BREAKING:Russia officially allows hijabs and headscarves in passport and official ID photos.

It wasn't a full ban recently—Russian citizens have worn hijabs (face fully visible, no chin cover) in passport/ID photos for years after the 2003 Supreme Court ruling.

Earlier (1997–2003), a blanket ban on any head covering existed for standardization: clear, unobscured face for security/ID purposes + secular uniformity in official docs (Soviet legacy influence). The court struck it down citing religious freedom. 

Recent update just extends the same rule to foreign citizenship applicants (effective May 2026).

GERMANY 🇩🇪 to withdraw ALL ITS GOLD stored at Fort Knox in USA 🇺🇸

Foreign gold (like Germany's) is custodied at the NY Fed vault, not Fort Knox (that's US Treasury gold only). 

Historically: shipped to the US in WWII/Cold War for safety—Europe faced invasion risks, US was secure/neutral. Stayed for easy trading/settlements in the dollar-based NY market + ultra-secure storage. US doesn't own it; central banks can withdraw anytime (Germany already repatriated ~2/3 since 2013). Recent calls to finish due to geopolitics.

JUST IN: 🇬🇧🇷🇺 Iranian Drone that targeted British military base found to have Russian technology.

Reports confirm: Iranian-designed Shahed drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on March 1, causing minor runway damage, no casualties. UK military intel found Russian-made Kometa-B navigation tech in wreckage (per The Times/Daily Mail). Drone likely launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, not Iran directly. Russia-Iran drone/tech ties noted in prior conflicts.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump says he is "not happy" Mojtaba Khamenei was selected as Iran's new Supreme Leader.

Yes, verified. Trump has publicly called Mojtaba Khamenei's selection "unacceptable," labeled him a "lightweight," and said he "won't last long" without US approval. Confirmed across CNN, Reuters, NBC, ABC, Guardian, and others today. The "not happy" matches his stated opposition to the choice.

JUST IN: 🇨🇳🇹🇼 Chinese FM Wang Yi says "Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times. It never was, is not, and never will be a country."

FM Wang Yi: #Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times. It never was, is not, and never will be a country. Its return to China is a victorious outcome of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Second World War. 

Its status has been definitively fixed by a series of international legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan’s Instrument of Surrender, and Resolution 2758 of the U.N. General Assembly. Any attempt to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” is doomed to fail.

Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of our motherland is a historic process that cannot be stopped. Those who support it are on the right side of history; those who defy it shall perish.

BREAKING: North Korea congratulates Iran on selecting its new Supreme Leader.

The claim is unverified. Iran did select Mojtaba Khamenei (son of the late Ali Khamenei) as new Supreme Leader on March 8 after US-Israeli strikes killed his father. However, no official North Korean statement (via KCNA) or credible reporting confirms Kim Jong Un sent congratulations or the quoted message about "humiliating Israel." It's only circulating on social media without sourcing. Past NK behavior suggests they often stay silent on such successions.

BREAKING: The US is reportedly dismayed by Israel's strikes on Iranian fuel depots.

This marks the first significant disagreement between the two allies since the war began, per Axios.

The Axios scoop is real—not fake propaganda. It cites U.S. officials ("We don't think it was a good idea"), an Israeli official (U.S. message: "WTF"), and sources saying Israel's strikes on ~30 Iranian fuel depots exceeded what Washington expected after prior notice. Multiple outlets (Yahoo, AA, etc.) confirm the same. The fire photo matches reports of the Tehran-area hits

JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China says it's "ready to restore order, tranquility, and peace to the Middle East."

China's official statements (from FM spokesperson Mao Ning and Xinhua/CGTN this week) say they "stand ready to play a constructive role" in Middle East peace, will send special envoy Zhai Jun for mediation/de-escalation, and urge stopping operations + dialogue. No verbatim "ready to restore order, tranquility, and peace" in primary sources—it's a social media paraphrase of their standard diplomatic line. Yes, they're pushing peacemaker role amid current tensions.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇨🇳 US intelligence suggests China may be preparing to provide Iran with financial aid, spare parts, and missile components, CNN reports.

According to a CNN report today citing US intelligence sources, yes: the US has intel suggesting China may be preparing to provide Iran with financial aid, spare parts, and missile components. Beijing has stayed out of the US-Israel war against Iran so far and is viewed as cautious—it relies on Iranian oil and wants the conflict to end to protect energy supplies. CIA declined comment; no response from China. US Defense Sec. says China/Russia aren't really a factor.

Scientists successfully transferred a longevity gene, paving the way to extend human lifespan.

Yes, it's true based on a University of Rochester study published yesterday. They transferred the naked mole rat HAS2 gene (boosting high-molecular-weight hyaluronan) into mice. Results: 4.4% longer median lifespan, fewer tumors, reduced inflammation, better gut health. It's proof-of-principle for healthier aging—next steps are drugs to mimic this in humans, not gene editing yet. Cool breakthrough!

BREAKING:US officials say Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, helping Tehran target US forces – Washington Post

The source is The Washington Post article published today (March 6, 2026): "Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say." 

It cites three U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence, confirming Russia shared locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇨🇴 Leader of Colombian drug trafficking organization sentenced to over 17 years in prison for attempting to traffic cocaine to US.

The man in the mugshot is Rosbin Leonardo Duarte-Elvir, a 43-year-old Honduran who led a Colombian drug trafficking organization. He was sentenced today in Tampa federal court to 17 years and 6 months in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the US by loading it onto commercial flights via corrupt airport staff. The other photo shows DEA agents involved in such ops.

BREAKING — Islam in Japan:Islam has been recorded as the fastest-growing religion in Japan.

Yes, according to studies by Waseda University professor Hirofumi Tanada and others, Japan's Muslim population grew from ~110,000 in 2010 to ~230,000 by 2019 (110% increase) and ~350,000 by 2023—primarily via immigration from countries like Indonesia, plus some conversions. This gives Islam the highest percentage growth rate among religions there, though it remains under 0.3% of the total population.

🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran rejects cease-fire negotiations, says ready for U.S. ground invasion, per TIME

Yes, it's true. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News yesterday that Iran is "prepared for any eventuality, even a ground invasion" by the US, calling it a "big disaster" for American forces, and explicitly rejected cease-fire talks or negotiations. This matches the TIME article and other reports from today.

South Korean engineers created artificial muscles one hundred times stronger than human tissue

Yes, it's based on real UNIST (South Korea) research from 2025. Their magnetic artificial muscle switches soft-to-rigid, delivers 30x human muscle's work density (1150 kJ/m³), 86% strain (2x human), and supports 4000x its weight when stiff. 

"100 times stronger" is exaggerated hype—likely mixing with 2014 fishing-line tech. Impressive anyway! 

Check the UNIST paper for details.

The daughter of Cartel boss “El Mencho” was found running a coffee shop in California.

Yes, it's true. NY Post investigated and visited: 24-year-old Laisha Oseguera Gonzalez (El Mencho's youngest daughter) runs El Rincon La Chulis coffee shop in a Perris, CA strip mall since 2018. Serves horchata lattes, chilaquiles, etc. She keeps a low profile, regulars call her nice and normal. No current legal issues with the business, though her family (including husband, mom, sister) has deep CJNG cartel ties.

JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran says it did not request a ceasefire and rejects negotiations with the United States.

Iran's Foreign Minister says "No thanks!" to peace talks and ceasefires with the US, calling past chats "dishonest." 🙅‍♂️ BRICS News is on the same page. While some whisper of secret backchannels, Tehran's officially playing coy. Just public defiance, folks! 🎭 #DiplomacyDrama 

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US President Trump says he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader.

Trump said that today in an Axios interview: "I have to be involved in the appointment" for Iran's next leader (calling Khamenei's son a "lightweight" & unacceptable, comparing to Venezuela). 

Possible? No—the US can't appoint Iran's Supreme Leader (that's their Assembly of Experts). But Trump means he'll use sanctions/strikes to veto anyone continuing the old regime & push for his preferred outcome. Influence via pressure, not direct selection.

JUST IN: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia is diverting millions of barrels of its crude oil to a port on its Red Sea coast.

Saudi is rerouting millions of barrels of crude from its eastern fields via the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Reason: the Iran conflict has made the Strait of Hormuz too risky for tankers (shipping slowed near halt), while Gulf storage is filling fast. This lets them keep exports going without cutting output.

Cancer cells can now turn back to normal cells, thanks to South Korean scientists

A groundbreaking method to reprogram cancer cells back into normal, healthy cells, rather than killing them. Using "digital twin" technology to simulate gene networks, the team identified master molecular switches—specifically targeting genes like MYB, HDAC2, and FOXA2—that, when manipulated, reverse cancerous growth in colon cells.

JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China says war is not the solution in the Middle East.

Immediate ceasefire, followed by inclusive multilateral negotiations under UN auspices. Address core issues like Iran's nuclear program, regional security guarantees, proxy conflicts, and economic incentives for stability. History shows sustained dialogue outperforms escalation—China's call aligns with avoiding wider war.

JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇹🇷 Iran denies launching missiles at Turkey.

Yes, Iran's Armed Forces issued a statement today denying any missile launch toward Turkey. They said they respect Turkish sovereignty. This follows Turkey's report that NATO intercepted a ballistic missile (allegedly from Iran) over the eastern Mediterranean heading toward its airspace. Multiple outlets including Reuters, Al Jazeera, and NYT confirm the denial.

JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China orders its largest oil refiners to suspend diesel and gas exports as war in Iran escalates.

Yes, confirmed. Bloomberg reports (just now) that China's NDRC verbally instructed the country's largest oil refiners to immediately suspend diesel and gasoline exports temporarily, due to crude supply disruptions from the escalating Iran conflict disrupting Persian Gulf shipments.

JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China calls for the U.S and Iran to resume talks.

Yes, China has recently called for the United States and Iran to resume talks, amid the ongoing escalation in the Middle East involving U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran.

This statement aligns with Beijing's consistent diplomatic stance: expressing deep concern over the attacks (including the reported killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), condemning unilateral military actions, urging an immediate halt to operations to prevent wider regional conflict, and emphasizing dialogue and negotiation as the path forward.

Key recent developments from Chinese officials (late February to early March 2026):

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China is "highly concerned" about U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling for respect of Iran's sovereignty and an immediate cessation of military actions to "resume dialogue and negotiations" for Middle East peace.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the strikes as "unacceptable" in calls with counterparts (e.g., Russia's Sergei Lavrov), pushing for a ceasefire and return to talks.

On March 3, spokesperson Mao Ning urged a return to dialogue specifically on the Iranian nuclear issue, while respecting Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy and noting Iran's statements against developing nuclear weapons.

This comes against the backdrop of:

Recent U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran (described in reports as coordinated strikes causing significant escalation).

Iranian retaliatory actions targeting U.S. assets and Israel.

Earlier attempts at indirect nuclear talks (e.g., in Oman/Geneva), which appear disrupted by the current conflict.

China's position reflects its interests in regional stability (to protect energy imports, like Iranian oil), avoiding direct confrontation with the U.S., and positioning itself as a proponent of diplomacy rather than force. Beijing has also evacuated citizens from affected areas and urged Gulf states to unite against external interference.

On X (formerly Twitter), this has been widely shared as breaking news, often with the exact phrasing "China calls for the U.S and Iran to resume talks," including from accounts like @spectatorindex.

Overall, it's a call for de-escalation through renewed negotiations rather than a formal mediation offer, consistent with China's approach to the Iranian nuclear file and broader Middle East tensions.

JUST INChina has filled its oil reserves to 1.5 billion barrels!

Yes, it's true based on recent data. Kpler tracking and reports from OilPrice.com (Dec 2025) and others show China's total crude stockpiles—strategic plus commercial—exceed 1.5 billion barrels, with capacity around 2 billion. This provides ~120-200 days of import cover amid global tensions. The tank farm image matches their storage sites.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇪🇸 President Trump ends all trade with Spain for refusing to allow US military to use its bases to attack Iran.

Yes, it would likely hurt Spain's economy in the short term. Bilateral goods trade with the US totaled ~$48B in 2024 (US exports ~$28B, imports from Spain ~$20.5B), focused on pharma, machinery, autos, and energy. That's ~3% of Spain's ~$1.6T GDP, but key sectors would feel it hard. Spanish ETF already down 5.6% today on the news. EU trade dominates for Spain though, so not economy-ending. 

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇱 President Trump says Israel did not force him to attack Iran.

"I am the one who pushed Israel to engage in the battle."

Yes, it's real in substance. Trump said today to reporters: "If anything, I might have forced Israel's hand" on strikes against Iran, adding Iran was about to attack first and he didn't want that. The BRICS post paraphrases it closely as him pushing Israel into the battle.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇩🇪 President Trump says Germany is helping the US against Iran.

Yes, it's accurate. In today's White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Trump said: "We'll obviously be talking a little bit about Iran today, and he's been helping us out." Merz added they're "on the same page" about ending Iran's regime.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says "in the next few hours and days" attacks on Iran will increase in scope and intensity.

Historically, US announcements of intensified action against Iran or similar foes have varied widely: targeted strikes with quick de-escalation (e.g., 2020 Soleimani response), proxy conflicts, or broader campaigns ending in regime change attempts, stalemates, or withdrawals like post-2003 Iraq. No fixed pattern—"always" depends on goals, responses, and negotiations. In this ongoing 2026 scenario, we'll see based on how strikes and diplomacy play out.

JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇸🇦 Iranian drone strikes CIA station in Saudi Arabia, Washington Post reports.

Yes, the Washington Post reported today (March 3, 2026) that a suspected Iranian drone struck the CIA station at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday. It cites two sources familiar with the matter, in the context of Iran's retaliation to recent US-Israeli strikes. Other outlets like NYT and CNBC confirm the embassy was hit by Iranian drones.

JUST IN: 🇶🇦🇮🇷 Qatar says it has arrested two cells linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Those "cells" refer to two covert IRGC-linked operative groups. Qatar arrested 10 suspects total: 7 tasked with espionage (gathering intel on vital/military sites), 3 trained for sabotage via drones. Seized: sensitive site coords, comms gear & equipment. This amid Iran's recent missile/drone attacks on Gulf states.