What we know so far about the Iran–Israel–U.S. escalation
The United States and Israel have carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets, with Iranian state media confirming t...
Azerbaijan chaired an informal ministerial meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) at the UN on Thursday, where members agreed to create two new advisory bodies.
Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, presiding as chair of the CICA Ministerial Council, outlined Baku’s priorities of connectivity, digitalisation and sustainability. He highlighted progress in strengthening CICA’s institutions since Azerbaijan assumed the two-year chairmanship in December 2024.
Among recent initiatives were the Partnership Network of Leading Universities, a CICA Business Forum, and the 13th Think Tank Forum, all hosted in Azerbaijan. Bayramov also presented proposals for new thematic platforms, including a Finance Summit and a Women Council, which were formally established at Thursday’s session.
The CICA Secretary-General and ministers from member states praised Azerbaijan’s leadership, saying the new bodies would deepen cooperation and enhance the grouping’s transformation into a full-fledged international organisation.
The meeting also adopted commemorative statements marking the 80th anniversaries of the end of World War II and of the founding of the United Nations, reaffirming a collective commitment to multilateralism.
CICA, the largest regional platform in Asia, now counts 28 members. Azerbaijan’s chairmanship is guided by the motto: “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalisation and Sustainable Growth in Asia.”
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating, with Washington ordering a significant military build-up in the region and multiple countries evacuating diplomatic staff amid fears of further instability.
Governments across the region responded swiftly to Israel’s strikes on Iran, closing airspace, issuing travel advisories and activating contingency plans amid fears of escalation.
Two people were killed and around 40 injured when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday (27 February), a spokesperson for the local fire service said.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
Protests broke out in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday after Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. At least nine people were reported dead in clashes near the U.S. consulate in Karachi.
Afghanistan said it had fired at Pakistani aircraft over Kabul after explosions and gunfire rocked the capital early on Sunday, marking a sharp escalation in fighting between the two neighbours.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
Cuba has released extensive details of a deadly midweek shootout at sea, showing rifles, pistols and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition that it says were carried by a group of exiles who attempted to enter the island by speedboat.
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers said on Friday (27 February) they were ready to negotiate after Pakistan bombed their forces in several Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, and Islamabad declared the neighbours were now in "open war".
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