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European intelligence agencies have gathered evidence suggesting that Russia is on the verge of supplying drones to Iran for use in its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. This development could significantly escalate tensions in the region.According to a senior European official, Russia has already been providing intelligence sharing with Tehran to help target US forces. The upcoming delivery of explosive-laden drones would be the first instance of lethal support from Russia to Iran since the start of the war.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report by the Financial Times that western intelligence found Russia was close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine, and food to Iran. Drone deliveries could be completed by the middle of next week.In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “There are a lot of fakes going around right now. One thing is true – we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership.”Russia and Iran have signed a strategic partnership agreement and Moscow has sent over 13 tonnes of medicine to Iran through Azerbaijan. Moscow's growing involvement could expand and escalate the conflict, which has been criticized for its ill-defined objectives and resulting geopolitical and economic chaos.European foreign ministers have expressed concern over Russia's support for Iran, with German foreign minister Johann Wadephul accusing Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets. “Putin cynically hopes that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine,” he said.

For the first time, scientists have documented whales assisting each other during birth, a behavior previously only observed in primates. A team from Project Ceti, an international effort to understand whale communication, captured the extraordinary footage off the coast of Dominica in the Caribbean on July 8, 2023.The team observed a pod of 11 whales, including a 19-year-old female named Rounder, who was about to give birth to her second calf. Over nearly five and a half hours, the scientists documented the group's behavior, filming them with drones and recording sounds underwater. This exceptional rarity in the history of science was published in the journals Scientific Reports and Science.Out of 93 species of cetaceans, only nine have been observed giving birth in the wild. What's even rarer is that unrelated whales were helping the mother. The birth lasted 34 minutes, during which other adult females dived under Rounder's dorsal fin, often on their backs with their heads facing her genital slit.Immediately after birth, the pod's behavior changed rapidly, with all adults touching and squeezing the newborn's body with their heads, pushing it around underwater and on their bodies above the surface. This behavior is believed to help the newborn calf, which sinks after birth, prevent drowning and facilitate its first breaths.The scientists also recorded significant changes in vocalization during the birth, suggesting that the group was coordinating to support the birth or protect the newborn. Sperm whales have one of the longest pregnancies in the animal kingdom, with a gestation period of up to 16 months, and calves rely on their mother's milk for at least two years.The newborn was spotted again on July 25, 2024, with other young members of the pod, indicating that it had survived its first year, a good sign of reaching adulthood.

A high-stakes diplomatic effort is underway as a delegation of Russian officials has arrived in the United States for meetings with their American counterparts. This visit, which began on Thursday, marks a significant development in the strained relations between Moscow and Washington, particularly over Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed optimism about the talks, stating, 'We hope that these first tentative steps will, of course, make their contribution to the further revival of our bilateral engagement.' President Vladimir Putin has set the main directives for the trip and will be thoroughly briefed on the meeting.The visit occurs against the backdrop of US-brokered talks to end the war in Ukraine, which are currently in a state of limbo. Despite several rounds of negotiations since US President Joe Biden's administration took office, a deadlock persists, with the Kremlin ruling out compromises to halt its military campaign.Russia, a key ally of Iran, has been accused by Western intelligence officials of supporting the Iranian government as it faces a war launched by the US and Israel. A recent report alleged that Russia was close to completing a shipment of drones to Iran, which Moscow has vehemently denied, calling such claims 'lies being spread by the media.'In a related development, Russia has intensified its military actions in Ukraine, carrying out one of the largest aerial attacks since the start of the war, launching 948 drones in 24 hours. This escalation has prompted Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to appeal for air defence munitions from allies, warning of a potential deficit in missiles while Washington focuses on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that an Israeli air strike killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, on Wednesday night. Katz stated that the assassination targeted other 'senior officers of the naval command'.Katz described Tangsiri as the man 'directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping'. He added that Tangsiri was 'blown up and eliminated'. Tangsiri was a 'well-known commander' who shaped Iran's naval doctrine and developed drones for military maritime use. He was also involved in overseeing Iran's efforts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz by blocking some vessels.Since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials. The civilian toll is significant, with at least 1,937 people killed, including 452 women and children, and 24,800 injured, according to Iran's Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian.Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said the assassination of Tangsiri 'makes the region safer'. US forces have destroyed about 92 percent of Iran's large naval vessels in ongoing operations.

Alireza Tangsiri, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander killed in an Israeli airstrike, was a veteran hardliner with a reputation for fiery rhetoric. He had a deep understanding of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.Tangsiri was a prominent figure in the IRGC, having won his credentials during the Iran-Iraq war and rising through the ranks to become the commander of the IRGC’s maritime force in 2018. He was known for pioneering unconventional weapons that allowed Iran to project power in the Persian Gulf and beyond.The US Treasury sanctioned Tangsiri in 2019 and 2023, citing his role in overseeing the IRGC Navy’s testing of cruise missiles and his involvement with a company that developed armed drones. These weapons could potentially be used to maintain the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Tangsiri was also a strong supporter of fast boats, which can threaten civilian shipping and evade modern warship defense systems. His recent statements had dared the US to launch a ground assault on Kharg Island, Iran’s principal hub for oil exports, and warned of the impact on oil prices.The Israeli airstrike that killed Tangsiri has been seen as a significant blow to the IRGC. The commander of US Central Command, Adm Brad Cooper, said the killing “makes the region safer.” Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the strike as a “message” to the IRGC, vowing to “hunt you down and eliminate you one by one.”

The conflict in Sudan continues to intensify, with two drone strikes resulting in the deaths of at least 28 civilians. The strikes occurred in separate locations, with one hitting a market in Saraf Omra, North Darfur state, killing 22 people, including an infant, and injuring 17 others. Another strike targeted a truck carrying civilians on a highway in North Kordofan, approximately 500 miles east of Darfur, killing six people and wounding 10. The RSF was blamed for the attack, although it is unclear which side launched the drone. Sudan's civil war, which began on April 15, 2023, has led to over 11.6 million people being displaced out of a population of about 51 million. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands to potentially over 400,000 deaths. The situation has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with large areas of the country at risk of famine. The UN has reported a significant increase in civilian deaths from drone strikes this year, particularly in the Kordofan region. Between January 1 and March 15, over 500 people were killed by drones. A recent drone strike on a hospital in East Darfur killed 64 people and wounded 89, according to the World Health Organization.

The United States Department of State has approved a significant arms deal worth $16.5 billion to Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan. This move comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify. The deal includes $8.4 billion worth of arms to the United Arab Emirates, which will be used to purchase drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft. Additionally, the US has approved roughly $8 billion for air and missile defense radar systems to Kuwait. Jordan will receive an additional $70.5 million to cover aircraft and munition support. The State Department stated that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner. The UAE is considered a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This arms deal comes amid ever-increasing tensions between the US and Iran. The administration of US President Donald Trump joined Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, prompting fears of a protracted regional conflict. The war has also caused energy prices around the world to surge. Iran has largely choked off tanker shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas travels. Gas prices in the United States have jumped from $3.10 per gallon ($0.82 per litre) on average this time last month to $3.88 ($1.02 per litre) on Thursday, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The principal contractors in Thursday’s proposed sales will include RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Despite the deals, all three companies’ stocks are trending downward on Wall Street. The Pentagon is seeking more money to fund the war, with the US Department of Defense seeking an additional $200 billion, according to The Associated Press. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that he was seeking a significant spending boost from Congress.

Russia has carried out one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, launching 948 drones in a 24-hour period as it moves troops and equipment to the front line in what appears to be the start of its new offensive.The attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, with two people killed in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk and one person killed in the region of Vinnytsia. The city of Lviv has also been targeted, with footage showing a drone crashing into an old building next to a church in the historic centre.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a new appeal for allies to supply Kyiv with air defence munitions, warning that Kyiv will face a deficit of missiles while Washington is focused on the US-Israeli war on Iran.The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that Russia has moved heavy equipment and more troops to the front line, with General Oleksandr Syrskii, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, saying Russian troops have made simultaneous attempts to break through defensive lines in several strategic areas.Russia's new offensive is seen as an escalation of its war of attrition, which has been unable to capture cities but has made incremental gains across rural areas.

Robert Habeck, former German Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by authoritarian leaders driven by megalomania, drawing parallels between Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine and Donald Trump's actions in Iran.Habeck argues that both leaders are primarily concerned with their own greatness, making them unpredictable and disinterested in international law. This megalomania has led to massive military miscalculations, including underestimating the resolve of the countries they attacked to make sacrifices.The article highlights the impact on energy prices, with both conflicts threatening to disrupt global energy supplies. Habeck recalls the high oil prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which rose to $130 a barrel, and warns that a prolonged conflict in Iran could lead to an inflationary contagion beyond energy.Habeck emphasizes the need for Europe to develop its defence capabilities, including stockpiles of interceptor drones and new production capacity, to prepare for the scenario of a long war. He also stresses the importance of rapid electrification of industry, transport, and the heating and cooling sectors to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.The author concludes that Europe must act to prevent the worst outcome, rather than relying on hope or second-best outcomes. As he notes, hope is not a strategy, and the EU must use its resources wisely to protect its infrastructure and ensure energy security.