The United States and Iran are set to begin their third round of nuclear discussions in Geneva today, focusing on finding a diplomatic solution to ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program. The talks come as Washington has recently imposed new sanctions on Tehran and continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Wednesday and met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who is mediating the indirect negotiations scheduled for Thursday. Before departing for Geneva, Araghchi stated that a fair and balanced agreement was within reach, emphasizing that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons and will not relinquish its right to peaceful nuclear technology.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of attempting to restart its nuclear program following American strikes on Iranian facilities. He reiterated that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and said President Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution but retains other options.

Cambridge University has invested over £140 million from its £4.2 billion endowment fund into a portfolio that includes companies accused of involvement in Israeli human rights violations in Gaza. The revelation came after analysis of recent filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, reported by Middle East Eye. The investment was made by Cambridge University Investment Management in the ‘iShares ESG Select Screened S&P 500’ fund during the last quarter of the previous year.

Through this fund, the university indirectly holds shares in Palantir Technologies, Caterpillar, and GE Aerospace—companies accused of aiding Israeli military operations and forced evictions in Palestinian territories. Cambridge reportedly owns about £800,000 in Palantir shares and £900,000 in GE Aerospace shares, linking it to suppliers of Israeli defense technology and aircraft engines. The disclosure follows earlier criticism of the university’s lack of transparency and its delayed decisions on divesting from arms manufacturers.

The report noted growing ethical and legal pressure on Cambridge, especially as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has already divested from Caterpillar over similar human rights concerns.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Israel killed at least 84 journalists and media workers in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for the global news media. The watchdog’s annual report, released Wednesday, found that a total of 129 media workers were killed worldwide, with Israel responsible for more than two-thirds of the deaths. Most of those killed by Israel were Palestinian, though Israeli air strikes also killed 31 staff members at Yemeni newspaper offices.

The CPJ said Israel carried out 38 of 47 targeted killings globally, which the group classifies as murders, and noted a “persistent culture of impunity” within Israel’s military regarding attacks on the press. The organization warned that the actual number of journalists killed could be higher due to press restrictions and destroyed evidence during Israel’s war on Gaza. Five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif and Hossam Shabat, were listed among those killed.

According to monitoring site Shireen.ps, Israel has killed nearly 300 journalists since the start of the war. The CPJ also recorded journalist deaths in Sudan, Mexico, and Ukraine in 2025.

At least seven people were killed and ten others injured when Ukrainian drones attacked a fertilizer plant in Russia’s western Smolensk region on February 26, 2026. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, around 30 drones targeted the facility located about 290 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The plant produces ammonium nitrate and nitric acid, chemicals used in fertilizers but also capable of being used in explosives.

Regional governor Vasily Anokhin described the incident on social media as a barbaric terrorist attack by Ukraine’s armed forces, saying the strike hit a civilian site. Rescue teams quickly reached the scene and brought the fire under control, though Anokhin did not clarify whether there was any risk of chemical contamination. As a precaution, schools in Dorogobuzh city switched to online classes, kindergartens were closed, and authorities considered evacuating nearby residents.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the attack. Earlier in the week, a Ukrainian drone strike damaged an oil pumping station in Russia’s Tatarstan Republic. The war, now in its fifth year, remains deadlocked over the Donbas region, with a new U.S.-mediated trilateral meeting expected in early March.

Japan has announced plans to deploy a powerful surface-to-air missile system on Yonaguni Island, located just 110 kilometers from Taiwan, intensifying regional geopolitical tensions. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated on February 24 that the installation would be completed by March 2031, with preparations underway as part of Japan’s 2030 fiscal year defense infrastructure plan.

Analysts say the move could further strain Japan-China relations. Einar Tangen of the Centre for International Governance Innovation noted that Tokyo’s decision appears aimed at strengthening its strategic position ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s upcoming Washington visit. China has condemned Japan’s growing military involvement in the Taiwan issue as interference in its internal affairs, responding with travel advisories, export restrictions on rare minerals, and trade controls on about 20 Japanese firms.

Experts warn that escalating tensions could prompt China to impose broader economic sanctions, potentially affecting Japan’s automobile sector and overall economic stability, given China’s role as Japan’s largest trading partner.

Iran and China are close to finalizing a major defense agreement under which Tehran will purchase China’s CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. According to international intelligence sources and six officials cited in the report, the missile can strike targets up to 290 kilometers away while flying at low altitude to evade defense systems. Military analyst Danny Citrinowicz said the weapon could redefine warfare in the Middle East and pose a serious challenge to U.S. naval forces.

The talks accelerated after a brief clash between Israel and Iran last June. Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Masoud Orai visited Beijing for final negotiations. If completed, this would mark the most advanced Chinese military technology transferred to Iran. Tehran is also in talks with China to acquire advanced air defense and anti-satellite systems, viewing these moves as essential to protecting its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have heightened military readiness. Twelve F-22 Raptor stealth jets landed at Israel’s Ovda Air Base, a move linked to concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities and regional threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect talks with the U.S. in Geneva could help avoid conflict, reaffirming Iran’s stance against developing nuclear weapons.

The United States Treasury Department announced new sanctions related to Iran just hours after President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, in which he supported possible military action. The sanctions, issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target more than 30 individuals, various entities, and ships accused of involvement in illegal Iranian petroleum sales and assistance in developing Iran’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programs.

According to the announcement, OFAC also targeted several networks that allegedly help Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics procure raw materials and equipment necessary for producing ballistic missiles and other weapons. The move reflects continued U.S. efforts to restrict Iran’s defense and energy sectors.

The sanctions are expected to further tighten financial and logistical constraints on Iran’s military and industrial networks, though the immediate impact on regional dynamics remains unclear.

The United Kingdom has begun enforcing new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) rules for travelers from 85 countries, effective from February 25, 2026. The system applies to visitors who previously could travel visa-free, including those from the United States, Australia, and several other nations. The UK government stated that the ETA will enhance the efficiency and security of its immigration process. Travelers must apply online or through a mobile app, providing passport details, contact information, and a photo. The ETA costs £16 and remains valid for two years or until the passport expires.

The new system allows multiple entries for short-term visits such as tourism, business, or short courses, but it does not guarantee entry, as travelers must still pass immigration checks. British and Irish citizens, as well as those with permanent residency or certain exemptions, do not require an ETA. Dual citizens, however, face complications if they lack a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement, which could prevent re-entry into the UK.

The UK Home Office emphasized that airlines and transport operators will verify ETA status before boarding, and applications should be submitted at least three working days in advance.

Ukraine announced that its chief negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday. The meeting is being held ahead of a possible trilateral discussion involving Russia in early March. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he will also meet Witkoff and Jared Kushner to prepare for the upcoming talks, which are expected to focus on key issues related to the ongoing conflict.

An adviser to Umerov confirmed that the Geneva meeting follows earlier discussions this month among Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials. The initiative is part of the latest diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump, though no significant progress has yet been achieved in ending Russia’s four-year aggression against Ukraine.

Zelensky stated that the agenda will include prisoner exchanges and a prosperity package aimed at Ukraine’s reconstruction. Witkoff confirmed earlier in the week that the dialogue seeks pathways toward a potential peace agreement.

Bill Gates acknowledged having relationships with two Russian women and accepted responsibility for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The admission came during an internal meeting with Gates Foundation employees, according to a spokesperson’s written statement to Reuters. The spokesperson’s comments followed a Wall Street Journal report detailing Gates’s remarks to staff.

The Gates Foundation previously stated it never funded or employed Epstein. Gates canceled his planned keynote at India’s ‘AI Impact Summit’ shortly before the event. During the internal meeting, Gates described his interactions with Epstein and bringing foundation officials to meet him as a “huge mistake.” He apologized to employees affected by his actions, emphasizing that he had done nothing illegal and had not witnessed any illegal acts.

Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice showed Gates met Epstein multiple times after Epstein’s conviction to discuss philanthropic work. Gates clarified that photos showing him with women were taken at Epstein’s request after meetings and that he never spent time with victims or women associated with Epstein.

Regional power dynamics in the Middle East are shifting as a new Sunni alliance, led by Turkey and Egypt, quietly advances. Israeli strategic analyses cited by the platform Mida and based on research from the Gatestone Institute suggest that this evolving coalition could redefine Israel’s geopolitical environment. The report notes that while global attention remains on Iran, a parallel Sunni diplomatic process is gaining momentum with potential long-term effects on Israel, the United States, and the wider region.

According to the analysis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is actively strengthening cooperation among Sunni-majority nations, aiming not only to resolve past disputes but also to build a coordinated political and strategic bloc centered around Israel. Erdoğan’s February 2026 visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, followed by hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Istanbul, are seen as key steps in this process. The report highlights a $350 million military framework agreement between Turkey and Egypt, covering joint arms production, intelligence sharing, and military exercises, with bilateral trade projected to reach $15 billion.

Strategically, Egypt’s control of the Suez Canal and its central role in North African and Mediterranean security could enhance the alliance’s effectiveness, potentially influencing maritime routes vital to Israel’s economy.

At least 26 civilians were killed and 19 others injured in airstrikes carried out by Myanmar’s ruling military junta in the country’s western and northwestern regions, according to local media reports cited by AFP on Wednesday. In the western Rakhine State, 17 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 14 injured when airstrikes hit Yoengu village near Ponnagyun town, about 33 kilometers northeast of the state capital Sittwe.

A resident of Ponnagyun said some of the injured were in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise. In a separate attack in the northwestern Sagaing region, nine civilians, including two children, were killed and five others injured when military paramotors dropped three bombs on a site where locals were reportedly using Starlink devices for internet access.

Since the military coup in February 2021, clashes between the junta and ethnic armed groups have intensified. Human rights organizations report that more than 6,000 people have been killed and about three million displaced since the coup.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has received more than 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. He made the statement on Tuesday during his first State of the Union address of his second term, held at the White House. Trump said the oil came after the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing Venezuela as a new friend and partner.

Trump also stated that US oil production has increased by more than 600,000 barrels per day. Earlier in January, he had ordered the arrest of Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes. Following that action, the US administration eased oil sanctions on Venezuela to boost production.

The announcement highlights a shift in US-Venezuela relations following Maduro’s removal and indicates Washington’s focus on expanding domestic and imported energy supplies.

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Balikesir, killing the pilot, according to local media reports citing the Ministry of Defense. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when the aircraft lost radio and tracking contact soon after departing at 12:56 a.m. local time. Rescue teams later located the wreckage, and authorities confirmed the pilot’s death.

The Defense Ministry stated that an investigation team will determine the exact cause of the crash and expressed condolences to the pilot’s family. The incident adds to a series of recent F-16 accidents worldwide. In January, an F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission in Taiwan, and in August, another crashed during an air show rehearsal in Poland, both resulting in pilot fatalities.

Last November, Turkey had suspended flights of its C-130 cargo planes following a crash in Georgia that killed all 20 passengers returning from Azerbaijan.

Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced the temporary suspension of flights at Baghdad International Airport, citing an emergency technical fault rather than any security threat. The decision was made after the issue was detected, prompting immediate precautionary measures and the start of repair work.

Following the closure, speculation spread on social media, leading authorities to clarify that the suspension was entirely technical. Ministry spokesperson Metham Al-Safi told the state news agency that maintenance and testing were underway and that the airport would reopen within a few hours once the final checks were completed.

Al-Safi dismissed claims of internal or foreign security risks as baseless and urged media outlets to verify information through official sources.