Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 66, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 41, were found guilty last month of assisting a foreign intelligence service by conducting surveillance on prominent dissidents between December 2023 and May 2024.

Wai, who worked for the UK Border Force, was additionally convicted of abusing his position to access confidential government databases in search of information relating to surveillance targets.

The pair, both dual British and Chinese citizens, denied the allegations throughout the proceedings. Chinese authorities rejected the case, with the Chinese Embassy in London describing it as a politically motivated misuse of legal processes.

At London’s Old Bailey court, Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb sentenced Yuen to eight years in prison and Wai to 10 years, emphasizing the broader threat posed by modern foreign intelligence operations.

“The United Kingdom now faces persistent, adaptive, and often clandestine interference by foreign state actors and those acting on their behalf,” the judge said during sentencing.

She noted that contemporary espionage activities increasingly extend beyond the theft of military or state secrets and can include surveillance, intimidation and information gathering directed at political dissidents and individuals who have sought refuge under British law.

According to prosecutors, the defendants monitored prominent pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong who had relocated to Britain following political crackdowns in the Chinese territory.

The case forms part of growing concerns among British security agencies about foreign interference activities targeting diaspora communities, political activists and critics of overseas governments living in the United Kingdom.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of counterterrorism policing in London, described the conduct of the two men as deeply troubling and said their activities were directed against individuals exercising democratic freedoms.

“The activity of Wai and Yuen was truly chilling,” Flanagan said.

“They were spying and targeting individuals in the UK who were pro-democracy campaigners and were simply protesting against the Hong Kong and Chinese government and authorities.”

Relations between London and Beijing have become increasingly strained in recent years over issues including Hong Kong, national security concerns, allegations of foreign interference and espionage-related investigations.

British authorities have repeatedly warned that foreign intelligence operations are becoming more sophisticated, often focusing on surveillance, influence campaigns and efforts to monitor critics living abroad.

The convictions mark a significant milestone in the United Kingdom’s efforts to counter foreign-state interference and reinforce legal protections for political dissidents residing in the country.

Stepwells, deep wells accessed by descending stairways, were widely used between the 11th and 18th centuries to store rainwater and provide year-round access to groundwater. Once common across large parts of India, many fell into disuse during British colonial rule and were gradually abandoned, buried or converted into dumping sites.

The revival effort has gained momentum as India faces growing water stress. According to World Bank data, around 600 million people in the country experience water shortages, while climate-related droughts have intensified pressure on already strained resources.

One of the most prominent restoration projects is the Bansilalpet stepwell in Secunderabad, in the southern state of Telangana. The 18th-century structure, originally built during the rule of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, had deteriorated into a waste disposal site before being restored in 2022 by the nonprofit Rainwater Project.

Kalpana Ramesh, an urban designer and founder of the organization, said the initiative sought to reconnect communities with traditional water systems while improving local environmental conditions. The restored site has since become a public gathering space and tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each month.

Ramesh said the project demonstrates how existing heritage infrastructure could contribute to water security without requiring entirely new construction. Her organization has restored 30 stepwells across Telangana and is currently working on six additional sites.

The restoration model is also being adopted in other regions. In Maharashtra, another state facing recurring water stress, Pune-based nonprofit Sevavardhi has revived 26 stepwells since 2023, focusing on drought-prone districts.

Its first major project was completed in Jejuri, a pilgrimage town near Pune. According to Sevavardhi Chairwoman Girija Sirshikar, the restored stepwell now supplies substantial quantities of water during the dry months, helping local communities cope with seasonal shortages.

The organization plans to restore at least 100 stepwells over the next several years, combining water conservation objectives with the preservation of historical architecture.

Experts involved in the projects say stepwells offer multiple benefits beyond water storage. Their design allows rainwater to recharge underground aquifers naturally, while their shaded, below-ground structures can provide relief from extreme heat. Historically, they also served as important social and community spaces.

The renewed interest in stepwells reflects a broader search for sustainable water-management solutions as India grapples with rising temperatures, rapid urbanization and increasing demand for freshwater resources.

Conservationists argue that restoring existing stepwells could complement modern infrastructure projects, particularly in historic cities where many of the structures remain intact beneath decades of neglect.

As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing challenge across India, the revival of these medieval engineering systems is drawing attention as a practical and culturally significant tool for strengthening long-term water resilience.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan’s efforts to safeguard its security, democratic system and way of life should not be viewed as a provocation toward Beijing. He reiterated that the island rejects unification under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party and remains committed to enhancing its self-defense capabilities.

The request comes as Washington reviews the proposed arms package, which includes advanced U.S.-developed weapons systems. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month that the proposal remained under consideration, while American officials have also assessed the impact of overseas military commitments on available weapons stockpiles.

The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and is legally obligated under domestic legislation to provide the island with defensive capabilities, despite formally recognizing Beijing as the sole government of China. Arms sales to Taiwan remain one of the most contentious issues in U.S.-China relations.

Responding to Lai’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said attempts to pursue independence through U.S. support or military means were destined to fail. He accused Taiwan’s leadership of escalating regional tensions and dismissed Taipei’s defense initiatives.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that its future should be determined by its people.

Lai’s administration has pledged to raise defense spending above 3 percent of gross domestic product this year. The government has proposed a broader defense procurement plan worth approximately NT$1.25 trillion ($40 billion), including purchases of American weaponry, domestically produced drones and other military equipment.

However, the proposal has faced resistance in Taiwan’s legislature. Opposition parties, which hold a majority of seats, approved a reduced special defense budget last month worth about $25 billion, cutting roughly one-third of the funding requested by the government.

In a move aimed at addressing capability gaps, Taiwan’s cabinet on Thursday approved an additional NT$210 billion ($6.6 billion) for indigenous unmanned systems. The defense ministry has argued that the reduced budget approved by lawmakers would be insufficient to fully achieve planned force modernization goals.

Lai also accused China of increasing pressure on neighboring countries, including Japan and the Philippines, amid maritime disputes in waters east of Taiwan. His comments followed recent announcements by Tokyo and Manila that they would begin formal negotiations to delimit maritime boundaries between their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.

China has opposed those talks and continues to assert broad claims across the East and South China Seas. Lai said Beijing’s military activities and coercive actions in the Taiwan Strait and wider Indo-Pacific region were expanding, raising concerns among regional governments.

Japan and the Philippines have strengthened security cooperation in recent years amid shared concerns over China’s maritime claims and growing military presence across disputed waters.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency questioned Yang Jong-hwan, head of Shinsegae Group’s audit team, as a witness on Wednesday, according to a company spokesperson. The inquiry is linked to public complaints filed over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” reusable cup promotion held on May 18.

The campaign sparked nationwide outrage because it took place on the 46th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, a pro-democracy movement that was violently suppressed by military forces. Official figures state that 165 civilians were killed during the crackdown, although activists and historians have long argued the actual death toll was significantly higher.

Starbucks Korea operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide under a licensing agreement with Shinsegae Group, making South Korea one of the coffee chain’s most important international markets. The controversy quickly escalated into a major corporate crisis, prompting Shinsegae to dismiss the head of its Korean operations on the day the scandal emerged.

Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a public apology, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and expressing regret for the distress caused to victims’ families, survivors and the wider public.

Despite those measures, a civic organization filed a legal complaint against Chung and other company executives. The complaint alleges violations of a 2016 law related to the Gwangju uprising, including provisions prohibiting the dissemination of false information about the historical event. The filing also includes allegations of defamation and insult.

The company said it would cooperate fully with investigators and hoped the facts surrounding the case would be clarified promptly and transparently. Police have not publicly commented on the investigation.

The backlash has had tangible business consequences. According to the company, sales declined sharply in the days immediately following the controversy as public anger intensified. Demonstrations were held in both Seoul and Gwangju, with critics accusing the company of insensitivity toward a defining moment in South Korea’s democratic history.

In response, Starbucks Korea announced that all stores nationwide will close for half a day next Monday to allow employees to attend educational sessions on the Gwangju uprising. Senior executives, including Shinsegae’s chairman, are scheduled to participate in a separate history program later in the week.

An internal review by Shinsegae concluded that a series of procedural failures contributed to the launch of the campaign, including the approval of promotional materials without adequate review of design content and timing.

The controversy also drew criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who described the incident as “inhumane” and “disgraceful,” reflecting the sensitivity that still surrounds the legacy of the Gwangju uprising more than four decades after it became a symbol of South Korea’s democratic struggle.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The meeting took place in Evian-les-Bains, France, where Modi attended the summit as a guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. It came a week after India formally protested a U.S. strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman during Washington’s military campaign aimed at restricting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Appearing alongside Modi, Trump dismissed suggestions of tensions between the two countries

The disagreements emerged as the United States pursued an agreement with Iran aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy shipments. Netanyahu reportedly argued for maintaining pressure on Tehran and expressed skepticism about the durability and enforceability of any negotiated settlement.

According to the report, Israeli officials were surprised by Washington’s decision to move toward a diplomatic framework with Iran after months of military confrontation and coordinated efforts to contain Tehran’s regional influence.

During a series of conversations, Netanyahu questioned whether Iran could be trusted to adhere to any agreement and warned against easing pressure on its leadership. Trump, meanwhile, focused increasingly on preventing a broader regional war and minimizing the economic consequences of continued conflict, particularly disruptions to energy markets and maritime trade.

Differences between the two leaders also extended to Lebanon, where Trump reportedly objected to Israeli military operations that could jeopardize ongoing ceasefire initiatives.

The Washington Post reported that exchanges between the leaders became increasingly strained as Trump challenged the strategic value of certain military actions and urged greater restraint in order to preserve diplomatic momentum.

The tensions mark a significant departure from the close alignment that characterized much of the conflict. Throughout the war, Netanyahu had advocated a more aggressive approach toward Iran, presenting intelligence assessments and military proposals while encouraging stronger U.S. involvement.

Trump initially supported many of those objectives and maintained close oversight of developments on the battlefield. However, the report said he later rejected options that could have expanded direct American involvement or prolonged the conflict.

The evolving relationship reflects broader debates within Washington over how best to balance military deterrence with diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.

According to the report, Trump increasingly sought alternative assessments from advisers after discussions with Netanyahu, while some officials within the administration questioned whether domestic political considerations in Israel were influencing decisions related to military operations and regional diplomacy.

Despite the disagreements, the United States and Israel continue to maintain extensive security cooperation. Military coordination between the two countries reportedly expanded significantly during the conflict, with officials describing the level of operational collaboration as unprecedented.

Netanyahu has cultivated a close working relationship with Trump over the past year through frequent visits, regular consultations and public displays of solidarity. However, the latest differences suggest that diverging priorities over Iran, Lebanon and regional stabilization efforts are placing new strains on one of the Middle East’s most consequential strategic partnerships.

The reported disputes come at a critical moment as negotiators seek to transform the U.S.-Iran ceasefire arrangement into a broader settlement while international actors push for a durable ceasefire in Lebanon and greater regional stability.

The discussions come a day after Washington and Tehran signed an interim agreement that commits participating parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a provision that could complicate Israel’s efforts to preserve a military presence in areas it has seized during recent operations.

Two Israeli officials, including a senior official close to Netanyahu, told Reuters that Israel is seeking U.S. acceptance of its continued troop deployment south of Lebanon’s Litani River, a strategically important area that Israeli leaders regard as essential to national security.

The senior official said Israel was conducting “stubborn negotiations” with Washington and would not retreat from its core position that troops should remain deployed in southern Lebanon despite mounting international pressure.

A second Israeli official said the outcome could ultimately depend on whether Trump chooses to exert direct pressure on Israel by linking compliance with the broader U.S.-Iran diplomatic framework to future bilateral cooperation.

Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Israel expanded military operations in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israeli territory on March 2 in support of Iran following the outbreak of hostilities involving Tehran and its regional allies. Israeli forces subsequently carried out a large-scale air and ground campaign aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

Israeli officials have described territory captured in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria as part of a network of “buffer zones” designed to provide strategic depth and reduce security threats along Israel’s borders. Netanyahu has consistently rejected calls for withdrawal from those areas, arguing that they are necessary to prevent future attacks.

The dispute over Lebanon has become one of the most visible points of friction between Trump and Netanyahu despite their close cooperation during the conflict with Iran.

Speaking at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France on Wednesday, Trump publicly urged the Israeli leader to exercise greater restraint in Lebanon and suggested that military actions should be calibrated to support diplomatic efforts rather than undermine them.

“Netanyahu happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes,” Trump told reporters.

The U.S. president added that Israel could adopt a “softer touch” in dealing with Hezbollah and questioned the necessity of extensive military strikes in response to every perceived threat.

“We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

The disagreement reflects broader tensions surrounding efforts to convert the U.S.-Iran interim agreement into a permanent settlement. Iran has repeatedly argued that any durable regional arrangement must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas.

Netanyahu has maintained that Israel is not bound by agreements negotiated between Washington and Tehran and retains full freedom of action against Hezbollah.

Despite the public disagreements, Trump acknowledged Netanyahu’s role during the conflict with Iran and praised the close military coordination between the United States and Israel throughout the campaign.

Trump also rejected reports suggesting that Washington had excluded Israel from discussions surrounding the interim agreement, stating that he had personally shared the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran. The framework is expected to serve as the basis for broader U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled to begin in Switzerland on Friday.

The talks over Lebanon underscore the challenge facing both governments as they attempt to balance military objectives, regional diplomacy and competing visions for post-conflict security arrangements across the Middle East.

The conflict exposed the vulnerability of Middle Eastern energy exporters to disruptions in one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes, became the focal point of market instability after Iran imposed a blockade that disrupted energy flows across the Gulf.

The closure stranded roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, forcing producers to curtail approximately 11 million barrels per day of oil output while disrupting refinery operations and liquefied natural gas facilities throughout the region.

Although Washington and Tehran have since agreed to pursue negotiations toward a permanent peace arrangement, energy producers and policymakers are increasingly treating future disruptions as a recurring strategic risk rather than a remote possibility.

As a result, Gulf governments are prioritizing investments in pipelines, export terminals and overseas assets to reduce dependence on Hormuz and strengthen resilience against future crises.

Saudi Arabia is widely viewed as the region’s strongest example of successful diversification. Long before the recent conflict, state-owned Saudi Aramco developed a 1,200-kilometer pipeline linking oil fields in the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The infrastructure enabled the kingdom to redirect a substantial portion of its exports away from Hormuz during the crisis.

The economic benefits of that strategy became evident as Saudi Arabia experienced a comparatively limited impact from the disruption. According to International Monetary Fund projections cited in the analysis, the Saudi economy is expected to grow by 3.1 percent in 2026, representing a relatively modest downgrade from pre-war forecasts.

The United Arab Emirates also benefited from existing infrastructure. The country continued exporting significant volumes of crude through the Fujairah terminal on the Gulf of Oman, despite disruptions caused by military activity. Abu Dhabi is now accelerating plans to expand export capacity through a second pipeline to Fujairah, with completion targeted for 2027.

Iraq faces a more complicated challenge because much of its production is concentrated in the south and remains heavily dependent on Gulf shipping routes. Iraqi authorities and energy companies are examining possibilities for expanding northern export corridors through Turkiye and Syria, though political instability and security concerns continue to complicate such plans.

The situation is particularly difficult for Qatar and Kuwait, both of which lack substantial alternative export routes outside the Strait of Hormuz.

For Qatar, one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, bypassing Hormuz would likely require cooperation with neighboring states through pipeline networks crossing the United Arab Emirates, Oman or Saudi Arabia. Such projects would involve major financial investments and could increase Doha’s dependence on regional partners, introducing new strategic considerations.

Kuwait faces a similar predicament, with future diversification efforts likely to require deeper energy integration with Saudi Arabia and potentially broader regional infrastructure cooperation.

Beyond pipeline development, Gulf energy producers are increasingly pursuing geographic diversification through overseas investments. National energy companies have expanded portfolios across international oil, gas, refining, storage and renewable energy projects to create revenue streams less exposed to regional geopolitical risks.

Companies including QatarEnergy and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company have already established significant international footprints, and analysts expect such investments to accelerate as governments seek greater protection from future disruptions in Gulf shipping lanes.

The shift reflects a broader reassessment of energy security across the region. Infrastructure once viewed as supplementary is increasingly being treated as essential, while export diversification has moved from a long-term strategic objective to an immediate economic priority.

As Gulf producers recover from the effects of the Iran conflict, decisions on pipelines, transport corridors and overseas investments are expected to influence trade patterns, diplomatic relationships and energy markets well beyond the Middle East, redefining regional economic architecture in the years ahead.

The military identified the soldier as Master Sergeant Alexander Filin, 29, and said he “fell in combat” during operations in southern Lebanon.

According to a military statement released on Thursday, the incident also left an officer, a reserve officer and a reserve soldier moderately wounded. A combat non-commissioned officer, two reserve soldiers and a female reserve soldier sustained light injuries.

The military did not immediately provide further details regarding the circumstances of the clash or the location where the casualties occurred.

The casualties were reported a day after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding intended to lay the groundwork for ending the broader Middle East conflict. The agreement calls for a halt in fighting across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where hostilities have persisted for months.

Lebanon became directly involved in the regional conflict after the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement launched rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran and its allies.

Israel subsequently expanded military operations in southern Lebanon, carrying out extensive airstrikes and ground offensives that it said were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities and preventing cross-border attacks.

Lebanese authorities say Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 3,800 people since fighting escalated earlier this year. The figures have not been independently verified.

On the Israeli side, military data indicate that 31 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in connection with operations linked to the conflict since March 2, including the latest fatality.

The death of Filin comes as diplomatic negotiations continue over the future of Israeli troop deployments in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have said they are engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the possible continuation of military deployments in areas seized during the conflict, while Washington has pushed for broader efforts to stabilize the region under the emerging U.S.-Iran framework.

Despite signs of reduced hostilities in recent days, the latest casualties highlight the continuing risks faced by forces operating in southern Lebanon and the challenges confronting negotiators seeking a durable ceasefire.

The Interior Ministry said security raids conducted over the past two days in Daraa, Aleppo and Idlib resulted in the detention of several individuals wanted for alleged involvement in abuses and security violations during Assad’s rule.

According to a ministry source cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), those arrested include a former commander of the First Corps, a former head of the security and military committee in southern Syria, a former officer in the Republican Guard and a former guard at Saydnaya prison, a facility long associated with allegations of torture and mistreatment of detainees.

The arrests form part of a broader campaign launched by the Syrian authorities to identify, detain and prosecute former regime figures accused of human rights violations, unlawful detentions and other offenses during more than a decade of conflict.

The latest operation follows the arrest earlier this week of Osama Mahmoud Hamouda, a former non-commissioned officer detained in the coastal province of Latakia.

Internal Security Forces said Hamouda was apprehended after an extensive surveillance operation while allegedly attempting to flee the country with assistance from criminal networks.

Authorities accuse Hamouda of supplying information to intelligence agencies, participating in arbitrary detention campaigns and engaging in financial extortion against civilians during the Assad era.

Brig. Gen. Abdul Aziz Hilal Al-Ahmad, head of Internal Security in Latakia, said investigators had been tracking Hamouda for an extended period before carrying out the arrest.

The detentions come amid broader efforts by Syria’s new authorities to establish a transitional justice framework following the collapse of the Assad government.

Attorney General Hassan Al-Turba said on Wednesday that pursuing individuals accused of major crimes was essential to restoring public trust in state institutions and advancing national reconciliation.

Speaking to SANA, Al-Turba said the Ministry of Justice was coordinating with the Interior Ministry, the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for Missing Persons to document violations and bring suspects before the courts.

He said authorities had implemented measures to prevent wanted individuals from leaving Syria, including travel restrictions, arrest warrants issued in absentia and efforts to track fugitives through international legal mechanisms.

The attorney general added that Syrian authorities were seeking cooperation through Interpol, bilateral agreements and diplomatic channels to locate and return suspects believed to be outside the country.

Al-Turba also said witness-protection programs had been introduced to encourage testimony from victims and witnesses, while international organizations were providing technical support, training and institutional assistance to strengthen judicial processes.

“Prosecuting major criminals is not merely a judicial procedure,” Al-Turba said, describing accountability as a necessary component of transitional justice and long-term stability.

The latest arrests underscore the scale of the challenge facing Syria’s post-Assad administration as it seeks to address allegations of past abuses while balancing demands for justice, accountability and national reconciliation after years of conflict.