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Lithuanian intelligence officials issued a stark warning Friday about Russia’s military buildup along NATO’s borders, suggesting Moscow is positioning forces that could serve as staging areas for future conflicts with the Western alliance.

According to Lithuania’s annual security threat assessment released Friday, Russia could be prepared for a “wide-scale military conflict” with NATO within six years if international sanctions are removed.

“Russia would likely create not only a 30-50 percent larger army than it had before the war but also a relatively modern one. Strategic reserves of weapons and ammunition would be fully restored. Russia would be ready for a conventional military conflict with NATO,” the Lithuanian intelligence report said.

The assessment indicates that Moscow’s primary objectives include shifting Europe’s power balance in its favor and achieving complete control over Ukraine. Lithuanian officials noted that Russian forces are gaining combat experience in Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening border positions.

Russia’s defense ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the intelligence findings.

The report highlights how Russian military production has accelerated with Chinese assistance, allowing Moscow to decrease its dependence on Western technology. Intelligence officials warn that Russia’s excess weapons stockpiles following the conflict could create “consequences for global security.”

Lithuania, which shares borders with both Russia and its ally Belarus, has emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters and most vocal critics of Russian actions since joining NATO and the European Union.

The intelligence assessment referenced mysterious package explosions that occurred in 2024, which Lithuanian authorities attributed to Russian military intelligence operations that could potentially be expanded to cause casualties.

However, the report concluded that various gas pipeline disruptions, power cable failures, and telecommunications outages affecting the Baltic Sea region since 2023 were accidental, despite involving vessels departing from Russian ports. Officials did not explain their methodology for reaching this determination.

Baltic nations have maintained heightened security measures following these underwater infrastructure incidents since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO leadership has announced plans to increase its regional military presence in response.

Finland retrieved an anchor in 2023 that authorities believe came from a Chinese cargo ship suspected of damaging the Estonia-Finland gas pipeline and multiple fiber-optic connections. That investigation continues, with Finnish officials declining to specify whether they consider the incident intentional or accidental.

When questioned about the pipeline and cable damage, Mindaugas Mazonas, Lithuania’s military intelligence chief, told reporters: “The investigation was not undertaken by our intelligence… but we have the answer that this was a non-intentional incident.”

Healthcare facilities in Gaza are facing a dire shortage of medical supplies, according to a Friday announcement from the World Health Organization, even after Israel allowed a major border crossing to reopen earlier this week.

WHO’s regional director Hanan Balkhy reported that certain critical items including gauze and needles have been completely exhausted, based on data provided by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The territory has been severely impacted by two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“Stocks of essential medicines, trauma supplies and surgical consumables are critically low, and fuel shortages continue to limit hospital operations,” Balkhy stated.

“The situation is difficult, and we will be running out of whatever is remaining,” she added.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, Israeli military authorities announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing “for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid.” The crossing had been previously shuttered due to concerns about missile attacks from Iran during heightened tensions following Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran last Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing connecting to Egypt – which serves as the primary evacuation route for Gaza residents – continues to remain closed, halting medical evacuations according to WHO officials.

The United Nations agency reports that approximately 18,000 individuals, including wounded children and patients with chronic conditions, are currently waiting for medical evacuation from the territory.

Balkhy confirmed that her organization managed to bring in some medical equipment and fuel supplies on Tuesday and Wednesday, though several transport trucks remain waiting in the Egyptian city of al-Arish.

“We’re talking about … maximum 200 out of 600 daily trucks that need to go in are going in so that is really not enough to support the needs in Gaza,” she explained.

The WHO official emphasized the urgent need for additional fuel shipments to keep medical facilities operational.

Following the conclusion of the Israel-Hamas conflict with an unstable ceasefire last October, 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain closed. The facilities that continue operating are having difficulty maintaining essential medical services including surgical procedures, dialysis treatment, and intensive care units, Balkhy reported.

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, accumulated over decades from oil and gas revenues, face their biggest test as regional conflicts threaten to drain the $5 trillion emergency reserves these nations have carefully built.

Iranian strikes targeting Gulf infrastructure have created potential financial pressures not seen in years. While crude prices jumped 20% since last Friday, the attacks have disrupted critical oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and forced shutdowns at major facilities, including Saudi Aramco’s largest domestic refinery and Qatar’s natural gas operations.

Extended military confrontations could compel treasury officials in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Kuwait to access their sovereign reserves, financial experts warn. These governments now face mounting defense expenditures, supply chain disruptions affecting everything from food to medical supplies, and potential economic downturns.

“SWFs (sovereign wealth funds) give countries like the UAE strong financial buffers, and regional governments will rely on their deep pools of sovereign wealth if and as needed,” said Paris-based Robert Mogielnicki, who runs an investment and geopolitical advisory firm and is a non-resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, remains critical for energy giants Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Both companies have historically moved most crude exports through this waterway. Alternative shipping routes exist but lack sufficient capacity to handle typical Gulf volumes.

“The impact of the current Iran-related crisis depends on how energy flows and prices evolve,” Global SWF, a research group, said in a report on Wednesday.

Gulf nations have worked to reduce dependence on natural resources, yet hydrocarbon revenues still anchor public budgets with varying degrees of stability. The UAE expects fiscal surpluses approaching 5% of GDP through 2025 and 2026, while Saudi Arabia recorded a 276 billion riyal ($73.54 billion) budget shortfall last year, with additional deficits projected ahead.

JPMorgan analysts have already reduced growth projections for non-oil sectors across Gulf Cooperation Council members – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. They anticipate a 1.2 percentage-point decline from earlier estimates, with the UAE facing the steepest downward revision of 2.3 percentage points. Hydrocarbon sectors might rebound later this year depending on conflict duration, JPMorgan noted.

The investment bank warned that non-hydrocarbon industries would suffer lasting damage, with heightened risks to diversification goals including domestic investment, foreign capital attraction and talent recruitment.

International borrowing costs could also increase for these nations. Saudi Arabia approved a 217 billion riyal ($57.86 billion) borrowing authorization in January. The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Aramco, banks and other entities, has raised approximately $27 billion since early this year, representing one of their most aggressive fundraising periods, JPMorgan reported February 2.

“PIF may face more (financial and operational) constraints (than purely portfolio-oriented peers) since it is not only a global investor but is also the main funding force for Vision 2030,” said Ana Nacvalovaite, an Oxford academic specialising in sovereign wealth funds.

PIF was already redirecting focus domestically as the kingdom seeks to attract investment amid growing fiscal strain and the need to finance Vision 2030. This ambitious plan requires hundreds of billions in government spending across tourism and other sectors to reduce hydrocarbon dependence.

Following the 2008 global financial crisis, regional funds became crucial lifelines for international investors, supporting institutions from Barclays to Credit Suisse. Not every investment succeeded, leading funds to adopt more strategic approaches in recent years.

These entities have committed massive resources to technology and artificial intelligence, making these sectors central to economic diversification efforts away from oil dependency.

PIF has allocated tens of billions toward domestic and international technology ventures, including stakes in SoftBank’s Vision Fund. Mubadala has invested heavily in robotics and AI infrastructure, while Abu Dhabi’s MGX, launched last year with Mubadala as a founding partner, has collaborated with BlackRock on a $30 billion AI infrastructure initiative.

High-profile investments in media, entertainment and sports reflect efforts to project influence and capture growth in consumer industries. PIF acquired majority control in Electronic Arts and invested billions in professional golf through LIV Golf, boxing and e-sports.

Last December, the Saudi fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad and Qatar Investment Authority combined forces to support Paramount Skydance’s $108 billion offer for Warner Bros Discovery. This unusual three-way partnership demonstrated Gulf states’ appetite for entertainment assets and growing influence in global dealmaking.

However, continued military escalation and increased domestic needs could pause investment activities, according to Nacvalovaite.

“Priority is security of the citizens and the supply chains e.g. food security and drinking water,” she said.

The $1 trillion Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), established in 1953 as the world’s first sovereign wealth fund, provides historical context for these institutions’ emergency role. When Iraqi forces invaded in 1990, KIA’s London operations effectively functioned as the country’s finance ministry, coordinating transfers to the government in exile.

Since then, every major Gulf fund has maintained similar emergency preparedness: accumulating during prosperous periods and deploying during crises, despite operating under different mandates and strategies. While PIF serves as a domestic investment vehicle for Saudi Vision 2030, KIA and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority focus exclusively on international investments.

Not all sovereign capital could be quickly mobilized during deeper crises. Funds like Mubadala, with greater emphasis on private equity, infrastructure assets, and illiquid alternatives, might face more challenging divestment processes.

U.S. Treasury bonds and publicly traded stocks may offer the first and easiest liquidation options. Abu Dhabi’s ADIA was among investors that sold a large block of shares in U.S. company Medline this week.

“Public markets are the easiest source of liquidity, but they’re also the most visible and can be costly to exit during volatility,” said Sam Bourgi, finance analyst at InvestorsObserver.

“The base case is that Gulf SWFs are not forced sellers.”

Some investment activity continues currently. Mubadala joined a group committing approximately $4 billion to life insurance company Athora Holding, according to Friday’s announcement, while ADIA and a QIA subsidiary appeared this week among cornerstone investors for Japanese payment firm PayPay’s U.S. initial public offering.

Reduced outbound investing and quiet portfolio adjustments rather than emergency asset sales represents a more probable scenario, Bourgi explained.

Qatar’s QIA chose to deploy sovereign resources domestically during the 2008 financial crisis to stabilize its banking system, purchasing assets from local bank portfolios to restore market confidence.

Peter Jädersten, CEO of fundraising advisory firm Jade Advisors, said efforts would focus on quickly restoring confidence, though he cautioned the process may require time.

“I think the SWFs’ portfolios will have a short-term reset, but so will other long term investors across the globe like endowments and pension funds. I don’t think it will make a dent in the long-term portfolios of the region’s SWFs,” he said.

A Dubai-based entrepreneur who launched a pet travel service last Saturday found himself overwhelmed with evacuation requests instead of the animal transport inquiries he expected, as Middle East tensions drive desperate residents to seek private jet escapes.

Samuel Lait’s company PetX Jets was designed to ferry pets and their owners between Dubai and the United Kingdom, but regional conflict has transformed his business model overnight. His inbox now overflows with requests from travelers of all ages – young couples, expectant parents, and seniors – all seeking passage out of the United Arab Emirates.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran reached their seventh day Friday, with the crisis threatening to spread beyond Middle Eastern borders and prompting mass exodus attempts from the region.

“The original idea was to transport pets and their owners between the UK and Dubai primarily. And that’s very much changed since Saturday,” Lait explained.

“We’re trying to sort of move with what’s happening,” he added, noting his company may accelerate launch plans originally scheduled for June.

Major UAE airports, typically ranking among the globe’s busiest aviation hubs, are operating at severely reduced capacity despite gradual flight resumptions. This limitation has pushed many residents and visitors to seek escape routes through neighboring Oman and Saudi Arabia, often utilizing private aircraft services.

Altay Kula, who heads France-based private jet brokerage Jet-VIP with Middle East operations, described the overwhelming demand surge since regional tensions escalated.

“Since the escalation of tensions in the region, we have seen a significant increase in bookings … every 10 minutes we have requests, every 20 minutes. I mean, the request is very important at the moment,” Kula stated.

According to Kula, current airspace restrictions have complicated departure logistics, driving clients to “seek solutions to leave the Middle East, particularly Dubai and Qatar,” often through Riyadh and Muscat airports.

Despite the business opportunity, both operators face significant obstacles, particularly skyrocketing charter costs that have priced out many potential customers.

Jet-VIP’s standard Dubai-to-Istanbul routes previously cost $50,000 for six-passenger light jets and $110,000 for larger aircraft accommodating 15 travelers. These rates have now doubled to $100,000 and $200,000 respectively.

“A lot of the flights that we were offered initially were out of Oman. So the prices there were still astronomical because the demand has obviously gone through the roof,” Lait observed, expressing frustration with aircraft costs as his startup attempts to begin operations.

Kula identified another challenge: limited airport slots as traffic surges at Muscat and Riyadh facilities.

“Sometimes it can take up to 24 hours just to have the authorisation to go to Oman and to pick up the passengers,” he explained, adding that his company prefers Dubai operations but faces slot availability issues due to airspace restrictions.

For now, Lait’s PetX Jets remains in holding pattern, waiting for conditions to improve.

“Our aim is to really try and hold out until the Dubai airspace opens and those aircraft become more in line with the prices that we’ve seen in the weeks and months leading up to Saturday,” Lait concluded.

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Political leaders in Cyprus are weighing whether to challenge Britain’s decades-long military presence on their island following a drone attack that heightened fears of being pulled into regional conflict with Iran.

The debate over Britain’s two military installations – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – has simmered since Cyprus achieved independence in 1960, but tensions escalated after Monday’s drone strike on Akrotiri base. Security sources believe the Iranian-made drone was launched by Hezbollah, Iran’s regional partner.

While no injuries occurred in the attack, the incident prompted emergency evacuations of nearby residents and placed the island on heightened security alert.

When questioned about potentially reassessing the British military installations, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told media Friday: “There is nothing I can rule out.”

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, formerly a law professor, responded cautiously when asked about the bases’ future status: “I no longer have the luxury in life of just expressing my legal opinion about things. Any decision on issues of this importance are not taken in the heat of the moment or during a crisis.”

However, local media took a stronger stance. Columnist Costas Venizelos wrote in the pro-government newspaper Phileleftheros: “The bases should take a hike. They are endangering our safety.”

The military facilities span approximately 99 square miles along Cyprus’s southern and eastern shorelines, housing roughly 7,000 British military members and their families, plus about 12,000 Cypriots living in surrounding areas.

Cypriot leadership expressed anger over weekend comments by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who failed to clearly deny potential use of the Cyprus facilities in U.S. and Israeli operations targeting Iran. Britain later issued clarifying statements and sent Defense Minister John Healey to Cyprus for diplomatic discussions.

“Yes, there was irritation” regarding Starmer’s remarks, President Christodoulides acknowledged during a Thursday interview with Greek television network Skai TV.

On Friday, Christodoulides also conducted meetings with MI6 intelligence chief Blaise Metreweli, though discussion details remain undisclosed.

Legal scholars in Cyprus argue the military arrangements warrant fresh examination under current international standards, describing the bases as colonial remnants incompatible with United Nations principles.

Britain’s Defense Ministry maintains the installations comply with international regulations, with a spokesperson stating: “Our Sovereign Base Areas are fully legal under international law.”

Cyprus experts point to Britain’s 2025 agreement transferring Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius following international court rulings against colonial-era territorial separation as a potential model.

“That implies something similar can and should be implemented in the case of Cyprus – that the bases be placed on a new footing fully compliant with international law,” stated Costas Clerides, former Cypriot attorney-general and Supreme Court justice.

The controversy appears likely to persist, though Cypriot officials privately acknowledge reluctance to escalate tensions while their own Greek-Turkish territorial dispute remains unresolved.

“It’s not that simple,” one government official noted.

The British military presence represents one of the UK’s most strategically important overseas positions, supporting Middle Eastern operations for decades and serving as a key Mediterranean foothold.

NAIROBI, Kenya — A United Nations investigation has determined that Uganda provided military assistance for South Sudan’s aerial bombardments that resulted in civilian deaths and severe injuries from burns approximately one year ago.

According to findings from the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, coordinated air attacks conducted by both nations “targeted civilian-populated areas predominantly affecting Nuer communities in opposition-affiliated areas.” The Nuer people represent South Sudan’s second-largest ethnic community.

Uganda has military personnel stationed in South Sudan supporting President Salva Kiir’s administration against forces aligned with opposition leader Riek Machar, who lost his vice presidential position in September following criminal allegations. Uganda’s military leadership states their troops operate in South Sudan through government invitation under a mutual security pact.

As Machar currently faces trial on charges including treason, combat has escalated in regions considered his power base, where government forces work to scatter rebel fighters.

The U.N. investigation noted that the bombardments extensively employed “improvised incendiary devices.”

Uganda deployed forces to South Sudan in March 2025, bringing military equipment including tanks and armored vehicles. This deployment occurred after militia forces captured a military installation near the Ethiopian frontier.

Several weeks following this incident, authorities placed Machar under house detention for his suspected involvement in coordinating the assault, accusations he refutes. The government has subsequently depended on air-based attacks to establish dominance in expanding conflicts with Machar’s supporters and additional armed factions.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni previously deployed his military to intervene in South Sudan’s civil war from 2013-2018 on several occasions supporting Kiir’s side, contributing to shifting the conflict in his direction. Current hostilities jeopardize a peace agreement established in 2018.

During a March 2025 assault in Wunaliet, located 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Juba, the capital, residences were consumed by flames after aircraft released “barrels of liquid that ignited,” according to witness accounts provided to the U.N. commission. Those who survived reported observing “civilians set alight, including a boy burnt beyond recognition.” Military quarters housing opposition troops also sustained damage.

Following the attack by one day, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is Museveni’s son and serves as chief military commander, published on X that Uganda had struck opposition forces.

“Our air offensive will not stop until Riek Machar makes peace with my uncle Afande Salva,” he wrote. Though Kiir is not Kainerugaba’s actual uncle, this language demonstrates the tight relationship between both governments.

The social media post, which was subsequently removed, included video footage that appeared to display explosive fires recorded from inside an aircraft.

Aircraft tracking information indicates that a turboprop aircraft that flew circular patterns over the bombing location had departed from Uganda earlier that day and was under Ugandan military operation, according to the U.N. findings.

The investigation stops short of definitively establishing Uganda’s participation level in operations or their precise role, noting only evidence of “high degrees of planning, operational integration and command-level authorization.”

In November, Uganda rejected claims of participating in South Sudan combat missions. The country has also disputed using “chemical weapons and barrel bombs” and maintains it does not target civilians.

Previously, Amnesty International concluded that Uganda had breached a 2018 U.N. weapons embargo prohibiting member nations from supplying most military aid to South Sudan, including arms and personnel. A U.N. expert panel reached similar conclusions in November.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders announced Friday they are blocking visa-free travel privileges for Georgian government officials and diplomats for a minimum of one year, citing the country’s deteriorating democracy and violent response to peaceful demonstrators.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a strong statement condemning the Georgian government’s actions: “If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists, and curtails freedom, there are consequences.”

The nation has been gripped by widespread demonstrations and civil unrest ever since Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced in November 2024 it was stopping efforts to pursue EU membership — a constitutional objective supported by many Georgian citizens.

This decision sparked massive street protests that authorities have responded to with widespread detentions and aggressive police tactics. The controversy intensified following a disputed parliamentary election where the governing party claimed victory amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud.

According to the European Commission, officials made the decision to halt official travel privileges “in response to Georgia’s deliberate and persisting violation of the commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights.”

The violations specifically include a “crackdown on protesters, opposition politicians, and independent media,” which have “resulted in breaches of several fundamental rights and international legal standards.”

The EU’s executive body stated the travel suspension will remain in effect until March 6, 2027, with the possibility of a two-year extension if Georgian leadership fails to resolve the democratic governance and rule of law concerns.

European governments have also been instructed to increase scrutiny of all Georgian citizens entering EU territory. Officials warned that diplomats and government representatives attempting to use personal passports instead of official diplomatic documents could face complete entry bans.

Kallas emphasized the EU’s position on supporting Georgian citizens while rejecting their government’s actions: “The people of Georgia have our full support but there is no place for those representing repression in our union.”

LONDON, March 5 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday the deployment of four more Typhoon fighter aircraft to Qatar as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East region.

The decision comes as Britain faces scrutiny over its measured approach to the Iran crisis and following a drone strike on a crucial military installation in Cyprus, which has raised questions among allies about the nation’s military capabilities.

President Donald Trump has also taken aim at Starmer, accusing the British leader of not offering adequate backing for U.S. military actions against Iran.

During a Thursday press briefing, Starmer defended Britain’s strategy, stating the country had been positioning military assets throughout the region even before hostilities began.

“My focus is providing calm, level headed leadership in the national interest,” Starmer stated.

“That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our people, and it means having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles, no matter the pressure to do otherwise,” he added.

The Prime Minister explained that the four additional Typhoon aircraft will reinforce the existing squadron stationed in Qatar to bolster defensive capabilities both there and across the broader region.

“We have the right plan for defence,” he declared.

Turkish intelligence officials reached out to Britain’s MI6 spy agency last month seeking expanded assistance in safeguarding Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa amid growing threats from Islamic State operatives, according to five sources with knowledge of the situation.

The appeal underscores international efforts to stabilize a nation still experiencing intermittent violence more than a year after Bashar al-Assad’s government fell, as broader regional tensions from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran add to the uncertainty.

International partners view Sharaa as essential to avoiding a return to religious warfare or renewed civil conflict, following 14 years of internal strife that forced millions to flee the country and enabled Islamic State to seize large portions of Syrian territory.

The extremist organization has intensified assaults on Syrian military and security forces in recent weeks, branding Sharaa, who previously led rebel forces, as their “number one foe.”

The exact nature of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization’s request to MI6 remains unclear, as does any expanded role the British agency may have assumed.

Turkey, Britain, and the United States endorsed Sharaa’s leadership last year in efforts to help unify and reconstruct the nation of 26 million people. Both London and Washington have eliminated most economic sanctions targeting Syria and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic organization Sharaa previously commanded.

Sources speaking to reporters demanded anonymity due to the delicate nature of the intelligence matters.

Turkish intelligence, the Turkish foreign ministry, Britain’s foreign office, and Syria’s defense and interior ministries declined to provide statements when contacted.

The sources, including Syrian government officials and foreign representatives, all pointed to mounting concerns over multiple reported Islamic State schemes to eliminate Sharaa.

A Turkish official revealed that the National Intelligence Organization, which has been instrumental in helping Syria’s new administration establish control, reached out to MI6 for additional support following a recent incident. A high-ranking Syrian security official described the request as coming after a “high-risk assassination plot,” noting that Turkish, British, and Syrian intelligence services maintain constant information sharing.

Specific details about the assassination scheme were not disclosed.

Another Western intelligence source familiar with the matter suggested Turkey may want to establish a Western intelligence presence in Damascus to create separation between Turkish and Israeli agencies, which are currently in disagreement.

According to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Islamic State targeted Sharaa and two top cabinet officials in five unsuccessful assassination attempts last year. Syrian authorities successfully prevented two of these plots, as reported in November.

Calling Sharaa a “watchdog” of the international anti-Islamic State alliance, the terrorist group carried out six strikes against Syrian government forces last month as part of what they termed a “new phase.”

Syrian officials publicly confirmed for the first time Thursday that they work closely with Turkish intelligence, announcing their joint success in preventing an Islamic State attack in the capital.

Turkish security officials said their intelligence service identified a three-person team planning remote explosive attacks, allowing Syrian partners to stop an “imminent assault.”

A U.S. diplomatic source briefed on the developments said the Turkish request to MI6 stemmed from the Islamic State’s renewed activity.

The Western intelligence source indicated the two agencies might increase collaborative planning and technical operations, though no final decision has been reached regarding deploying British personnel to Damascus.

A Syrian security official characterized a physical British presence as “highly risky.” They noted that MI6 cooperation was discussed during a February 26 meeting in Damascus between a delegation led by Britain’s Syria special envoy Ann Snow and Syria’s deputy interior minister, Major General Abdulqader Tahan.

Before breaking away from Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch in 2016, Sharaa served as a commander in the Nusra Front. He later headed a coalition of Islamic rebel groups that successfully overthrew Assad’s government in late 2024.

LONDON — Authorities in London announced Friday the detention of four individuals accused of conducting surveillance operations targeting the Jewish community while working for Iranian intelligence.

The Metropolitan Police revealed in their announcement that the detained suspects consist of one Iranian citizen and three individuals holding both British and Iranian citizenship. Officers took them into custody on charges of providing assistance to a foreign intelligence operation. Law enforcement apprehended the men at various locations throughout north London just after 1 a.m., alleging they conducted surveillance on specific sites and people.

According to police officials, the detained men range in age from 22 to 55 years old, and investigators continue searching the arrest locations along with additional nearby properties.

Authorities also detained six additional men on charges of providing assistance to the primary suspects, according to the police force.

“We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, who is in charge of counterterrorism policing in London.

These detentions occur amid ongoing military exchanges between Iran and both the United States and Israel, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets, American military installations, and other regional locations. While Britain does not participate in offensive military actions, the country provides support for regional defensive operations.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed appreciation to law enforcement “for foiling this alleged plot” while criticizing the British government for inadequately addressing Iranian threats.

“The U.K. may not be acting against Iran but Iran is acting against us,” it said in a statement.

“The government’s failure to keep its promise to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — the main instrument that the Islamic Republic uses to foment antisemitic violence worldwide — has sent the message that support for the brutal Iranian regime and its Jew-hating and West-hating ideology is perfectly acceptable in Britain,” it added.

British security officials express growing alarm over Iranian espionage activities within the United Kingdom.

Ken McCallum, director of Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence agency, revealed in October that authorities had prevented more than 20 “potentially lethal Iran-backed plots” during the preceding year.

McCallum claimed that Iran and Russia increasingly employ “ugly methods,” including “surveillance, sabotage, arson or physical violence.” British officials have accused Iran of utilizing criminal networks to execute attacks throughout Europe.

According to intelligence reports, Iranian-supported schemes primarily focus on opposition Persian-language news organizations and Jewish communities.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Shiite Muslim communities across Pakistan organized demonstrations Friday to condemn what they described as joint US-Israeli military operations that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting American diplomatic officials to warn citizens about potential security threats.

Under heavy police supervision, approximately 300 demonstrators conducted a peaceful sit-in within Pakistan’s capital city, displaying images of Khamenei while shouting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Law enforcement positioned shipping containers along routes to the US Embassy in Islamabad as a precautionary measure against possible escalation.

Officials confirmed that demonstration organizers had committed to avoiding any march toward the diplomatic facility, which sits roughly 3 kilometers away from the protest site. The sit-in was scheduled to conclude Friday evening.

The Iranian leader, who maintained power since 1989, served as an influential religious and political symbol for Shiite communities globally, including those in Pakistan. News of his death during the joint military operation that initiated conflict last week has triggered widespread anger among Shiite populations.

Enhanced security measures were implemented in Karachi, the major port city where hundreds of Shiite demonstrators had attacked the US Consulate earlier this week, breaking windows and attempting arson. Law enforcement responded with batons, tear gas and live ammunition to control the crowds. The Karachi violence resulted in 10 protester deaths, while an additional 13 people died during unrest in northern cities such as Skardu and Gilgit.

Friday’s Karachi protesters maintained a distance of approximately 4 kilometers from the consulate building.

Sunni Muslim groups also organized separate, smaller demonstrations in both Islamabad and Karachi Friday, expressing opposition to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. These gatherings occurred away from American diplomatic properties and proceeded without violent incidents.

Prior to Friday’s demonstrations, US Embassy officials in Islamabad advised American citizens to restrict outdoor activities. An updated travel advisory also discouraged visits to Pakistan’s Balochistan province in the southwest, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest, and the contested Kashmir region due to elevated risks of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.

Shiite Muslims represent approximately 15 percent of Pakistan’s 250 million residents, while the majority practice Sunni Islam.

A significant military conflict in the Middle East is creating massive disruptions across global energy markets and supply chains, with impacts that financial experts say could rival those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis began last Saturday when joint U.S.-Israeli military operations targeted Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with widespread retaliatory strikes throughout the region, escalating tensions dramatically.

Energy markets are experiencing their most dramatic price swings since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Brent crude oil has surged past $87 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate has climbed above $84, marking weekly increases exceeding 20% and 25% respectively. Year-to-date, both benchmarks have spiked more than 40%.

The scale of energy disruption is unprecedented. The strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down, stranding hundreds of oil tankers. Qatar has halted its liquefied natural gas operations, Saudi Arabia suspended production at a major refinery, and Iraq has completely stopped crude oil production.

Asian markets are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with refineries in the region dependent on Middle Eastern sources for nearly 60% of their crude supply now scrambling for alternatives. Several facilities have already scaled back operations, and Asian jet fuel prices skyrocketed more than 70% on Wednesday alone, reaching record highs. European natural gas prices have also surged.

President Donald Trump addressed the energy situation Thursday, saying regarding rising gasoline costs, “They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise.”

The administration is taking some measures to address the crisis. The U.S. has temporarily relaxed restrictions on Indian purchases of Russian oil to help ease pressure on India’s refineries. While the Treasury Department considered intervening in oil futures markets to control prices, officials have reportedly decided against that approach for now.

Earlier this week, Trump announced the U.S. would provide insurance coverage and naval escorts to help reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz, though analysts suggest this initiative may be insufficient given the current situation.

Stock markets worldwide are showing mixed reactions to the crisis. Asian equity markets, particularly those in countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports, have suffered significant losses. South Korea’s Kospi index, which had been among the top performers in early 2024, is heading toward its worst weekly decline in six years at approximately 10.5%.

European stock markets have also weakened since the conflict began, though less severely than their Asian counterparts. U.S. equities have performed relatively better, benefiting from America’s position as the world’s largest energy producer and a rebound in technology stocks.

The U.S. dollar has emerged as one of the major beneficiaries during the conflict, rising roughly 1.5% this week, though this may not be solely due to safe-haven demand. Treasury yields have increased as concerns about potential inflation from the energy crisis have outweighed investors’ typical flight to safety.

Interestingly, gold prices, despite being up Friday, are actually down for the week overall. This could indicate investors are selling the precious metal to cover losses elsewhere, or it might reflect the speculative nature that has driven gold’s massive gains over the past year.

Financial markets may briefly shift attention today with the release of February U.S. employment data, amid ongoing concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on jobs. However, focus is expected to return quickly to Middle Eastern developments.

Regardless of how or when this conflict concludes, experts believe it has the potential to fundamentally alter global perspectives on defense strategy, energy security, and resource nationalism. This shift comes at a particularly critical time when the artificial intelligence revolution is driving unprecedented demand for energy, metals, and minerals.

The crisis highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains and the interconnected nature of modern energy markets, with effects rippling far beyond the immediate region of conflict.

Courts in Indonesia have delivered severe punishments to two Thai citizens involved in transporting an enormous quantity of methamphetamine, marking one of the nation’s most significant narcotics seizures in recent memory.

On Friday, judicial authorities in Batam imposed a life sentence on Weerapat Phongwan for his role in coordinating and supervising the drug distribution network, according to court officials. His co-defendant, Teerapong Lekpradub, received a 17-year prison term after being convicted of serving as a middleman in the narcotics transaction.

The arrests took place last May when Indonesian law enforcement intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 67 containers filled with methamphetamine totaling nearly 2 tons in weight. Court records reveal the drugs had been concealed inside tea bag packaging, as demonstrated in police footage from the investigation.

Authorities apprehended the suspects in maritime territory off Karimun in the Riau Islands province, located close to Singapore. Along with the two Thai nationals, four Indonesian citizens were also taken into custody during the operation.

The legal proceedings continued Thursday when the same court sentenced another defendant, Fandi Ramadhan, to five years behind bars. Verdicts for the remaining three accused individuals are expected to be announced next week.

The case gained widespread attention on social media platforms after Ramadhan’s relatives appealed to President Prabowo Subianto, requesting presidential intervention to secure his release.

According to local news sources, the narcotics originated from Phuket, Thailand, and investigators believe they were supplied by an international criminal organization with operations spanning Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.

Indonesia maintains extremely harsh penalties for drug-related offenses. The country demonstrated its tough stance in 2015 when it executed two Australian citizens connected to the notorious Bali Nine smuggling ring for attempting to transport heroin from the popular tourist destination.

Iceland’s government announced Friday it will hold a public vote on August 29 to decide whether the country should restart negotiations for European Union membership, accelerating a commitment to conduct the referendum by 2027 amid growing global tensions.

The Nordic island nation walked away from EU membership discussions in 2013 after four years of negotiations. However, recent polling indicates renewed public interest in joining the European bloc, driven by increasing living expenses and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The urgency surrounding EU membership has intensified following repeated statements from U.S. President Donald Trump about potentially annexing Greenland, which sits between Iceland and the United States. This has heightened concerns for the North Atlantic nation of nearly 400,000 residents.

According to public broadcaster RUV, Foreign Minister Katrin Gunnarsdottir announced at a news conference that the government reached a unanimous decision on the referendum proposal.

Should voters approve restarting membership talks, any final agreement reached with the European Union would then face a separate public vote on actual membership in the bloc.

BEIRUT – Nearly 100,000 Lebanese residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters following extensive Israeli military evacuation orders that a top United Nations official described as unprecedented in their scope, according to a Friday report.

The Israeli military issued evacuation directives on Thursday targeting residents of southern Beirut neighborhoods, including areas under control of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah organization, along with sections of the eastern Bekaa Valley. These orders came one day after similar warnings were issued for large areas of southern Lebanon, as fighting continues between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

Imran Riza, who serves as the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, described the situation to Reuters as extraordinary in its magnitude.

“What we saw in the last couple of days is, I would say … unprecedented in terms of the scale here in Lebanon of the warnings, the displacement orders, and the reaction, the panic also, that this has all created,” Riza explained.

According to Riza’s Friday morning assessment, the displaced population has filled 477 emergency shelters across the country, with only 57 facilities still having available space.

“At the moment, there are about 100,000 people that are, as of this morning, in some 477 collective shelters. There are some 57 shelters that still have some space, but basically the capacity is being reached very, very quickly,” he stated.

The evacuation orders have triggered chaos and traffic jams as residents scramble to find safe locations, Riza observed.

“We had people moving all over the place and not knowing where to go to. So yes, I think we’re going to have an increased number quite quickly,” he said.

Riza referenced the 2024 conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, which displaced over one million Lebanese residents, with 75-80% finding accommodation outside official shelter facilities.

“This time again, the majority will not be in shelters probably,” he predicted.

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that his country successfully secured the release of 300 military personnel and two civilians from Russian custody during the second consecutive day of prisoner exchanges between the two nations.

The freed Ukrainian troops included soldiers of various ranks – from enlisted personnel to non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers – who had been stationed at multiple battlefront locations spanning from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk to the southern area of Kherson, according to Zelenskyy’s statement.

The Ukrainian president shared images on social media showing the returning servicemen stepping off transportation vehicles, embracing one another and sharing cigarettes in what appeared to be emotional reunion scenes.

A Jakarta court delivered what human rights organizations are calling a significant win for civil liberties on Friday, clearing four activists of accusations they sparked Indonesia’s most devastating civil unrest in more than two decades.

The unrest began in August of last year when thousands of students, civil rights advocates, and ordinary citizens took to the streets nationwide to oppose government budget decisions, particularly increased financial benefits for elected officials.

What started as peaceful demonstrations escalated into deadly violence following the police killing of a motorcycle taxi operator in Jakarta. The chaos continued through September, ultimately claiming 10 lives.

According to data from an independent monitoring group established by human rights organizations, authorities have detained nearly 7,000 individuals through February 2026, with 500 receiving sentences and 125 remaining behind bars.

The Central Jakarta court on Friday cleared Delpedro Marhaen, an employee of the Lokataru Foundation, a nonprofit that provides legal support to demonstrators. Marhaen became a prominent symbol of the movement following his September arrest.

Three additional defendants, including a coworker of Marhaen’s and two other advocates, also received acquittals.

The court determined none of the defendants were guilty of encouraging participation in the August demonstrations. They were also cleared of accusations they fueled violence by distributing false information and inflammatory content on social platforms.

The presiding judge further ruled they had not recruited underage participants, dismissing child exploitation charges against them.

“The ruling not only belongs to us but also belongs to all political prisoners.. Imagine we have been arrested for six months but now we are proven not guilty,” Marhaen stated following the proceedings while draping himself in an Iranian flag.

The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence characterized the decision as an “oasis in the rollback of Indonesia’s democracy.”

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation praised the outcomes as a modest triumph for individual freedoms while emphasizing the need for government action to safeguard free speech rights.

Political observers noted the demonstrations represented the first major challenge for President Prabowo Subianto following his overwhelming 2024 electoral success.

The civil disorder has been characterized as the most severe since 1998, when student demonstrations resulted in the removal of former President Suharto and concluded three decades of authoritarian governance.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The Indonesian government announced Friday it will prohibit minors under age 16 from accessing major social media platforms, according to Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.

Minister Hafid revealed in a media statement that she has approved new government regulations preventing children younger than 16 from maintaining accounts on dangerous digital platforms. The restricted platforms encompass YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.

The new restrictions will roll out in phases beginning March 28, continuing until every platform meets government compliance requirements.

“The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms,” Hafid stated.

The minister explained the government views these measures as essential action during what she called a digital crisis to protect children’s future welfare.

“We realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children’s complaints,” Hafid acknowledged.

This announcement follows Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducting an unannounced visit to Meta Platforms’ Jakarta headquarters earlier this week due to concerns about dangerous content management across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Ministry officials stated the inspection resulted in a formal warning to Meta regarding insufficient adherence to Indonesian national regulations.

The Associated Press contacted TikTok and Meta for statements but has not received responses.

With this action, Indonesia becomes the first Southeast Asian country to limit children’s social media access.

Australia previously implemented similar teen social media restrictions in December 2024, resulting in social media companies removing approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors in that country.

GENEVA – The United Nations refugee agency announced Friday that the escalating conflict in the Middle East has become a “major humanitarian emergency,” with displacement numbers reaching alarming levels across the region.

According to UN officials, close to 100,000 individuals have been forced from their homes within Lebanon, while thousands of Syrian refugees living there have returned across the border to Syria. The crisis stems from ongoing conflicts that began when a U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iran commenced on February 28.

Israeli authorities have ordered mass evacuations from southern Lebanon and certain areas of Beirut as fighting continues with Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported Lebanese organization.

“UNHCR has declared the escalating crisis in the Middle East as a major humanitarian emergency requiring an immediate response across the region and into Southeast Asia,” stated Ayaki Ito, who serves as the UN refugee agency’s Director of Emergency and Programme Support, during a press conference in Geneva.

Ito warned that current displacement figures likely represent a conservative estimate of the actual crisis scope.

The UN official also reported that approximately 100,000 people have been displaced within Iran during the initial days of the conflict, with UNHCR personnel in the country handling hundreds of daily assistance requests from Iranian citizens.

Health concerns are mounting as well, according to World Health Organization regional director Hanan Balkhy, who announced increased disease monitoring efforts in Lebanon due to the massive population displacement.

“It worries us very much, the numbers of the displaced populations and the lack of adequate water and sanitation,” Balkhy explained.

Officials at one of Germany’s most recognizable landmarks announced Thursday that they will implement tourist admission fees for the first time as they grapple with escalating maintenance expenses.

Leaders of Cologne Cathedral revealed plans to begin charging visitors during the latter half of 2024, though they have not yet disclosed the specific price for entry.

The magnificent Gothic structure, featuring distinctive twin spires, rises prominently above Cologne’s central train station along the Rhine River and serves as the city’s most recognizable feature. Work on the cathedral commenced in 1248, with final completion occurring in 1880. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated it as a World Heritage site in 1996.

Approximately 6 million people visit the cathedral annually.

Cathedral leadership explained that inflation combined with increasing staff expenses have created ongoing financial pressure for building maintenance. Officials project spending approximately 16 million euros ($18.6 million) on upkeep during the current year.

Financial reserves previously used to address budget shortfalls have been significantly depleted, particularly because paid visits to the cathedral’s towers and treasury were suspended for extended periods throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Church administrators have implemented cost-cutting measures, including leaving vacant positions unfilled in the cathedral architect’s department, but acknowledge these steps cannot provide a sustainable long-term solution.

Individuals visiting for religious services and prayer will not be subject to the new entrance fee. Cathedral dean Guido Assmann noted that tourists represent approximately 99% of all visitors, according to German news agency dpa.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged Thursday that he’s aware of criticism regarding his enthusiastic praise of President Donald Trump, but maintained that the American leader merits such recognition.

During a Reuters interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the former Dutch prime minister addressed concerns from officials and analysts who claim his complimentary approach toward Trump undermines Europe’s standing and its defense capabilities.

“I hear the criticism, obviously. I’m not deaf,” Rutte stated during the interview.

Rutte gained attention at a previous NATO summit when he compared Trump to a “daddy” figure during last year’s Israel-Iran tensions. His selection to lead the alliance was influenced partly by his ability to maintain strong relations with Trump, which diplomats credit with helping preserve NATO unity despite presidential criticism of the organization.

The NATO leader defended his approach, citing Trump’s instrumental role in securing alliance agreement on new defense spending goals. Member nations committed to allocating 5% of their GDP to defense-related expenses – including 3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for broader security measures. This represents a significant increase from NATO’s previous 2% GDP target for defense spending.

Rutte expressed support for recent U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, describing them as “decisive action to take out this capability of Iran to pose a threat as an exporter of terrorism and chaos to the Middle East, to Europe, to the world.”

“I think if a president of a country is … providing that type of leadership, some praise is warranted,” he explained.

The NATO chief’s comments come amid escalating tensions between Trump and Spain. The president threatened comprehensive trade sanctions against Madrid after Spain refused to permit American military bases on its territory to support operations against Iran. Trump also criticized Spain for not committing to the 5% defense spending target.

Despite the dispute, Rutte offered positive remarks about Spain’s NATO participation during the interview.

“Their troops are part of many foreign land forces, many initiatives, many NATO missions. I really want to commend them for that,” he said.

When asked whether he had intervened in the Trump-Spain disagreement, Rutte indicated his preference for a measured approach. “When there are debates between allies, I always try to stay a bit muted, and therefore being able, if necessary, to help a bit,” he responded.

Moscow issued a stern warning Friday following Finland’s announcement that it plans to end its prohibition on hosting nuclear weapons within its borders.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the Nordic nation of heightening European tensions and declared that Russia would take countermeasures if nuclear arms are actually deployed on Finnish soil.

Finland, which borders Russia along an extensive frontier, abandoned its Cold War-era neutral stance and became a NATO member in 2023 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Finnish government announced Thursday its intention to remove the long-standing prohibition on nuclear weapons within its territory, potentially allowing such weapons to be stationed there during wartime.

“This is a statement that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent,” Peskov stated during a press briefing.

“This statement adds to Finland’s vulnerability, a vulnerability provoked by the actions of the Finnish authorities. The fact is that by deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures,” he continued.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and concerns about unpredictable policies from U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly his expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, have prompted European nations to reassess their defense strategies and nuclear policies.

GENEVA – The top United Nations human rights official on Friday criticized Israel’s widespread evacuation directives targeting southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, calling them potentially problematic under international law.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over what he described as massive displacement orders affecting vast numbers of people. “These blanket, massive displacement orders we are talking here about hundreds and thousands of people,” Turk stated.

“This raises serious concern under international humanitarian law, and in particular when it comes to issues around forced transfer,” he continued.

The concerns came after Israeli forces conducted intensive bombing campaigns against Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern districts following evacuation warnings to residents. Meanwhile, the Iranian-supported militant group issued its own warnings for Israelis living near the border to evacuate.

Israeli military officials on Thursday directed civilians in southern Beirut neighborhoods to relocate toward eastern and northern areas, releasing a detailed map identifying four major districts residents must abandon, including zones near the capital’s international airport.

The escalation began Monday when Hezbollah launched attacks that drew Lebanon into the expanding Middle Eastern conflict, prompting Israel to respond with concentrated air campaigns targeting southern Beirut suburbs and Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.

Speaking from Geneva, Turk warned about Lebanon’s emerging role as a critical conflict zone. “Lebanon is becoming a key flashpoint. I’m extremely concerned and worried about the latest developments,” he said, referencing recent rocket exchanges and military responses.

Through its Hebrew-language Telegram account early Friday, Hezbollah issued evacuation warnings for Israeli communities within a 3-mile radius of the border.

Previous fighting in 2024 had forced tens of thousands of Israelis from border communities to evacuate, though many had subsequently returned home. Israeli authorities have indicated no current plans for additional evacuations.

Turk emphasized the urgent need for international intervention, stating, “The world urgently needs to see steps to contain the Middle East crisis.”

GENEVA – The escalating Middle East conflict is severely hampering international humanitarian operations, creating bottlenecks in critical supply routes that deliver emergency aid worldwide, according to ten relief officials who spoke with Reuters.

As the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran reaches its seventh day, the conflict has triggered widespread disruption across global transportation networks. Airspace restrictions and the complete shutdown of shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz have sent shockwaves through international markets and supply chains.

Emergency assistance to Gaza and Sudan has nearly come to a standstill, while expenses for feeding hundreds of millions facing hunger worldwide continue to climb dramatically.

“People in dire need of assistance will have to wait longer for food,” stated Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of Food Security at the World Food Programme.

Essential supplies including emergency shelters, tarps, and lighting equipment intended for Gaza and the West Bank have become trapped in logistics networks, according to the International Organization for Migration.

DUBAI RELIEF CENTER STRUGGLES WITH TRANSPORT BARRIERS

Relief organizations report that escalating operational expenses are putting additional pressure on budgets already strained by significant reductions in donor funding. The IOM revealed that shipping companies are now imposing emergency fees of roughly $3,000 per shipping container.

International aid groups that maintain emergency supply stockpiles at Dubai’s Humanitarian Hub for quick regional deployment are encountering major obstacles in moving materials through transportation networks.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is unable to transport medical trauma supplies to assist the Iranian Red Crescent with search and rescue operations from its Dubai facility, which houses emergency inventory worth 10 million Swiss francs ($13 million), explained Cecile Terraz, an IFRC director.

The organization cannot move supplies through Jebel Ali port – the region’s primary container facility, which sustained fire damage from intercepted missile debris – a critical transit point for cargo moving to aircraft or through the Strait of Hormuz.

Operations at the World Health Organization’s Dubai hub have also been suspended, according to regional director Hanan Balkhy, blocking 50 emergency requests from 25 nations and disrupting critical programs including polio immunization campaigns.

The disruption is expected to create widespread secondary effects across other regions.

Sudan, already experiencing severe famine conditions, faces particular vulnerability due to additional shipping restrictions implemented February 28 affecting the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the Red Sea’s southern entrance, the UNHCR reported.

“We are particularly concerned about Africa,” a UNHCR spokesperson stated, noting that some shipments are being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to three weeks to delivery times.

Expenses for fuel, transportation, and insurance coverage are also increasing, with Terraz indicating the IFRC may need to reduce shipments to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Emma Maspero, senior manager at UNICEF’s Copenhagen supply division, expressed hope that aircraft carrying time-sensitive humanitarian cargo such as vaccines could receive priority treatment despite airspace limitations.

JAKARTA – Indonesia has become the latest nation to impose strict social media limitations on minors, announcing Friday that children under 16 will be blocked from accessing popular platforms in an effort to combat online dangers and addiction.

Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid revealed the government will implement new restrictions through regulations that take effect March 28. The policy makes Indonesia the first non-Western nation to establish such comprehensive social media age limits.

Multiple countries have recently enacted similar protective measures as concerns grow about social media’s effects on young people’s safety and mental wellbeing. Australia implemented its under-16 social media prohibition in December, while Spain announced comparable restrictions last month. Indonesia’s regional neighbor Malaysia also plans to enforce a 16-year age minimum starting in 2026.

The Indonesian restrictions will target what officials call “high risk platforms,” specifically naming TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox. Accounts belonging to underage users will face systematic deactivation as the new rules roll out.

“The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations,” Hafid explained in her video announcement, though she did not specify what companies must do to comply with the requirements.

The minister acknowledged the policy may create initial challenges for families. “We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints,” she stated.

Hafid emphasized the serious online threats facing young users, saying “Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction.”

The affected companies – TikTok, Meta (which operates Facebook and Instagram), and Roblox – have not yet provided responses to the announcement. Indonesian ministry officials also have not released additional details about how the regulations will be implemented.

Data from Indonesia’s internet service providers’ association shows the scope of the challenge, with internet usage reaching nearly 80% of the country’s 280 million residents in 2024. Their survey of 8,700 people found that nearly half of children under 12 have internet access, with some already using the platforms targeted by the new restrictions. Among Gen Z users aged 12 to 27, internet penetration reaches 87%.

The Finnish government announced Thursday its intention to remove a comprehensive prohibition on nuclear weapons within its borders, a policy shift that would bring the country in line with its Nordic neighbors and potentially allow atomic weapons deployment on Finnish territory during wartime.

The current Nuclear Energy Act, enacted in 1987, forbids the importation, production, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives within Finland’s boundaries. Some Finnish citizens have viewed this restriction as potentially favoring Russia in any future conflict.

After maintaining a neutral stance throughout the Cold War, Finland became a NATO member in 2023 following Russia’s comprehensive military assault on Ukraine in 2022.

“The amendment is necessary to enable Finland’s military defense as part of the alliance and to take full advantage of NATO’s deterrence and collective defence,” Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen told a press conference.

The legislative proposal will now advance to parliament, where the current right-wing coalition government maintains a majority.

Other Scandinavian nations including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway maintain policies opposing nuclear weapons on their soil during peacetime but lack statutory prohibitions during wartime scenarios.

This week, NATO members France and Germany revealed intentions to enhance nuclear deterrence cooperation with European allies, representing a strategic adjustment as the continent confronts increased Russian threats and instability connected to the Iran situation.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson explained his nation’s position to reporters recently, stating that Sweden’s approach involves avoiding permanent foreign military forces or nuclear weapons during peacetime. When questioned about potentially hosting French nuclear armaments, Kristersson noted: “If we were to find ourselves in a completely different situation, that particular formulation would not apply.”

Finland maintains a 1,340-kilometer boundary with Russia and established a defense agreement with the United States in 2024, granting American forces access to 15 Finnish military installations and operational areas.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — President Vjosa Osmani announced Friday her decision to dissolve Kosovo’s Parliament, triggering another round of early elections after legislators failed to select her replacement by Thursday’s midnight deadline.

This political turmoil represents yet another crisis for the Balkan nation, which already conducted snap elections in December following almost a year of political gridlock.

The 120-member assembly was required to choose a new president to succeed Osmani, who has served since 2021. Thursday evening’s voting attempt collapsed when insufficient lawmakers showed up to meet quorum requirements.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has pointed fingers at opposition parties for boycotting the legislative session. His governing Vetevedosje (Self-Determination) party has petitioned the Constitutional Court to temporarily halt the deadline, allowing the presidential selection process to continue.

The timing of the court’s decision remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether any ruling could reverse Osmani’s parliamentary dissolution.

During Friday’s public statement, Osmani characterized the crisis as “completely avoidable” and emphasized that legislators had sufficient opportunity to select a president.

“It is a great misfortune for this state that they did not choose the interests of the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani declared. “I have issued the decree for the dissolution of the assembly, and through this decree I am fulfilling the constitutional obligation that is clearly defined.”

Vetevedosje dominated December’s early elections and partnered with ethnic minority groups to establish a new administration in February.

The party had previously won February 2025 elections but failed to secure a parliamentary majority, creating the deadlock that necessitated December’s snap vote.

Kosovo, once a Serbian province, proclaimed independence in 2008 after a 1998-99 conflict that concluded with U.S.-led NATO military intervention. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s sovereignty, maintaining ongoing regional tensions.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ukrainian officials are accusing Hungarian authorities of detaining seven bank workers and illegally confiscating millions of dollars in cash from armored vehicles passing through the country.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X late Thursday that Hungarian officials were holding seven Ukrainian citizens who work for state-owned Oschadbank. The employees were traveling in two armored vehicles between Austria and Ukraine when they were stopped, according to Sybiha.

The vehicles were transporting money as part of routine operations between government banks, the foreign minister explained.

Oschadbank released its own statement revealing that Hungarian authorities had confiscated $40 million in U.S. dollars, along with 35 million euros and 9 kilograms of gold.

According to the bank, GPS tracking showed the vehicles were located in central Budapest near a Hungarian law enforcement facility, though the whereabouts of the bank workers remained unclear.

Hungarian Interior Ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident.

This development has intensified the already strained relationship between Hungary and Ukraine, stemming from disputes over Hungary’s access to Russian oil via a pipeline running through Ukrainian territory.

The Druzhba pipeline has been shut down since January 27. Ukrainian officials say Russian drone attacks damaged the pipeline’s infrastructure, making repairs dangerous for workers and leaving the system vulnerable to future strikes.

Hungarian leadership, however, claims Ukraine is intentionally blocking Russian oil deliveries and has promised retaliatory actions against Kyiv until the oil supply resumes.

Hungary and Slovakia have both resisted European Union efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, continuing to purchase Russian fossil fuels despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referenced the bank vehicle detention during Friday radio comments, stating: “We will stop things that are important to Ukraine passing through Hungary until we get the approval of the Ukrainians for oil shipments.”

Orbán has maintained friendly ties with the Kremlin while launching an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s elections. He has previously halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine, blocked EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a 90-billion-euro loan to Kyiv over the oil pipeline dispute.

The Hungarian leader has also positioned military units at critical energy facilities throughout Hungary, claiming Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.

During Thursday’s economic forum, Orbán announced Hungary would use “force,” including “political and financial tools,” to pressure Ukraine into restarting oil deliveries.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha responded sharply to Orbán’s remarks on X, writing: “We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money.”

“If this is the ‘force’ announced earlier today by Mr. Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang,” Sybiha continued. “This is state terrorism and racketeering.”

Sybiha announced that Ukraine plans to bring the matter before the European Union to seek clarification on Hungary’s actions.

Military forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in gunfire at multiple locations along their shared border Friday, while United Nations officials reported that more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes due to the week-long military conflict.

The two South Asian countries show no indication of resolving their most severe military confrontation in recent years, contributing to regional instability that also includes recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, which shares borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The fighting has escalated to include Pakistani airstrikes targeting Taliban government facilities, including strikes on the Bagram airfield located north of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry reported that Taliban military units attacked Pakistani military facilities along the 1,600-mile border, eliminating multiple outposts and bringing down an unmanned aircraft.

Pakistani military officials confirmed they conducted ground and aerial operations targeting military objectives in areas including Kandahar, the Taliban’s stronghold where senior leadership is based, and eliminated several Afghan border installations.

Demonstrators gathered in Kabul Friday to condemn Pakistan’s military actions against Afghan territory, shouting slogans opposing Pakistan, according to eyewitness accounts. The Bakhter news service reported that a substantial crowd in Laghman Province also protested Pakistan’s recent military operations.

Residents of border communities have informed Reuters that military units begin heavy artillery exchanges after dark, putting civilian homes at risk during evening hours when families gather to end their daily fast during the sacred month of Ramadan.

Multiple residents reported that family members and community members have evacuated the area.

“The situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan remains tense amid active conflict along the border,” the United Nations refugee agency stated, estimating that approximately 115,000 people in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Pakistan have abandoned their homes.

Multiple nations have volunteered to facilitate peace talks, with Turkey being the most recent, though the Iran conflict has shifted focus away from Gulf nations that had previously offered assistance.

Pakistani government representative Mosharraf Zaidi confirmed that no peace discussions were underway to resolve the conflict.

“There is nothing to talk about. There will be no dialogue and no negotiations,” he stated on state-controlled Pakistan TV. “Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end – that is Afghanistan’s problem. Pakistan’s responsibility is to protect its citizens.”

The military confrontation started last week when Pakistan launched airstrikes within Afghanistan that Islamabad claimed were aimed at militant bases. Afghanistan denounced the strikes as territorial violations and declared retaliatory military actions.

Pakistani officials have accused Kabul of sheltering militants who launch attacks on Pakistan from Afghan territory. Taliban leadership has rejected claims of supporting such organizations and maintains that Pakistan’s militant problems are domestic issues.

Friday saw the Taliban’s defense ministry claim it had also attacked a military installation in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. Reuters was unable to confirm the strike, and Pakistan’s military has not acknowledged any damage in that area.

Both nations have consistently claimed they caused significant damage to opposing forces and eliminated hundreds of enemy soldiers, without offering proof. Reuters has been unable to confirm these claims.

The U.N. mission in Afghanistan reported 56 civilian deaths and 128 injuries in the country since hostilities began. Taliban government officials have stated 110 civilians have died.

Pakistan has disputed both casualty counts, maintaining it only targets militants and supporting infrastructure.

ZURICH, March 5 – The ongoing instability across the Middle East stems directly from the breakdown of international legal standards, according to the European Union’s foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas, who delivered these remarks Thursday.

Speaking at the University of Zurich, Kallas blamed the deterioration of global order on major world powers choosing to act independently rather than following established international protocols. She specifically criticized Russia while also taking aim at China and the United States.

“Today, the chaos we see around us in the Middle East is a direct consequence of the erosion of international law,” she stated, claiming that Russia’s military action in Ukraine has emboldened other nations to ignore international standards.

Regarding China’s role, Kallas accused the nation of exploiting weakened international regulations to expand its reach across the Asia-Pacific area while applying economic pressure to European countries.

“Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos,” Kallas warned.

When addressing America’s role, she described Washington’s foreign policy changes as having “rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world,” characterizing the impact on global stability as “seismic.”

“The current direction is a new world order characterised by competition and coercive power politics, a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence,” Kallas explained.

The EU official delivered her comments during the Churchill Special Lecture, marking approximately eight decades since Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the same university and advocated for creating a “United States of Europe” in the aftermath of World War Two’s destruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Thursday that his country has successfully secured the release of 200 prisoners of war through a new exchange agreement with Russia. The freed soldiers include military personnel who were taken captive during Russia’s prolonged assault on the port city of Mariupol in the early months of 2022.

Speaking on social media platform X, Zelenskiy emphasized his government’s commitment to bringing all captured personnel home. “Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back. No one is forgotten,” the Ukrainian leader stated.

Zelenskiy also acknowledged international assistance in facilitating the prisoner exchange, specifically recognizing American involvement in the process. “We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible,” he said.

The prisoner swap represents the latest in a series of exchanges between the two nations since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

Maritime workers worldwide have gained new protections allowing them to decline assignments on vessels traveling through the Middle East Gulf region, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, following an elevation of the area’s threat assessment to maximum levels, according to major labor organizations and shipping industry representatives who announced the decision Thursday.

Approximately 300 vessels currently remain anchored on either side of the Strait as the U.S.-led conflict with Iran continues to intensify. Starting February 28, nine vessels have sustained damage and at least one crew member has lost their life.

Under new arrangements finalized Thursday through negotiations between maritime workers and commercial shipping operators via the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), crew members may decline to enter the region and receive company-funded transportation home plus compensation equivalent to two months of basic salary.

Additionally, workers will earn increased wages for operating in the area, and death or disability benefits will be doubled, according to a statement from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

“Today’s designation ensures that seafarers on vessels covered by IBF agreements have critical protections if they operate in this dangerous region,” ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said.

“The fact we have to take these measures at all is a damning indictment of the situation facing seafarers today. No worker should have to risk being killed or maimed simply for doing their job – particularly when that job is transporting the oil and goods that keep the world’s economies running.”

The Australian Defense Department has filed a formal complaint with Beijing after describing a Wednesday incident between military helicopters as dangerous and unprofessional conduct by Chinese forces.

According to defense officials, an Australian military helicopter was conducting operations over international waters in the Yellow Sea when a Chinese aircraft intercepted it on Wednesday.

The Chinese helicopter reportedly flew to the same altitude as the Australian aircraft before moving dangerously close, accelerating its speed, and then banking toward the Australian helicopter, forcing the crew to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision.

Defense officials stated in their complaint: “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”

The Australian helicopter was conducting standard patrol operations in the Yellow Sea as part of international efforts to monitor and enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions targeting North Korea, according to the defense department.

Officials confirmed that no crew members were injured during the confrontation between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter and the Australian Defence Force aircraft.

This confrontation represents another chapter in an ongoing pattern of military incidents involving Chinese forces that Australian officials have publicly denounced using similar language.

Just last October, Australia condemned what it termed dangerous and unprofessional behavior by a Chinese fighter pilot who released flares in close proximity to an Australian maritime surveillance aircraft.

Chinese embassy officials have not yet provided any response to requests for comment regarding the latest incident.

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani disbanded the national legislature on Friday and ordered another round of snap elections after lawmakers missed the constitutional deadline to select a new president.

The 120-member legislative body had until Thursday at midnight to choose a head of state, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s governing Vetevendosje party failed to gather enough support or convince opposition members to back their candidate, Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca.

“A parliament that cannot elect a president cannot continue indefinitely to drag out the process as is being attempted,” Osmani stated.

Opposition groups had requested a compromise candidate that all parties could support, while Kurti pushed forward with his foreign minister as the nominee.

This represents the third emergency election in slightly more than 12 months for Kosovo, which previously held snap voting on December 28 following the legislature’s inability to establish a government after February 2025’s electoral contest.

PARIS – France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot revealed Friday that 60 French vessels remain stranded in Middle Eastern waters as regional tensions continue to disrupt maritime traffic.

The ships are distributed between two critical waterways, with the majority trapped in Persian Gulf waters while others remain stuck in the Red Sea corridor. French officials are maintaining regular communication with crew members aboard the affected vessels.

“There are around fifty ships – 52 to be precise – in the Persian Gulf and eight in the Red Sea, and we are also in permanent contact with the crews, as there are French sailors aboard a number of these vessels,” Tabarot stated during an interview with French media outlets CNews and Europe 1.

The announcement comes as France works to establish an international alliance aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes through the volatile region. The initiative seeks to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic amid escalating Middle Eastern conflicts that have severely impacted global shipping operations.