Powerful explosion heard in Paris, source unclear

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned a drone strike on the commercial vessel Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean. Calling it "a terrorist attack & a war crime," she detailed the crew's rescue after a gas explosion, criticised Malta's refusal to assist the injured, and denounced the European silence.

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked by an explosive-laden speedboat near Basra, Iraq. India confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving diplomatic assistance as regional maritime security challenges continue to escalate.

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked near Basra, Iraq, on March 11. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving assistance as regional maritime tensions continue to escalate.

Jaishankar said in a post on X, "Appreciate the exchange of assessments today with FM Jean-Noël Barrot of France on the West Asia conflict. Look forward to continuing it in person."

A Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck by missiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, leaving three crew members unaccounted for, while 20 others were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman, the Bangkok Post reported, citing the Royal Thai Navy.

Reports indicate a US missile strike hit a school in Khomeyn, central Iran. This comes as the IRGC vowed to "determine" the war's end, rejecting US claims of a "short-term excursion." Amid threats to global oil supplies, Russia and France are pursuing diplomatic and defensive measures to stabilise the region.

The embassy said that the form is only for those who are stranded in Qatar as tourists or Hayya A1 visa holders.

Major Gulf carriers, including Emirates and Etihad, have resumed limited flight operations as of Saturday, following regional airspace closures. Services are gradually restoring, with some restricted to "relief corridors" for stranded passengers.

France is poised to increase its nuclear warheads for the first time in decades, reflecting growing concerns over Europe's security environment amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and debates over the future of transatlantic defence guarantees, France24 reported.

"Malaysia Airlines confirms that all services to London and Paris continue to operate as scheduled. To ensure the highest safety standards, our flights are utilising alternative routes to avoid affected regions. While this may result in slightly longer flight times, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our absolute priority," the airline said.