- France pushed the EU to lift sanctions on Russian‑Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, reportedly after pressure from Azerbaijan, which is holding two French nationals.
- The EU delayed renewing its Russia sanctions list by a week after member states failed to reach unanimous agreement.
- The row underlines worsening France–Azerbaijan ties (Nagorno‑Karabakh fallout, alleged influence campaigns) and raises questions about EU unity on Ukraine policy.
Latest stories in War and Conflicts.
- Houthi fighters swept through Red Sea coastal towns and seized islands near the Bab el‑Mandeb, releasing footage and claiming they shot down a Saudi F‑15 as Saudi warplanes struck back.
- The U.S. tightened travel guidance, banning government staff from within 20 miles of the Yemen border — a sign the fighting could escalate regionally.
- The clashes and attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure are driving oil and fuel prices up (Brent about $108/ barrel; U.S. diesel over $6.30/gal), stoking global energy supply worries.
- U.S. officials quietly met Houthi representatives in Oman at the U.S. embassy over the weekend.
- The Houthis have just taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, including the port of Mocha and Perim Island — a major strategic gain near the Bab el‑Mandeb strait.
- In the talks the Houthis reportedly said they won’t attack American, Israeli or commercial ships (but may target Saudi vessels); Washington had designated them a terrorist group yet has continued contact.
- Saudi Arabia says Iran-backed Houthi rebels tried to attack Mecca — calling the holy city a "red line" — a claim the Houthis deny and that Riyadh says it intercepted.
- Houthi assaults have reportedly shut a key Saudi oil pipeline and helped push prices above $100 a barrel, raising concerns about supply and shipping security.
- A new Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact has not been activated — Ankara and Islamabad say they haven’t received any Saudi request for military support.
- Russia is running nearly 200 Ukraine war veterans as election candidates to portray them as a "true elite" and lure more recruits.
- Analysts say the push is mostly symbolic — most vets get low-power jobs, face unemployment or injury, and some have been linked to crime.
- The tightly managed vote (including occupied Ukrainian territories) spotlights high-profile wounded fighters like Vladislav Golovin as part of a Kremlin propaganda effort.
- Exclusive photos show dramatic damage at multiple U.S. bases in the Middle East after Iranian missile and drone strikes — including an E-3 Sentry with its tail severed.
- Pictures from Prince Sultan Air Base and Camp Buehring reveal hollowed-out buildings, wrecked vehicles and T-walls that didn’t stop aerial hits.
- A Pentagon inspector general report cites up to $3.7 billion in equipment losses (about 60 aircraft), and deployed service members say the scale hasn’t been fully shared with the public.
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