International
UAE Intercepts 7 Iranian Ballistic Missiles, 27 Drones in Latest Attack
The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems engaged and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran in the latest escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to the UAE’s Ministry of Defence, the projectiles were detected and neutralised on March 13, with defence systems successfully preventing the weapons from reaching their intended targets. Authorities said the country remains on high alert and fully prepared to counter any threats to national security.
Officials noted that the latest incident forms part of a broader wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting countries hosting Western military assets in the region. Since the attacks began, the UAE’s air defence forces have engaged hundreds of missiles and more than a thousand drones, destroying most before they could strike populated areas.
Despite the high interception rate, the conflict has caused casualties and infrastructure damage across the country. Reports indicate that several people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the start of the attacks, with debris from intercepted missiles occasionally falling in residential areas.
The attacks come amid a wider regional conflict involving Iran, the United States and its allies, with tensions spreading across parts of the Middle East. UAE officials have called for an end to hostilities and urged diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
The government of Cuba has announced plans to release 51 prisoners in the coming days in what officials described as a gesture of goodwill following diplomatic engagement with the Vatican.
According to the Cuban government, the prisoners selected for release have served a significant portion of their sentences and maintained good conduct while in custody. Authorities said the decision reflects Havana’s longstanding practice of reviewing inmate cases and granting humanitarian releases during special occasions.
Officials also noted that the timing coincides with the upcoming religious celebrations of Holy Week, and the move was made in the spirit of maintaining close relations with the Vatican, which has historically mediated discussions related to prisoner releases in the country.
The identities of the prisoners have not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether any political detainees are among those expected to be freed. Human rights organizations say the country still holds hundreds of political prisoners, with one group estimating the number at over 1,200 as of early 2026.
Cuba has carried out several similar prisoner releases in recent years. Authorities say nearly 10,000 inmates have received pardons since 2010, while another 10,000 have been granted early release over the past three years.
The latest announcement comes at a time of growing economic pressure on the Caribbean island and renewed international attention on its relations with the United States and other global partners.
Vietnam recorded the world’s largest trade surplus with the United States in January 2026, surpassing both Mexico and China, according to the newly released U.S. trade data.
The figures show that Vietnam’s exports to the United States surged sharply at the start of the year, helping the Southeast Asian country top the list of America’s largest trade surplus partners.
Data from U.S. authorities indicate that the trade surplus reached about $19 billion in January, driven largely by a 53% increase in Vietnamese exports to the U.S., which exceeded $20 billion during the period.
The development reflects a continuing shift in global trade patterns, as American imports from China declined while more goods are sourced from Vietnam and other Asian manufacturing hubs.
Despite the strong trade figures, negotiations between Washington and Hanoi over a bilateral trade agreement remain unresolved. Officials say disagreements over tariff rates and the widening trade imbalance have delayed progress on a deal.
Analysts also note that Vietnam’s trade surplus with the United States has been expanding steadily in recent years, partly because higher tariffs on Chinese goods encouraged companies to shift manufacturing and exports to Vietnam.
At least four crew members have been confirmed dead after a United States military refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM said the aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, went down around 14:00 ET (19:00 GMT) on Thursday while operating in the region. Rescue operations are still ongoing for the remaining crew members.
Military officials earlier stated that neither hostile nor friendly fire was responsible for the incident. The aircraft was reportedly part of ongoing U.S. operations linked to tensions with Iran.
According to CENTCOM, two aircraft were involved in the mission at the time of the incident, but the second aircraft landed safely.
The KC-135, manufactured by Boeing, is designed to refuel military aircraft mid-air, allowing fighter jets and bombers to extend their range during operations. The tanker aircraft has been a critical component of U.S. air operations since its introduction in the 1950s and was widely used during the Gulf War.
Officials said the identities of the deceased personnel would not be released until their families are formally notified.
The aircraft typically carries a crew that includes a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator responsible for controlling the refuelling arm used to transfer fuel to other aircraft during flight.
Although CENTCOM described the crash as occurring in friendly airspace, the area of western Iraq is known to host several pro-Iranian militia groups. Iranian state media claimed that an allied group targeted the aircraft with a missile, though this has not been confirmed by U.S. authorities.
The latest incident comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in the region, during which several American service members and aircraft have been lost. Earlier this month, three U.S. fighter jets were reportedly shot down in an apparent friendly-fire incident over Kuwait, although all six crew members ejected safely.
An investigation into the cause of Thursday’s crash is currently underway.