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Netanyahu Says US-Israeli War on Iran Will Not Be Prolonged

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Iran would be decisive and not drag on for years, describing it as potentially lasting weeks rather than becoming an “endless war.” Speaking in a televised interview, Netanyahu stressed that while the conflict may take some time, it would not mirror the prolonged wars of the past. The joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign began over the weekend, with Donald Trump initially suggesting a timeline of four to five weeks, though later remarks signalled a broader and open-ended approach.

The conflict has rapidly expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with Tehran launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces, and Gulf states hosting American bases. Israel has struck Iranian-linked targets in Lebanon, including Hezbollah positions, and reinforced troop deployments along its northern border. Iranian attacks have reportedly hit U.S. facilities in the region, including drone strikes near Riyadh and claims of damage to a U.S. base in Bahrain. Casualties have mounted across Iran, Israel, Lebanon and neighbouring states as exchanges intensify.

The escalating war has disrupted global aviation and energy markets, with thousands of Gulf flights cancelled and major hubs such as Dubai temporarily shut. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil trade — has been severely affected, driving oil prices and tanker rates sharply higher. Washington has ordered non-essential personnel to leave several regional countries, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that stronger American military action could still follow. Diplomatic tensions remain high as global powers react to one of the most significant Middle East escalations in decades.

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Zelenskiy Says Russia Unlikely to Achieve Planned Advances in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia will struggle to fulfil its planned military advances, asserting that Moscow has failed to meet objectives it set last year. Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskiy stated that Russia’s broader strategy remains focused on occupying eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, but insisted that current battlefield realities do not support the ambitions outlined in Russian plans for 2026–2027.

According to Zelenskiy, Russia continues to prioritise full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Donbas, while also eyeing advances toward the southeastern city of Dnipro and the southern Odesa region along the Black Sea. However, he said Ukraine does not believe Russian forces currently possess the capability to accomplish those objectives. The outcome, he added, will largely depend on continued Western weapons supplies and Ukraine’s expanding domestic arms production.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its troops had captured three additional villages in eastern Ukraine as part of a prolonged offensive. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had retaken nine settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region since late January and were continuing counteroffensive operations along the southeastern front. Territorial control remains a major sticking point in U.S.-mediated peace efforts, with Russia demanding concessions that Kyiv has firmly rejected.

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Kremlin Affirms Interest in Continuing Ukraine Peace Talks

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The Kremlin stated on Monday that continuing peace talks with Ukraine remains in Russia’s own interests, emphasizing a preference for a diplomatic settlement to end the fighting. Despite recent deadlocks over Russia’s demand for control of the remaining part of eastern Donbas, Moscow reiterated its commitment to negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s approach to talks has not changed and that political and diplomatic solutions are the preferred method to resolve the conflict. He noted that Russia remains open to discussions while prioritizing its own national interests.

When asked about potential impacts of U.S. strikes on Iran, Peskov affirmed that Russia still values U.S. mediation but would rely primarily on its own judgment. The statement signals Moscow’s intention to continue dialogue while protecting its strategic objectives in the region.

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France Offers Support to Gulf States Amid Iran Strikes

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France has expressed readiness to assist Gulf countries targeted by Iranian retaliatory attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said after a crisis meeting in Paris. Barrot emphasized that any support would be proportionate and aligned with international law’s collective self-defense principles, responding to requests from regional partners.

The French minister criticized the initial Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran as unilateral actions that should have been debated at the U.N. Security Council to gain legitimacy. He called for Iran to halt its attacks and accept political concessions to pave the way for peace in the region.

A drone strike on a French naval base in Abu Dhabi over the weekend caused limited damage, but no French casualties were reported. France’s statement highlights its commitment to regional security while advocating for diplomatic and multilateral approaches to conflict resolution.

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Italy Misses 2025 Deficit Target, Pressure on PM Meloni

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Italy’s 2025 budget deficit came in at 3.1% of GDP, slightly above the European Union’s 3% ceiling, according to ISTAT. While lower than 2024’s 3.4%, the miss casts doubt on Rome’s plan to exit the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure early, which could have eased spending constraints ahead of the 2027 elections.

The eurozone’s third-largest economy grew by 0.5% in 2025, matching the government’s revised forecasts, though growth remains below 1% for the fourth consecutive year despite EU recovery funds. The 2026 deficit is targeted at 2.8%, with the government hoping for modest improvement amid lingering fiscal challenges.

Italy’s public debt also exceeded expectations, rising to 137.1% of GDP from 134.7% in 2024, above the government’s 136.2% target. With debt levels remaining the second-highest in the eurozone after Greece, the Meloni administration faces mounting pressure to control spending while promoting economic growth.

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Travel Shares Plunge as US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Flights

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Global travel markets tumbled on Monday as escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran forced closures of key Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai and Doha, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. European travel giants such as TUI, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG saw shares drop between 7–9%, while U.S. airlines fell around 5% in pre-market trading. Analysts cited flight cancellations, rerouting costs, and rising fuel prices as major pressures, despite hedging strategies.

Asian carriers were also affected, with airlines including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air China, and ANA Holdings suspending flights to the Middle East. Air India canceled routes to Europe, the U.S., and the Gulf, while Chinese airlines reported 26.5% of Middle East flights canceled for the week. Experts warned that disruptions could last for weeks, though broader schedule adjustments were still being monitored.

Passengers faced chaotic travel changes as Dubai and Doha airports, major international hubs, shut down. Travelers scrambled for alternatives, often with little guidance from airlines like Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia. The situation highlights the global ripple effect of geopolitical conflicts on aviation, travel demand, and logistics.

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EU Urges Restraint and Respect for International Law in Iran Conflict

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The European Union’s 27 member states have called for “maximum restraint” and full adherence to international law amid escalating hostilities involving Iran. In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the need to protect civilians and uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. The appeal followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel, U.S. forces and Gulf countries, which the EU described as inexcusable violations of sovereignty.

The bloc also voiced concern about the broader regional and economic fallout of the conflict, warning against escalation that could destabilize the Middle East and beyond. It highlighted the importance of keeping critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz open, citing risks to global energy supplies and supply chains. Disruptions to oil flows could have significant economic consequences for Europe, which is already grappling with geopolitical uncertainty.

The joint statement reflected differing views within the EU over the U.S.-Israeli military action. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled caution against criticizing allies, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected the strikes as contributing to global instability. Diplomats acknowledged that Europe has limited leverage over the unfolding crisis, despite the potential for serious regional and economic repercussions.

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EU Clarifies Social Fund Can Support Cross-Border Access to Safe Abortions

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The European Commission has clarified that member states may use the European Social Fund to provide free abortion services to women traveling from EU countries with restrictive laws. The announcement followed the “My Voice, My Choice” citizens’ initiative, which gathered over one million signatures urging the bloc to ensure equal access to safe and legal abortion care. While the Commission stopped short of proposing a new funding tool, it confirmed that existing resources could be reallocated to support women, particularly those in vulnerable situations, seeking procedures abroad.

The move comes as countries such as Poland and Malta maintain near-total abortion bans, and access remains limited in nations including Italy and Croatia. Supporters argue that women across the 27-member bloc should have equal healthcare rights regardless of national restrictions. Campaign coordinator Nika Kovac welcomed the clarification, calling it the first clear confirmation that EU funds can be used to guarantee safe abortion access across borders.

However, critics — including conservative lawmakers and far-right groups — say the decision interferes with national sovereignty over health policy and undermines traditional values. Opponents argue that using EU social funds for abortion-related services effectively bypasses domestic laws. The clarification reflects broader tensions within Europe, where abortion access has expanded in countries such as France and the UK, even as far-right parties opposing abortion gain political ground.

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Sweden Says Russian Drone Jammed Near French Carrier in Malmö

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Sweden’s armed forces have confirmed that a drone jammed near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Malmö was Russian. The drone was detected about seven nautical miles from the carrier and was seen taking off from a nearby Russian intelligence-gathering vessel in Swedish territorial waters. The Swedish Navy acted quickly to disrupt the drone using jamming technology, which interferes with its control signals. The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation as “absurd.”

The Charles de Gaulle, visiting Sweden for the first time, is set to participate in NATO exercises across the Baltic and Atlantic regions under the La Fayette 26 mission. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the incident as serious but not unexpected, suggesting it fit a broader pattern of Russian behavior. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called any confirmed Russian involvement a “ridiculous provocation,” while French military officials emphasized that the incident did not affect the carrier’s operations.

The episode comes amid months of reported drone sightings near military facilities across NATO member states, including Denmark and the Baltic countries. Sweden’s coast guard has also launched a separate investigation into a fuel spill in Malmö’s port, though authorities say it is unrelated to the carrier’s visit. The carrier strike group’s deployment signals France’s strengthened military engagement with northern European allies in response to growing tensions with Moscow.

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Voll Stars as Australia Clinches ODI Series in Healy’s Farewell

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Georgia Voll scored her second international century to help Australia women’s cricket team defeat India by five wickets in the second ODI, sealing the series with a game to spare. Voll’s 101 off 82 balls, supported by Phoebe Litchfield’s 80, powered Australia’s successful chase of 252 runs despite early setbacks with the loss of captain Alyssa Healy for six.

The Australian pair added 119 runs for the second wicket after Healy’s dismissal, breaking the backbone of India’s bowling attack. Voll later added 82 runs in 67 balls with Beth Mooney before being dismissed by Kashvee Gautam. Ash Gardner finished the innings, ensuring victory with 83 balls to spare. India had earlier posted 251-9, led by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 54 and a 78-run opening stand between Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana.

India’s innings suffered a mid-innings collapse, losing four wickets for 40 runs, while Australia’s bowlers, including Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, and Alana King, shared six wickets between them. The win marked a fitting farewell series for Healy, leaving the squad and fans celebrating Australia’s dominant performance in her final ODIs.

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