IRAN: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni opened the door today to renewed negotiations with the United States over his country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, telling its civilian government there was “no barrier” to engaging with its “enemy.”

Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks set clear red lines for any talks taking place under the government of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and renewed his warnings that the US wasn’t to be trusted.

MALAYSIA: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged Tuesday with sedition over a speech he made that allegedly questioned the integrity of the country’s previous king.

Mr Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from March 2020 until August 2021, pleaded not guilty in a court in north-east Kelantan state. According to the charge sheet, Mr Muhyiddin made the seditious remarks last month during a by-election campaign in Kelantan.

PAKISTAN: A separatist group today claimed responsibility for the deadliest day in recent history in Pakistan’s Balochistan and warned that “even more intense and widespread” attacks were coming.

The multiple attacks in south-western Pakistan killed more than 50 people, mostly civilians. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army group insisted it did not harm civilians and claimed that 800 of its well-trained fighters took part in the shootings and bombings that began late Sunday.

NIGERIA: Doctors have begun a seven-day national strike to demand the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped eight months ago.

Dr Popoola was kidnapped from her home alongside her husband and nephew on December 27.

Her husband was freed after a ransom was paid but Dr Popoola and her relative remain in captivity.

Doctors accuse the authorities of not doing enough to secure the releases.