Macklemore departure from Ed Sheeran’s tour after making pro-Palestine comments at MetLife Stadium has sparked debate from all sides. But beyond the arguments over political expression in music lies a straightforward reality: an artist spoke out on an issue he believed in and faced professional consequences for doing so.

Iran thanks China, Russia for vetoing anti-Iran US resolution at UNSC

🔹Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN announced that a US-drafted resolution at the Security Council, aimed at reviving the mission of the illegitimate "Committee 1737 Expert Panel," failed to pass.

🔹"Russia and China once again firmly defended the UN Charter, international law, and the integrity of the Council, blocking another desperate US attempt to misuse the Security Council for political ends," the mission said.

🔹Iran expressed deep gratitude to Russia and China for their principled positions and decisive action, and also appreciated Somalia and Pakistan for their valuable abstentions.

Iran summons German ambassador over Merz's remarks, embassy interference

🔹Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Axel Wilhelm Dittmann in protest over "inappropriate positions" by senior German officials against Iran and "interventionist actions" by the German embassy in Tehran.

🔹Alireza Yousefi, Director General for Western Europe, conveyed Iran's strong protest against Germany's "unjustified and destructive approach" to regional and Iran-related issues, rejecting Chancellor Merz's baseless claims.

🔹Referring to Germany's military and political support for the Zionist regime, Yousefi said the region and the world view the German government as complicit in Israel's genocide and crimes against Palestinians and other regional nations.

🔹The German ambassador said he would convey Iran's protest to his government.

Yemen: Saudi warplanes carried out 37 airstrikes in 24 hours

🔹Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that Saudi fighter jets conducted 37 airstrikes over the past 24 hours.

🔹The aircraft, which took off from Khamis Mushait Air Base, targeted the provinces of Taiz and Hajjah.

🔹The attacks resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians.

Palestinian anthem echoes through Berlin streets

🔹Germany's capital witnessed a solidarity gathering with Palestine and Gaza on Thursday.

🔹Participants, wearing Palestinian keffiyehs, chanted the Palestinian anthem "Mawtini" in a powerful display of support for the Palestinian people.

Ghalibaf: China-Russia veto blocked political misuse of Security Council

🔹Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised China and Russia for vetoing a US-drafted resolution at the UN Security Council, saying it prevented "political misuse" of the body.

🔹"The unipolar order, where one side extracted concessions through force and coercion, has ended," he said.

🔹"The veto reaffirmed the rule of law and rejected political abuse of the Security Council. We must defend multilateralism—unilateralism serves no one's interests."

Iran UN envoy: Attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities must face 'zero tolerance' policy

🔹Iran's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Reza Najafi, stated that normalizing attacks on nuclear facilities undermines the IAEA Statute and the NPT, and calls into question states' right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

🔹"The international community must adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy against any attack or threat against nuclear facilities, and hold the perpetrators accountable—who have been emboldened by the meaningful silence of international bodies," he said.

‼️ Exclusive:

Tehran Rises as One

313,000-strong 'Jaanfada' exercise kicks off across Iran

🔹A nationwide mass exercise, "Jaanfada-yan Iran" (Devotees of Iran), began Friday morning with 313,000 participants. It follows a public campaign that registered 31 million volunteers for a "30-million-strong people's army."

🔹Organizers called it a symbol of "people-centered defense" and national authority. President Pezeshkian, the Jewish community's chief rabbi, and Yemeni guests were among those present.

🔹Mourners chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," with children holding photos of the child martyrs of Minab.

Scenes from the 313,000-strong 'Jaanfada-yan Iran' exercise in Tehran

President Pezeshkian attends 313,000-strong Jaanfada-yan exercise

Iran's Jaanfada children: In memory of Minab's children

🔹During the 313,000-strong "Jaanfada-yan Iran" exercise in Tehran, children of the Jaanfada volunteers carried photos and mementos honoring the child martyrs of Minab.

Tehran mayor, city council members attend 313,000-strong Jaanfada-yan ceremony

US formally withdraws from UN Human Rights Council

🔹The US announced Thursday evening that it has formally ended its membership and participation in the UN Human Rights Council, according to Tasnim.

🔹The State Department accused the council of promoting "anti-American rhetoric" and taking a lenient approach toward regimes accused of suppressing their people.

🔹The decision came a day after the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran released a report stating there are "reasonable grounds" to believe US forces were responsible for two attacks in Iran—including the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd—which could constitute war crimes.

Gharibabadi: US cannot evade responsibility by exiting Human Rights Council

🔹Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded to the US withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, stating: "History will not forget—in Minab, a school was stained with the blood of 168 children, and in Lamerd, a sports field became a slaughterhouse for civilians."

🔹"Everyone now acknowledges that the events in Minab and Lamerd were not an operational error, but a blatant war crime," he said.

🔹"The US cannot evade its responsibility by withdrawing from the Human Rights Council."

New mural at Enqelab Square: "Life, sacrificed for Iran"

Sports and youth community parade before President Pezeshkian at 'Jaanfada-yan Iran' rally