France approves social media ban for under-15s

Pope Leo has called for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Speaking after the Angelus prayer at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the Pope expressed concern over repeated violence targeting Palestinian civilians. He urged the international community to take practical steps to help end the conflict and advance efforts for a two-state solution. The Pope said lasting peace would require a fair political settlement that guarantees the rights and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. His comments come amid growing tensions in several parts of the West Bank. Violence involving Israeli settlers and Palestinians has increased, while restrictions and confrontations have added to concerns among local residents. The situation in the village of Qusra has also drawn attention. Reports have described severe restrictions on residents, including disruptions to essential services and movement. Rights organisations have raised concerns that increasing settler activity and pressure on Palestinian communities could contribute to further displacement and the expansion of Israeli settlements. The Vatican has consistently supported the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state settlement. More than 150 of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestine. The future of the West Bank remains one of the central issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians seek the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem as the basis of an independent state. Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank has remained a major source of international criticism. Palestinian officials and rights groups say the continued expansion threatens the possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state. The Israeli government, however, disputes the international characterisation of the West Bank as occupied territory and considers it disputed land.

TEHRAN: Iran has appointed veteran military and political figure Mohsen Rezaei to a senior position within the country’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr and bringing one of the Islamic Republic’s most prominent former Revolutionary Guards commanders back into a central security role. The appointment was announced late Sunday by the office of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s deputy director of communications. No official explanation was immediately provided for the change, and it remains unclear whether Rezaei’s appointment will result in any significant shift in Iran’s security or foreign policy. Rezaei, 71, has extensive experience in Iran’s military, security and political institutions. He served as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 until 1997, a period that included most of the Iran-Iraq war. His return to a prominent security position comes at a particularly sensitive time for Iran, amid continuing tensions with the United States and Israel, as well as uncertainty surrounding the security of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The SNSC is one of Iran’s most important institutions for coordinating national security and foreign policy. Although the council is formally chaired by the elected president, it brings together senior military, intelligence and government officials, along with representatives of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Major strategic decisions ultimately remain subject to the authority of the supreme leader. Zolqadr’s short tenure ends Zolqadr had been appointed secretary of the SNSC only in late March. He took over the position following the death of his predecessor, Ali Larijani, who was killed in an air strike during the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Unlike Zolqadr, Rezaei has maintained a considerably higher public profile over the course of his political career and has frequently spoken on major domestic, economic and foreign-policy issues. In a separate decree issued Sunday, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Rezaei as his representative to the SNSC. The decree referred to Rezaei’s extensive experience, including his service during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Hardline politician Saeed Jalili also serves as the supreme leader’s representative on the council. The same decree appointed Zolqadr as Khamenei’s political adviser, suggesting that his departure from the SNSC leadership does not represent a complete withdrawal from the country’s senior political establishment. Rezaei’s long political career Rezaei’s career has extended well beyond the military. After leaving his post as IRGC commander, he served for more than two decades as secretary of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, an influential body involved in resolving disputes between state institutions and advising the supreme leadership. He later entered the executive branch, serving as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 during the administration of former President Ebrahim Raisi. Rezaei also holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Tehran. Despite his academic background, much of his professional life has been spent within Iran’s military, security and political establishment. His appointment therefore places an experienced figure with a long history in Iran’s national security apparatus at the center of a council responsible for coordinating some of the country’s most consequential strategic decisions. Strait of Hormuz remains key issue The leadership change comes as Tehran continues discussions over the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international energy route. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Saturday that Tehran and Oman were nearing an understanding on a possible new shipping route through the strait. The waterway has faced severe disruption during months of conflict and escalating regional tensions. However, Iranian officials have indicated that reopening the route would depend on broader conditions being met. These reportedly include demands related to US compensation for Iran and an end to what Tehran describes as American threats and aggression. Zolqadr had previously outlined several demands, including an end to US threats against Iran, the cessation of military action against Iran and its regional allies, the lifting of sanctions and blockade measures, and the release of Iranian assets. The demands highlight the wider diplomatic and security challenges facing Tehran as it attempts to manage relations with Washington while dealing with continuing regional instability. Policy direction remains uncertain The replacement of Zolqadr by Rezaei does not necessarily indicate an immediate change in Iran’s foreign-policy direction. The SNSC operates within a broader political system in which the supreme leader has ultimate authority over major matters of national security and international affairs. However, Rezaei’s extensive military background and long involvement in Iran’s senior political institutions could make his appointment significant, particularly as Tehran navigates negotiations, military tensions and economic pressure.

Spain has resumed border checks on travellers arriving from Italy amid a growing disagreement between the two European countries over irregular migration. Spanish authorities inspected around 200 passengers on the first day of the measures, which were introduced at the country’s six busiest airports. The Interior Ministry said 199 people arriving on 12 flights from Italy were checked at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia. The temporary controls began on Saturday and are scheduled to remain in place until September 7. The move follows Italy’s decision to introduce its own checks on travellers arriving from Spain. Rome suspended the usual Schengen arrangements with Spain from August 1, saying the decision was linked to concerns over a sharp increase in irregular migration. Italian authorities said their measures would remain in place at least until August 15. The dispute intensified after around 72,000 migrants reportedly reached Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on July 30, prompting renewed concerns over migration pressures and border security. Italy has stressed that its checks are targeted rather than a blanket restriction on European travellers. Officials said Spanish and other European Union citizens would not be affected by the measures, which focus mainly on non-EU nationals travelling from Spain by air or sea. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome hoped to remove the restrictions as soon as the perceived security risk had eased. The latest developments have raised concerns about tensions within the European Union’s passport-free travel system. The Schengen Area allows people to move across 29 European countries without routine internal border checks, although individual member states can temporarily restore controls in response to security threats, public-order concerns or exceptional circumstances.