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Iran-linked hackers have claimed responsibility for breaching the personal emails of Kash Patel, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The hackers, known as the Handala Hack Team, shared photographs and documents from Patel's emails online.The breach, confirmed by Reuters and CNN, appears to have released documents over a decade old, including Patel's travel and business correspondence and personal photos. The hacking group describes itself as pro-Palestinian hacking vigilantes and claimed the attack was in retaliation for a US-Israeli strike on a children's school in Minab, Iran, which killed over 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.Patel's leadership of the FBI has been marked by controversy, with critics accusing him of misusing the federal law enforcement agency for personal travel and to carry out President Donald Trump's priorities. The FBI and Department of Justice have yet to comment on the incident.The Handala Hack Team also claimed credit for a recent cyberattack on the medical device company Stryker. Iran has threatened to step up attacks on Western economic interests as a form of pressure amid the US-Israel war against the country.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully thwarted a plot to assassinate prominent Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the activist group Within Our Lifetime. According to authorities, a suspect, Andrew Heifler, 26, was taken into custody for allegedly planning to throw Molotov cocktails at Kiswani's home in New York City.Kiswani, 31, was informed by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force on Thursday of a threat against her life. The arrest was the result of an undercover law enforcement operation. Heifler was reportedly part of an offshoot of the far-right Jewish Defense League (JDL), an extremist group known for violent attacks against Arab American activists during the 1970s and 1980s.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the incident, stating, 'We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy.' Heifler had planned to flee to Israel after carrying out the attack. Authorities recovered eight Molotov cocktails from his residence during a search.The incident highlights the increasing harassment and surveillance faced by Palestinian rights activists in the US, both from government authorities and far-right pro-Israel groups. Kiswani had previously reported receiving threats, stating that 'Zionist organizations like Betar and politicians like Randy Fine have encouraged violence against my family and me' for several months.This foiled plot is part of a broader pattern of heightened tensions and threats against Muslim and Palestinian communities in the US, with advocates noting an increase in hateful rhetoric from US lawmakers.

The Houthis, allied with Iran, have stated they are prepared to intervene militarily if new alliances join the US and Israel against Iran or if the Red Sea is used for hostile operations. The group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, made the announcement in a televised speech on Friday.Saree emphasized that their 'fingers are on the trigger for direct military intervention' under these conditions. The warning heightens the risk of a broader regional conflict, especially considering the Houthis' capability to strike targets far beyond Yemen and disrupt shipping lanes in the Arabian Peninsula.The Houthis have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and much of the northwest since 2014. Following Israel's actions in Gaza, the Houthis have targeted vessels in the Red Sea and carried out drone and missile attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians.In response to escalating tensions, Saree also called for an immediate halt to US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. The Houthis have previously agreed to a truce with the US, which included a commitment to cease attacks on US shipping in the Red Sea.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has taken a dangerous turn with the entry of Houthi forces from Yemen, who have launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at sensitive Israeli military sites. The Houthis, close allies of Iran, have vowed to continue their military operations until the 'aggression' comes to an end on all fronts.In response, Israel has reported intercepting one missile originating from Yemen. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with Pakistan attempting to host a meeting of Middle Eastern powers to find a regional approach to ending the conflict.The entry of the Houthis poses a direct threat to the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, a critical choke point for energy supplies and trade. A shutdown of this strait, combined with Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, would have a devastating impact on the global economy.The conflict has also seen an escalation in the array of weapons being used, with reports of the US dropping cluster munitions and Iran using ballistic missiles carrying cluster warheads. Experts have cited concerns about the indiscriminate nature of these weapons, which have been banned by over 100 countries.The situation remains volatile, with US President Donald Trump suggesting that he had hoped for Saudi Arabia to join other Arab countries in normalizing relations with Israel in return for the attack on Iran. However, the survival of the Islamic Republic's regime after a month of bombing has left Trump with the choice of either extricating the US from the costly war or intensifying the campaign.

Gulf countries are increasingly concerned about the threat posed by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region. These groups, which include Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have been used by Iran as a pillar of its foreign and security policy for decades.In a joint statement, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”. The statement also called on the Iraqi government to take measures to halt attacks launched by factions, militias, and armed groups from Iraqi territory.Kuwait recently foiled a plot to kill state leaders and arrested six suspects believed to be associated with Hezbollah. The Houthis also confirmed they had launched a missile strike on Israel, the first time the proxy group have admitted involvement in the war in the Middle East.The threat of these groups is seen as particularly worrying for countries such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which have a history of Iran-backed militia carrying out violent attacks. Analysts warn that the presence and danger of Iranian proxy groups in the Gulf had not reached levels anything close to those during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, but the threat remains greater the longer the conflict with Iran drags on.Bilal Saab, a senior managing director of the Trends US thinktank, said: “If this war escalates, the worst-case scenario for the Gulf countries is Iran activating their sleeper cells and these Shia militia movements in the region. We could see a whole lot more if things really escalate.”

A recent US-Israeli airstrike in Iran has left a trail of destruction, with a poignant reminder of the human cost of such attacks. In the rubble of the strike, children's toys have been found, underscoring the severe impact on civilian populations.The airstrike, which was carried out by the US and Israel, has raised concerns about the escalation of tensions in the region and the potential for further conflict. The discovery of children's toys among the debris serves as a stark reminder of the humanitarian consequences of military actions.

The ongoing United States-Israeli conflict with Iran has triggered severe disruptions to global LNG supplies in the Gulf, creating the most significant energy market disruptions in recent years. The critical Strait of Hormuz, through which 27 percent of the world's maritime oil trade and 20 percent of LNG shipments pass, has been brought to a near standstill.In response to the conflict, oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia have rerouted oil through alternative pipelines, while Qatar has completely halted LNG production at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed facilities following attacks on its energy infrastructure. This disruption comes as natural gas makes up about a quarter of global energy consumption, raising widespread concerns about the impact on nations heavily reliant on gas imports.Natural gas is formed over millions of years from decomposed organic matter subjected to intense heat and pressure beneath the Earth's surface. LNG represents natural gas that has been cooled to -162 degrees Celsius through cryogenic processing, shrinking it to a 600th of its gaseous volume. In its liquid state, LNG is colorless, odorless, and non-flammable, making it safe and efficient to transport across vast distances.Before liquefaction, the gas undergoes purification through water-based solvents and molecular sieve beds to remove impurities including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water, and mercury. Heavier hydrocarbons are then separated from methane and ethane through fractionation. The resulting fuel is typically composed of 85 to 95 percent methane, with small amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen.LNG is stored in large insulated tanks without requiring high-pressure infrastructure, then pumped onto double-hulled carriers for shipment to terminals worldwide. At destination facilities, LNG is heated using seawater or warm water baths until it vaporizes—a process known as regasification—before being distributed through pipelines for consumption.Once returned to a gaseous state, LNG serves multiple purposes globally. Residential applications include cooking, heating, and electricity generation, while supporting hot water systems in homes and heating for commercial buildings. In power generation, LNG offers a comparatively low-carbon alternative to coal and oil. Industrial applications span fertilizers, plastics, paints, and medicines, with LNG also used to fuel heavy-duty vehicles and ships.The disruption has particularly affected agricultural production, as Gulf nations export close to half the world's traded urea—a key fertilizer component. Natural gas serves as both the primary feedstock and fuel for fertilizer manufacturing, with the halt in production forcing producers across the region to suspend or reduce operations.While primarily valued as an energy source, LNG processing yields significant by-products with industrial and medical applications. The most notable is helium, extracted during cryogenic processing. With global helium production estimated at 180 million cubic meters annually, the disruption to Qatar's LNG facilities has removed approximately 5.2 million cubic meters from the market each month—accounting for about a third of global monthly production.Helium is critical for cooling superconducting magnets in MRI and CT scanners, with the average MRI machine requiring about 1,700 liters of liquid helium. The element is also vital to the data center industry, where it conducts heat away from silicon components, preventing damage to semiconductors. Additionally, the natural gas value chain generates petrochemical derivatives that serve as feedstock for manufactured goods, including medical-grade plastics.According to the International Gas Union's 2025 World LNG Report, 411.24 million tonnes of LNG were traded in 2024. The United States emerged as the largest exporter with 88.4 million tonnes, followed by Australia (81 million tonnes), Qatar (77.2 million tonnes), Russia (33.5 million tonnes), and Malaysia (27.7 million tonnes). Together, these top five suppliers account for more than three-quarters of global LNG supply.China was the largest importer with 78.6 million tonnes in 2024, followed by Japan (67.7 million tonnes), South Korea (47.1 million tonnes), India (26.1 million tonnes), and Taiwan (21.8 million tonnes). These top five importers constituted nearly 59 percent of all global LNG imports that year.South Asian nations face particularly severe risks from the current conflict. Pakistan, where natural gas accounts for 28 percent of electricity generation for its 250 million people, and Bangladesh, where gas supplies half of all electricity for its 176 million population, are heavily dependent on Gulf imports. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates supply approximately 99 percent of Pakistan's LNG imports and 72 percent of Bangladesh's.In response to the energy crisis, Pakistan has implemented emergency measures including a four-day workweek for government employees and extended school holidays. Bangladesh has reduced gas supplies and is seeking nearly $2 billion in international loans to fund energy inputs and maintain price stability. India, which relies on Gulf nations for about half of its LNG and generates 5 percent of its electricity from gas, has shifted toward coal usage as LNG disruptions continue.

In a significant development that underscores the evolving nature of modern conflict, Iran has begun placing messages directly on its missiles, marking a new frontier in the global war of narratives. This strategy represents a sophisticated blend of military capability and psychological operations, designed to communicate political statements while showcasing technological prowess. The practice of inscribing messages on missiles appears to be part of Iran's broader strategy to project strength and assert its position in regional power dynamics. By combining military demonstrations with ideological messaging, Tehran is attempting to shape international perceptions while deterring potential adversaries. This development comes amid intensifying information warfare between Iran and Western powers, with both sides employing increasingly sophisticated methods to influence global public opinion. The use of missiles as communication platforms represents an escalation in this conflict, transforming conventional weapons into instruments of strategic communication and psychological influence. Analysts suggest that Iran's missile messaging serves multiple purposes: demonstrating technological advancement, asserting regional dominance, and communicating directly with domestic and international audiences. The messages often contain political slogans, religious references, or threats against perceived enemies, creating a powerful visual impact when shared through state media. The trend reflects a broader shift in modern warfare where the information domain has become as crucial as the physical battlefield. Nations are increasingly recognizing that shaping narratives can be as strategically important as military capabilities themselves, particularly in conflicts where direct confrontation carries significant risks. As this practice continues to evolve, it raises important questions about the future of deterrence strategy and the boundaries of psychological operations in international relations. The convergence of military hardware and information technology suggests that we may see further innovations in how states communicate their intentions and capabilities in an increasingly complex global security environment.

A devastating boat sinking incident has occurred off the coast of Djibouti, claiming the lives of at least nine people and leaving 45 others missing. The boat, carrying over 300 migrants and refugees, sank near Guehere in the north of the country on Tuesday.The Djiboutian coastguard launched an emergency operation, rescuing 266 survivors, all of whom were identified as Ethiopian nationals. They are currently receiving support at the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Migrant Response Centre in Obock.The incident is a grim reminder of the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a notorious migration route that separates Djibouti and Yemen. Tens of thousands of people from the Horn of Africa region attempt to make this perilous journey each year, often facing arbitrary arrest, trafficking, violence, and detention.According to IOM data, 506,000 people moved along this route in 2025, an 18% increase from the previous year. The agency also reported that 922 people died or went missing on this route in 2025, nearly double the number recorded the year before.The IOM has expressed concern that the hot season in Djibouti, which brings rougher seas and strong winds, will place migrants at even greater risk. The agency's chief of mission in Djibouti, Tanja Pacifico, warned that this tragic shipwreck may sadly mark the first of many incidents this year.