Ukraine / Russia: five hundred prisoners exchanged
On 5 March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged two hundred prisoners of war, with a further exchange of three hundred the next day. The swap, agreed during talks in Geneva in February, marks one…
EU: von der Leyen affirms commitment to international law
Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to international law after her remarks on 9 March about a changing global order sparked controversy. She had said that Europe could ‘no…
Egypt: tourism has rebounded since Covid, but many struggling with living costs due to war
Egypt’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly in recent years, reaffirming its importance to the national economy. In 2025 the country welcomed nearly 19 million visitors, a 21% increase from the previous year, while…
Reeves in emergency talks with oil and gas chiefs
Rachel Reeves has held urgent talks with senior oil and gas executives after warnings that energy bills for UK households could rise by around £500 due to the war in the Middle East.…
Social media: growing disruption caused by deepfake videos
Security experts are warning about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in online disinformation campaigns after a British academic discovered a deepfake video using his likeness. Professor Alan Read of King’s College London…
European bank chief urges Europe to strengthen its ‘strategic autonomy’
Looking on at the conflict in the Middle East, the president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño, has urged Europe to strengthen its ‘strategic autonomy’ more quickly. She warned that conflict…
Middle East conflict: Thailand likely to be hit hardest by Hormuz closure
The war in the Middle East tensions has raised concerns about global energy supplies after Iran reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and gas. The narrow waterway…
Pakistan / Afghanistan: many casualties as fighting continues
Heavy fighting has erupted along the long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, raising fears of a prolonged regional conflict. The clashes began after Pakistani air strikes targeted locations in Afghanistan, including sites linked…
Russia: soldiers describe severe brutality and allege executions
Four Russian soldiers have described severe brutality within their own ranks during the war in Ukraine, including alleged executions of troops who refused orders. In a BBC documentary, two men said they witnessed…
Ukraine: ceasefire negotiations make no substantial progress
After two days, negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the USA ended without a ceasefire agreement, highlighting how far apart both sides remain. Discussions addressed military monitoring and possible prisoner exchanges, yet the central…
