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

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

Muslim communities around the globe observed Eid al-Fitr on Friday, signifying the conclusion of the sacred month of Ramadan, during which devotees abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk. The culmination of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, heralding the onset of Shawwal. However, variations in moon sighting practices lead to discrepancies in the timing of Eid celebrations across different countries. In several nations, including Mali, Niger, and Afghanistan, Eid al-Fitr was observed on Thursday, whereas in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, it was celebrated on Friday. This joyous occasion, which extends over two days, is distinct from Eid al-Adha, which occurs during the Hajj pilgrimage. Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr commences with congregational prayers in open spaces, providing an opportunity for families and friends to unite for collective prayers and festivities. The celebrations this year are overshadowed by conflicts and instability in numerous Muslim-majority countries. In Iran, the ongoing war has resulted in widespread disruptions, while regions in the Gulf have experienced repercussions from escalating tensions. The United Nations reported that over one million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks. Furthermore, Sudan has evolved into the world's largest humanitarian crisis as the conflict enters its third year.

US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States and Iran have reached 'major points of agreement' following what he described as 'strong talks'. According to Trump, the discussions have been 'very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.'However, Iran has not officially commented on Trump's claim. The semi-official Mehr news agency has denied that there was any dialogue between Tehran and Washington, casting doubt on the nature and extent of any potential agreements.

Movsar Evloev from Russia has secured a significant victory over Lerone Murphy at UFC Fight Night 270 held at the O2 Arena. Despite receiving a point deduction for a foul, Evloev managed to edge out a majority decision win over Murphy. This triumph likely sets him up for a highly anticipated featherweight title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski.The bout was a clash of styles, with Evloev, known for his wrestling, attempting to showcase his striking abilities, while Murphy displayed impressive defensive skills on the ground. Evloev successfully took the fight to the mat in the third round but Murphy quickly regained his footing.In the fourth round, Evloev committed a foul with a kick to Murphy's groin, resulting in a point deduction. However, Evloev intensified his grappling attack in the final round, which proved sufficient for him to secure the win, with two judges scoring the fight 48-46 in his favor and the third judge scoring it a draw 47-47 after accounting for the deduction.This victory marks a significant milestone for Evloev, positioning him for a potential title fight against Volkanovski. For Murphy, it was his first career defeat in the UFC.

Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, March 22, in a highly anticipated La Liga match. The home side aims to stay in touch with league leaders Barcelona, who currently hold a four-point lead and face Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day. If Barcelona wins, Real Madrid will be seven points off the summit. Los Blancos are coming off a strong performance in the Champions League, where they defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the last 16. Vinicius Junior scored twice in the second leg, helping his team progress to the quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are fourth in La Liga and have a game in hand over third-placed Villarreal. They are also into the last eight of the Champions League and will play Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. Diego Simeone's side are seeking to cause an upset against their city rivals and avenge their 5-2 drubbing in the first league meeting in September. The two teams have a long and intense rivalry, with 242 meetings between them. Real Madrid have won 124 matches, while Atletico have won 60, and 58 games have ended in draws. Atletico are unbeaten in their last six league games against Real Madrid, with four of those games finishing in draws. In terms of team news, Kylian Mbappe is set to start for Real Madrid alongside Vinicius Junior, while goalkeeper Thibault Courtois will be out for about six weeks due to a muscle injury. Andriy Lunin will deputise in goal. For Atletico, goalkeeper Jan Oblak is a major doubt due to a hip problem, and Juan Musso is likely to start between the sticks.

Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, urged Canadian-American media and real estate mogul Mortimer Zuckerman to give up control of his financial affairs. Epstein cited Zuckerman's "potentially dangerous" cognitive impairment as the reason for his concern.In an email from October 2015, Epstein suggested that Zuckerman enter a guardianship or conservatorship for his own protection. He expressed concern for Zuckerman's "financial, emotional, physical, and psychological safety", stating that his friends, including himself, were worried about the mogul's well-being.Epstein proposed that Zuckerman grant authority to manage his affairs to Terje Rod-Larsen, a Norwegian diplomat, Zuckerman's nephews, and "anyone else you trust." He emphasized that Zuckerman's "remarkable abilities" were no longer sufficient to protect him.Zuckerman, the owner and publisher of US News & World Report, appeared to take Epstein's advice seriously, thanking him for his "thoughtfulness and friendship" and seeking recommendations for a lawyer with experience in such matters.Epstein also discussed Zuckerman's health with his nephew, Eric Gertler, advising him to oversee the sale of Zuckerman's stocks, art collection, helicopter, and plane. It is unclear if Zuckerman followed Epstein's advice.Zuckerman announced his step down as chairman of Boston Properties about six months after his correspondence with Epstein, but did not cite any health concerns at the time.

The world is currently experiencing a severe energy crisis, surpassing the combined impact of the 1970s oil shocks and the Ukraine war, according to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Speaking at a media event in Australia, Birol warned that the energy crunch prompted by the US-Israel war on Iran has exceeded the 1973 and 1979 oil shocks and gas shortages stemming from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.Birol stated that the crisis is equivalent to two oil crises and one gas crash combined. He noted that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities have reduced global oil supplies by about 11 million barrels per day (bpd), more than double the combined shortfalls of the 1970s crises. Additionally, liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies have been reduced by about 140 billion cubic meters, compared to a shortfall of 75bcm in the aftermath of Ukraine's invasion by Russia.At least 40 energy facilities across nine countries have been severely damaged in the conflict, according to the IEA chief. Birol emphasized that the global economy is facing a major threat and expressed hope that the issue will be resolved soon.Birol also expressed concern that the scale of the crisis had not been fully understood, which prompted him to speak publicly about the situation. The IEA has proposed measures to reduce energy consumption, including facilitating remote working and carpooling, and lowering speed limits on motorways.The IEA chief is in consultation with different countries about releasing more strategic oil reserves if needed. However, he emphasized that the single most important solution to the crisis is to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which usually carries about one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies.

The military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 24th day, bringing the region to a precarious juncture. As US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches its expiration at 23:44 GMT on Monday, Tehran has issued stern warnings regarding the potential targeting of its electricity grid. In response, Iran has vowed to strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbors, raising fears of a broader regional energy crisis.The conflict is already having tangible repercussions on the global economy. Financial markets are reacting sharply to the escalating tensions, with stocks in China and Hong Kong on track for their worst performance in nearly a year. The uncertainty has fueled stagflation fears, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to convene an emergency meeting to address the mounting economic fallout.In Iran, the situation remains volatile. The Israeli military has conducted a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran, resulting in powerful explosions reported in the central, southern, and eastern parts of the capital. Verified footage shows massive columns of fire and smoke rising over Karaj following an air attack. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has retaliated by threatening attacks on power plants in Israel and those supplying electricity to US bases, while also targeting a turbine engine production site in Qom used for drone components.The conflict has also spilled over into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that two ballistic missiles were launched toward Riyadh, with one intercepted and the other falling in an uninhabited area. The UAE reported debris injuries in the al-Shawamekh area, while Bahrain confirmed attacks on the US Fifth Fleet. In Qatar, seven people were killed in a helicopter crash, and Kuwait has formally protested airspace violations to the International Civil Aviation Organization.The human toll continues to rise. In Israel, alerts were triggered across Jerusalem and central Israel following explosions, with the casualty toll from attacks on Dimona and Arad climbing to at least 180 injured. In Lebanon, authorities report that at least 1,029 people have been killed since March 2, with over 100 of the victims being children. In Iraq, at least 60 people have been killed, primarily among pro-Iran Popular Mobilisation Forces.