3 Charged after Attempted Arson at Iran International Office in London

A Police van is parked outside of a warehouse park housing offices of a the Persian-language TV station, Iran International, in Wembley, northwest London on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
A Police van is parked outside of a warehouse park housing offices of a the Persian-language TV station, Iran International, in Wembley, northwest London on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
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3 Charged after Attempted Arson at Iran International Office in London

A Police van is parked outside of a warehouse park housing offices of a the Persian-language TV station, Iran International, in Wembley, northwest London on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
A Police van is parked outside of a warehouse park housing offices of a the Persian-language TV station, Iran International, in Wembley, northwest London on April 16, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

British police said on Friday they had charged three people over an attempted arson attack on offices linked to television station Iran International in northwest London earlier this week.

The three, two men and a teenager and all British, are accused of arson with intent to endanger life after an ignited container was thrown towards the premises of the parent company of Iran International, Volant Media, on Wednesday evening, landing in a car park.

The fire immediately put itself out, causing ⁠no damage nor injuries, Reuters reported.

Iran ⁠International, a London-based television station critical of Tehran's government, said a suspicious vehicle was denied entry to its London site shortly before the incendiary devices were thrown.

Oisin McGuinness, 21, Nathan Dunn, 19, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal ⁠reasons, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Friday. McGuinness was also charged with dangerous driving.

Police said a vehicle fled the scene and crashed after being pursued by an armed response unit which was in the area.

The incident came a day after police arrested two suspects following an attempted arson attack on a synagogue, also in north London.

Last month, several ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer emergency ⁠service ⁠Hatzola were set alight while parked near a synagogue in the Golders Green area of north London.

None of the incidents have been linked but Matt Jukes, a deputy commissioner for London's Metropolitan Police, said he understood why conflict overseas and heightened tensions in Britain would be "deeply worrying".

"London’s Jewish communities and the Iranian diaspora in London have, in recent years, been increasingly targeted by individuals, groups and hostile states intent on spreading fear, hate and harm," Jukes said.



Taiwan Holds Naval Drill During War Games as China Steps up Maritime Pressure

 Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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Taiwan Holds Naval Drill During War Games as China Steps up Maritime Pressure

 Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Taiwan's armed forces carried out an anti-blockade drill during annual war games, using the navy and coast guard to simulate escorting a merchant ship, the defense ministry said on Thursday, as China steps up its maritime pressure.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has long been concerned that Beijing could try to choke off the island with a blockade or quarantine to force it into surrender.

In June, China began holding what it ‌calls "law enforcement" patrols off ‌Taiwan's east coast, to the anger of Taipei and prompting ‌concern ⁠in Washington and ⁠some other Western capitals.

The navy worked with coast guard vessels to complete the escort and security protection duties, while a minesweeper cleared a safe navigation channel and guided the simulated merchant vessel to port, Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan's coast guard, which would have an auxiliary role helping the navy in time of war, said the drill took place on Wednesday and the ports the ship was taken to were ⁠both on the east coast.

It said it was the first time ‌they had worked with the navy to hold ‌an anti-blockade drill.

The 10-day Han Kuang exercise kicked off last week, rehearsing various scenarios should ‌China ever make good on threats to try to seize the island by ‌force. Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Thursday visited an underground car park at a hospital in Taipei's neighboring city of New Taipei that had been turned into an emergency ward, and a supermarket to see how provisions would be distributed in ‌an emergency.

Lai was accompanied by senior foreign diplomats based in Taiwan, including the de facto US, Israeli and Canadian ambassadors. Taiwan has ⁠been keen to ⁠learn from Israel about its civil defense operations.

"We are not facing regional geopolitical changes alone, but together with the shared concern and joint efforts of the international community," Lai said at the supermarket, of the presence of the diplomats.

During a separate part of the exercise on Wednesday night, soldiers erected metal barricades, barbed-wire obstacles and concrete barriers on roads leading to a key Taipei bridge that could expect to be assaulted in any Chinese attack on the capital.

"I believe the military's plans would also include demolishing these bridges, if necessary, ensuring that the People's Liberation Army would not be able to use them to cross the river quickly and continue its advance," said Chieh Chung, a researcher from Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research who was watching the bridge drill.


Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
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Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)

Jailed Istanbul Mayor ‌Ekrem Imamoglu said on Wednesday he was joining the newly formed New Party, after a court order removed the leadership of his former Republican People's Party (CHP) amid an unprecedented legal crackdown on the opposition.

Last month, Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel and 90 other breakaway lawmakers launched a new political party, seeking to regroup to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a court ousted Ozel as CHP chairman and reinstated the party's divisive former leader Kemal ‌Kilicdaroglu.

"I am ‌resigning from my 17-year membership of ‌the ⁠Republican People's Party. This ⁠decision is a result of the values I believe regarding the future of our country and the responsibility I carry towards our people," Imamoglu said in a statement on X.

"Today, we are opening a NEW path to build a stronger, more democratic and more hopeful ⁠future for Türkiye," he said, referring to ‌the New Party.

Imamoglu, Erdogan's ‌main political rival, has been jailed for more than a year ‌pending trial on corruption charges that he denies.

He ‌was elected as the CHP's presidential candidate in an internal party vote days after his detention in March 2025. His university diploma, which is a requirement for being a presidential candidate, ‌was annulled by Istanbul University a day before he was detained.

The New Party - ⁠already the ⁠second-largest party in parliament - is expected to attract most CHP voters and pose a new-look challenge for Erdogan. However, the broader splintering of the opposition could boost the president's prospects of extending his 23-year reign in the NATO-member country and regional military power.

The next elections are scheduled for 2028 but could be held earlier.

The opposition and some rights groups have called the crackdown, including the jailing of hundreds of elected CHP officials and members since 2024, politically motivated and undemocratic. The government denies this and says the judiciary is independent.


Venezuela Govt, Opposition Wrap Up Round of Post-Maduro Talks

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez speaks during a press conference addressing the government's response to the back-to-back earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez speaks during a press conference addressing the government's response to the back-to-back earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)
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Venezuela Govt, Opposition Wrap Up Round of Post-Maduro Talks

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez speaks during a press conference addressing the government's response to the back-to-back earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez speaks during a press conference addressing the government's response to the back-to-back earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives on Wednesday wrapped up a first round of talks aimed at reconciling the nation following the US ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

A joint statement issued by the two sides highlighted agreement on two topics after several days of discussion: reforming the judiciary and seeking access to frozen funds to aid in earthquake recovery efforts.

Both sides committed to "initiate a process that contributes to the transformation of the justice system," including "Reforms to the Organic Law" of Venezuela's top court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ).

The TSJ notably validated Maduro's 2024 reelection, despite serious allegations of fraud and no public release of the official results.

The document did not mention the National Electoral Council, another body the opposition hopes to overhaul after it also upheld Maduro's disputed victory.

In light of the devastating twin earthquakes on June 24, which have left over 6,300 people dead, both sides also agreed to work toward the release "Venezuela's international reserve assets held at the Bank of England."

Under Maduro, Venezuela had tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to access the funds.

The joint statement also called for the establishment of "mechanisms for transparency, traceability, and auditing" to make sure the funds are properly used.

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez's government was represented at the talks by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who is also the head of Venezuela's National Assembly.

Delcy Rodriguez was Maduro's vice president, but has nonetheless led the country with Washington's blessing, and has won praise from US President Donald Trump for acceding to his administration's desires.

- 'No naivete' -

The opposition was meanwhile represented by Dinorah Figuera, leader of the political bloc that won a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, the last legislature elected in a vote widely recognized by the international community.

Notably absent from the table is exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who has said she will not stand in the way of the process.

Many Venezuelans are hopeful that the transition talks will lead to democratic elections.

Over the last six days of talks, Figuera met separately with representatives of political prisoners, retirees and media workers and promised to advocate for their demands.

"We are in this process to achieve a democratic and free Venezuela," the politician wrote on X on Tuesday.

Dozens of opposition supporters gathered outside the hotel in Caracas where the talks were being held.

A source from the opposition delegation, who requested anonymity, compared the interim government to Nicaragua's oppressive administration, which the United States considers a dictatorship.

"There is no naivete on the part of the opposition delegation," the source said, adding that it "must take advantage of this window of opportunity."

Elections will only be announced after the reforms give way to a new Electoral Council, the source believes, adding that laws regulating terrorism and dissent need reforms due to their past use to persecute political prisoners.

The source told AFP the delegation viewed Machado as "the leader of the Venezuelan opposition...she is the voice that Venezuelans identify as their own."

Some commentators believe that US President Donald Trump has vetoed Machado's return to Venezuela, which Washington denies.

The US leader has repeatedly voiced satisfaction with Rodriguez's administration.