Europe’s Natural Gas Crisis: Why Russian Gas Sales Are Surging Again

A 14-year-old boy has gone on trial in Malaysia for the alleged murder of his 16-year-old schoolmate, Yap Shing Xuen, whose body was discovered with multiple knife wounds in a secondary school toilet near Kuala Lumpur. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to 40 years in prison and potential caning if convicted, though capital punishment is barred due to his status as a minor under Malaysian law. Police confirmed the recovery of a written note at the scene and cited potential online influence, sparking nationwide debate concerning the impact of social media algorithms, incel subcultures, and youth exposure to radicalising content. In response to growing public concern surrounding youth safety, Malaysian authorities have instituted a policy prohibiting children under 16 from maintaining accounts on major social media platforms.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he forgives students who shouted abusive slogans against him during last month’s nationwide demonstrations, describing them as “misled children” who should be guided instead of punished. Speaking in a video message, Modi said the protesters had used offensive language against him and his late mother during the demonstrations. Despite that, he said he did not want young people to face legal action or social persecution, stressing that they should be shown the “right path” rather than dragged into lengthy court proceedings. The protests emerged after controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), one of India’s largest competitive examinations. The movement gained momentum after the exam was cancelled because of a paper leak, forcing more than two million students to retake the test. What began as an online campaign for education reforms quickly developed into a nationwide protest movement, drawing thousands of students onto the streets. The demonstrations eventually ended after the Indian government accepted several key demands, including the resignation of the education minister. Authorities also announced that criminal cases against protesters would not be pursued. However, reports indicate that police in several states later registered cases against hundreds of demonstrators, particularly those accused of clashing with security personnel or participating in protests where anti-government slogans were raised. The development has sparked criticism from opposition parties and student groups, who argue that it contradicts the government’s earlier assurances. The protests were accompanied by clashes between demonstrators and security forces in several cities. In New Delhi, police used tear gas, baton charges and other crowd-control measures to stop protesters attempting to march towards parliament. Some student activists have also alleged that participants, particularly female protesters, became targets of online harassment and threats on social media following the demonstrations. Rights advocates have expressed concern over the growing hostility directed at student activists during the protest movement. The opposition has intensified pressure on the government, demanding accountability for the police response to the demonstrations. Critics have also questioned the continued registration of cases against protesters despite earlier commitments to withdraw legal action. Meanwhile, the Indian government has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening laws against examination fraud. The proposed bill seeks tougher penalties, including longer prison terms and heavier fines, for those involved in examination paper leaks.

Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared without a trace, relatives of Chinese passengers returned to a Beijing court seeking answers they say they have been denied for more than a decade. The families insist that financial compensation alone cannot resolve their pain and are urging the court to focus on establishing the truth behind one of aviation’s greatest unsolved mysteries. The appeal comes after a Beijing court ruled in December that Malaysia Airlines should pay compensation of 2.9 million yuan to each of eight Chinese families. While the ruling acknowledged their loss, two families challenged the decision, arguing that it failed to address the airline’s responsibility or explain what happened to the aircraft and the 239 people on board. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, disappeared from radar with 239 passengers and crew members. Nearly two thirds of those on board were Chinese nationals. Despite years of international search operations across the Indian Ocean, investigators have never located the aircraft’s main wreckage or recovered its flight recorders, leaving the fate of those on board unknown. The latest court hearing in Beijing was held behind closed doors, but family members gathered outside to express their frustration. Li Eryou, whose son was among the passengers, said the original court ruling left him feeling insulted because it focused only on financial compensation while ignoring the deeper questions surrounding the disappearance. Li said no one had apologized to the families during the past 12 years and argued that the case deserved to be treated as an international tragedy rather than a routine legal dispute. He believes the compensation awarded by the lower court does not reflect the seriousness of the disaster or the emotional suffering experienced by relatives who continue to live without closure. Over the years, aviation experts have proposed several possible explanations for the disappearance. Theories have included deliberate actions by the pilot, hijacking, a missile strike or a technical failure. Another widely discussed possibility suggests that a fire involving electronic equipment may have filled the cabin with smoke, causing everyone on board to lose consciousness before the aircraft continued flying on autopilot until it ran out of fuel and crashed into the Indian Ocean. However, none of these theories has been confirmed because investigators have never recovered enough evidence to determine exactly what happened. The absence of definitive findings has continued to fuel uncertainty and speculation, leaving many families convinced that important questions remain unanswered. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on the missing aircraft, said the appeal is not primarily about receiving more money. Instead, he said the families want the court to establish the facts surrounding the case and examine whether Malaysia Airlines responded appropriately after the aircraft disappeared. According to Jiang, determining responsibility and uncovering the truth are far more important than the compensation itself. People from 14 different countries were on board Flight MH370, including 50 Malaysian passengers and crew members. While legal proceedings continue in China, there are currently no similar cases pending against the airline in Malaysia. Last month, the Malaysian government announced that the search for MH370 would continue until June next year. The renewed operation is being carried out by private exploration company Ocean Infinity, which has previously led several unsuccessful search missions in the southern Indian Ocean. Although earlier efforts failed to locate the aircraft, relatives remain hopeful that new technology and expanded search areas could finally provide long awaited answers. Jiang welcomed Malaysia’s decision to extend the search and urged authorities to allow families to organize their own independent search missions alongside official efforts. For many relatives, discovering what happened to Flight MH370 remains their greatest priority, believing that only the truth can finally bring closure after more than a decade of uncertainty.

A devastating missile strike on a primary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has claimed the lives of 156 people, including 120 children, making it one of the deadliest civilian incidents of the recent conflict involving Iran. The attack took place on February 28 during the opening hours of the military confrontation. The school was operating normally when explosions struck the area, causing large sections of the building to collapse and trapping students and teachers beneath the rubble. According to survivors, children had gathered inside the school for morning prayers because it was the holy month of Ramadan. Shortly after classes began, school authorities decided to dismiss students as reports of nearby explosions emerged. Before many children could leave the premises, another powerful strike directly hit the school building. Teachers who survived the attack described scenes of panic and destruction. They said the explosion threw students and staff across classrooms while thick smoke quickly filled the building, making it difficult to breathe or see. Parts of the school collapsed within seconds, leaving many children trapped. Emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after the explosions. Rescue workers spent hours searching through damaged classrooms and collapsed concrete in an attempt to find survivors. However, many victims had already lost their lives before rescuers arrived. Officials involved in the rescue operation said the destruction was so severe that several victims could only be identified through clothing, shoes, or personal belongings. Families gathered outside the school in desperate search of their children as rescue efforts continued. The tragedy has left the entire community in mourning. Parents and relatives continue visiting the cemetery where many of the students and teachers have been buried. Families say they are still struggling to cope with the loss of children who had simply gone to school for their education. The school was located next to a compound associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Satellite images and independent analysis indicate that military facilities in the neighbouring compound were also struck during the attack. Reports citing officials familiar with the investigation suggest the strike may have resulted from outdated intelligence that mistakenly identified the school area as part of a military target. However, no official conclusion has been released, and investigations into the incident are still ongoing. Iranian authorities insist the school had been operating as a civilian educational institution for years and reject suggestions that it was part of any military facility. They have repeatedly highlighted the attack as evidence of the heavy civilian toll caused by the conflict. The incident has intensified international concern over civilian protection during military operations. Human rights advocates and legal experts have called for a transparent and independent investigation to determine responsibility and examine whether international humanitarian law was violated. The strike has also renewed global debate over the accuracy of military intelligence, the protection of schools in conflict zones, and the need to safeguard civilians during armed confrontations.