NATO’s Baltic Sentry Operation

NATO launched Baltic Sentry in January 2025 to protect undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea from suspected Russian sabotage, following multiple incidents involving Russia-linked vessels.

Forces involved:
• 10+ NATO ships, task forces, and naval units from 8 Baltic-bordering nations
• Support from U.S., French, German, and British aircraft and drones
• Use of AI software ("Mainsail") to detect maritime anomalies

Goals:
• Prevent sabotage, especially by Russia’s “shadow fleet”
• Improve NATO response time (now 1 hour, down from 17 hours)
• Deter threats through constant surveillance and visibility

“We are functioning as security cameras at sea.” – Cmdr. Erik Kockx, Belgian Navy

Source:WSJ

Somali Forces Strike Al-Shabaab in Lower Juba

Somali Danab Commandos and Jubbaland’s Dervish forces launched a joint operation against Al-Shabaab in northern Lower Juba.

Officials say the raid destroyed key positions and inflicted heavy losses, though no casualty figures were released.

Lower Juba remains a frequent battleground in Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab.

BREAKING: Israeli police arrested Netanyahu spokesmen Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein in connection with the "Qatargate" scandal.

Source: Sky News Arabic

NEW: Iran vows firm retaliatory response to US, Israel aggression.

Source: Bloomberg

BREAKING: French far-right leader Le Pen convicted in embezzlement trial.

Marine Le Pen has been found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds, facing serious consequences:

Legal Penalties: She may receive a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to €1 million. However, any prison sentence would likely be suspended pending appeal.

Political Impact: She could face an immediate five-year ban from running for public office, potentially disqualifying her from the 2027 presidential election. This ban would apply even during an appeal process.

Appeal Process: If she appeals, the case will go to retrial, likely in 2026, potentially complicating her campaign efforts.

Russian MoD:

The Ukrainian Armed Forces continued to attack the Russian energy infrastructure over the past 24 hours.

The key issue is whether the court will impose a ban preventing Marine Le Pen from running for office.

If such a ruling is issued, Le Pen — currently leading in the polls — would be barred from running in the 2027 presidential election.

Recent surveys indicate she could easily win the first round with 34% to 35% of the vote if the election were held soon.

Le Pen has previously claimed that France has become a “republic of judges” and that her “political elimination” is being sought.

BREAKING: French court bans Marine Le Pen from holding public office.

Le Pen has been sentenced to ineligibility (inéligibilité).

Le Pen — currently leading in the polls — has been effectively barred from running in the 2027 presidential election.

Kremlin on the Le Pen ban:

More and more European capitals are following the path of trampling on democratic norms.

French politician Éric Ciotti after Le Pen ban:

I wonder if France is still a democracy.

Hungary's Prime Minister Orban after France's Le Pen ban:

Je suis Marine! (I'm Marine!)

BREAKING: French court bars Marine Le Pen from holding public office for five years, effective immediately.

Marine Le Pen has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years suspended.

Le Pen has been barred from 2027 Presidential Election run.

French Politician Jordan Bardella on Le Pen ban:

"This is the execution of French democracy."

Bardella is likely to take her place as the party's candidate for 2027 election.

Italian Politician Matteo Salvini on Le Pen ban:

This is a declaration of war from Brussels.

European stock markets: Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan drop over 2% by mid-session after Le Pen ban by French court.

Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh:

Those who live in glass houses don’t throw stones — the Americans have at least 10 bases with 50,000 troops in the region.

It’s as if they’re sitting in a glass room.

Far-Right Leader Leads Romania’s Presidential Polls

George Simion, head of the far-right AUR party, tops a new poll ahead of Romania’s presidential election with 31.7% support, surpassing rivals:

PSD (ruling party): 21.2%
Victor Ponta (ex-PM): 21.1%
Nicușor Dan (Bucharest Mayor): 20.8%

Key Points on Simion:

Pushes to restore Romania’s pre-WWII borders, including claims on parts of Moldova, Ukraine, and Bulgaria.

Banned from Ukraine for nationalist rhetoric.

Criticizes mainstream politicians but remains pro-EU—for now.

Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu was barred from the May election due to electoral violations. His 2024 win was overturned over Russian interference and illegal campaign funds.

Source: Reuters

CONTEXT: Marine Le Pen Found Guilty in EU Funds Embezzlement Case

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, was found guilty today, in a major embezzlement case involving EU funds misused between 2004 and 2016.

Embezzlement: The EU’s anti-fraud office (OLAF) found that Marine Le Pen misused €136,994 in EU funds, while her father Jean-Marie Le Pen diverted over €303,000.

A Paris court later estimated the total damages at €2.9 million. Investigators allege Le Pen oversaw the misappropriation of up to €3.7 million.

• Conviction: Le Pen and 20 others, including MEPs and aides, misused EU money meant for parliamentary staff.

• Sentence: 4 years in prison (2 suspended via electronic monitoring), €100,000 fine.

• Political Ban: Barred from running for office for 5 years—effectively ending her 2027 presidential bid.

• Party Fine: National Rally fined €2 million.