QtrendsLindsey Graham, a prominent US Republican senator and Trump ally, has died at 71, drawing tributes from world leaders. The US and Iran have escalated military conflict, with strikes exchanged and the Strait of Hormuz closed by Tehran. Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has passed away at 74.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness. Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, served as a senator from South Carolina and was a prominent voice on foreign policy and military matters. His passing immediately drew reactions from both sides of the political aisle.
World leaders and political figures have paid tribute to Lindsey Graham, remembering him for his strong support of Ukraine, trans-Atlantic ties, and Israel. Colleagues described Graham as a complex figure who was capable of bipartisanship despite his staunch conservative record. The senator's legacy drew both praise and criticism from various quarters.
The US military has launched strikes on Iran in response to an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has demanded Tehran publicly commit to keeping the strait open. Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, escalating a major confrontation in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.
The US-Iran confrontation has widened as Iran retaliates by striking targets in Arab Gulf states following US attacks. Multiple outlets report growing regional instability and fears of a broader war. Hard-liners in Iran are pushing for continued confrontation with the United States.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, has died at age 74. He is widely credited as the architect of modern Qatar, transforming the Gulf nation through strategic investments, media expansion, and soft power initiatives. His rule laid the foundation for Qatar's prominent role on the global stage.