News
Ukraine risks aid shortfall as reform delays and EU divisions test financial lifeline
Kyiv faces increasing pressure to accelerate reforms while its allies grapple with how to sustain support in an increasingly fragmented political landscape.
Iran's supreme leader issues Nowruz message, says unity has 'broken the enemy'
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues a Nowruz message praising national unity and saying Iran's "front line is far bigger than the enemy's petty imagination," but again appears only in writing.
Ukraine deploys 228 counter-drone specialists to Gulf states amid Iran war
Zelensky says 228 Ukrainian counter-drone specialists are now deployed across the Gulf as Ukraine leverages its battlefield expertise against the same Iranian drone technology used in both wars.
Kyrgyzstan: Ousted security services chief now facing corruption allegations
Suspected of involvement in scheme to skim millions while he led an anti-corruption campaign.
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Israeli strike kills three in rural village in Iran's East Azerbaijan province
Three killed and three wounded in a strike on a village in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, far from military targets, as attacks on civilian areas across Iran continue into the conflict's third week.
Trump administration reviewing plans to seize or blockade Iran's Kharg Island
The Trump administration is reviewing plans to seize or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, which handles 90% of the country's oil exports, to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
T-Technologies reports strong revenue growth and higher profit for 2025
Leading Russian online bank T-Technologies, formerly known as Tinkoff Bank, reported a 49% year-on-year increase in total revenue to RUB1.4 trillion ($15.6bn) for the year ended December 31 2025, supported by customer growth and higher interest incom
Israel's South Pars missile strikes knock out a fifth of Qatar's LNG production
Iran’s missile strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex at the start of the war sent a shock wave through the $400bn global LNG market. Israel’s attack on South Pars gas complex on March 18 has locked in the worst case scenario.
Israeli-US strike destroys 16 civilian cargo boats at Bandar Lengeh commercial dock
At least 16 civilian cargo boats destroyed in an Israeli-US strike on the commercial dock at Bandar Lengeh, a traditional trading port on the Strait of Hormuz that served as a lifeline for local communities.
Belarus frees another 250 political prisoners as US eases sanctions
Belarus has released another 250 political prisoners, the largest single release to date, after cutting a new sanctions relief deal with the US, Associated Press reported on March 19.
EU Council meeting achieves little
EU leaders had a heavy agenda at a summit in Brussels on March 19. They had to deal with a mushrooming energy crisis, a Ukraine funding fiasco and the stalled passage of twentieth sanctions on Russia. Little progress was made on solving any of them.
US F-35 hit by Iranian fire in first confirmed hit on stealth jet
A US F-35 is hit by confirmed Iranian fire over central Iran , the first confirmed hit on the $100mn stealth jet since it entered service in 2015.
Iran begins charging vessels to transit Strait of Hormuz through IRGC-controlled 'safe corridor'
Iran begins charging up to $2mn per vessel for passage through a new IRGC-controlled "safe corridor" in the Strait of Hormuz, with India, China, Pakistan and Iraq among countries negotiating access.
Iran’s permits-for-passage through Hormuz system is developing fast
Iran has begun extracting payments of up to $2mn per tanker for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as the informal permits-for-passage system allowing only tankers from “friendly countries” through develops quickly.
Malaysia emerges as regional energy and stock haven as Iran war drags on
Malaysia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s top-performing markets as the war in Iran drives energy prices higher and pushes global investors towards economies better positioned to weather volatility.
Japan backs US push on security and energy: Takaichi
Takaichi in her latest meeting with the US president said the discussions covered co-operation on expanding US energy production and included a proposal for a joint oil reserve initiative to address supply risks linked to the conflict.
Russia accuses Ukraine of trying to disable pipelines that deliver gas to Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia
Gazprom alleges 26 attack drones tried to reach compression stations vital to TurkStream and Blue Stream operations.
Ex-president Radev declares war on oligarchs in Bulgaria election bid
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev launched his party’s election programme, vowing to dismantle entrenched oligarchic influence.
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy.
Kosovo’s PM warns of rising tensions as Serbia holds military drills near border
Tensions persist along Kosovo and Serbia's shared border, where security incidents and military activity continue to to raise concerns about regional stability.