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

The escalating tensions with Iran have sparked concerns about a potential price crisis that could have significant repercussions on the global economy. While the immediate focus is on the energy sector, analysts warn that the impact will not be limited to oil prices alone.The conflict's effects are expected to ripple through various industries, influencing markets and economies worldwide. As the situation continues to unfold, experts stress the need for a comprehensive understanding of the crisis's broader implications.Iran plays a crucial role in the global energy landscape, but the consequences of a protracted conflict will likely be felt across multiple sectors, potentially leading to a complex and multifaceted economic crisis.

Costa Rica has announced that it will accept 25 migrants deported from the United States per week as part of an agreement to assist with President Donald Trump's policy of deporting immigrants to 'third countries'.The Central American nation joins a growing number of countries across Africa and the Americas that have signed contentious, often secretive agreements with the US to accept deportees from other countries.In many cases, critics say migrants who previously hoped to seek asylum in the US are left in a legal 'black hole' in foreign countries where they don't speak the language.Countries that have agreed to receive third-party migrants include South Sudan, Honduras, Rwanda, Guyana and several Caribbean islands like Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis.'Costa Rica is prepared to see this flow of people,' said Costa Rican Public Security Minister Mario Zamora Cordero in a video statement on Thursday.Costa Rica's government signed the pact on Monday during a visit from US special envoy Kristi Noem, who was recently named to oversee the so-called 'Shield of the Americas'.Noem, who was fired earlier this month from her role as secretary of Homeland Security, has been travelling through Latin America, with recent stops in Guyana and Ecuador.The Trump administration has spent at least $40m to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own, according to a February report by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Iraq has become a critical front in the growing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The country's strategic location and complex political landscape make it a focal point in the regional conflict. Escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran have raised concerns about the potential for conflict to spill over into Iraq. The country's fragile political stability and sectarian divisions make it vulnerable to external influences. The US and Israel have been actively engaging in a campaign to counter Iran's growing influence in the region. This has led to increased military presence and covert operations in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East. Iraq's geostrategic location makes it a crucial player in the regional dynamics. The country's economic and security ties with Iran, as well as its strategic partnerships with the US and other regional players, add to its importance in the conflict.

A recent investigation has revealed a sophisticated scam operation where individuals are paid to write fake Google reviews in exchange for cryptocurrency. The scam, which was discovered on Telegram, involved recruiters posing as representatives of legitimate companies, offering individuals up to $800 per day to write fake reviews for various businesses, including hotels and restaurants. The scammers used a division of labor approach, with different individuals handling recruitment, coaching, and payment processing. The investigation found that the scammers were using Telegram channels to advertise their services and recruit new victims. These channels had thousands of subscribers and posted a steady stream of job offers, with payments starting at $5 per review. The scammers' main target was not just to create fake reviews but also to launder money and extract cash from their victims. They used cryptocurrencies to make payments, which were then laundered through a process called 'tumbling' to obscure their origin. The investigation also found that the scammers were using AI-generated images and stolen profiles to create fake identities. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has estimated that fake reviews cause annual harm of between £50m to £312m to UK consumers. Google has taken steps to combat fake reviews, removing over 240m fake reviews since 2024 and restricting 900,000 accounts for violating policies.

Electropop artist Slayyyter has found success with her new album Worst Girl in America, a chaotic and over-stimulating concoction that scratches an anarchic itch in the listener. The album's sound is a far cry from her earlier work, embracing a midwest trash aesthetic that's both nostalgic and visionary.Slayyyter, born Catherine Grace Garner, has been making music for over a decade, but it's taken her several cycles of chasing hits and experimenting with different sounds to find her true voice. Her aim was simple but risky: to make something cool – fuck anything that sounds commercial, fuck TikTok. And it seems she's succeeded, with fans and critics alike praising her new direction.The album's singles, such as Crank and Cannibalism, have introduced a sound that's sharper, sleeker, and filthier, with a vibe tuned to a precise heartland sleaze. Slayyyter's music is a hedonistic kaleidoscope of motel parties, unfinished basements, trucker hats, and taxidermy, a unique blend of influences that's both captivating and refreshing.Slayyyter's journey to this point has been marked by burnout and depression, but she's emerged with a newfound sense of creative freedom and a determination to make music that's true to herself. As she says, “I’m not, like, looking for a mainstream moment. But if one happens, that’s great.”With Worst Girl in America, Slayyyter is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene, offering a fresh perspective and a bold new sound that's sure to resonate with fans and critics alike.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated investigations into five companies, including Autotrader and Just Eat, due to concerns about their handling of online reviews. The CMA is examining whether these companies have failed to adequately address fake and misleading reviews on their platforms. The investigations focus on several key issues: Autotrader and Feefo are being looked into for potentially excluding one-star reviews from being published; Dignity is under scrutiny for allegedly asking staff to write positive reviews; Just Eat is being investigated for possibly inflating star ratings; and Pasta Evangelists is accused of offering discounts in exchange for five-star reviews. CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell emphasized the importance of genuine reviews, stating, 'Fake reviews strike at the heart of consumer trust – with many of us worrying about misleading content when looking at reviews online.' The CMA has not yet reached any conclusions but aims to ensure that companies comply with UK consumer law. The investigations bring the total number of businesses under review to 14. If the CMA finds that a company has broken the law, it can enforce changes and impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover. The UK consumer body Which? has highlighted that 89% of people rely on reviews when making purchasing decisions, underscoring the significance of this issue. The CMA's new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act allow it to address unfair practices related to online reviews without needing to go to court. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to protect consumers and maintain trust in online marketplaces.

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.

The UK's physics community is reeling from a devastating blow as the government slashes funding for particle theory research. Grants from 2026 to 2030 have been cut by nearly 70%, leaving fewer than 20 postdoctoral researchers to work in the field across the country. This drastic reduction has sparked fears that some physics departments may close and that the UK's reputation as a hub for physics research could be irreparably damaged.Brian Cox, a prominent TV scientist and professor at the University of Manchester, described the impact as 'unquantifiable' and warned that it amounts to the 'destruction of the future'. The cuts have been criticized by scientists around the world, with over 600 international researchers signing an open letter in support of the UK's physics community.The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has defended the cuts, citing 'particular pressures' due to inflation and higher operating and staffing costs. However, many scientists argue that the cuts are a shortsighted move that will ultimately harm the UK's scientific progress and reputation. The UK's physics community has a rich history, with notable figures such as Stephen Hawking, Peter Higgs, and Paul Dirac making groundbreaking contributions to the field.The cuts have also sparked concerns about the impact on young researchers, who are the lifeblood of scientific progress. Prof Jeff Forshaw, also at Manchester, described the cuts as 'annihilating' a field of research that inspires young people into physics and fires up the public imagination. The situation has prompted alarm around the world, with Prof Ed Witten, considered one of the greatest physicists since Albert Einstein, expressing concern that the UK is following in the footsteps of the US, which has also made major cuts to science funding.