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Hundreds of thousands stranded as Middle East airspace closures disrupt flights

Iran

Hundreds of thousands stranded as Middle East airspace closures disrupt flights

The US and Israeli attack on Iran triggered widespread airspace closures across the Middle East on Sunday, stranding or diverting hundreds of thousands of travellers and halting operations at key global aviation hubs.
Countries including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain shut their airspace, while the United Arab Emirates announced a “temporary and partial closure”, according to the flight tracking website FlightRadar24. As a result, airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha suspended operations, leading to thousands of cancellations by major international carriers, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

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Dubai International – the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic – was among the worst affected.

UK evacuation planning
The UK government is preparing what could become one of the largest evacuations in its history. More than 76,000 British nationals have registered their presence in affected areas, with officials expecting that number to rise.

More than two-thirds of those are believed to be in the UAE, many of them tourists or business travellers rather than residents. The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Iran, Israel and Palestine, and against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Officials have urged British nationals to follow local safety instructions, including sheltering in place where advised. The government is examining options for potential evacuation routes, though any operation would pose significant logistical challenges.

Airports targeted and airlines suspend services
Major regional airports were also caught up in Iran’s retaliatory strikes. Dubai International Airport and the nearby Burj Al Arab hotel reportedly sustained damage, with injuries reported. In Abu Dhabi, an incident at Zayed International Airport was said to have resulted in casualties, though details remained unclear.

The three main Gulf carriers – Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways – typically handle around 90,000 passengers a day through their hubs, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. All three suspended flights.

More than 3,400 flights were cancelled across seven major Middle Eastern airports on Sunday. FlightRadar24 said a notice to airmen had extended the closure of Iranian airspace until at least Tuesday morning UK time.

Ongoing uncertainty for travellers
The closures are compounded by regional tensions elsewhere, including fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is narrowing alternative flight corridors and increasing congestion.

At Heathrow, 24 of 56 scheduled departures to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled on Sunday, according to Cirium. Some airlines issued waivers allowing passengers to rebook without penalty.

Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, warned travellers to expect further disruption in the coming days. John Strickland, a UK-based aviation analyst, said the scale of the crisis lay not only in the number of passengers affected but also in displaced crews and aircraft.

Airlines have urged passengers to check flight statuses before travelling to airports, as the situation remains fast-moving and highly uncertain.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 01.03 2026

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March 2Mar 2

Oil price set to surge after Iran strikes and Hormuz closure

Iranian Conflict

Oil price set to surge after Iran strikes and Hormuz closure

Oil prices are expected to jump sharply when markets reopen, as the US-Israel war with Iran and the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz unsettle global investors despite pledges from major producers to raise output.
US crude is on track to rise about 11% when trading resumes in New York, according to data from IG, potentially climbing above $74 a barrel from $67 on Friday. That would mark its highest level since June 2025, when the US launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The move comes even after OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to increase output by more than expected as it assessed the impact of the conflict.

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Strait of Hormuz disruption
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reportedly told ships on Saturday that passage through the strait of Hormuz was prohibited, effectively shutting the vital choke point. About 20% of global oil supplies and an estimated $500bn of energy trade pass through the strait each year.

A tanker in the strait was attacked on Sunday, and Reuters reported that at least 150 vessels carrying crude, liquefied natural gas and oil products dropped anchor as traffic slowed to a near standstill. Vessels in the region also transport chemicals and fertilisers, raising concerns about knock-on effects for agriculture and food prices.

Tehran has long warned it could close the strait in retaliation for military action. However, Tamsin Hunt of S-RM said a full closure would be “devastating for Iran’s own economy”.

Market reaction
Analysts at Barclays said oil could reach $80 a barrel in the event of a “material supply disruption”. Royal Bank of Canada warned that regional leaders had cautioned Washington about the risk of “$100-plus oil” in the event of further escalation.

Higher wholesale prices are expected to filter through to motorists. The AA said the average UK petrol price stood at 132.9p a litre and diesel at 142.4p, with further rises possible. Luke Bosdet, an AA spokesperson, said escalating conflict threatened even higher fuel costs for drivers.

Stock markets are also braced for turbulence. London’s FTSE 100 is forecast to fall about 0.5% on Monday after hitting a record high on Friday.

Investors are expected to seek safe-haven assets. Gold, which has risen for four consecutive weeks, was up more than 2% on IG’s weekend markets, while silver gained over 3%.

Gulf markets and shipping risks
Eight Opec+ countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed to raise output by 206,000 barrels a day in April, above earlier expectations. The move may ease pressure on prices, though the group said the step would also allow members to accelerate compensation adjustments.

The conflict has also pushed up the cost of insuring ships in the region. Dylan Mortimer of Marsh said attacks on shipping could have “major repercussions” for war insurance rates.

International Maritime Organization advised vessels to avoid transiting the affected area until conditions improve.
Most Gulf stock markets fell on Sunday. Saudi Arabia’s main index dropped 2.5%, although shares in Saudi Aramco rose 2.5% on expectations of higher crude prices. Kuwait suspended trading, while the UAE halted trading in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for two days, citing exceptional circumstances.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 01.03 2026

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March 1Mar 1

UK to allow US use of British bases for defensive strikes on Iran

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UK to allow US use of British bases for defensive strikes on Iran

Keir Starmer has confirmed that the UK will allow the United States to use British military bases to carry out what he described as “specific and limited defensive” strikes against Iranian missile sites.

In a recorded statement on Sunday evening, Starmer said the decision had been taken as Iranian actions became “increasingly reckless” and put British lives at risk. The UK has not directly participated in US-Israeli strikes on Iran so far.

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“The US has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose,” he said.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request – to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region … killing innocent civilians … putting British lives at risk … and hitting countries that have not been involved.”

Legal basis and regional security
The government released a summary of its legal position, stating: “The UK is acting in the collective self-defence of regional allies who have requested support.”
Starmer said around 200,000 British nationals were currently in Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iranian strikes.

“The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source in their storage depots or the launchers used to fire them,” he said, adding that British jets were already involved in coordinated defensive operations and had intercepted Iranian attacks.

In a joint statement with France and Germany, the UK said it would take “necessary and proportionate defensive action” to help prevent further missile and drone launches.

Political backlash
The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties and some within Labour.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, demanded that MPs be given a vote.
“This is a slippery slope,” he said. “Starmer must come to parliament, set out the legal case in full, and give MPs a vote. The UK must not be complicit in illegal military action.”

Zack Polanski also described US action as an “illegal and unprovoked attack”.
At the same time, Starmer has faced pressure from the Conservatives and Reform UK to offer stronger backing to Donald Trump.

The government has declined to say it supports US strikes, which Washington claims killed around 48 Iranian leaders, and has not stated whether it considers them lawful.

Defence secretary John Healey said “few people will mourn” the reported death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, calling the regime “a source of evil”.
The government has not specified which British bases may be used.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now Source ·01.03.2026

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March 1Mar 1

FBI Cites Possible Terrorism Link After Deadly Austin Bar District Attack

USA

FBI Cites Possible Terrorism Link After Deadly Austin Bar District Attack

Two people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in a shooting outside a beer garden in Austin, in what the FBI says may be linked to terrorism.

Police said officers responding to reports of an active shooter around 2:00am (08:00 GMT) on Sunday near Buford’s bar shot and killed the suspect, bringing the total number of dead to three, including the gunman.

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The suspect has been identified by US media, including CBS News, as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised American citizen born in Senegal. Authorities have not officially confirmed his identity.

Shooting in entertainment district
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, officers were already on patrol in the city’s busy nightlife areas when they received reports of a man with a gun at Buford’s, located on West Sixth Street, not far from the popular East Sixth Street bar district.

Davis said the suspect drove past the bar in a large SUV, activated the vehicle’s hazard lights, rolled down his window and fired a pistol at people gathered on the patio and sidewalk outside.

He then parked nearby, exited the vehicle armed with a rifle and began walking back towards the bar. Three police officers confronted him at an intersection and shot him dead.
Officials said the SUV was searched and no explosives were found.

FBI investigating possible terrorism link
Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, said there were indications inside the vehicle and on the suspect that suggested a “nexus to terrorism”.

However, he cautioned that the investigation remained in its early stages and that he was “not prepared to release those details”.

“We are committed to seeing this process through to the very end,” Doran said.
Police have not publicly identified a motive.
Victims and witness accounts
Of the 14 people taken to hospital, three were in critical condition, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services head Rob Luckritz.

Kelson Lee, 25, told local outlet Austin Current that he was nearby when gunfire erupted.
“I see about seven to eight bodies on the floor,” he said. “No one should ever have to see that.
“I kind of blacked out, froze up. I felt kind of helpless because I wanted to help people.”
Authorities said the rapid police response – estimated at 57 seconds – likely prevented further casualties.
Political leaders respond
Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz condemned what he called a “senseless act of violence” and said his office was coordinating with local, state and federal authorities.

“I’m grateful for the heroic and quick response from law enforcement,” he wrote on social media.
Greg Abbott said the attack would not “shake the resolve of Texans”, while Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the speed of the emergency response, saying officers had “definitely saved lives”.

University community affected
Austin is home to the Texas state capitol and the University of Texas at Austin, located less than two miles (3.2km) from Buford’s.

East and West Sixth Streets are popular weekend destinations for many of the university’s roughly 55,000 students.
Jim Davis, president of the university, said in a statement: “Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones.”

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as federal and local officials work to determine whether the shooting was ideologically motivated.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 01 March 2026

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March 1Mar 1

Biden warns Trump will try to ‘steal’ midterm elections

USA

Biden warns Trump will try to ‘steal’ midterm elections

Joe Biden has warned that his successor, Donald Trump, will attempt to “steal” the upcoming US midterm elections, delivering the remarks in a rare public address on Friday.
Speaking in South Carolina, where he was being honoured for his lifetime achievements in politics, Biden said the United States was experiencing “dark days” and urged Americans to vote in order to defend democratic institutions.

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The speech, delivered at the Columbia Museum of Art, came hours before the Trump administration launched strikes on Iran, adding to a turbulent political backdrop.

‘Battle for the soul of the nation’
Reprising a theme from his successful 2020 presidential campaign, Biden told the audience that the “battle for the soul of this nation is one that’s never really over”.
He criticised Trump’s reported plans to introduce stricter voting requirements ahead of the midterms, describing them as efforts to suppress turnout.

“Here’s the good news,” Biden said. “In America, the power still belongs to the people for now. And the way to show the power is vote, show up and vote. And folks, when we do that, that’s bad news for Donald Trump, and he knows it.
“That’s why he’s trying to pull out more and more barriers – put them up. He’s trying to steal the election, because he knows he can’t win your vote, so he’s going to do everything he can to prevent you from wanting to vote.”

Rare appearance after health treatment
Biden, 83, has largely remained out of the public eye since leaving office and undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He did not address his health during Friday’s speech.

Instead, he turned his focus to Trump’s recent State of the Union address and broader policy decisions, including an immigration crackdown that he said had resulted in the deaths of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January.

“He doesn’t mention Renee Good, Alex Pretti … [or] offer even a word of solace to their families,” Biden said.
He also criticised Trump for failing to acknowledge victims connected to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019. Trump was among the many high-profile figures who had previously associated with Epstein.

Approval ratings and political backdrop
Biden’s remarks come as opinion polls suggest Trump is facing significant public dissatisfaction. An early February survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 61% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s performance in office. A separate NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reported that a majority of US adults believe the country is moving in the wrong direction.

Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race after a widely criticised debate performance in June of that year. He endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as his successor, but Trump ultimately defeated her in the general election to return to the White House.

In his address on Friday, Biden framed the upcoming midterms as a crucial test of democratic resilience, urging supporters to remain engaged despite what he described as a challenging political climate.
“The power still belongs to the people,” he said. “But only if they use it.”

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 28 Feb 2026

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March 1Mar 1

Iran says US and Israel strikes hit school, killing 108

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Iran says US and Israel strikes hit school, killing 108

Iran says US and Israel strikes hit school, killing 108
At least 108 people have died in an explosion at a school in southern Iran, according to a local prosecutor, as the United States and Israel continued large-scale air strikes across the country.

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Iranian officials said the school, in the town of Minab in Hormozgan province, was struck during the latest wave of attacks. The incident has not been independently verified, and there has been no confirmation from either Washington or Tel Aviv that the school was deliberately targeted.

President Masoud Pezeshkian described the attack as a “barbaric act” and “another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors”.

School near IRGC base
An official said the school had been “targeted by three missile attacks”. It is located about 600 metres (1,968 feet) from a base belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been among the sites hit during the strikes.

The proximity of the military facility has raised questions about whether the school was directly targeted or caught in a strike aimed at the nearby base.

The BBC has verified video clips showing the aftermath of the explosion, with smoke rising from a damaged building as crowds gathered nearby. Screams and panic can be heard in the background of the footage.

However, the broadcaster said it had not been able to independently verify the reported death toll. International news organisations are often refused visas to Iran, limiting their ability to report freely from the ground.

Rising nationwide toll
The Iranian Red Crescent said at least 201 people across the country had been killed in the broader wave of air strikes, with 747 injured.

Red Cross and Red Crescent officials in Geneva said response teams had been mobilised to assist at the school site in Minab following the incident.
The figures released by Iranian authorities have not been independently confirmed.

Public anger and mistrust
News of the reported deaths prompted anger on Iranian social media, where users expressed grief and frustration.
An Iranian living abroad who opposes military intervention wrote: “The first victims of this war are 40 girls in Minab, hit by a missile attack. Is this the war you cheer for?”

Others directed criticism at Iran’s leadership, reflecting deep mistrust of official accounts.
One user wrote: “Even if the regime did not directly target schools, the deaths of children in Minab remain the responsibility of the Islamic Republic.

“People have no shelters, the internet is cut, phone lines are down, and there has been no warning to keep children out of school. In these conditions, the minimum requirement should be to stay at home.”

Strikes continue amid leadership claims
The reported school strike took place as US and Israeli forces launched repeated waves of attacks against targets in multiple Iranian cities throughout Saturday.
The offensive appears set to continue, despite US President Donald Trump claiming that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior commanders, had been killed in the initial strikes.
Iranian authorities have not confirmed Khamenei’s death.
With casualties rising and conflicting claims emerging from all sides, independent verification of events on the ground remains limited.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 28 Feb 2026

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March 1Mar 1

Luxury Dubai hotel hit as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across region

Iranian Conflict

Luxury Dubai hotel hit as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across region

Luxury Dubai hotel hit as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across region
A luxury hotel in Dubai has been hit amid a wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Middle East, launched in retaliation for what Tehran described as a “massive” and ongoing US-Israeli attack on its territory.

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Video verified by the BBC showed a fire tearing through the Fairmont The Palm on Saturday, with thick black smoke rising above the Palm Jumeirah waterfront in the Dubai.

Local officials said four people were injured in a blaze at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area but provided no further details. It was not immediately clear whether the hotel was directly struck or damaged by falling debris from an intercepted missile or drone.

In the early hours of Sunday, the Dubai Media Office said four people were also wounded in an “incident” at Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest transport hubs. The airport’s concourse sustained “minor damage”, officials said, without elaborating.

Missiles intercepted across Gulf states
Elsewhere in the region, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait — all of which host US military facilities — said they had intercepted missiles fired towards them.

Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising near the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The base, officially known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, serves as a key logistical and operational hub for US naval forces in the Gulf.

Authorities in Bahrain confirmed the area had been targeted. Video from Manama showed a drone striking a tower block, erupting into a bright yellow fireball on impact.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior later said three buildings in Manama and Muharraq were hit by “drone attacks and falling debris from an intercepted missile”. Fires at one building had been brought under control, while damage assessments were under way at the other two sites.
The United States has not yet publicly commented on the reported strike near its naval facility.

Al Udeid base targeted in Qatar
In Doha, Qatar’s defence ministry said it had intercepted several missiles apparently targeting Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the region.

Explosions were seen in the sky above the capital, and footage circulating online showed residents running from a falling projectile in a residential area.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as the “targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles”, calling it “a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty” and an “unacceptable escalation”.

The US maintains around 13 military bases across the Middle East, with between 30,000 and 40,000 troops typically deployed across the region.

Kuwait and Iraq incidents
In Kuwait, the state news agency Kuna reported that a drone targeting the international airport caused “minor injuries to several employees” and “limited” damage to a terminal building.

Explosions were also heard in parts of the country, though officials said air defences had intercepted incoming threats.
In Iraq, US air defences shot down a drone over a military base near Erbil, according to Reuters.

Iran claims responsibility
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that it was targeting US bases and assets as part of “Operation Truthful Promise 4”, describing the strikes as retaliation for attacks launched earlier on Saturday by the United States and Israel.

That earlier offensive, which began at approximately 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT), reportedly targeted sites linked to Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump has publicly backed the strikes on Iran and has urged the Iranian people to rise up against the country’s leadership.

As missile interceptions and airspace alerts continued into Sunday, authorities across the Gulf remained on high alert amid fears of further escalation in what is rapidly becoming one of the most direct regional confrontations in years.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 28 Feb 2026

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March 1Mar 1

Supreme Leader Khamenei killed

Iran

Supreme Leader Khamenei killed

Trump claims Iran’s supreme leader is dead after US-Israel strikes
Donald Trump has claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is dead following large-scale US and Israeli strikes across the country, including an apparent attack on the cleric’s compound in Tehran.

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There has been no confirmation from Iranian authorities that Khamenei has been killed. Iranian state media said he remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”, while foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said he was “not in a situation to confirm anything” regarding the leader’s status.

The claim came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei’s compound had been destroyed in what he described as “a powerful, surprise strike”.

“We destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei in the heart of Tehran,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. “There are many signs that the tyrant himself is no more.”

Trump later wrote on Truth Social: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” He added that US intelligence and “Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems” had worked closely with Israel during the operation.

Explosions reported across Iran
Shortly after 09:30 local time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, Iranian media reported explosions in central Tehran. Images showed smoke rising above Jomhouri Square and Hassan Abad Square.

Blasts were also reported in Karaj, near the capital, as well as Isfahan and Qom in central Iran, and Kermanshah in the west.

Footage verified by the BBC showed explosions within roughly 1km (0.6 miles) of Leadership House, Khamenei’s official compound, which holds symbolic and operational significance as the seat of Iran’s highest authority. Satellite imagery reviewed by the broadcaster appeared to show blackened structures, debris and a column of smoke rising from the area.
It was not immediately clear whether Khamenei was present at the time of the strikes.

Videos circulating on social media showed people running from impacted areas amid the sound of secondary explosions. The scale of casualties, if any, has not been independently confirmed.

Iran launches retaliatory strikes
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and four Gulf states that host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Regional authorities said they were assessing damage and monitoring incoming projectiles. There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties from the retaliatory wave, but officials described the situation as fluid.

The escalation marks one of the most direct confrontations between Iran, the United States and Israel in recent years and raises concerns of a broader regional conflict.

Airspace closures and flight cancellations
The unfolding crisis has disrupted air travel across the Middle East.
Of approximately 4,218 flights scheduled to land in the region on Saturday, 966 were cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. By Sunday, 716 of 4,329 scheduled departures had already been scrapped.

Several airlines suspended operations to affected destinations. British Airways cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday and offered passengers free rebooking or refunds. Swiss International Air Lines and other Lufthansa Group carriers halted flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil and Tehran until 7 March.

Kuwait’s aviation authority suspended flights to Iran indefinitely. Iraq and Jordan closed their airspace entirely, while the UAE said it had “partially and temporarily” restricted its airspace as a precaution.

The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman, urging travellers to remain vigilant and follow local authority guidance.

Uncertainty over Khamenei’s status
Despite the statements from Trump and Netanyahu, Iranian officials have not confirmed the death of Khamenei, who has led the Islamic Republic since 1989 and holds ultimate authority over the country’s military and political institutions.
With missile exchanges ongoing and airspace closures spreading, the region remains on high alert. Independent verification of Khamenei’s status and the full impact of the strikes is still pending.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 28 Feb 2026

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March 1Mar 1

ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN!

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ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN!

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump has appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

He said: “It will be yours to take.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.

President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S.

It also wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his offices at the time. He hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Roads to Khamenei’s compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighboring Iraq closed its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Source


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February 28Feb 28

Trump Raises Possibility of ‘Friendly Takeover’ of Cuba

Cuba

Trump Raises Possibility of ‘Friendly Takeover’ of Cuba

US President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could carry out a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, signaling sharply rising tensions between Washington and Havana.

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Speaking to reporters outside the White House as he left for Texas on Friday, Trump said that “the Cuban government is talking with us” and described the island as being “in a big deal of trouble” economically. He said Cuba currently lacks money and basic resources, and added, “maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba… we could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

Trump did not explain what he meant by a “friendly takeover.” He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was engaged in high-level discussions with Cuban officials, but did not provide details. Cuba has denied that formal, high-level talks with the US government are underway, though informal contacts with some Cuban figures have been reported.

The comments come against the backdrop of worsening tensions in the region following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January during a US military operation. Cuba has long relied on Venezuela for oil and economic support, and the loss of that backing has deepened its economic crisis, which the US has sought to intensify with sanctions and an energy blockade.

In recent days, relations were further strained after a deadly shootout off Cuba’s north coast. Cuban authorities said a Florida-registered speedboat carrying armed Cuban nationals opened fire on border guards, resulting in deaths and injuries; the US is investigating the incident.

Trump characterised Cuba as a “failed nation” that wants US assistance and said that any changes on the island could be “very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba and live here.” He did not clarify how a takeover, friendly or otherwise, would take place or what it would involve.

Cuba’s government has strongly criticised US pressure, calling the continued trade embargo and sanctions a form of collective punishment. Officials have insisted that sovereignty and independence must be respected in any dialogue with Washington.

The idea of a takeover, even if framed as “friendly,” has alarmed diplomats and analysts, since Cuba has been among the US’s most enduring adversaries since the 1960s, and the proposal carries implications for regional stability.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Halt Use of Anthropic AI

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Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Halt Use of Anthropic AI

US President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies to immediately stop using technology developed by artificial intelligence company Anthropic, following a dispute between the firm and the Pentagon.

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The announcement came shortly before a deadline for negotiations between Anthropic and the United States Department of Defense expired on Friday. The two sides had failed to reach an agreement over the company’s ethical guidelines governing its AI systems.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would direct agencies to “IMMEDIATELY CEASE” all use of Anthropic technology.

“The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution,” Trump wrote.

“WE will decide the fate of our Country – NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about,” he added.

The dispute centres on the Pentagon’s demand that Anthropic relax certain ethical guardrails embedded in its AI systems. According to officials familiar with the talks, the Defense Department argued that national security considerations required greater operational flexibility. Anthropic reportedly refused to amend its terms, saying its policies are designed to prevent misuse and ensure responsible deployment of advanced AI tools.

The breakdown in negotiations triggered warnings from the Pentagon that federal contracts could be suspended if no agreement was reached.

Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI researchers, has positioned itself as a company focused on AI safety and responsible development. Its systems are used by a range of private-sector clients and government agencies for research, data analysis and automation tasks.

It was not immediately clear how widely Anthropic’s technology is deployed across federal departments or what operational impact the order would have. Agencies may need to suspend or replace AI-driven systems currently powered by the company’s models.

The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the White House and parts of the technology sector over the regulation and control of artificial intelligence. The administration has argued that US national security and constitutional authority must take precedence over corporate policies.
Anthropic had not publicly responded to Trump’s announcement at the time of publication.


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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Bill Clinton Tells House Panel He Knew Nothing of Epstein Crimes

Epstein Files

Bill Clinton Tells House Panel He Knew Nothing of Epstein Crimes

Former US president Bill Clinton told a congressional committee he had “no idea of the crimes” committed by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and insisted he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with him.

Clinton made the remarks during a six-hour deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Friday. The appearance came a day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, testified before the same panel and criticised the proceedings as “partisan political theater”.

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In an opening statement released as the hearing began, Clinton said that had he known about Epstein’s criminal conduct, he would have reported it. Referring to his upbringing in a home affected by domestic abuse, he said he would not have associated with Epstein if he had been aware of any wrongdoing.

“Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me pause,” Clinton said, adding that Epstein had concealed his activities.

Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His earlier conviction in Florida in 2008 for solicitation of a minor drew criticism over the leniency of a plea deal reached at the time.

Committee chair James Comer described the deposition as “very productive” and said Clinton answered every question put to him. He added that a “consistent theme” emerging from witness testimony was that authorities had failed Epstein’s victims when he was first arrested in Palm Beach.

Clinton acknowledged flying several times on Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s but said he never visited Epstein’s private island. He told lawmakers he cut ties with Epstein around 2005, before the 2008 plea agreement became public.

According to Comer, Clinton also said he had spoken to Donald Trump about Epstein at a golf tournament in the early 2000s and that Trump had indicated he too had fallen out with the financier. Comer said Clinton did not suggest Trump was involved in Epstein’s crimes.

That account was later disputed by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Robert Garcia, who told reporters that Comer’s description was not a complete representation of what had been said. Democrats have called for Trump to testify before the committee.

Hillary Clinton, during her deposition a day earlier, said she had never met Epstein. After her session, she complained about repetitive questioning and said she had been asked about conspiracy theories, including UFOs and the so-called “Pizzagate” theory.

Comer said visitor logs showed Epstein visited the White House multiple times during Bill Clinton’s presidency and alleged that Hillary Clinton had flown numerous times on Epstein’s plane. Democrats have questioned the interpretation of those records and called for full transcripts or video of the depositions to be released.

Representative Ro Khanna said Clinton’s appearance marked the first time a former president had testified before Congress since Gerald Ford in 1983 and argued that it set a precedent for compelling testimony from former and current presidents alike.

The Clintons were subpoenaed by the House committee in August and initially resisted appearing, requesting that their testimony be held publicly. They agreed to comply after Republicans threatened contempt proceedings.

Clinton has not been charged with any crime in connection with Epstein and has denied past allegations of sexual misconduct unrelated to the financier.

The committee has not indicated when it will release a full transcript of the testimony.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Airstrikes Escalate Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Pakistan

Airstrikes Escalate Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Residents of District 6 in Kabul were jolted awake by explosions and the sound of jets overhead as violence escalated sharply between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan, including in Kabul as well as Paktia and Kandahar provinces, the latter a historic stronghold of the Taliban movement. The strikes followed months of rising hostilities along the border.

Earlier the same night, Afghanistan’s Taliban government said it had carried out a ground operation against Pakistani military positions near the frontier, claiming to have captured posts and killed soldiers. Taliban officials described the action as retaliation for what they called Pakistani incursions and civilian deaths caused by earlier airstrikes.

Those earlier strikes, on 21 February, targeted Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. The United Nations said it had credible reports that 13 Afghan civilians were killed. Islamabad denies targeting civilians, saying it struck militant hideouts linked to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistan says the TTP has carried out a series of attacks inside the country, including a recent suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that killed more than 30 people. Although the Islamic State group claimed responsibility, Pakistani officials say they have evidence linking the TTP to the attack and accuse Afghanistan-based leaders of directing operations with Taliban support.

The Taliban government rejects those allegations, insisting Afghan territory is not used to threaten other countries and calling Pakistan’s actions unprovoked.

The last major flare-up occurred in October 2025, when cross-border strikes continued for days. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkey led to talks in Doha and Istanbul, producing a fragile ceasefire that ultimately failed.

Militarily, Pakistan holds a significant advantage, with advanced aircraft and defence systems. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities rely largely on equipment left behind after the 2021 withdrawal of US and NATO forces, along with limited acquisitions through informal channels. There is no evidence Kabul can conduct deep airstrikes into Pakistan, though it has reportedly used drones in the latest clashes.

Trade between the two countries has been suspended since October 2025, affecting businesses and the supply of essential goods, including medicines.

For many Afghans, already facing economic hardship and restrictions under Taliban rule, the renewed violence has shattered a sense of relative security that had followed decades of war.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Israel High Court Pauses Ban on Aid Groups in Gaza, West Bank

Middle East

Israel High Court Pauses Ban on Aid Groups in Gaza, West Bank

Israel’s High Court has temporarily halted a government move that threatened to bar dozens of international aid organisations from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.

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The injunction came just before a deadline requiring 37 organisations to comply with new registration rules or cease operations. Aid groups had warned that a shutdown would remove a vital lifeline for vulnerable communities in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Four months into a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, much of the territory’s population of more than two million depends on humanitarian assistance for food, water and medical care. In the West Bank, aid agencies support Palestinians displaced amid settlement expansion and settler violence.

In December, Israeli authorities told organisations including Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam, Save the Children, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council that their registrations had expired. They were given 60 days to comply with new transparency requirements or stop work by 1 March.

Seventeen NGOs petitioned the High Court to suspend the measures, arguing that Israel, as an occupying power, has obligations under international humanitarian law. Judge Dafna Barak-Erez said there was “a real legal dispute” requiring further examination.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has taken a firm stance toward international and Palestinian NGOs, citing security concerns. Israel has accused some groups of links to armed organisations, allegations the charities deny.
The government has also passed legislation banning UNRWA from operating in Israel, affecting its work in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism says NGOs must now provide full details of staff, funding sources and operations to prevent links to armed groups following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks. Aid groups argue that sharing staff identities would endanger workers and breach European data protection laws.

Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council described the dispute as political, saying organisations already screen staff against international sanctions lists.

Israel says 27 NGOs have been approved under the new rules and 11 rejected, representing about 1% of aid entering Gaza. Officials maintain that assistance continues through compliant channels.

Humanitarian groups have welcomed the court’s injunction but say uncertainty remains over how they will operate while the legal challenge continues. A final ruling date has not been set.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Neil Sedaka, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ Singer, Dies at 86

Entertainment

Neil Sedaka, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ Singer, Dies at 86

Neil Sedaka, the American singer-songwriter behind a string of pop hits in the 1950s and 60s including Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, has died at the age of 86.

His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying they were “devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather”.

“A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed,” the statement said.
No cause of death or location was disclosed.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sedaka studied at the Juilliard School and was a founding member of the doo-wop group The Tokens in the late 1950s.

He went on to build a successful solo career, recording hits such as Oh! Carol, Calendar Girl, Laughter in the Rain and Bad Blood. A skilled pianist, he was nominated for five Grammy Awards during a career spanning more than six decades.

Sedaka also found success as a songwriter for other artists. As a teenager, he co-wrote “Stupid Cupid”, which was recorded by Connie Francis in 1958.

Although his popularity declined in the US during the British Invasion of the mid-1960s, he returned to the Billboard Top 10 in 1975 after writing Love Will Keep Us Together for Captain & Tennille. He also recorded several albums in the 1970s for a label founded by Elton John.

In a 2012 interview with the BBC during a visit to London, where he performed a piano concerto at the Royal Albert Hall, Sedaka spoke about his love of classical music.

“It’s wonderful for the soul to be able to play classical music,” he said.
“But to travel around, playing your own lyrics and music is a very rewarding feeling and I chose that, and I have no regrets.”

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Anxiety Grows in Iran Amid Speculation of Possible US Strikes

Iran

Anxiety Grows in Iran Amid Speculation of Possible US Strikes

Residents across Iran are facing sleepless nights and rising anxiety as speculation grows that the United States could carry out military strikes.

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In cities around the country, some young people are closely monitoring aircraft and ship-tracking platforms. While some fear foreign intervention, others quietly hope outside pressure could shift the balance after more than 50 days of unrest and a violent crackdown on anti-establishment protests.

Expectations that Washington might intervene faded after US President Donald Trump appeared to pivot from earlier supportive rhetoric toward diplomatic engagement. He had previously encouraged demonstrators to “keep protesting” and said that “help is on the way”.

The human toll from the unrest remains disputed. The US-based rights group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) says 7,007 people have been killed, with thousands of additional cases under review. Iranian authorities put the figure at 3,117.

UN experts, including special rapporteur Mai Sato, say internet restrictions and mass detentions make it impossible to verify the true scale of the crackdown.

A third round of US-Iran negotiations in Geneva ended this week without a final agreement, though officials signalled limited progress. The lack of a breakthrough has deepened uncertainty.

Some analysts warn that a collapse in talks could trigger wider conflict. Iranian leaders have previously suggested they would risk regional escalation rather than concede key demands. Others speculate that Tehran could adopt a confrontational posture if militarily challenged.

Concerns are compounded by continued domestic repression. Sato has warned of mounting pressure on human rights lawyers, along with ongoing arrests and surveillance, describing the period as one of the darkest for rights in recent years.

On pro-government social media, two narratives dominate. One expresses cautious optimism that negotiations could avert another war, recalling the eight-year Iran-Iraq conflict and more recent hostilities with Israel that left more than 1,200 people dead in Iran and 28 in Israel. The other frames any confrontation as inevitable.

State media have stepped up broadcasts highlighting missile capabilities, a common feature during heightened tensions.

Economic pressures are also mounting ahead of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. With US sanctions in place and inflation above 62%, markets are subdued. Traders report reduced foot traffic, and investors appear reluctant to make major commitments amid the uncertainty.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 27 Feb 2026

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February 28Feb 28

Palestinian Teen Shot and Left to Bleed to Death - Untreated in West Bank

Middle East

Palestinian Teen Shot and Left to Bleed to Death - Untreated in West Bank

A 14-year-old Palestinian boy, Jad Jadallah, was shot at close range by Israeli soldiers last November in al-Far’a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Video footage shows he lay wounded for at least 45 minutes while soldiers blocked ambulances from reaching him.

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According to eyewitnesses and CCTV footage verified by the BBC, 14 Israeli soldiers formed a cordon around Jad as he lay bleeding in an alley. Two Palestinian ambulances were prevented from reaching him.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said soldiers provided “initial medical treatment” after confirming he was not wearing an explosive device. A spokesperson declined to give details about the timing or type of treatment.

All Israeli soldiers receive trauma training and combat units include a trained medic. However, the footage does not show soldiers giving life-saving aid. At times, Jad appeared to wave his arms and throw his hat toward the soldiers in an effort to get attention. The soldiers appeared to ignore him and kicked the hat back.

The IDF accused Jad of throwing a rock, which under its rules of engagement can justify lethal force. Footage shows a soldier placing an object next to Jad after he was shot and photographing it. Jad’s family and a leading human rights group said this suggests an attempt to frame him.

Jad was later placed in an Israeli military vehicle. It remains unclear where or how many times he was shot. The military has not returned his body to his family and has declined to answer questions about his injuries.

CCTV footage captured the moment of the shooting. It shows Jad and two friends standing at the corner of an alley after reports that Israeli forces were leaving the camp.

Four soldiers had remained behind, standing a few metres away behind a wall. Jad’s friends ran when they saw the soldiers. The footage shows a soldier stepping into view less than three metres from Jad and opening fire.

Jad ran up the alley after appearing to be hit. The footage shows dust rising ahead of him, suggesting further shots were fired. He collapsed a few metres later, out of the CCTV frame.

Bystander video filmed from another direction shows him on the ground. His mother said she tried to reach him but was blocked by soldiers.

Call logs from the Palestinian Red Crescent show an ambulance arrived eight minutes after the emergency call. Lead paramedic Hassan Fouqha said his team was stopped at gunpoint about 100 yards from Jad and forced to wait for at least 35 minutes.

Fouqha said a second ambulance approaching from another direction was also blocked. “We could have reached him and provided medical aid but we were prevented,” he said.

Al-Far’a camp is home to about 10,000 Palestinians and is subject to frequent Israeli military raids. According to the United Nations, 55 children were killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank last year, and 227 have been killed there since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 27Feb 27

Netflix Drops Warner Bid as Paramount Takes Lead

USA

Netflix Drops Warner Bid as Paramount Takes Lead

Netflix has withdrawn its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery, clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to take over the company after a months-long bidding battle.

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Warner Bros said on Thursday that Paramount’s latest offer was superior to Netflix’s bid. It had urged Netflix to increase its proposal.
Paramount recently raised its offer to $31 per share in cash, up from $30. The bid covers the entire company.

Netflix co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said matching the new price was no longer financially attractive. “We’ve always been disciplined,” they said in a statement.
They added that the deal had been a “nice to have” at the right price, not a “must have” at any price. The announcement came hours after Sarandos visited the White House.

In December, Warner Bros agreed to sell its film and streaming divisions, including HBO, to Netflix for $27.75 per share, valuing the deal at about $82bn including debt. The company had planned to spin off its traditional television networks and CNN as a separate business.
Paramount, backed by technology billionaire Larry Ellison and led by his son David Ellison, later made a rival offer. Paramount had previously been rebuffed by Warner Bros.

David Ellison welcomed the board’s decision to favour Paramount’s improved bid. He said it offered shareholders superior value, certainty and speed to closing.
Paramount also agreed to pay a $7bn fee if the deal fails. In addition, it will cover the $2.8bn break-up fee Warner Bros had agreed to pay Netflix if their merger was cancelled.

If approved by regulators, Paramount would combine Warner Bros’ HBO Max subscribers with its own portfolio. It would also gain control of CNN, the Food Network and various sports assets.
Paramount’s existing networks include Nickelodeon, CBS and Comedy Central.

The proposed sale is expected to have significant effects across Hollywood. Industry observers have raised concerns about potential job cuts as production levels in Los Angeles remain under pressure.


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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 27Feb 27

EU Allows Social Funds to Support Abortion Access

EU

EU Allows Social Funds to Support Abortion Access

European Union member states will be able to use existing social funds to help citizens access safe abortion services across the bloc. The move follows a campaign calling for equal access to legal terminations in all 27 member states.

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The announcement was welcomed by supporters as a major step for women’s rights. It allows countries to draw on already allocated social service funds to cover travel and access to abortion care.

The decision stems from the My Voice, My Choice campaign. Organisers argued that women in countries with near-total abortion bans, such as Malta and Poland, should be able to obtain services in other EU states where the procedure is legal.

More than 1.2 million people signed the initiative, requiring the European Commission to respond. A majority of Members of the European Parliament backed the proposal in December.

Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, described the move as groundbreaking. She said it aimed to reduce the estimated 500,000 unsafe abortions that occur in Europe each year.

“This is half a million women at risk,” Lahbib said, adding that the figure was “half a million too many”.
The decision comes amid rising support for far-right parties in parts of Europe, many of which oppose abortion rights.

Olivier Bault of Ordo Iuris, a Polish anti-abortion group that supported Poland’s near-total ban in 2020, criticised the plan. He told Reuters it interfered with national authority over health policy.

He said using the European Social Fund for healthcare purposes undermined national laws.
Nika Kovač, coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice campaign, said the decision confirmed that EU funds can be used to guarantee access to safe abortion care, especially for vulnerable women.

She described the announcement as a political commitment to women’s rights. However, campaigners noted that no new funding had been allocated and said they would continue to push for dedicated financial resources.

They also called on the commission to provide clear guidance to member states on how to access the funds and to create a system to help women use the scheme across the bloc.

Manon Aubry, a French Member of the European Parliament, said campaigners would continue their efforts until no woman in Europe is unable to access abortion care.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 27Feb 27

US Charges Ex-F-35 Pilot With Training China

USA

US Charges Ex-F-35 Pilot With Training China

The United States has arrested and charged a former US Air Force fighter pilot for allegedly training China’s military, the Justice Department said on 26 February.

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot, was arrested on Wednesday in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is charged with providing and conspiring to provide defence services to pilots from China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

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Brown previously commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems. Prosecutors said he began negotiating a contract around August 2023 to train Chinese military pilots.

The Justice Department said he negotiated with Su Bin, a Chinese national who was sentenced in 2016 to four years in a US prison for conspiring to hack computer networks at Boeing and other major US defence contractors.

According to the department, Brown travelled to China in December 2023 and remained there until February before returning to the United States.

Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division said Brown “betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect”.
China’s embassy in Washington declined to comment.

The case comes as President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks. Trump has sought to ease tensions in an ongoing trade dispute between the two countries.

At the same time, military and technological rivalry between Washington and Beijing has continued to grow. US and allied officials have warned that China has been recruiting current and former Western military personnel, including pilots, to help the People’s Liberation Army improve its air combat capabilities.
Officials say these efforts often involve lucrative contracts and offers to fly Chinese aircraft.

In 2023, the US Commerce Department sanctioned more than a dozen companies in China and other countries, including Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The sanctions were linked to efforts to recruit Western military personnel for Chinese aviation training.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 27Feb 27

American Killed in Cuba Speedboat Shooting

USA

American Killed in Cuba Speedboat Shooting

At least one American citizen was shot dead and another injured when Cuban border guards intercepted a speedboat off the country’s northern coast on Wednesday, a US official said.

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Cuban authorities said four people were killed and six injured when officers opened fire on the Florida-registered vessel. They accused the 10 people on board of planning “an infiltration with terrorist aims” and said the passengers fired first.

The US official confirmed that one of those killed was an American citizen. Another American was injured. A third person on the boat was travelling on a US K-1 visa, which is issued to fiancées of American citizens.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was investigating what he described as a “highly unusual” incident.
Cuban authorities said all 10 people on board were Cuban nationals residing in the United States. They also reported that an 11th person had been arrested and had confessed to being part of the alleged plot.

Cuba’s interior ministry said the speedboat entered its territorial waters and was intercepted about one nautical mile off Cayo Falcones on the northern coast. The ministry said the commander of the Cuban vessel was injured during the exchange of gunfire.

According to Cuban officials, most of the people on the boat had prior criminal records involving violent activity.
Authorities said they recovered handguns, assault rifles and improvised explosive devices from the vessel, along with other tactical equipment.

The owner of the speedboat alleged that the vessel had been stolen by an employee.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 26Feb 26

Danish PM Calls Snap Election Amid Greenland Tensions

EU

Danish PM Calls Snap Election Amid Greenland Tensions

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called a snap general election for 24 March. She described the next four years as decisive for Denmark’s future.

Announcing the move in parliament, Frederiksen said security would remain the foundation of Danish politics for many years. She said Denmark and Europe must stand more independently and redefine their relationship with the United States.

The decision follows months of tension over US President Donald Trump’s statements about Greenland. The Arctic island is a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish Commonwealth, which also includes the Faroe Islands.

Trump has previously threatened to annex Greenland, arguing it is vital for defence against Russia and China. Last month, he dropped threats to use force against Denmark, a fellow Nato member.

Frederiksen said Denmark must rearm to ensure peace in Europe. She also said the country must protect the future of the Danish Commonwealth.

“Whether I will continue to be your prime minister depends on how strong a mandate you give the Social Democrats,” she told lawmakers, referring to her party, which leads the current coalition government.

Greenland has a small population but a strategic location between North America and the Arctic. Its position makes it important for missile early warning systems.

More than 100 US military personnel are permanently stationed at a base in Greenland’s north-western tip. The facility has operated since World War Two. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the United States can deploy additional troops to the island if it chooses.

Trump has said the US needs ownership of Greenland to defend it effectively. He has claimed, without evidence, that Russian and Chinese ships are operating around the island.

Denmark and Greenland have both rejected any suggestion of transferring sovereignty to the United States. European allies have expressed support for Copenhagen.

Tensions may increase if Trump proceeds with a plan to send a boat carrying medical supplies to Greenland. He has alleged that many people on the island are unwell and not receiving proper care.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected the proposal. He said Greenland provides free healthcare for all citizens, unlike the United States.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 26Feb 26

US-Iran Nuclear Talks End Without Agreement

Iran

US-Iran Nuclear Talks End Without Agreement

High-stakes talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme ended on Thursday without a deal. The White House is weighing possible military action, which would mark its largest intervention in the Middle East in decades.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “good progress” was made during the negotiations. Omani mediators said technical-level talks would resume next week in Vienna.

There was no clear evidence that the two sides moved closer on key issues. The main disputes remain Iran’s right to enrich uranium and the future of its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

The indirect talks were held in Geneva in two sessions. The US delegation was led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Reports said the US team was disappointed with Iran’s proposals. The second session was brief, which observers viewed as a negative sign.

Araghchi described the meeting as one of the most intense and longest rounds of negotiations. He confirmed that further contacts would take place within a week.

The United States is seeking permanent guarantees on uranium enrichment and strict inspection measures. Washington wants assurances that Iran will never develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies seeking such weapons.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme is a concern. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, accused the US of inconsistency in its demands.

The talks are taking place as the US increases its military presence in the region. The buildup includes two aircraft carrier strike groups, attack aircraft, refuelling planes and submarines armed with Tomahawk missiles.

A central issue is whether Iran will be allowed to continue domestic uranium enrichment. The US accepted limited enrichment in the 2015 nuclear deal, but current discussions focus on tighter restrictions.

Trump said last June that Iran’s main nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were destroyed by US airstrikes. Tehran has refused to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the sites to assess the damage.

Another major dispute concerns Iran’s uranium stockpile. The IAEA says Iran has not disclosed the location of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is close to weapons grade. The agency also estimated in May last year that Iran possessed about 8,000kg enriched to 20% or below.

Iran has proposed down-blending the highly enriched uranium under UN supervision. Other options include exporting it to Russia or the US. Sending the entire 8,000kg stockpile abroad would be a major concession for Tehran, even if it led to sanctions relief.

An Iranian official in Geneva rejected what he described as demands for permanent zero enrichment, dismantling facilities and transferring uranium stocks to the US.

Trump faces domestic pressure over the negotiations. Democrats have called for a congressional vote before any military action. An Associated Press poll found that 56% of Americans do not trust Trump to make the right decision on using military force abroad.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is expected to play a key role in verifying any future agreement. Iran has also stated it will not negotiate on non-nuclear issues, including its ballistic missile programme and support for regional groups.

Rubio said Iran’s missile range could eventually threaten US territory. He added that Iran’s shorter-range missiles could target US bases in the region.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 26Feb 26

Unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor in Epstein Files

Epstein Files

Unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor in Epstein Files

Unreleased FBI Memos Detail Unverified Trump Claim
Three FBI memos from 2019 contain explicit but unsubstantiated allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a minor with the assistance of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a review by The Guardian. The documents were not included when the Department of Justice began releasing millions of Epstein-related files in December.

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The memos describe four FBI interviews conducted on 24 July, 7 August, 22 August and 16 October 2019 at the Washington state law offices of attorney Barry Brandenburg. The Guardian obtained the missing FBI form 302 reports, which total 25 pages of agents’ notes. Only the first interview, in which Trump was not named, was included in the public release.

An administration official confirmed the three missing reports are authentic. The Department of Justice told NPR that “nothing has been deleted” and said withheld material was duplicative or privileged. The same explanation was given to Breitbart.

In a statement to The Guardian, an administration official said the accusations were listed as duplicative files in the SDNY records and were not legally required to be released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The official said the Department of Justice is continuing its review. The department did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

According to the memos, the woman told agents she was sexually abused by Epstein from about 1983, when she was 13 and living in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She alleged that when she was between 13 and 15, Epstein took her to a building in New York or New Jersey, where she met Trump and others.

She claimed that when alone with Trump, he attempted to sexually assault her after making a remark about teaching her “how little girls are supposed to be”. She said she bit him and that he struck her and had her removed from the room. She also alleged that she heard Trump discuss blackmail and “washing money through casinos” with Epstein.

The allegations have not been verified. The FBI did not bring charges related to her claims, and parts of her account contradict known details of Epstein’s life in the early 1980s. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and said last week, “I did nothing.”

Mark Epstein told The Guardian he had no knowledge of his brother spending summers in Hilton Head in the early 1980s. There is no evidence that Trump and Epstein knew each other in 1983. Trump told New York magazine in 2002 that he had met Epstein 15 years earlier.

The woman also alleged Epstein gave her alcohol, drugs and forced her to perform sexual acts. She claimed Epstein blackmailed her mother with explicit photographs, leading to embezzlement and a prison term in South Carolina. The Guardian said it was unable to corroborate the claimed prison case.

In 2020, a Jane Doe with matching biographical details joined a lawsuit against Epstein’s estate but later dropped her claims. It is not known if a settlement was reached. Her lawyer in that case, Lisa Bloom, declined to comment.

US Representative Robert Garcia said he reviewed unredacted files at the Department of Justice and could not find the reports. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said lawmakers would examine claims that the allegations were removed from the database.

Garcia wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking a full explanation for the withheld files. He said the Department of Justice had “illegally withheld” FBI interviews containing serious accusations.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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February 26Feb 26

Waived through into Britain in just 30 minutes!

UK-Asylum crisis

Waived through into Britain in just 30 minutes!

Rapid Migrant Processing Raises Security Concerns in UK
Migrants arriving illegally on the UK’s Kent coast are facing minimal security checks, according to an investigation by the Daily Mail. Hundreds of migrants from France have been processed swiftly, sparking worries about the effectiveness of vetting procedures.

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Temporary Relocation to Ramsgate
The Home Office recently shifted the migrant arrival port from Dover to Ramsgate, located 20 miles away. This temporary move is said to have created what whistleblowers describe as a "dangerous" gap in security measures.

Since February, migrants have been brought to Ramsgate by Border Force vessels including Typhoon, Defender, and Volunteer. They are subsequently transported three miles to the processing centre in Manston.

Quick Processing Times
The investigation found that the time from disembarkation to arrival at Manston is alarmingly short. For instance, on February 9, migrants arrived at Manston just 43 minutes after landing at the port. Other days showed similar processing times, with only brief checks being conducted.

Upon arrival, migrants are typically at the port for around 30 minutes. During this time, they hand in lifejackets, receive fresh clothes, and undergo a basic weapons check before being moved to Manston.

Processes at Manston
At Manston, migrants can stay for up to three days. During this time, they undergo fingerprinting, identification checks, and security interviews. However, the interviews may last only 45 minutes. After this, migrants are sent to hotels or Home Office properties across the UK.

A whistleblower highlighted issues at Manston, noting that it's not a secure detention facility. Some migrants have reportedly disappeared or been picked up by relatives, as the camp is not designed to detain individuals long-term.

Previous Procedures at Dover
Previously, in Dover, strict procedures were in place. Migrants received thorough screenings and were questioned about their identities—a process that could take hours. This was aimed at identifying individuals with criminal records or ties to terrorism.

Challenges in Identifying Migrants
There are significant concerns about the identities of many migrants, who often travel without documentation. Many discard their passports before reaching the UK, which complicates efforts to ascertain their background and intentions.

This issue was illustrated when a group arrived via the vessel Ranger, leaving Ramsgate on a coach less than 30 minutes after brief checks, without undergoing security interviews.

Government Reactions
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has urged the Government to ensure comprehensive checks on migrants. Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, emphasized the necessity of detaining and deporting illegal entrants immediately to maintain public safety.

Despite these concerns, the Home Office stated that security-check processes have not been affected by the temporary relocation to Ramsgate. The operations, they claim, continue as usual.

Rising Numbers
As of a recent Tuesday, 74 migrants arrived at Ramsgate, taking the year's total to 1,604. Estimates suggest that a single day's arrival of over 400 migrants could push the total number since January 1 to exceed 2,000.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 26 Feb 2026

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