International
Ali Khamenei calls for participation in Iran elections to “make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, called for participation in parliamentary elections on Friday to “disappoint the enemies,” marking the country’s first elections since the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
“Many people around the world, whether ordinary individuals or politicians and authorities, have their eyes on Iran, on you, to see what you will do in these elections,” said Khamenei in a message to Iranians after casting his vote shortly after the opening of polling stations, in an event televised by Persian channels.
“Make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies. Please vote,” urged the religious leader, who in recent days has appealed to Iranians to vote given the popular indifference. Iranian authorities often use the term “enemies” to generally refer to the United States, Israel, and opposition groups.
Some 60,000 polling stations opened at 08:00 local time (4:30 GMT) and will remain open for 10 hours nationwide, with over 61 million people called to the polls, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Around 15,200 candidates – 1,713 of whom are women – are competing for the 290 seats in Parliament, while 144 clerics are running for the 88 seats in the Assembly of Experts, which selects Iran’s Supreme Leader in case of vacancy. This body is elected every eight years and the outcome of these elections could be crucial for the future of the Islamic Republic, given the advanced age of Khamenei, 84 years old.
Electoral Process in Iran
The elections are dominated by the conservative bloc, which now holds a parliamentary majority, following the disqualification of numerous reformist candidates, raising doubts about the freedom of elections and, in some cases, calling for a boycott.
The electoral process is marked by some indifference and apathy among voters due to the country’s poor economic situation, the disqualification of many reformist candidates, and political detachment, which was exacerbated by the protests sparked by Amini’s death after being arrested for not wearing the veil properly.
For months, young Iranians protested in the streets of the country chanting “woman, life, freedom,” demanding freedoms and an end to the Islamic Republic, in protests that subsided after the death of about 500 protesters at the hands of security forces.
Polls estimate participation between 30% and 41%, compared to the 42% turnout in the 2020 legislative elections, the lowest level in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Hundreds of activists, politicians, student associations, teachers, as well as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, consider boycotting as “a moral obligation for Iranians who love freedom and seek justice.”
International
IEA warns Middle East conflict could spark worst energy crisis in decades
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could trigger the worst energy crisis in decades, warned Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), who described the situation as “very serious.”
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Birol compared the current scenario to the oil crises of the 1970s, noting that during those events the world lost around five million barrels of oil per day in each crisis.
“Today, we have lost 11 million barrels per day—more than the two major oil shocks combined,” he said.
The Turkish economist referred to the conflict that began on February 28, following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, which have significantly disrupted global energy markets and driven oil prices higher.
Birol warned that the global economy is facing a “very, very serious threat” and expressed hope that the crisis will be resolved soon.
“No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues in this direction. Global efforts are urgently needed,” he emphasized.
International
Colombian Air Force Hercules plane crashes during takeoff with troops onboard
A Lockheed C-130 Hercules operated by the Colombian Air Force was involved in a “tragic accident” while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, in the Putumayo department of southern Colombia, as it was transporting troops, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez reported on Monday.
The minister stated on social media that the exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined. He also extended his condolences to the families affected and urged the public to avoid speculation until official information is confirmed.
“This is a deeply painful event for the country. Our prayers are with the victims and their families,” Sánchez said, adding that emergency protocols have been activated and an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro expressed hope that there would be no fatalities in what he described as a “horrific accident that should not have happened.”
Petro also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s air fleet and reiterated the need to acquire new helicopters and transport aircraft to strengthen military mobility, particularly in remote regions.
According to local media reports, approximately 110 soldiers were on board the aircraft. So far, at least 20 injured military personnel have been rescued.
International
Paris prosecutors alert U.S. over alleged deepfake strategy linked to Elon Musk
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office said on Saturday that it had alerted authorities in the United States over suspicions that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk may have encouraged the spread of sexualized deepfake content on the social platform X to artificially boost the company’s valuation.
According to prosecutors, the controversy surrounding explicit AI-generated videos—reportedly linked to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence system—may have been deliberately triggered to increase the market value of X and X AI.
The office added that the alleged strategy could be tied to the planned June 2026 public listing of a new entity formed through the merger of SpaceX and X AI.
French authorities said they contacted the U.S. Department of Justice as well as legal representatives at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this week to share their concerns.
Responding on X in French to a report about the case, Musk referred to French prosecutors using an offensive term.
When contacted, X’s legal representative in France did not immediately comment.
Grok, the platform’s AI system, has its own account on X, allowing users to interact with it or request content generation. For a period, users were able to tag the bot in posts to generate or edit images, a feature that may have facilitated the spread of such material.
Panama seizes over 1,200 drug packages in container bound for Lithuania
IEA warns Middle East conflict could spark worst energy crisis in decades
Colombian Air Force Hercules plane crashes during takeoff with troops onboard
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Sin categoría23 hours agoTehran engulfed in toxic cloud after strikes on fuel facilities
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala narrows emergency measures to hardest-hit gang violence areas
-
International4 days agoUS panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy
-
International22 hours agoIEA warns Middle East conflict could spark worst energy crisis in decades
-
Central America22 hours agoPanama seizes over 1,200 drug packages in container bound for Lithuania
-
International5 days agoBrazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint
-
International4 days agoFed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict
-
International2 days agoNetanyahu vows to target Iran’s leadership after missile strikes in southern Israel
-
International23 hours agoColombian Air Force Hercules plane crashes during takeoff with troops onboard
-
International2 days agoParis prosecutors alert U.S. over alleged deepfake strategy linked to Elon Musk