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The United States' top intelligence official has identified Pakistan as one of five countries, alongside Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, whose advancing missile capabilities could eventually pose a threat to US territory. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard presented the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment before the Senate Intelligence Committee, highlighting that these countries are developing novel missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that could reach the US homeland.Gabbard specifically noted that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially includes Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with a range capable of striking the US. The written assessment also flagged Pakistan across multiple threat categories, including missile technology and weapons of mass destruction.However, experts and Pakistani officials have pushed back against these claims. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Tahir Andrabi, stated that Pakistan's strategic capabilities are 'exclusively defensive' and aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace in South Asia. Experts also point out that Pakistan's longest-range operational missile, the Shaheen-III, has an estimated range of 2,750km, which is not sufficient to reach the US.The assessment has sparked a debate over intent, with some US officials suggesting that Pakistan might be developing missiles to deter Washington from intervening in a future India-Pakistan conflict. However, Pakistani analysts argue that Pakistan's deterrence posture is India-centric and not aimed at projecting power globally.The issue comes at a complex moment in US-Pakistan relations, which have undergone a diplomatic reset over the past year. US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and has been involved in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The situation highlights the intricate dynamics at play in South Asia and the ongoing challenges in the region.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has taken a significant turn as foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim countries gathered in Riyadh for urgent discussions. The meeting, which included representatives from 12 countries, aimed to muster a common response to Iran's increasing retaliation against US assets and infrastructure in the region.The talks were held as Iran targeted several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in retaliation against Israel's strike on the South Pars gasfield, Iran's biggest source of energy. This escalation comes after a series of Israeli assassinations of top Iranian security officials.The joint statement issued on Thursday confirmed that the countries present at the meeting, including Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, asserted the right of states to defend themselves, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter on defensive action.The foreign ministers condemned deliberate Iranian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones that have struck various targets, including residential areas, water desalination plants, oil facilities, airports, and diplomatic positions. They called on Iran to:Halt its attacks.Stop "provocative actions or threats" aimed at its neighbours.Cease supporting, financing, and arming pro-Iran proxy groups based in Arab states.Refrain from actions or threats aimed at blocking the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.The meeting yielded a unified response to Iran's increasingly unpredictable behaviour, but the joint statement was vague about how countries would follow this up. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized his country's right to defend itself and hinted that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would act if necessary, adding that they have "very significant capacities and capabilities that they could bring to bear should they choose to do so".The Iranian leadership's response to these developments remains unclear, with New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei having not been seen in public since his appointment. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying that Iranian forces had responded to the "deceiving and lying enemy" that had targeted energy facilities in the country, and that they had "entered a new phase of warfare" to defend Iran's infrastructure.

Galatasaray's star striker, Victor Osimhen, made a valiant effort to play through a broken arm during the team's 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. This courageous attempt was aimed at preventing his side from being eliminated 4-1 on aggregate.The Nigerian international took a knock on his right arm during the first half at Anfield and, despite the injury, remained on the pitch until halftime. However, he could not resume play after the interval due to a suspected fracture.Following the match, a hospital examination confirmed a fracture of the right forearm, and a cast was applied. A decision regarding a possible surgical procedure will be made in the coming days after further tests.The loss to Liverpool has set up a quarterfinal matchup against Paris Saint-Germain, the trophy holder. Osimhen's availability for the remainder of the season is now in doubt, which could impact both Galatasaray's and Nigeria's prospects.Osimhen, known as one of the brightest talents in the game, had previously missed out on a place at this summer's FIFA World Cup 2026 after Nigeria was eliminated in a playoff by DR Congo.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a shocking decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco, the defeated finalists. This move comes after a thorough review of a contentious incident at the end of normal time in the January 18 final, which saw the match delayed by 14 minutes after Senegal players left the field in protest against refereeing decisions.The controversy began when a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, which overlapped into the new year, with the final played in Rabat. Senegalese players and management were enraged by the decision, leading to a walk-off and a pitch invasion by some fans. Although Senegal returned to the field and won the match 1-0 after extra time, CAF's disciplinary procedure resulted in substantial fines and bans for both teams.CAF's appeals board ruled that Senegal is 'declared to have forfeited' the match by leaving the field, and the 1-0 result was officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has condemned the decision, labeling it 'unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable,' and plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.The decision has sparked a heated debate in the football community, with Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko denouncing the sentencing of 18 Senegalese fans by Morocco. The case is expected to take over a year to resolve, and its outcome could have significant implications for African football.

Senegal's government has demanded an independent international investigation into corruption allegations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.The CAF's decision came after a review by their appeals board into a chaotic final two months ago. The ruling stated that Senegal forfeited the final, a 1-0 victory after extra time, by leaving the field of play during normal time in a 14-minute protest at the awarding of a penalty to Morocco.The result was officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of host nation Morocco. Senegal's government spokeswoman, Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, criticized the CAF's decision, stating that it undermines the organization's credibility.Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko previously denounced Morocco's jailing of 18 Senegalese fans following violence during a pitch invasion. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced that it will appeal CAF's ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Oil prices have experienced a significant surge, rising more than 5%, in the wake of an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield. This development comes as the United States-Israeli conflict with Iran continues to escalate.The international standard, Brent crude, rose 5 percent to $108.66 a barrel on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude (CLc1), the price barometer for US oil, gained 2.5 percent to $98.65. This widened its discount to Brent to the largest since May 2019, driven by fears of a prolonged conflict.Iranian state media reported that natural gas facilities associated with its offshore South Pars field – the largest gasfield in the world, located off the coast of southern Iran's Bushehr province – were attacked. Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to attack oil and gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, heightening the risk of further disruptions to energy supplies in the region.Later on Wednesday, Qatari authorities reported a fire at the country's Ras Laffan gas facility after an Iranian ballistic missile attack. Qatar's Interior Ministry later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control.The US-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf neighbours have disrupted oil and natural gas exports from the Middle East and forced production stoppages. Experts warn that if these disruptions keep oil and gas prices elevated for an extended period, the global economy could experience a wave of inflation.Fighting has halted most shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil and liquified natural gas supplies pass. Total oil output cuts in the Middle East are estimated at 7 million to 10 million barrels per day or 7 percent to 10 percent of global demand.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has taken a significant turn, with oil prices skyrocketing to unprecedented levels. Analysts are now warning that prices could reach $150 or even $200 per barrel, a scenario that was previously considered far-fetched.The global benchmark, Brent crude, has hit nearly $120 per barrel and has remained above $100 since March 13. The recent Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield and subsequent Iranian attacks on oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have further pushed crude prices up to over $108 per barrel.The Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about one-fifth of global oil supplies, has been effectively closed since Iran declared it shut early in the conflict. Only a handful of ships, mostly Indian, Pakistani, Turkish, and Chinese-flagged vessels, have been allowed to pass through in recent days.Market watchers agree that prices have room to move much higher if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, notes that benchmark Middle Eastern crudes have already crossed the $150 threshold, making $200 a possibility.The International Monetary Fund estimates that every 10% rise in oil prices would correspond with a 0.4% increase in global inflation and a 0.15% reduction in economic growth. Oil prices at $150 or higher would weigh heavily on the global economy.Adi Imsirovic, an energy expert at the University of Oxford, warns that oil at $200 per barrel would be a major handbrake to the world economy, impacting inflation, growth, employment, and potentially causing shortages of fuel and materials.

Pep Guardiola was given the opportunity to engage in pre-match mind games with rival coach Mikel Arteta ahead of Manchester City's meeting with Arsenal in the English League Cup final on Sunday. However, he chose not to take the bait.Instead, Guardiola shifted the focus to global issues, stating, “Look what’s happened around the world. We have an incredible chaos and nobody moves one finger. Everything is behind the scenes. The world is going to collapse and still we are here talking about dark arts.”This comment recalled a previous flashpoint between the teams in September 2024, when Arsenal's tactics drew criticism from several City players following a 2-2 draw. Midfielder Bernardo Silva described Arsenal's players as pushing “the limits of what was possible to do,” while defender John Stones said they “break up the game which upsets the rhythm.” Full back Kyle Walker, no longer at City, referred to Arsenal's perceived tactics as “dark arts.”Guardiola praised Arsenal's evolution and “solidarity,” noting they are in contention to win four trophies this season as the Premier League leader by nine points and having advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and FA Cup. He described Arsenal as an “exceptional team” and acknowledged the challenge they pose.Arteta, who previously worked under Guardiola at City from 2016-19, acknowledged that their relationship “had to” change due to their current roles as rivals. However, he expressed his enduring respect for Guardiola, citing his “inspiration” since he was young.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has taken a significant turn with strikes on a gas field and energy production facilities. These actions are likely to have a ripple effect on the global economy, raising power, food, and other prices worldwide. As gas supplies dwindle and costs escalate, the impact will be felt across the globe.The effects of this conflict will not be limited to the Gulf region; they will echo far beyond, affecting economies and consumers worldwide. The key question is: who will feel the impact the most, and how far could this shock spread?Expert insights from Justin Dargin, an energy expert at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, provide valuable context to understanding the potential consequences of this escalation.