Police in Melbourne say a growing number of arson attacks targeting restaurants, tobacconists, hospitality venues and other small businesses are being carried out by young men recruited for relatively small sums of money, while investigators focus on identifying the criminal figures believed to be directing the operations from behind the scenes.

Victoria Police officials say the pattern reflects a broader shift in underworld tactics, where arson is increasingly being used as a low-cost and comparatively lower-risk method of intimidation, retaliation and territorial control.

The attacks have affected a range of businesses across the city, including tobacconists, restaurants, dessert bars and at least seven ice-creameries since 2022.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray said investigators believe many of the offenders arrested for these incidents are not the organisers but rather young recruits being used to carry out dangerous tasks on behalf of higher-level criminal operators.

“What we suspect is that these jobs are being tasked out, to anyone, and probably the one common denominator is there is someone sitting above who is pulling the strings,” Murray said.He said police attention remains focused on identifying those organisers rather than only the individuals physically setting the fires.

“They’re the ones we’re interested in. These young kids are being used as cannon fodder for a few hundred dollars,” Murray said.

“And when they do go to prison, I can tell you now they’re not getting phone calls from the people who have put them up to it, they’ll be left to their own devices.”According to police, the youngest of four offenders recently charged in connection with a series of incidents was 16 years old.

Murray said young men appear to be the group most commonly recruited for these offences, often because they are considered more willing to take immediate financial risks despite the legal and physical consequences.

Court records from previous arson prosecutions involving tobacconist attacks show a recurring profile among offenders. Many had extensive criminal histories dating back to youth offending, alongside problems linked to substance abuse, limited educational engagement and, in some cases, undiagnosed mental illness or disability.

These vulnerabilities have made some young offenders easier targets for recruitment by organised criminal networks seeking expendable operatives for dangerous work. Legal records indicate that some offenders were directed remotely, often with little direct personal connection to those commissioning the crimes.

In one case heard last year, a young man jailed in November for arson was instructed to carry out multiple attacks on tobacconists and, in some instances, to record the aftermath on video. The directions were allegedly issued through the encrypted messaging application Signal, where the organisers used aliases including “Scarface” and “Sinatra.

”Police say such methods make investigations more difficult, as digital communication through encrypted platforms can limit immediate traceability and create distance between the organisers and those carrying out the attacks on the ground.

Arson remains attractive to criminal networks partly because of its accessibility. Investigators say the practical requirements are minimal, often involving only a stolen vehicle, fuel and an ignition source. Compared with more overt forms of criminal intimidation such as drive-by shootings or kidnappings, arson is often seen as carrying less direct exposure for those commissioning the attack.

Law enforcement officials say the tactic is frequently used for stand-over operations, pressure campaigns against business owners, retaliation against rivals, or warnings to individuals perceived as threats to criminal interests. Tobacconists have been a repeated target in Victoria amid broader law enforcement scrutiny of the illicit tobacco trade, though recent attacks have expanded to restaurants and other hospitality venues.

The hospitality sector has become increasingly concerned by the pattern, particularly where attacks appear unrelated to direct disputes involving the businesses themselves. Some operators have reported damage to premises, business interruptions and increased insurance pressures following repeated incidents across suburbs.

The broader consequences have extended beyond property damage. Last year, one man died after suffering severe burns while attempting to set fire to a juice and dessert bar in Prahran, highlighting the immediate risks faced even by those hired to carry out the attacks.

Police say that incident illustrates the disregard shown by organisers toward the people they recruit.

“Let me be very clear: those people who are paying others an absolute pittance to light these fires have zero concern for their safety,” Murray said earlier this year.

“They do not care one single bit.”

He said many of those accepting the work underestimate both the physical danger and the likelihood of criminal prosecution.

“Your life is worth more than a couple of hundred dollars,” Murray said.

Victoria Police continues to investigate links between the various attacks and whether common criminal networks are coordinating incidents across multiple industries. Authorities have indicated that while individual arrests are important, dismantling the organisers behind the recruitment and payment structures remains the priority.

The rise in attacks has also intensified attention on the role of encrypted messaging services in facilitating organised crime, particularly where instructions can be issued anonymously and rapidly to young offenders with few barriers to participation.

For investigators, the concern is not only the number of fires being lit, but the increasingly routine use of vulnerable young people as disposable operatives in broader criminal disputes, with significant consequences for businesses, public safety and the offenders themselves.

Police say many of those arrested are ultimately left to face prosecution alone, while those believed to have ordered the attacks remain insulated behind layers of digital anonymity and street-level intermediaries.

As enforcement efforts continue, authorities have repeated warnings that short-term payments offered for such crimes carry long-term consequences, particularly for teenagers and young adults already caught at the margins of the criminal justice system.

Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme, once hailed as one of the country’s most ambitious social policy reforms, is undergoing its most significant restructuring since its creation as the Albanese government moves to curb rising costs and restore what ministers describe as long-term sustainability.

The federal government this week announced sweeping changes to the NDIS, including tighter eligibility rules and mandatory independent functional assessments for all participants, in a package projected to save the budget A$35 billion over four years.

The reforms come as annual scheme costs approach A$50 billion and concerns intensify over whether the system can remain financially viable in its current form.David Bowen, the inaugural chief executive of the National Disability Insurance Agency, said the scale the scheme has reached would likely have prevented it from being approved had governments anticipated its current size.

“Had any government, of any political persuasion, known it was going to be this size, by this time, it would have never been funded in the first place,” Bowen said.The NDIS was introduced following a landmark 2011 Productivity Commission report, which described Australia’s previous disability support framework as underfunded, fragmented and inefficient.

The commission proposed a national insurance model that would provide individualised support for people with permanent and significant disabilities, replacing the inconsistent state-based systems that had long drawn criticism.At full implementation, the scheme was expected to support around 410,000 Australians and cost approximately A$13.5 billion annually. Alongside it, a second level of support—known as tier two was intended to provide broader community-based assistance for the roughly four million Australians living with disability who would not qualify for individualised packages under the NDIS.The commission argued that while the upfront costs would be substantial, the long-term economic and social benefits would significantly outweigh the expenditure.

Over time, however, participation and costs expanded far beyond original projections. Health Minister Mark Butler said the growth was driven by both structural design flaws and implementation failures, including poor market regulation and an eligibility system that allowed broader entry than originally intended.

Butler said the NDIS had become vulnerable to what he described as a “free-for-all” environment in parts of the support market, allowing some providers to exploit weak oversight while costs accelerated.He also said the eligibility framework had shifted away from assessing functional impairment toward diagnosis-based access, allowing significantly more people to enter the scheme than policymakers initially expected.

The largest area of growth has been autism-related participation. According to government figures, people with autism now account for 324,200 participants, representing 43% of all people currently enrolled in the NDIS.Bowen said that during the trial years of the scheme, an autism diagnosis alone was not sufficient for entry and eligibility was based more strictly on the level of functional impairment.

He said that changed after his retirement from the NDIA in 2017 and described the policy shift as one that broadened the scheme “incalculably.”In response to this expansion, Butler last year announced a jointly funded A$4 billion federal-state initiative known as Thriving Kids, aimed at supporting children under nine with mild developmental delays and autism outside the NDIS and reducing pressure on the scheme.

The government now plans to legislate a system under which every participant will undergo evidence-based independent assessments to determine both eligibility and the level of support required. The proposal mirrors, in part, reforms previously attempted by the Coalition government under Scott Morrison.

In 2021, the Coalition proposed mandatory independent assessments requiring participants to complete a three-hour interview with a government-contracted health professional. The plan was met with strong opposition from disability advocates, state governments and Labor, which accused the government at the time of undermining the scheme.

Labor campaigned in the 2022 election on protecting the NDIS and criticised the Coalition over attempts to reduce access. After winning government, however, the fiscal reality of the scheme’s rapid expansion prompted a policy shift.Bill Shorten, appointed as NDIS minister, took charge of reforms to a system he had helped establish during the Gillard government.

He commissioned a major review led by Bruce Bonyhady, another key architect of the NDIS, which recommended creating a stronger system of foundational disability supports outside the scheme—effectively implementing the second-tier support model originally proposed by the Productivity Commission.

At the same time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured agreement from national cabinet for the first formal annual growth target for NDIS costs, initially set at 8%.“We know that the trajectory of NDIS expenditure is just not sustainable into the future,” Albanese said after the April 2023 meeting, warning that without intervention the scheme could reach A$97 billion within a decade.Following another A$13 billion cost blowout, that target has now been revised further, with the government aiming to reduce annual growth to 2% until 2030.

The changes have triggered significant concern across the disability community, particularly among participants uncertain about how new eligibility rules and reassessments may affect their access to support.

Australian Disability Network chief executive El Gibbs and other advocates have warned that while reform is necessary, the political language surrounding cost containment risks framing disabled Australians as a financial burden rather than citizens entitled to support.

Disability advocacy groups say many participants remain deeply anxious about what the reforms will mean in practice, especially for families who rely on the scheme for daily care, therapy and independence.

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations chief executive Ross Joyce Bennison said uncertainty around the reforms had created widespread fear among participants.“I think people are also feeling like they’re being heralded as a burden on society,” Bennison said.“It feels really not very nice to be a disabled person in Australia at the moment.”

As parliament prepares to consider the legislation next month, the government faces the challenge of balancing fiscal restraint with preserving confidence in one of Australia’s largest and most politically sensitive social programs.

Justin Bieber’s return to the Coachella stage this month has triggered renewed attention around the Canadian singer’s music, public image and commercial influence, with critics and fans describing the performances as a significant moment in his transition from former teen idol to established pop veteran.

The two headline sets, quickly labeled “Bieberchella” across social media and entertainment coverage, marked Bieber’s first major live performances in four years following health complications that forced the cancellation of parts of his Justice world tour in 2022.

His diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused partial facial paralysis, had led him to step back from touring and public appearances, reinforcing a period of relative distance from the spotlight.At Coachella, Bieber’s stage presence reflected that retreat.

Wearing oversized sunglasses, a hoodie and positioned behind a laptop for much of the set, he appeared to deliberately minimize spectacle despite performing before tens of thousands. Reviewers noted that the restrained presentation contrasted sharply with the large-scale theatrics expected of festival headliners, yet many argued that the understated style became part of the performance’s appeal.

The show mixed material from his more recent R&B-driven albums with unexpected returns to earlier hits such as “Baby,” one of the defining songs of his teenage superstardom. In one widely discussed moment, Bieber projected old YouTube videos of his early performances onto the main screen and sang alongside them, creating what critics described as both a nostalgic callback and a reflection on internet celebrity, aging and public scrutiny.

The second weekend performance received stronger reviews than the first, with critics noting greater confidence and energy. Some interpreted the inclusion of early viral content, including references to the internet-era video “Double Rainbow,” as a deliberate acknowledgment of Bieber’s unusual place as one of the first global stars built through online virality rather than traditional music industry pathways.

On stage, Bieber directly addressed the difficulties of growing up under constant public attention, referencing years of highly visible personal struggles and professional scrutiny.“The beautiful thing about this journey is that we all kind of grew up together,” he told the crowd, describing both the highs and the challenges of a career that began in adolescence.

Bieber’s rise remains one of the defining stories of 21st-century pop. Discovered on YouTube as a teenager, he was quickly supported by major industry figures including Usher and Drake, becoming an international star before turning 16.

His early fame, however, was followed by years of controversy, intense tabloid attention and the broader challenges associated with child stardom in the social media era.In recent years, Bieber shifted toward a quieter public profile, focusing more on family life, health and a more mature musical direction rooted in contemporary R&B.

His marriage to Hailey Bieber and the birth of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, in August 2024 further contributed to that repositioning.The Coachella performances also reignited commercial momentum around Bieber’s music catalog. According to Billboard, streams of his songs nearly tripled during the week of the first performance, with four tracks returning to the Hot 100. His 2010 breakout single “Baby” re-entered major streaming conversations, while “Beauty and a Beat,” his 2012 collaboration with Nicki Minaj, rose to the top of global streaming charts on both Spotify and Apple Music.

Spotify, marking its 20th anniversary this week, identified Bieber as the platform’s seventh-most-streamed artist in its history. Reports during Coachella indicated his overall streams rose by more than 200% during the festival period, reflecting both nostalgia-driven listening and renewed interest among younger audiences discovering older releases.

One of the most discussed moments of the second weekend came when Bieber invited an audience member on stage for a performance of “One Less Lonely Girl,” a signature fan-interaction song from his early tours. The selected guest was Billie Eilish, who has openly spoken about being a devoted Bieber fan during her childhood and has credited him with inspiring her to pursue music.

Bieber has previously said he feels protective of Eilish, citing his own experience navigating fame at a young age and expressing concern that she should not endure similar pressures.Another notable aspect of the performance was Bieber’s inclusion of “Everything Hallelujah,” an acoustic worship-influenced ballad from his latest album, Swag II.

Known publicly for his Christian faith, Bieber used the performance to emphasize spirituality in a setting more often associated with celebrity branding and commercial spectacle.The song’s refrain quickly generated a social media trend, with users posting humorous and sincere variations of gratitude statements using the phrase “hallelujah,” while artists including Olivia Rodrigo referenced the trend in promotional content.

The financial impact of Bieber’s Coachella appearance was equally significant. Entertainment reports suggested he received a fee of approximately $10 million, making him one of the festival’s highest-paid headliners. His streetwear brand, Skylrk, reportedly generated $15 million in merchandise sales during the festival, far exceeding previous Coachella merchandise records.

At the same time, organizers were fined $40,000 after Bieber’s set exceeded local curfew limits, underscoring the scale of operational attention around the performances.Hailey Bieber also leveraged the timing through her beauty company Rhode, launching a new acne patch product line coordinated visually with Skylrk branding.

Marketing analysts described the couple’s coordinated commercial strategy as unusually effective in linking celebrity performance with consumer brand momentum.Industry observers say the success of “Bieberchella” reflects more than a strong festival appearance.

It signals a broader shift in how Bieber is viewed not as a former teen sensation attempting relevance, but as a pop figure whose long and often turbulent public journey has given him a different kind of authority.Artists including Big Sean and Justin Timberlake publicly praised Bieber following the performances, framing the moment as a recognition of resilience rather than simple nostalgia.

For fans and critics alike, Coachella appears to have marked not merely a comeback, but a redefinition of Bieber’s place in pop culture as an artist no longer remembered only for teenage superstardom, but for surviving it.

The statement came after reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was discussing the possible relocation of around 1,100 Afghans, including former U.S. war helpers and relatives of American service members, to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of efforts to resolve their prolonged displacement.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said Afghanistan remained the “shared homeland of all Afghans” and invited those concerned to return with “full confidence and peace of mind,” rejecting concerns that they faced security threats under Taliban rule.

He said those wishing to migrate to other countries could do so later through “legal and dignified channels” and added that Kabul was ready to engage with all countries on the matter.

The remarks followed disclosures by advocacy group #AfghanEvac, which supports Afghan resettlement efforts, that U.S. officials had informed the group of talks between Washington and Congo regarding refugees housed at Camp As-Sayliyah, a U.S. base in Doha, where many have remained in limbo for more than a year.

The U.S. State Department said it was working to identify options for “voluntary” resettlement in a third country, but did not confirm which countries were under discussion.

For many of the Afghans at the camp, returning to Afghanistan is not considered safe. Many had worked directly with U.S. military forces, diplomatic missions, or affiliated programs during the war and fear retaliation from the Taliban, who returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.

In a joint statement shared by #AfghanEvac, refugees at the camp said they had not been formally informed by U.S. officials about the possible transfer to Congo and learned of the discussions through media reports.

They said the prolonged uncertainty had severely affected their mental health.“Many of us are not well. The uncertainty has been more than some of us can carry. There is deep depression,” the group said, describing worsening psychological distress among families who have spent months waiting for relocation.

The refugees also firmly rejected the idea of being moved to Congo, citing ongoing violence there.“We do not want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the statement said. “It is a country in its own war. We have been in enough war.

We cannot take our children into another one.”The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced decades of instability, particularly in its eastern region, where fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebel groups has intensified.

Camp residents also said returning to Afghanistan was not an option.“The Taliban will kill many of us for what we did for the United States,” the statement said. “This is not a fear. This is a fact.”The relocation discussions come more than a year after President Trump suspended his predecessor’s Afghan refugee resettlement program as part of broader immigration restrictions, leaving thousands of vetted Afghan applicants stranded in transit hubs across the world, including Qatar.

Many had already completed years of security screening and documentation for U.S. resettlement before the process was halted.

The uncertainty over their future continues to underscore the unresolved humanitarian fallout of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fate of those who supported its mission there.

Romania’s defense ministry said Russian forces had resumed drone attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine near the river border with Romania in Tulcea County early Saturday, raising concerns over repeated violations of Romanian airspace since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Emergency services said the drone came down in a residential area and may have carried an explosive charge, triggering a large-scale security response.“A drone crashed in a populated area,” emergency officials said in a statement, adding that authorities were assessing the risk posed by a “possible explosive charge.”

No casualties were reported, but an electricity pole and an outbuilding attached to a house were damaged. Gas supplies in the surrounding area were suspended as a precaution while bomb disposal teams secured the site.Romanian authorities evacuated more than 200 people from nearby homes as security personnel cordoned off the impact zone.

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has repeatedly reported drone fragments landing on its territory during Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube, particularly near the ports of Reni and Izmail.

Local media reported that this was the first instance in which debris from a Russian drone caused material damage inside Romanian territory, marking a significant escalation in the spillover risk from the war.Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned Russia’s ambassador following the incident, according to an official statement, signaling Bucharest’s continued diplomatic push against repeated airspace intrusions.

Romania adopted legislation in 2025 authorizing its military to shoot down drones that enter national airspace, although officials have not yet used those powers in any reported incident.

The latest crash underscores growing security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank as Russian strikes near Ukraine’s western and southern borders increasingly risk direct consequences for neighboring alliance members.

The Danube region has become a frequent target since Ukraine expanded its use of river export routes after repeated attacks on Black Sea shipping infrastructure.

Saturday’s incident is likely to intensify pressure on Romanian and NATO defense planners to strengthen air surveillance and rapid interception capabilities along the alliance’s southeastern border.

The German navy vessel Fulda is being positioned to support a potential multinational operation aimed at protecting maritime navigation through the strategically vital waterway, where tensions surged after Iran effectively disrupted shipping routes during the recent war.

A defense ministry spokeswoman said the deployment was intended to make a “significant and visible contribution” to an international coalition seeking to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors.

Several countries have indicated readiness to participate in what officials have described as a “neutral” maritime security mission following the end of hostilities between the United States and Iran.The United States said last week it had begun de-mining operations in coordination with Tehran, although Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed such cooperation.

The minesweeper Fulda, a specialized vessel designed to detect and neutralize naval mines, will be stationed with a crew of around 45 personnel, the spokeswoman said.Any eventual deployment into the Strait of Hormuz itself would depend on what Berlin described as a lasting cessation of hostilities and formal approval from Germany’s Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, which is required for overseas military operations.

The conflict in Iran began on Feb. 28 with air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, sharply escalating regional tensions and raising fears over global energy supply disruptions.In response, Iran’s military moved to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass, triggering a spike in international crude prices and renewed concerns over shipping security.

The narrow maritime passage linking the Persian Gulf to global markets remains one of the most strategically sensitive chokepoints in world trade, particularly for Europe and Asia’s energy imports.

Diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region have since intensified, with prospects for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran emerging this weekend in Pakistan, where both sides have reportedly sent envoys to Islamabad for indirect talks on ending the conflict.

Germany’s move reflects broader European efforts to restore stability in Gulf shipping lanes and prevent renewed disruption to commercial traffic after weeks of heightened military confrontation.

Speaking alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a visit to Athens, Macron said Article 42.7 of the European Union treaty was explicit in obliging member states to assist one another in the event of armed aggression.

“On Article 42, paragraph seven, we know that for us, it is clear and there is no room for interpretation or ambiguity,” Macron told reporters at a joint news conference.The provision, often described as the EU’s equivalent of NATO’s collective defense principle, requires member states to provide aid and assistance to a fellow member subjected to armed attack on its territory.

Macron’s remarks come as EU leaders have asked officials to prepare a detailed blueprint clarifying how the clause would function operationally, reflecting a broader reassessment of Europe’s strategic autonomy and defense readiness.

The renewed focus follows mounting concern among European governments over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO, particularly after repeated political debates in the United States over burden-sharing and military support for allies.

France has long argued for stronger independent European defense structures, with Macron repeatedly calling for greater strategic sovereignty and reduced reliance on U.S. military guarantees.Greece, which maintains one of the highest defense spending levels in the bloc relative to GDP, has supported efforts to deepen European security coordination, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

While Article 42.7 was invoked only once by France after the 2015 Paris attacks its practical implementation has remained largely undefined, prompting calls for clearer procedures on military, logistical, and political responses.

Officials say the new framework under discussion is intended to ensure that the clause can function credibly in future crises, especially as the EU faces simultaneous security pressures from Russia’s war in Ukraine and instability across the Middle East.

Macron’s comments in Athens are likely to reinforce ongoing debates within Europe over whether the bloc should move beyond economic integration toward a more explicit collective defense posture.

The leadership change comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces increasing scrutiny over his government’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms, a central promise of his administration since taking office in 2022.

Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the administration was confident Abdul Halim would strengthen institutional governance and restore public trust in the country’s anti-graft framework.“The government is confident that with his extensive experience and high integrity, he will be able to strengthen governance, enhance public confidence and intensify anti-corruption efforts in the interest of the nation,” he said in a statement.

Abdul Halim, a former High Court judge, will take over from Azam Baki, who has led the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission since 2020.Azam’s tenure drew sustained public attention after allegations emerged that he had improperly held shares in a publicly listed company, raising concerns over conflict of interest and abuse of office.

The government ordered an investigation into the allegations, but no public findings were released. Azam and the MACC repeatedly denied wrongdoing and rejected accusations of misconduct.The MACC, established in 2009, is Malaysia’s primary anti-corruption enforcement agency with powers to summon witnesses, seize property, conduct searches, and arrest suspects linked to graft cases in both the public and private sectors.

Malaysia continues to grapple with the long political and institutional fallout of the 1MDB scandal, one of the world’s largest corruption cases, in which billions of dollars were allegedly misappropriated from the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

The scandal contributed significantly to the collapse of the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in 2018, ending more than six decades of uninterrupted rule since independence.Anwar, elected in 2022 on a strong reform platform, had repeatedly described the 1MDB affair as “state-level kleptocracy” and pledged to restore accountability and institutional credibility.

However, critics and some members within his own political coalition have expressed concern over what they see as a cautious approach toward Azam during the controversy, creating friction within the ruling alliance.

The appointment of Abdul Halim is likely to be closely watched by both reform advocates and political observers as a test of whether the government intends to strengthen institutional independence and pursue broader anti-graft reforms beyond symbolic leadership change.

The latest violence occurred in Mullam village in Ukhrul district, where armed confrontations broke out between opposing groups amid longstanding tensions between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki population.“In a heavy exchange of fire, three individuals sustained fatal bullet injuries,” Manipur police said in a statement issued late Friday.

Authorities did not specify which community the victims belonged to, but said security forces had intensified deployments in the area to prevent further escalation.“Security measures have been enhanced in the area,” police said, adding that operations were continuing.Manipur has remained deeply unstable since large-scale ethnic violence erupted in 2023, triggering one of India’s most serious internal security crises in recent years.

More than 250 people have been killed and around 60,000 displaced since clashes first intensified between the Meitei majority and Kuki tribal groups, according to official figures.The conflict centers on disputes over land ownership, political representation, and access to public sector jobs, with both communities accusing each other of discrimination and encroachment.

Rights groups and civil society activists have also accused local political leaders of inflaming ethnic divisions for electoral and strategic advantage, further complicating peace efforts.Although violence had eased in recent months, tensions have remained fragile.

Earlier this month, four people, including two children, were killed in an attack blamed on a Kuki armed group, triggering retaliatory anger among Meitei groups.In the aftermath, a Meitei mob stormed a paramilitary camp, raising fresh concerns over the state’s ability to contain unrest despite heavy federal security deployment.

The violence in Manipur has drawn national attention not only because of its scale but also because of its impact on minority communities, migration patterns, and regional security along India’s sensitive northeastern frontier.

Separately this week, 249 Indians from Manipur and neighboring Mizoram belonging to the Bnei Menashe community arrived in Tel Aviv after Israel approved funding for the immigration of around 6,000 members of the group.

The Bnei Menashe claim descent from one of the “lost tribes” of Israel and have long sought recognition of their Jewish ancestry, adding another layer to the region’s complex identity politics.

Their oral history traces a migration across Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and China before settlement in northeast India, where many later converted to Christianity under 19th-century missionary influence.

As fresh violence returns to Manipur, security officials remain on high alert over the possibility of wider reprisals in a state where ethnic mistrust continues to challenge political stability and peacebuilding efforts.

Speaking in Baku alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Zelensky said the agreements reflected a deepening strategic partnership, particularly in defense production and security cooperation.

“We have signed six documents today,” Zelensky said, without detailing the specific sectors covered by the accords.“Today, the number one area is security. This concerns the defense-industrial complex,” he said. “We have shared our experience in countering the aggressor today.”

Zelensky said Ukrainian drone specialists were already working in Azerbaijan, signaling Kyiv’s effort to export expertise developed during more than four years of sustained Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has increasingly sought defense cooperation with countries exposed to Iranian drone threats, particularly in the Gulf and surrounding regions, positioning its battlefield experience as a strategic asset for partners facing similar security risks.In early March, drones launched from Iran struck an Azerbaijani airport and exploded near a school, wounding four people and intensifying concerns over conflict spillover into the South Caucasus.

The incident further strained already uneasy relations between Baku and Tehran, with Azerbaijan becoming more sensitive to regional air defense vulnerabilities and cross-border security threats.

Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic bordering southern Russia and located on the Caspian Sea, has repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and has provided humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.

At the same time, ties between Baku and Moscow have cooled over the past year following the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft after it was mistakenly struck by a Russian anti-aircraft missile, killing 38 people.

Zelensky also said Ukraine would be open to trilateral peace talks involving Russia and Azerbaijan if Moscow demonstrated genuine willingness to negotiate an end to the war.“We shared with the president of Azerbaijan that we are ready for trilateral talks,” he said.

While no indication has emerged from the Kremlin that such a format is under consideration, the proposal reflects Kyiv’s continued efforts to widen diplomatic channels while strengthening defense partnerships beyond Europe.

For Azerbaijan, closer military-industrial cooperation with Ukraine offers both technical expertise and geopolitical flexibility as it navigates increasingly complex relations with both Russia and Iran.

The agreements signed in Baku underscore how the war in Ukraine is reshaping security alignments far beyond Eastern Europe, extending into the Caucasus and Gulf as drone warfare becomes central to modern defense planning.