Massive protests erupt in Iran's capital after exiled prince's phone call, internet shut down across the country
People in Iran's capital shouted from their homes and gathered in the streets on Thursday evening after a call from the exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, for a mass demonstration, witnesses said.
Telephone lines and internet access in Iran were cut off shortly after the protests began.
Chants included "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to the Islamic Republic!" Others praised the Shah, shouting: "This is the final battle! Pahlavi will return!"
So far, violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed at least 39 people, as the growing protests increase pressure on Iran's civilian government and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Government confirms Danish soldiers would retaliate if invaded
Soldiers must be deployed without waiting for orders if anyone were to invade Danish territory, including US troops trying to occupy Greenland, according to a 1952 military directive that Denmark's Defense Ministry has confirmed remains in effect.
The standing order requires Danish military personnel to "immediately undertake war" against any attack on Danish territory without waiting for commands, even if commanders are unaware of a declaration of war, the Command and the Ministry of Defense told Danish newspaper Berlingske.
Meanwhile, Denmark has welcomed a meeting with the US next week to discuss Trump's intention over US control of Greenland.
Syrian authorities urge civilians to leave Aleppo as clashes with Kurdish forces continue
Clashes between government and Kurdish forces in an area of ??the northern Syrian city of Aleppo intensified on Thursday after authorities ordered civilians to evacuate.
Syrian authorities opened a corridor for the evacuation of civilians for the second day in a row and tens of thousands of people fled the city.
The government warned of the launch of operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces after the evacuation deadline, while both sides report civilian casualties.
The violence is taking place at a time of political deadlock between Damascus and the SDF and has prompted strong international concern.
Netanyahu says Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov will head Gaza peace board
Israel's prime minister said on Thursday that former UN envoy to the Middle East, Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, has been selected to serve as director general of US President Donald Trump's Peace Board, which aims to oversee the Gaza peace process.
Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting with Mladenov in Jerusalem and identified Mladenov as the "designated" director general for the board, which is intended to oversee the implementation of the second and much more complicated phase of the ceasefire.
There was no immediate confirmation from Washington, but the appointment marks a significant step forward for Trump's Middle East peace plan, which has stalled since a ceasefire in October that ended more than two years of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Under Trump's plan, the board is supposed to oversee a new technocratic Palestinian government, the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international security force, additional Israeli troop withdrawals, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
