Israel has approved an emergency military budget of $827 million as the ongoing war with Iran enters its third week, according to local media reports.

The 2.6-billion-shekel funding package was approved by Israeli cabinet ministers during a telephone meeting over the weekend, the newspaper Haaretz reported.

Officials said the funds would be used for security purchases and urgent operational needs, although specific details of the spending were not immediately disclosed.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not formally commented on the measure or clarified what military equipment or supplies the funds will cover.

However, a finance ministry document circulated to ministers stated that the funding was necessary because of the intensity of the ongoing fighting.

The document noted that the emergency allocation would support operational needs including the procurement of munitions, acquisition of advanced weapons systems and replenishment of critical combat stockpiles.

It described the move as “an exceptional emergency decision” aimed at addressing immediate requirements arising from the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, rejected reports claiming that Israel had informed the United States it was running low on missile interceptors.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to a site recently struck by an Iranian missile, Saar dismissed the reports.

“The answer is no,” he said when asked whether Israel’s interceptor supplies were running short.

Since joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, Israel has faced daily ballistic missile attacks from Iran.

According to Israeli security officials cited by Haaretz, around 250 ballistic missiles had been launched toward Israel by March 13. Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s air-defence systems.

Despite the interceptions, 12 people have been killed in Israel by missile strikes or falling debris since the war began, according to figures compiled from Israeli authorities and emergency responders.

Reports indicate that the emergency funds will be drawn from Israel’s $222-billion state budget, which was approved by the government on March 12 and is expected to be adopted by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, before the end of March.

The war between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, raising concerns about broader instability across the Middle East and increasing pressure on governments worldwide to prevent further escalation.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, have discussed the urgent need to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing disruptions to global shipping caused by an Iranian blockade.

According to a statement from 10 Downing Street, the leaders held a conversation on Sunday focusing on the escalating crisis in the Middle East and its impact on international trade.

“The leaders discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is driving up costs worldwide,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

The discussion followed an appeal by President Trump on Saturday urging several countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to deploy naval forces to assist the United States in securing the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil shipments, and any disruption to traffic through the channel can significantly affect global energy markets.

Iran has effectively blocked the waterway in retaliation for joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel earlier in the conflict.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Starmer also expressed condolences for American military personnel who have been killed during the ongoing conflict.

The situation in the region remains volatile as tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel continue to escalate, raising concerns about wider economic and security consequences for the international community.

President Donald Trump has said that the US is currently in talks with Cuba and that a deal could be reached soon, although he indicated that resolving the ongoing crisis involving Iran would take priority.

Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One, Trump suggested that the long-strained relationship between the United States and Cuba could soon experience significant developments.

“Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” Trump said.

“We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”

The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic contact between Washington and Havana following years of tensions marked by sanctions, migration disputes and political disagreements.

Cuba’s President, Miguel Díaz‑Canel, confirmed that discussions with the United States had begun as the Caribbean nation grapples with one of its worst economic crises in decades.

In a televised address, Díaz-Canel said the negotiations were aimed at addressing the longstanding differences between both countries through dialogue.

“These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations,” he said, expressing hope that negotiations would help move the relationship “away from confrontation.

Cuba’s economic challenges have intensified in recent months, largely due to disruptions in imported fuel supplies.

The country depends heavily on imported oil to power electricity plants and maintain transportation networks.

As a result, authorities have been forced to implement rolling power outages and limit some public services across the island.

Despite the renewed contact, major disagreements remain between the two governments.

US officials have indicated that any easing of economic pressure would likely depend on political and economic reforms from Havana.

Meanwhile, Cuban leaders insist that any negotiations must respect the country’s sovereignty and independence.

In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Cuba’s government is under pressure and eager to strike an agreement with Washington, even remarking earlier that the island could face a “friendly takeover,” before adding that such a scenario might not necessarily be friendly.

The United States government has launched a trade investigation into Nigeria and 59 other economies over allegations that they have failed to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

According to a notice issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the investigation was initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to determine whether the trade practices of the affected economies are “unreasonable or discriminatory” and whether they place a burden on American commerce.

The notice, signed by the General Counsel at the USTR, Jennifer Thornton, stated that the probe began on March 12, 2026.

It will examine whether Nigeria and other countries have failed to introduce or effectively enforce bans on the importation of goods produced using forced labour.

Nigeria is among 60 economies listed in the probe alongside major global players including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union.

The USTR said the investigation is aimed at determining whether the absence of strict import bans on forced-labour goods in these economies creates unfair trade conditions that disadvantage American businesses.

According to the agency, although many countries prohibit forced labour domestically, weak controls on imports allow products made under exploitative conditions to circulate through global supply chains.

“For almost 100 years, US law has prohibited the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured in whole or in part with forced labour,” the notice said, adding that the policy reflects humanitarian, foreign policy and national security concerns.

The agency explained that forced labour allows producers to reduce production costs and sell goods at lower prices, creating unfair competition in international markets.

Data cited by the USTR shows that forced labour remains widespread worldwide. Estimates by the International Labour Organization indicate that around 28 million people were trapped in forced labour globally as of 2021.

The figure represented roughly 3.5 out of every 1,000 people, with the number increasing by about 2.7 million between 2016 and 2021, largely due to exploitation in the private sector.

The organisation also estimated that profits generated from forced labour in the global private economy reached about $63.9 billion annually in 2024.

Products linked to forced labour include agricultural commodities, textiles, minerals, fish products and palm-oil derivatives used in food and biofuel production.

The USTR warned that goods produced under forced labour conditions can still enter global markets even after being denied entry into the United States, creating unfair competition for American companies.

As part of the investigation process, the agency will consult with governments of the affected economies and gather evidence from businesses, labour groups and other stakeholders.

Public hearings on the probe will begin on April 28, 2026, at the United States International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. and may continue until May 1.

Stakeholders who wish to participate in the hearings or submit written comments must do so through the USTR’s electronic portal by April 15, 2026.

Following the consultations and hearings, the Trade Representative will determine whether the trade practices of the economies under investigation violate US trade rules.

If confirmed, the United States could impose trade remedies such as additional tariffs or import restrictions on goods from the affected economies.

Meanwhile, recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Nigeria’s merchandise trade surplus declined sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025.

According to the NBS report titled Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics, Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦1.71 trillion in Q4 2025, down from ₦3.42 trillion in the same period of 2024.

Total trade during the quarter stood at ₦36.21 trillion, slightly lower than the ₦36.60 trillion recorded a year earlier.

The decline was largely attributed to falling crude oil exports, which continue to dominate Nigeria’s export structure.

Crude oil accounted for ₦9.70 trillion, representing 51.17 per cent of total exports during the quarter.

While exports weakened, imports increased to ₦17.25 trillion, reflecting Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign manufactured goods and fuel products.

The largest import category was machinery and transport equipment valued at ₦5.13 trillion, followed by mineral fuels at ₦4.52 trillion and chemicals worth ₦2.70 trillion.

Regionally, Nigeria imported most of its goods from Asia, valued at ₦8.08 trillion, followed by Europe with ₦5.75 trillion. Imports from Africa stood at ₦696.13 billion.

Among Nigeria’s trading partners, China remained the country’s largest import source, accounting for ₦5.39 trillion of total imports, followed by the United States, Netherlands, India and Brazil.

At least six people have been confirmed dead, and over 140 others, including Nigerians, were injured in Iran’s latest missile and drone strikes on United Arab Emirates (UAE) targets linked to the US.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran, calling it a serious escalation in the Middle East.

The attacks have caused significant damage and rattled economies in the Gulf countries.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said.

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

Authorities revealed that those killed included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Other affected nationals are from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The list also includes Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

Despite protests from neighbouring countries, Iran has reportedly continued launching missile and drone strikes across parts of the Gulf region.

The attacks are believed to be retaliation for recent military operations by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

Late on Friday and into Saturday, Iran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, with some of the strikes reportedly damaging infrastructure.

The UAE remains a major travel, employment and transit destination for many Nigerian citizens.

Meanwhile, Nigerians stranded in different Gulf countries have appealed to the Federal Government to make arrangements for evacuation flights should the security situation worsen.

It is still uncertain how many Nigerians are currently in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries affected by the ongoing conflict