Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah appears to be headed for a historic victory in Nepal General Election 2026, with his Rastriya Swatantra Party taking a commanding lead in early vote counting. Out of 275 seats in Nepal’s lower house, counting is underway for 165 directly elected seats, while 110 seats will later be allocated through proportional representation. Shah’s party is leading in around 110 constituencies, putting it on course for a landslide and positioning him as a likely prime minister. Traditional parties have struggled, with KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) trailing significantly. The vote follows months after a Gen Z-led protest movement forced Oli’s government from power in September 2025. (PC: X)

The son of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was wounded during Israeli military operations along the Lebanon–Israel border, according to Israeli media reports on Friday. The incident reportedly occurred while Israeli forces were carrying out operational activities in the border region. Initial reports said the finance minister’s son sustained light injuries and his condition is stable. Details about the circumstances of the incident or the specific operation were not immediately disclosed. The report comes amid continued military tensions along Israel’s northern frontier with Lebanon. Smotrich currently serves as Israel’s finance minister and leads the Religious Zionist Party. There has been no detailed official statement released yet regarding the injuries or the exact nature of the incident. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated US-Israeli strike using the Blue Sparrow missile, an air-launched weapon capable of briefly travelling near space before diving toward its target. Fired from fighter aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas F‑15 Eagle, the missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, climbing high above the atmosphere before re-entering at extreme speed. The strike targeted Khamenei’s compound on Pasteur Street in Tehran during a meeting of senior officials. Part of Israel’s broader operation known as Operation Epic Fury, the attack involved around 30 precision-guided munitions. Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Unit 8200 reportedly spent years mapping the compound and monitoring communications before launching the carefully timed strike. (PC: X)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa that four UK jets being deployed to Qatar could provide defensive air cover for Bahrain against potential missile and drone attacks from Iran. According to a statement from UK Prime Minister’s Office, the offer was made during a phone call on Thursday night. The aircraft could help strengthen Bahrain’s air defence amid rising regional tensions and concerns about Iranian strikes on Gulf states. King Hamad welcomed the confirmation, and both sides agreed that operational teams would coordinate on plans in the coming days. The move signals London’s readiness to extend defensive support to partners in the Gulf during the escalating Middle East crisis. (PC: Reuters)

The Israeli Air Force destroyed the underground bunker of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Friday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Around 50 fighter jets dropped roughly 100 bombs on the bunker located beneath Iran’s “leadership complex,” which spans several streets and contains multiple entrances and meeting rooms for senior officials. The military said the bunker was designed as a secure wartime command center for Khamenei, who had already been killed in a strike on Saturday before he could use it. The complex reportedly continued to host senior regime members afterward. The site was mapped over years by the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 8200 and Unit 9900, enabling the precise strike.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said several countries have initiated mediation efforts as tensions escalate between Iran and the US-Israel alliance in West Asia. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Pezeshkian stated that Tehran supports a lasting peace in the region but remains prepared to defend its sovereignty and national dignity. He emphasized that diplomatic mediation should be directed toward those responsible for provoking the conflict rather than Iran itself. His remarks come amid intensifying regional instability and ongoing military exchanges. While welcoming diplomatic initiatives, Pezeshkian signaled that Iran would not hesitate to respond firmly to any threats against the country’s authority or security.

An Egyptian restaurant chain, Ahmed Nada, has sparked controversy after a viral promotional video used real footage of Iranian strikes on Tel Aviv during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The video shows fiery explosions transitioning into a flaming pan where meat and vegetables are cooked. The clip spread widely on X and triggered mixed reactions online. Critics accused the restaurant of mocking a tragic situation, while others praised the creativity and humor behind the campaign. Egypt maintains a strategic partnership with the United States, a peace treaty with Israel since the Camp David Accords, and a cautious but pragmatic relationship with Iran, shaping its complex stance during the current regional crisis.

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has caused major disruptions to Middle East airspace, leading to a sharp rise in international airfares from Hyderabad. Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones, increasing travel time and fuel costs. As a result, ticket prices on key routes have surged significantly. Direct flights between Hyderabad and London have reportedly climbed to nearly ₹2.5 lakh. Travel to other international destinations has also become more expensive due to limited seat availability and longer routes. Aviation experts say fares may remain elevated until regional airspace stabilises and normal flight operations resume. (PC: X)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) arranged a private charter flight for the West Indies cricket team after head coach Daren Sammy publicly appealed for help when the squad was stranded in Kolkata for several days. The team had been unable to travel home following their exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after losing to India national cricket team. Flight disruptions caused by Middle East airspace restrictions linked to military tensions forced delays. After Sammy voiced frustration on social media demanding updates, the ICC intervened and organised a charter flight to ensure the players and staff could safely return home. (PC: X)

Azerbaijan has withdrawn its diplomatic staff from Iran a day after accusing Tehran of carrying out a drone strike on Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Azerbaijani officials said drones struck the terminal area of Nakhchivan International Airport and landed near a nearby school, injuring several civilians. The government in Baku strongly condemned the attack and described it as a “terrorist act.” Iran has denied involvement in the strike. The diplomatic withdrawal signals sharply rising tensions between the two neighbours as the wider Middle East conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to escalate. (PC: X)