Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air force “dangerously” intercepted a British Rivet Joint signals aircraft over the Black Sea last month. The unarmed surveillance plane was operating in international airspace while securing NATO’s eastern flank, according to UK sources. The incident, which Moscow characterised as a routine intercept, comes as tensions between Russia and NATO remain elevated along the alliance’s eastern borders. No injuries or damage were reported. Britain has not formally responded to the interception, which drew scrutiny from Allied defence officials.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a fresh round of layoffs affecting approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. The cuts represent a significant contraction in the company’s workforce as it grapples with slowing revenue growth and broader economic headwinds. Affected staff across multiple regions were notified by internal memo. This latest restructuring follows earlier rounds of job cuts at the tech giant, which has faced increased regulatory scrutiny in both Europe and the United States over data privacy and content moderation practices.
Iran’s navy coordinated the passage of 26 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period, Tehran announced, in what appeared to be a deliberate demonstration of control over the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for global oil shipments, carrying roughly a fifth of the world’s crude. The announcement came amid ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and Western powers and follows a series of maritime incidents in the Gulf region that have kept shipping lanes on edge.
The World Health Organization has confirmed approximately 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths in a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak, warning that the true toll is likely higher. Health officials are racing to contain the outbreak, which has spread across multiple regions. European officials have emphasised that the risk of transmission to Europe remains low, though they acknowledged the situation is “.” The WHO is working with affected governments to deploy vaccines and frontline medical support to contain the spread of the virus.
Israeli lawmakers advanced a bill to dissolve parliament, putting mounting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his fractious right-wing coalition fragments further. The dissolution bill, submitted by coalition members themselves, signals deepening instability in the government. Early elections could be called as soon as this summer if the bill passes. The political turmoil comes as Israel faces ongoing international diplomatic pressure over its military operations and as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remain stalled.