{
  "id": 3908272,
  "title": "Rifts widen in Iran, Houthis expand smuggling network to Africa and the UAE pledges Nepal flood aid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/rifts-widen-in-iran-houthis-expand-smuggling-network-to-africa-and-3908272",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T06:13:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/trending-middle-east/2026/08/28/rifts-widen-in-iran-houthis-expand-smuggling-network-to-africa-and-the-uae-pledges-nepal-flood-aid/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is facing criticism from a prominent ultraconservative figure for allegedly softening his stance on negotiations with the US. This growing divide within Iran highlights the differing opinions on how to proceed in the ongoing conflict. The US military reports having successfully cleared sea mines laid by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and assisting nearly 1,500 commercial vessels from passing through the crucial waterway.\n\nYemeni sources reveal that Iran-backed Houthi rebels have evolved their once-isolated smuggling operations into a vast network spanning the Horn of Africa. The Houthis have formed alliances with Al Shabab in Somalia and expanded their reach into Sudan.\n\nOn the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia and Syria have formed a joint bank to facilitate investment and money transfers between the two nations more efficiently. Meanwhile, the UAE has pledged an impressive $10 million in humanitarian aid to aid the flood-stricken people of Nepal, with the funds led by President Sheikh Mohamed.",
  "summary": "In today’s episode of Trending Middle East , Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been accused by a prominent ultraconservative figure of going soft over his support for negotiations with the US. The public rift highlights growing divisions in Iran over how to approach the next phase of the war. The US military says it has cleared sea mines laid by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Nepal lake formed after flash flood breaks banks, water level rising",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nepal-lake-formed-after-flash-flood-breaks-banks-water-level-rising",
        "published": "2026-08-28T06:10:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Rifts widen in Iran, Houthis expand smuggling network to Africa and the UAE pledges Nepal flood aid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/rifts-widen-in-iran-houthis-expand-smuggling-network-to-africa-and",
        "published": "2026-08-28T06:13:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "5.1 earthquake hits China, Nepal sounds fresh flood alert; Trishuli area evacuated again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/5-1-earthquake-hits-china-nepal-sounds-fresh-flood-alert-trishuli",
        "published": "2026-08-28T06:42:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Nepal flood death toll reaches 469 as 977 remain out of contact",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nepal-flood-death-toll-reaches-469-as-977-remain-out-of-contact",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Second flood 'imminent'? Nepal halts rescue ops as China border lake begins overflowing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/second-flood-imminent-nepal-halts-rescue-ops-as-china-border-lake",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:05:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(LEAD) S. Korea's religious communities offer condolences to Nepal flood victims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/lead-s-koreas-religious-communities-offer-condolences-to-nepal-flood",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:15:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Flash flood warning in Nepal after 5.1-magnitude earthquake hits China; evacuation near Trishuli",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/flash-flood-warning-in-nepal-after-5-1-magnitude-earthquake-hits",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:19:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea's religious communities offer condolences to Nepal flood victims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/koreas-religious-communities-offer-condolences-to-nepal-flood-victims",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:32:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Nepal flash flood rescue efforts paused amid fears of further flooding",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nepal-flash-flood-rescue-efforts-paused-amid-fears-of-further-flooding",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:09:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}