As Iranian drones and missiles continue to rain on the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it is defending its territory while working to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the region.

A small group of journalists briefed by senior Emirati officials on the situation in Abu Dhabi over the weekend. They say the country had been preparing for instability long before the latest escalation.

Dragged into this conflict by the USA and Israel

“We’ve been getting ready. Not expecting war but getting ready for a sort of emergency, such as the one that we are facing today. The UAE is a country that prepares, and we have been preparing now for a long time because of our readout of the situation in the region. We’ve been preparing in terms of food stock, in terms of facilities, and so on,” one of the officials said.

The remarks offer rare insight into how the country anticipated the possibility of a broader regional crisis even as it pursued diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

“We’ve been acting in a very, let’s say, constructive way with Iran, along with other GCC countries,” the official said, but added that they had not expected Iran to attack and “risk its relations” with its neighbours.

The Iranian president publicly apologised to its Arab neighbours who have suffered since but have still continued bombing US targets in the region.

Dubai right now! pic.twitter.com/rYsegJH5Sj
— WTX News UK (@WtxNews) March 3, 2026

Bahrain’s Bapco declares force majeure after Iranian drone strikes refinery

Oil prices surge
Crude prices have soared to over $100 per barrel for the first time since August 2022, signalling potential economic repercussions for consumers.

G7 Action
G7 finance ministers are considering a coordinated release of oil from emergency stocks amid surging crude prices exceeding $100 per barrel, as reported by the Financial Times.

Meeting today
Eurozone finance ministers are set to convene today to discuss the economic implications of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Briefing summary

European leaders are intensifying diplomatic efforts amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, with both sides increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure, including vital energy sites.

G7 finance ministers will discuss the potential joint release of emergency oil stocks today, as crude prices rise above $100 per barrel, heightening concerns over inflation. European economists warn of a significant impact on economic growth.

In a significant political shift, Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, raising alarms about further escalation, as European leaders seek to engage with Middle Eastern counterparts to assess the situation.

Read in Full

Oil prices surge, stocks slide as Iran war spirals further

Europeans are today pushing for diplomacy and de-escalation amid signs that the conflict in the Middle East is spiralling further, with targets on both sides of the conflict widening to include civilian infrastructure – including key energy sites.

Bahrain’s state oil company Bapco has just declared force majeure after a suspected Iranian drone hit its refinery, while oil depots in the Tehran area were also hit over the weekend, engulfing the Iranian capital in black smoke.

Crude prices have now soared to over $100 (€87) per barrel for the first time since August 2022, threatening to further push up consumer prices.

In response, G7 finance ministers will ‌later today mull jointly releasing oil from emergency stocks in coordination with the International Energy Agency (IEA), according to a Financial Times report, citing sources who claim that the idea is backed by the US.

Also meeting later today are the Eurozone’s finance ministers, with talks expected to centre on the economic fallout of the war.

Speaking earlier, Eurogroup President and the Greek economy and finance minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said that the EU is being “tested” but that the extent of the war’s impact on its economy will depend on the conflict’s “duration” and the extent of “disruption” to global energy supplies and supply chains.

“We are being tested, this is obvious. We are very concerned about how things are evolving on the ground,” Pierrakakis said, adding that the economic “toolkit” developed in 2022 in response to the war in Ukraine means Europe is “better prepared.” Watch.

Economists are warning that a prolonged conflict could set back European growth forecasts and further squeeze households by pushing up prices beyond oil and energy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also suggested the extent of economic damage will depend on the war’s duration, the damage inflicted on key infrastructure in the region and the knock-on effect on energy prices, indicating central banks should intervene if needed.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Iran chose Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father, Ali Khamenei, as Supreme Leader — a hardliner Trump has already described as an “unacceptable” successor, igniting fears the war could further escalate.

Telephone diplomacy from European capitals is now intensifying, amid increasing signs the war is spiralling and threatening to severely disrupt the global economy.

The Presidents of the European Council and Commission, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, will hold a video conference with ‌Middle Eastern leaders later today to assess the situation in the region and discuss “ways to bring the current conflict to an end,” according to Costa’s office.

Last night, in the first call between a Western leader and Tehran since the war in the Middle East broke out over a week ago, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to halt strikes on countries in the Gulf and restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while vowing to keep the diplomatic channel between Paris and Tehran open.

President Macron will also visit Cyprus later today in a show of “solidarity” with the EU island nation, which was last week caught in the crossfire of the war in the Middle East, stirring fears Europe could be further dragged into the conflict.

He is expected to hold talks with his Cypriot and Greek counterparts and detail moves to “strengthen security around Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean”, the Élysée said on Sunday.

An Iranian-made Shahed drone struck the British Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Akrotiri in southern Cyprus on Sunday 1 March, suspected to have been launched by the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah, prompting several EU nations to deploy defensive assets to the country. France has also deployed its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the eastern Mediterranean in response.

The targeting of the British base in Cyprus has also triggered protests against the UK’s presence on the island, with hundreds taking to the streets in protest in the capital of Nicosia in recent days.

Despite the UK government sending a warship to bolster defences around its base in Cyprus, Cypriot officials have voiced disappointment with the speed of the UK’s communications after the attack and the extent of the defensive assets it has provided.

Perspective

Explainer: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei and how did he succeed his father? Iran’s Assembly of Experts has formally announced that Mojtaba Khamenei has become the successor to Ali Khamenei and the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Iceland plans August referendum on resuming EU membership negotiations. The Icelandic government is proposing to hold a referendum on 29 August on the resumption of negotiations for accession to the European Union.

Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar calls on Russia to refrain from election interference. Magyar has called on Russia to stop interfering in Hungary’s April parliamentary elections, following a report exposing an alleged Kremlin team operating from Budapest’s Russian embassy to keep Viktor Orbán in power. Russia denied those allegations.

EU Leaders Address Rising Gas Prices Amid Iran‘s Threats to Energy Security

The European Commission has unveiled a robust framework to provide €90 billion in financial support to Ukraine, marking a pivotal step in reinforcing the nation’s resilience amid ongoing challenges. This move aligns with the EU’s commitment to support Ukraine’s integration into European structures, as leaders navigate the geopolitical aftermath of Russia’s actions. The Council’s recent agreement on this extensive aid package is a crucial milestone in affirming solidarity with Ukraine during these turbulent times.

In market reactions, investors are keenly monitoring volatility as uncertainty lingers regarding energy prices, particularly following significant developments from Iran that threaten Gulf energy installations. Reports indicate that EU gas prices have spiked in response, prompting analysts to reassess energy strategies ahead of the upcoming EU summit next month, where energy policy may take centre stage.

Key developments across Europe this morning

EU blasts Zelenskyy over veiled threat against Orbán

EU POLITICS — The EU has expressed strong criticism towards Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy’s comments about Hungary.

This reaction comes after Zelenskyy appeared to issue a threat regarding Hungary’s relations with the EU, prompting a rebuke from EU officials. The growing tensions indicate a potential rift in the support coalition amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Europe’s impotence extends to energy

EU ENERGY — Europe continues to struggle with energy security amidst rising prices and geopolitical tensions.

The report highlights that the European Union has inadequate strategies in place to manage energy supply challenges effectively. The ongoing reliance on external sources for energy could threaten both economic stability and national security across EU member states.

Breakingviews – How Europe can play a bad hand over Iran

EU FOREIGN POLICY — Europe faces challenges in managing its relations with Iran, particularly regarding economic sanctions.

Europe’s strategy appears inadequate against Iran’s regional actions and nuclear ambitions, highlighting a need for more coherent foreign policy approaches among EU member states. Analysts warn that a fractured stance could yield unsatisfactory results in broader geopolitical scenarios.

The EU’s fightback against right-wing populism starts here

EU POLITICS — The EU is initiating measures to counter rising right-wing populism across member states.

This initiative aims to respond to the perceived threats posed by populist movements that undermine democratic values within the EU. It involves coordination among member states to strengthen democratic institutions and values against populist ideologies.

Slovakia PM Fico to meet EU’s von der Leyen to push for restart of Druzhba oil flows

EU ENERGY — Slovakia is advocating for the resumption of oil flows from the Druzhba pipeline during discussions with the EU.

The Druzhba pipeline has been pivotal for oil supply to many EU states. Prime Minister Fico’s discussions with EU Commission President von der Leyen could significantly influence Europe’s energy strategy moving forward.

What to watch — Key discussions surrounding EU’s energy policies and their implications for geopolitical relations are imminent.

We’re also keeping an eye on

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and the EU’s Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas deliver speeches at the 2026 EU Ambassadors’ Conference.
Eurozone finance ministers gather in Brussels.
European Parliament plenary session kicks off in Strasbourg.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has said he will meet Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow, as the dispute with Ukraine over oil flows through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline drags on.

The pipeline was hit in a strike in Ukraine late January, disrupting Russian oil flows to Slovakia and Hungary.

Hungarian premier Viktor Orbán and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have since exchanged in a war of words that dramatically escalated on Friday, when Hungary detained, then released, seven Ukrainian bank workers transporting gold and cash via his landlocked country.

We’ll have more on the planned talks between Fico and the Commission chief in tomorrow.

Young Europeans lean towards political centre, Allianz Foundation study finds

Youth Political Leanings
Majority of young Europeans aged 16 to 39 tend to favour the political centre, particularly in Italy and Germany, according to the Allianz Foundation’s 2026 Next Generation Study.

Political Engagement
Polling indicates 57% of young Europeans remain politically disengaged, preferring low-risk activities over active participation in protests or party membership.

Next report due
Allianz Foundation’s Next Generation Study will next reveal updates on youth political engagement in early 2027, following the current findings released in March 2026.

Briefing summary

Younger Europeans predominantly identify with centrist political views, particularly in Italy and Germany, as revealed in the Allianz Foundation’s 2026 Next Generation Study.

Spain emerges as the most left-leaning nation among youth, while Poland shows high levels of far-right identification, evidencing notable political polarisation in both countries.

Despite some scepticism towards the EU, a significant 85% of young individuals express a sense of European identity, favouring sustainability over economic growth, and demonstrating varying levels of political engagement.

Read in Full

Are young Europeans really left-leaning? Poll sheds some light

If you ever wondered whether young Europeans tend to vote for political parties on the left more than the right, the answer might be neither way.

Across the EU’s five largest member states, the majority of people aged 16 to 39 gravitate towards the political centre, particularly in Italy and Germany.

That’s according to the Allianz Foundation’s 2026 Next Generation Study.

Spain stands out as the most left-leaning country among young people, with 28% identifying either with the left or the far-left.

At the other end of the spectrum, Poland has the largest share of right or far-right-leaning youth, closely followed by France at 33%.

France and Poland are the most polarised societies

Both Poland and France also have the largest shares of young people who identify with the far-right specifically (17%) and the most frequently reported political divisions.

In France, 59% say this clash of ideals takes place among peers, while in Poland, it’s the age difference that is more likely to trigger political friction (68%).

Yet, across all five countries, one common thread emerges: a strong sense of European identity.

Some 85% of young people say they feel European – either unequivocally or to some degree.

Italy and France: The most Eurosceptic youths

Italy and France, however, show comparatively higher levels of scepticism, with nearly one in five people (18%) declaring little or no connection to Europe at all.

Another thing that appears to unite young Europeans is the vision of a different future.

The report says that on average 65% of youth and young adults “want to live in a society that moves beyond today’s dominant focus on economic growth”.

“They envision futures where sustainability, cleaner environments and more meaningful forms of political participation take precedence – even if it means accepting trade–offs such as slower progress or less consumer choice.”

This kind of thinking is shared almost equally across the left, centre and right of the political spectrum, the report states.

11% back radical political tactics, including violence

Yet, appetite for transformation has to reckon with signs of great frustration – particularly among people in their 30s, many of whom report feeling politically jaded and disillusioned with democracy.

Nearly half of young Europeans (47%) state a deep sense of political deprivation.

Meanwhile, 28% of them openly support what the study calls “regressive visions of society”, such as “restored traditional gender roles and marginalised minorities”.

Support for these views is highest in Poland (33%) and France (34%).

Ultimately, a sizable minority (11%) say they back extreme measures to crack down on political dissent, like abusing opponents or legitimising violence as a tool to force change. Support here peaks in France at 17%.

In any case, the majority of young Europeans (57%) say they are not much politically engaged, meaning that even if they hold political views and beliefs, they’re hesitant to take any concrete action beyond voting.

They rarely join political parties, take part in protests, support citizen initiatives or publish their own thoughts online, and prefer to “play it safe” by focusing on socially low-risk activities like petitions and donations.

Interestingly, for those who are politically engaged, the workplace has become one of the most common arenas for defending causes and expressing political ideas, in some cases more than protests themselves.

Flowers are becoming less attractive to insects (Picture: Getty/500px)

Very bad news for nature lovers – and nature.

Flowers could become smaller and less attractive as they evolve to become self-pollinating due to a decline in insects, a new study claims.

The shock findings come from researchers in France who found some plants are showing reductions in floral displays and nectar production.

They conclude this is because they are evolving to rely less and less on bees due to rapidly depleting populations.

But scientists warn that changing in this way to survive could also prove to be the plants’ downfall – and eventually lead to their extinction.

French scientists investigating recent evolutionary changes in flowers compared field pansies growing in Paris now to those from 20 and 30 years ago.

Bee populations are in decline (Picture: Getty)

They found that today’s flowers grow smaller, produce less nectar and are less frequently visited by pollinators than their ancestors.

The researchers warned that the trend constituted a ‘vicious circle’ in which increased reliance on self-fertilisation could lead to reduced nectar for pollinating insects – in turn exacerbating their decline.

Scientists from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Montpellier teamed up to assess the impacts of population decline in pollinating insects such as bees on plant populations.

These declines are blamed on environmental changes such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, agricultural land pollution and the introduction of other species.

A recent study in Germany found that more than three-quarters of the biomass of flying insects have vanished from protected areas in the last 30 years.

These shifts in the mating systems of plants and flowers lead to higher ‘selfing’, or self-pollination – where the plant fertilises itself with its own pollen to reproduce.

The team studied field pansies (Picture: Getty)

However, few plants self-pollinate without the aid of pollen vectors such as the wind or insects.

And when selfing, plants become less focused on appearing attractive to pollinators with enticing floral displays.

The French research team used an ancestral seed collection of the Parisian field pansy – Viola arvensis – to test whether the species’ mating system had evolved in response to recent pollinator declines.

They compared these ancestors, collected in the 1990s to the early 2000s, with their modern descendants, collected in 2021.

The researchers measured the traits of a total of 4,000 plants, including the length of their petals on the five first-opened flowers on the main stem of each plant.

A bee visiting a field pansy – the flowers are getting smaller as fewer insects visit (Picture: SWNS)

They also performed ‘pollinator preference’ experiments involving bumblebees.

The team behind the study, published in the journal New Phytologist, found a consistent average decrease of 20% in the traits of the plants used to attract pollinators, represented by decreases in nectar volume.

Today’s flowers were also found to be 10% smaller and far less visited by pollinators than their ancestors.

The researchers said this provided strong evidence of the relationship between pollinators and plants deteriorating.

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They added that this evolutionary transition is widely considered to be ‘irreversible’, and could eventually lead to the extinction of plant species.

‘Evolution towards selfing could be driven by natural selection over the short term but could impede long-term plant population survival,’ said lead author Pierre-Olivier Cheptou, a researcher from CNRS.

‘We documented trait evolution towards smaller and less conspicuous [petals], reduced nectar production and reduced attractiveness to bumblebees.

“If this rapid transition towards a selfing syndrome reflects a broader trend among [flowering plants], it may reflect a concerning extinction debt.’

MORE : Bees have become ‘increasingly stressed’ by climate change

MORE : How to make your garden more bee-friendly

MORE : Pensioner loses 500,000 bees after vandals destroy his beehives

It’s bad news for everyone.

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As Iranian drones and missiles continue to rain on the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it is defending its territory while working to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the region.

Dragged into this conflict by the USA and Israel

Briefing summary

Read in Full

Oil prices surge, stocks slide as Iran war spirals further

Perspective

EU Leaders Address Rising Gas Prices Amid Iran‘s Threats to Energy Security

Key developments across Europe this morning

Further reading from across European news sources

We’re also keeping an eye on

Briefing summary

Read in Full

Are young Europeans really left-leaning? Poll sheds some light

France and Poland are the most polarised societies

Italy and France: The most Eurosceptic youths

11% back radical political tactics, including violence

More: Trending

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