Week in review: Iran tensions, Albania protests, Belfast riots, and World Cup opening

US-Iran Conflict

The week began with President Trump stating that a ceasefire extension with Iran was nearly finalized, claiming it would take only an hour to complete. Hours later, Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter off the Gulf of Oman; the crew was rescued. The attack was reportedly intended to deter US efforts to increase air patrols targeting Iranian drones to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Two nights of US military strikes on Iran followed, with Iranian counterattacks on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. By Thursday, President Trump warned of heavy attacks and announced a plan to capture Iran's Kharg Island, but the threat was called off. Trump claimed Iranian leadership had blinked and approved the ceasefire extension, but Iran's regime said no final decision had been made.

Albania's 'Flamingo Revolution'

For a second week, mass demonstrations continued in Albania. What started as an environmental protest against plans by President Trump's family to build a luxury resort snowballed into a broader political movement calling for the prime minister's resignation. Demonstrators call it the 'Flamingo Revolution' after the bird species native to the protected coastline where Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are leading a consortium to create a multi-billion-dollar hotel project, also eyeing the state-owned island of Sazan. Protests increased after construction began and after Ivanka gave a podcast interview describing how she wanted to develop the island after being captivated by hiking it barefoot. Demonstrators cite a lack of transparency. Bernie Sanders waded in, calling it "Albanians versus the Global Oligarchy." The prime minister claims hostile state online bots are magnifying anger and that an environmental assessment is still underway. The European Commission reminded Albania not to take actions that could undermine its EU aspirations.

Belfast Riots

Riots erupted in Belfast following a brutal late-night street stabbing. The suspect is a Sudanese migrant granted leave to remain in the UK for five years. Video of the attack went viral, showing a sustained assault on a man in his 40s, with bystanders intervening, one using a wooden hurling stick to drive the attacker back. Two nights of unrest followed. Initial calls to protest the attack quickly turned into anti-immigration riots, amplified online. Addresses linked to migrant and asylum seeker housing were shared on social media. Bricks were thrown through windows, cars set alight, and walls graffitied with "local houses for local people." The events sparked renewed debate over immigration enforcement and how to counter potential dog-whistle politics or underlying racism while addressing genuine concerns.

World Cup Opening

The largest ever World Cup opened with a ceremony in Mexico at the Azteca stadium, where Diego Maradona famously scored with the "Hand of God" 40 years ago. In the opening match, Mexico beat South Africa 2-0, with three red cards issued. Controversies included dynamic ticket pricing and US visa travel bans. Omar Artan, the first Somali official selected by FIFA to referee at the World Cup, was denied entry at Miami airport. FIFA's boss responded: "Just, you know, chill."

Armenian Elections

The pro-European party of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan won an election as he seeks to strengthen ties with Brussels while assuaging President Putin, given the country's heavy reliance on Russian oil and gas.