International
Israel Strikes Again: Iran’s Intelligence Minister Reportedly Dead
Israel has announced that it killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight airstrike, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz disclosed on Wednesday that Khatib was “eliminated” in a targeted military operation carried out overnight. The claim, however, has not yet been officially confirmed by Iranian authorities.
According to Israeli officials, the strike forms part of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s top leadership. Katz further indicated that Israel’s military has been granted continued authorization to strike high-ranking Iranian officials without requiring additional political approval.
Khatib’s reported killing comes just days after Israel claimed responsibility for the deaths of other senior Iranian figures, including top security official Ali Larijani and paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
The development signals a sharp intensification of hostilities in the region, with both sides engaging in retaliatory attacks. Iran has already launched missile strikes targeting Israel and several Gulf countries, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Analysts warn that the continued targeting of high-ranking officials could further destabilize the Middle East, as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions remain limited.
International
Photo Speak: Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday formally received Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Photo Speaks:
Britain’s King Charles III (L) and Britain’s Queen Camilla greet Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu during a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s King Charles III (2L) and Britain’s Queen Camilla, along with Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wale, attend a formal welcome for with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, at Datchet Road, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s Queen Camilla (L) talks with Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla stand with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, during a formal welcome at Datchet Road, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and his wife Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales stand with Britain’s Queen Camilla, during a formal welcome for Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu at Datchet Road, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s King Charles III (R) talks with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu during a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s King Charles III greets Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu during a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP)
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday formally received Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Datchet Road in Windsor, marking the start of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
The ceremonial welcome preceded a grand carriage procession to Windsor Castle, underscoring the significance of the historic visit.
Photo by Justin Tallis/ Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP
Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales have formally welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to the United Kingdom, marking Nigeria’s first state visit to the country in 37 years.
The historic reception underscores renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with the royal couple, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, playing host to the Nigerian delegation.
The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties, foster economic cooperation, and deepen cultural relations between both nations after decades without a formal state level engagement.
China has proposed what it describes as a guarantee of energy security to Taiwan, on the condition that the island accepts “reunification” with Beijing amid growing global energy instability caused by the ongoing Middle East war.
The proposal was announced by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, with spokesperson Chen Binhua stating that Taiwan would benefit from “stable and reliable energy and resource security” under the backing of what he called a “strong motherland.”
Beijing’s offer comes at a time when global energy markets are under pressure due to disruptions in key supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, forcing countries to scramble for alternative fuel sources.
Taiwan, which relies heavily on imported liquefied natural gas and previously sourced a significant portion from Qatar, has moved quickly to secure alternative supplies, especially from the United States. Authorities in Taipei insist that energy needs for the coming months are already covered.
Taiwanese leadership has also rejected China’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the island’s future can only be decided by its people. No major political party in Taiwan supports Beijing’s long-standing “one country, two systems” proposal tied to reunification.
Analysts say the latest move reflects China’s broader strategy of leveraging economic and security incentives to push for reunification, particularly at a time when global crises; such as the Middle East conflict, are exposing vulnerabilities in energy supply chains.
Despite the offer, tensions remain high across the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan continuing to strengthen its energy diversification strategy while resisting political pressure from Beijing.