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Gulf on Edge as UAE Oil Hub Blaze Fuels Iran–US Tensions

  Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defences. A surge in regional tensions has followed a major fire at a UAE oil hub, sparked by debris from intercepted drones, as Iran vows retaliation for a recent U.S. strike on its Kharg Island oil facilities. The incident has intensified fears of broader conflict across the Gulf, with Iran warning that parts of the UAE could be considered legitimate targets.  A significant fire erupted at a major oil hub in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, after debris from intercepted drones fell onto the facility, disrupting operations and sending plumes of smoke across the region. The blaze occurred amid escalating hostilities following a U.S. strike on Iran’s Kharg Island—Tehran’s primary oil export terminal. Iran responded with sharp warnings, declaring that U.S. “hideouts” within the UAE could be targeted as legitimate military sites. The threat came as Iran continued missile and d...

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UK Government Grants Police Expanded Powers to Curb Repeat Protests

Demonstrators scuffle with police officers as they try to march along Whitehall to protest and demand protection for the Global Sumud Flotilla in London on Thursday.

The UK government has announced new measures granting police greater authority to restrict repeated demonstrations, following a major pro-Palestinian protest in London that saw nearly 500 arrests.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes will allow senior officers to consider the “cumulative impact” of protests when deciding whether to impose restrictions. Until now, police could only assess each protest individually. The move comes after a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue heightened concerns about community safety.

“Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes,” Mahmood stated. She emphasized that while the right to protest remains a fundamental freedom, it must be balanced with the rights of others to live without fear.

The government plans to amend Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, enabling police to impose conditions such as relocating demonstrations or, in extreme cases, banning them outright. Critics, including human rights groups, have warned that the measures risk undermining civil liberties.

Saturday’s protest in Trafalgar Square went ahead despite calls from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Metropolitan Police to postpone it. Organizers argued that cancelling peaceful demonstrations would “let terror win.”

The debate now centers on how to balance freedom of expression with public safety, as the UK faces rising tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict and its impact on domestic communities.


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