World

Australian radio host Jackie Henderson has broken her silence on the events surrounding her departure from the 'Kyle and Jackie O' show, labeling media reports about her exit as 'misinformation' and expressing being 'deeply saddened' by the potential end of the program. In her first public statement since leaving the show two weeks ago after a conflict with co-host Kyle Sandilands, Henderson clarified her position through her manager.

The Kremlin has stated that the US-Israeli war in Iran has prompted a significant increase in demand for Russian energy products. This declaration came a day after the US Treasury issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that Russia has been and remains a reliable supplier of oil and gas, including via pipelines and in liquefied form, amid the ongoing conflict.

The name of Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti recently made headlines due to new claims about his death and works. Independent researcher Valentina Salerno presented a theory that the master sculptor and painter hid his artworks in a secret room before his death in 1564, leaving keys to friends as part of a complex scheme to keep them in trusted hands. She also attributed a marble bust of Christ in a minor Roman church to him.

The Indonesian government has enacted a new regulation prohibiting users under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and others. Communication Minister Meutya Hafid stated that the restrictions will apply to "high-risk" platforms and are set to roll out gradually starting later this month.

A sense of normality is gradually returning to Israel, even as large-scale Israeli-American attacks on Iran show no sign of abating, and as Israel expands its air bombardment and ground invasion of Lebanon in its offensive against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. Six days on, as the intensity of the Iranian retaliation has diminished, measures that banned gatherings and closed shops and offices are being relaxed. Air raid alerts still sound, sending people across the country to shelters.

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has for the first time designated an artificial intelligence company, Anthropic, as a "supply chain risk." This label indicates that the government deems the company insufficiently secure for its use, effectively restricting its contracts with defense agencies and setting the stage for a significant legal confrontation.

Ecuador's Ministry of Defense reported that the country's military has discovered and seized a 35-meter-long semi-submersible vessel (narco-submarine) in a nature reserve near the border with Colombia. The vessel was carrying 6,000 gallons (22,700 liters) of fuel and was ready for 'a long drug-smuggling voyage,' according to the official statement.

This week, several European countries announced they are sending military assistance to the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. The conflict, which began on February 28 with Operation Epic Fury, escalated for a seventh day on Friday, with attacks continuing in Iran, Israel, and other regional countries.

The US administration has issued a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, a move that comes less than a month after a trade deal in which India agreed to halt such imports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on social media that this measure is intended to alleviate pressure on the global energy market caused by the situation with Iran, which has driven up prices and disrupted supplies, highlighting India's role as an essential partner.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has reported the detention of former First Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov on suspicion of creating a criminal community. According to the investigation, this community was allegedly involved in the embezzlement of state budget funds and their subsequent legalization.

In Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the situation has relatively stabilized, yet Uzbek nationals residing and working in these countries remain in a state of anxiety and uncertainty. Local air defense systems are reported to be capable of intercepting Iranian missiles in the air, and populated areas have not suffered damage, but those on short-term trips fear being stranded due to flight cancellations. The closed airspace over the Persian Gulf region has nearly halted all aviation links, complicating repatriation efforts for compatriots.

The global players' union FIFPRO has urged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA to undertake all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Iran's Women's National Team players. This call comes after an Iranian state television presenter, Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, labelled the team "wartime traitors" following their decision not to sing the national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea in Australia earlier this week.