reflects widespread frustration. Dr Sanam Vakil of Chatham House said the protests had become political, driven by public anger over worsening living conditions. Another analyst, Sadegh Zibakalam of the University of Tehran, suggested Iranian authorities may be acting cautiously to avoid provoking foreign intervention.
The demonstrations are the most widespread since the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, which ended in a deadly crackdown that killed hundreds, according to human rights groups.
Iran Unrest: Two Policemen Killed as Protests Spread to 111 Cities
BBC
International
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
Democratic lawmakers have accused the United States government of orchestrating the “largest government cover-up in modern history” over allegations that crucial documents relating to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were withheld from the public. The controversy centers on missing FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 sexual abuse complaint against the former U.S. president.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to release more than 50 pages of interview notes with a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Trump in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. While the DOJ released millions of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, investigators and media outlets, including NPR, found that only one summary focusing on Epstein’s actions appears publicly, leaving key follow-up materials missing.
“This is the largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers,” said Democrats on the Oversight Committee in a statement. Garcia confirmed that his team reviewed unredacted DOJ logs and concluded that FBI interviews with the survivor were not properly disclosed. He announced a parallel congressional investigation to ensure all records are produced.
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The DOJ has denied any wrongdoing, explaining that some materials may fall under exempt categories, such as duplicates, privileged records, or documents linked to ongoing investigations. Officials added that any documents improperly tagged or temporarily removed for privacy reasons will be restored. The department stated it is reviewing flagged files to ensure compliance with the law.
The woman at the center of the allegations first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges. Internal DOJ references describe her claim that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then allegedly assaulted her. However, the public FBI summary does not evaluate the credibility of these allegations, and follow-up interview notes remain unavailable.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the release of the Epstein Files exonerates him. White House statements dismissed cover-up claims as politically motivated, asserting that no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of criminal conduct related to Epstein.
Legal experts and transparency advocates warn that withholding such key materials undermines public trust in U.S. institutions, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The unfolding investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny on the DOJ’s handling of sensitive documents and the broader accountability of government agencies in politically charged cases.
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
International
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria joined 106 other UN member states in voting for a resolution calling for peace, sovereignty, and humanitarian protection for Ukraine. The vote took place during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
The resolution, titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, was adopted with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the United States. It calls for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. The General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the war as shattering the peaceful aspirations of Europe and stressed that “war must never be the new normal.” She highlighted that generations in Europe have long lived in peace, but Russia’s invasion disrupted this reality.
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Tinubu Urges Senate to Amend Constitution for State Police Amid Rising Insecurity
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the conflict a “stain on our collective conscience” and a continuing threat to regional and international security. He warned that prolonged warfare increases civilian casualties, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began. Guterres urged the international community to “use every diplomatic tool” to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward lasting peace.
During the session, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa condemned the invasion as a “war against the rules-based international order,” citing attacks on civilians, nuclear threats, and the forced deportation of children as potential war crimes. She reiterated that Ukraine rejects territorial concessions, insists on sovereignty as a red line, and called for stronger sanctions, air defense, binding security guarantees, and accountability for war crimes.
Conversely, the Russian Federation’s delegate rejected the resolution’s narrative, accusing European states of escalating the war while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy and stated that any settlement must address “root causes” and reflect “new territorial realities.”
The resolution demonstrates the broad international support for Ukraine, highlights Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, and emphasizes the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year.
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
International
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
TELL, West Bank — Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, authorities confirmed, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Palestinian religious sites amid a surge in settler violence. The attack occurred early Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Worshippers arriving for morning prayers discovered the mosque’s entrance smoldering, with black smoke staining the doorway and broken glass scattered across the area. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Religious Affairs, settlers spray-painted offensive graffiti, including derogatory references to Islam and slogans linked to extremist “price tag” operations.
Local resident Munir Ramdan described the scene: “I was shocked when I opened the door. The fire had been burning here, the glass was broken, and the door was damaged.” Security footage reportedly shows two individuals carrying gasoline and spray paint approaching the mosque before fleeing the scene.
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The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on mosques in the West Bank, with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reporting that 45 mosques were vandalized or attacked last year. Residents said the assault was a deliberate provocation during Ramadan, targeting both the religious sanctity of the mosque and the spiritual practice of fasting.
The Israeli military and police responded to reports of the incident and are actively searching for suspects. While the military condemned harm to religious institutions, Palestinian officials and rights groups say Israeli authorities often fail to hold settlers accountable for violence.
The attack comes amid a recent rise in settler violence, including last week’s killing of a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, highlighting ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
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