World News

Attacks in Lebanon, Iran inject new volatility into Middle East on January 3, 2024 at 11:30 pm

Published

1 year ago

January 4, 2024

The killing of a top Hamas official in Beirut and a shock explosion that killed dozens of mourners of a top Iranian general are challenging efforts to contain fighting on multiple fronts in the Middle East from exploding into a larger war.

It’s not yet clear what connection, if any, there is between the suspected Israeli assassination against Hamas’s No. 3 official, Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut on Tuesday, and a mass casualty bombing Wednesday at the memorial ceremony for Qassem Soleimani, the top Iranian military commander who was killed by the U.S. in 2020.

The latest attacks come amid a high-stakes aerial tit-for-tat between the U.S. and Israel on one side and Iranian proxy groups across the region on the other, which have exchanged regular fire over the three months that Israel has prosecuted its war in the Gaza Strip, since Hamas launched its brutal Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

“This is a multiplicity of conflicts happening all at once, with of course Israel-Hamas being the central one,” said Mona Yacoubian, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa Center at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

“I think there are very valid concerns that it could escalate further,” she added. “While the various actors may be calibrating their responses, and calibrating their reactions as a way to forestall a significant regionwide conflict, there’s no guarantee that’s going to work.”

The Biden administration, while supporting Israel’s right to eliminate Hamas, has sought to contain the fighting in the region from expanding into a much larger conflict involving Iran or Hezbollah’s army in southern Lebanon — a force with between 50,000 to 100,000 fighters and an arsenal of an estimated 200,000 rockets, including long-range and precision guided munitions.

“We remain incredibly concerned, as we have been from the outset of this conflict, of the risk of this conflict spreading into other fronts,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t say that our concern is any higher today than it has been from the beginning; it’s been something we’ve been intensely focused on.”

Miller rejected that the U.S. was involved in the explosions in Iran — where at least 103 people are believed to have been killed — and said the U.S. had no reason to believe Israel was involved either. But he would not make a similar statement related to the apparent assassination of Arouri and six other Hamas officials in a drone strike.

“I don’t have an assessment to make about who was responsible for that incident. I’ll leave it to the government of Israel to speak to their actions,” Miller said.

Neomi Neumann, former head of research for Israel’s internal security agency, or Shin Bet, said that it’s unlikely Israel was involved in the bombing in Iran — suggesting opposition groups within Iran or other terrorist groups were a more likely culprit.

But the assassination of Arouri, while not publicly claimed by Israel, signals a major strategic and psychological blow to Hamas’s leadership, and an important step toward Israel’s stated goal of wiping out the U.S.-designated terrorist group.

“From the Israeli [point of view] he should die,” said Neumann, now a visiting fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “He should die because in the last two years he was responsible for a lot of terrorist attacks that were carried out from the West Bank, which he was in charge of; he was part of the leadership, part of this architecture, this effort to unify all these fronts in order to weaken Israel.”

Arouri, who was 67, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2015 for facilitating the transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hamas’s military wing for the purchase of arms and storage facilities for weapons.

In June 2014, Arouri publicly praised and announced Hamas’s responsibility for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, a terrorist attack that fueled one of the deadliest wars between Israel and Hamas until Oct. 7.

Arouri was deputy head of political affairs for Hamas and viewed as a potential successor to Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and a major rival of Hamas military head Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, who is believed to be in hiding in the Gaza Strip.

“He was very unique,” Neumann said, adding Arouri was charismatic and able to bridge gaps and tensions that had earlier taken place between Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, a contrast to the more serious and unlikeable Sinwar.

“Sinwar is a nasty guy, people don’t like him,” Neumann said. “Arouri is the nice guy — not regarding Israel — but he can deal with everybody, he’s admired and people look at him as a leader.”

Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah honored Arouri in a speech Wednesday, saying his killing in a Beirut suburb and Hezbollah stronghold would not go unanswered. Nasrallah also marked the anniversary of the U.S. killing of Soleimani.

But even as Nasrallah has allied Hezbollah with Hamas, analysts say he is faced with a dilemma on whether to escalate fighting with Israel over targeted attacks on Palestinian leaders.

”Although Nasrallah has said before, if something happened on the earth of Lebanon, they will react. But I think now both Iran and Nasrallah think to themselves, it’s not worth making war with Israel because of Saleh al-Arouri,” Neumann said.

If there is a decision to retaliate, Neumann continued, Hezbollah would likely strike outside Lebanon and wait until the situation is not as “fragile and unstable” as it is now.

Yacoubian, of the U.S. Institute of Peace, said Hezbollah and Nasrallah are “not interested in a regionwide war or a large-scale conflict directly with Israel.”

Still, there is likely pressure on Hezbollah to respond to the alleged Israeli attack, raising pressure on all sides to avoid dangerous escalation.

Mark Regev, a senior Israeli official, while not claiming responsibility for the Arouri killing, made a point to say that the Hamas leader’s death was not an attack against Hezbollah or Lebanon — an apparent effort to tamp down tensions.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also doubted a link between the Arouri killing and the attack in Iran, saying that the bombing in Iran “has the hallmarks of either a Jihadist or separatist group attack on Iran, both of which have occurred in the past against the regime but never on this scale.”

Still, he pointed out Iran is attempting to widen the war in the region by encouraging attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq, Syria by its proxy militias and through the Houthis in Yemen.

“The goal is to generate more risks associated with Israel continuing the war against Hamas,” he said, warning that an escalation in the short term may occur over efforts for Iran to “save face and respond.”

And the Biden administration has sought to counter a wider conflict by increasing its military posture in the region, while also sending warnings publicly and privately through intermediaries in the region.

“Efforts at deterrence have to be multifaceted,” Yacoubian said. “Force posture is really important, and perhaps some signaling kinetically, although I think one has to be very careful. But that must be paired — I would argue — with back-channel communications, with diplomacy.”

World News

Nation of Cherut Celebrates Inaugural New Year’s Celebration

Published

14 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The Nation of Cherut marked a historic milestone yesterday as citizens gathered to commemorate their first New Year’s celebration at Her Royal Majesty Shanta’s personal residence. The joyous occasion brought together government officials, royal family members, and esteemed guests in a festive atmosphere filled with music, culinary delights, and cultural performances.

A Night of Unity and Celebration

The event was graced by the presence of four ministers, three directors, members of the royal house, and counsel. Attendees were treated to an array of entertainment, including a special drumming performance by Julian Gordon, Deputy Minister of Music and Performing Arts. Gordon, who specializes in drums, percussion, and drones, showcased the rich musical heritage of Cherut.

Royal Hospitality

The culinary offerings for the evening were thoughtfully prepared by Her Royal Majesty Queen Shanta and Princess Shade Sullivan. Guests were warmly welcomed upon arrival by Her Royal Attendant Zubeta Jones and Kevin Ford, the Royal Ambassador at Large.

Distinguished Attendees

Notable government officials in attendance included:

Devin “Egypt” Robinson, Minister of Agriculture & Food Security
Erica Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Workforce Development and Labor
Malcohm Payne, Minister of Real Estate Development
Julian Gordon, Deputy Minister of Music and Performing Arts
Coach Steffanie, Director of Book Publishing
Su Jennings, Director of Television Broadcasting
Danyel McBride, Chief Aide to the Queen

The celebration was further enhanced by the presence of royal ambassadors Kevin Ford, Nicole Smith, and Dr. Jamalla Wilkerson, along with several special guests.

This inaugural New Year’s celebration not only marked the passage of time but also symbolized the unity and bright future of the Nation of Cherut. As the country moves forward, events like these serve to strengthen the bonds between citizens and their leadership, fostering a sense of national pride and community.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

News

Pope Francis is Now in Stable Condition

Published

1 month ago

February 22, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for over a week. The pontiff’s health has taken a turn for the worse, raising concerns among the faithful worldwide.

Current Status

As of Saturday, February 22, 2025, Pope Francis experienced a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen treatment. The Vatican reported that his condition had deteriorated since Friday, emphasizing that “the pope is not out of danger”.

The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is experiencing more discomfort than the previous day. His prognosis remains guarded, indicating the seriousness of his condition.

Medical Challenges

Pope Francis is battling a complex set of medical issues:

The pope’s medical team faces the challenge of balancing various medications to combat these issues while monitoring for potential complications, such as sepsis.

Treatment and Outlook

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will remain hospitalized for at least another week. He is receiving targeted drug therapy and high-flow oxygen as needed. While he is not on a ventilator and can breathe independently, his condition requires close monitoring.

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal physician, stated, “He is not out of danger,” highlighting the delicate nature of the pontiff’s health.

Impact on Vatican Activities

In light of the pope’s condition, all public engagements on his schedule have been suspended through Sunday. The Vatican is carrying on with its Holy Year celebrations without the pope’s presence.

As the Catholic world watches and prays for Pope Francis’s recovery, the Vatican continues to provide updates on his condition. The situation remains fluid, and both positive and negative outcomes are possible given the complexity of the pope’s health issues.

Business

HRM Queen Shanta Lana Hereford Delivers Powerful Speech on Global Peace

Published

1 month ago

February 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

New Delhi, India – February 16, 2025 – Her Royal Majesty Queen Shanta Lana Hereford, a distinguished global leader and advocate for peace and economic empowerment, was a special
guest speaker at an international event hosted by the EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce. The
hybrid event, aired live from New Delhi, India, gathered influential leaders, policymakers, and business executives from around the world to discuss global cooperation, economic diplomacy, and sustainable peace.

Queen Shanta delivered a compelling speech titled “Creating a Framework for a Global Peace Charter,” emphasizing the need for a justice-centered, faith-driven approach to global peace. She outlined a transformative vision, calling for governments, businesses, and faith leaders to unite to draft policies integrating equity, economic accountability, and environmental stewardship into global governance.

“The pursuit of peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, dignity, and
opportunity for all, ” Queen Shanta stated. “We must move beyond just talking and establish
actionable frameworks that empower nations and communities to achieve lasting prosperity and peace.”

The EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of its founder and chairman, Dr. Rohit Gupta, is dedicated to fostering economic and cultural collaboration between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The organization aims to create a strong, interconnected business network
bridging these regions, facilitating pathways for economic prosperity and diplomatic relations.
As a prolific leader within the African American diaspora and a global advocate for its
advancement, HRM Queen Shanta Lana Hereford is actively exploring opportunities for trade
and commerce between Africa, Asia, Europe, and other international communities.

Through her affiliations with organizations such as The African Diaspora Collective, The Atlanta Black Chambers, The Black Achievement Fund, The National Business League, The 10K Project, and many others, she is championing economic initiatives that build sustainable supply chains and foster strategic partnerships.

Her mission is to create economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and business leaders in America, who have historically been excluded from global trade discussions. By forging these international connections, Queen Hereford is working to ensure that Black communities in the U.S. not only have a seat at the table but play a key role in shaping the future of international commerce, economic empowerment, and global policy.

The event featured several other distinguished guests, including:
● Dr. Rohit Gupta: Founder and Chairman of the EurAsia Afro Chamber of Commerce,
Dr. Gupta has been instrumental in promoting cross-continental business relationships
and trade.
● H.E. Bishop Dr. Samsher Khan: Founder of the BSK Prayer Tower and IRKT, Bishop
Dr. Khan serves as a Peace Ambassador for the International Human Rights
Commission (IHRC) and holds the position of Asia’s Social Media Editor. He is dedicated
to promoting peace and spiritual well-being across communities.
● Madam Sadhvi Pragya Bharti: Sadhvi Pragya Bharti is a spiritual leader, humanitarian,
and national media panelist known for her advocacy of social and educational reforms
rooted in spirituality and justice.

The event underscored the importance of strategic economic partnerships as a tool for
peacebuilding, aligning with Queen Hereford’s global mission of self-determination and
economic sovereignty for Black and Indigenous communities worldwide.

As part of her continued advocacy, Queen Hereford urged global stakeholders to collaborate on
drafting a Global Peace Charter, organizing annual Global Peace Assemblies, and
implementing economic policies that uplift marginalized communities.

This event marks a significant milestone in international diplomacy, reinforcing the role of
economic and cultural cooperation in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
H.E. Roselyn Omaka
National Press Secretary, Nation of Cherut
Email: nps@nationofcherut.org
Phone: 281.301.5535