Author: Admin

Italy’s Culture Ministry displayed a newly acquired Renaissance devotional work by Antonello da Messina at the Senate on Thursday, with the nation’s culture chief announcing plans to accelerate similar art purchases.

The ministry spent $14.9 million at Sotheby’s auction house in New York to acquire the piece called “Ecce Homo,” following closely after spending 30 million euros (approximately $35 million) on a Caravaggio portrait from a private collector that was featured in a major exhibition in the capital last year.

“It is true that there is a policy to step up these acquisitions,” Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli told The Associated Press from his office following the artwork’s unveiling. “We want people to understand how important it is for us to bring works of great artistic and public significance back to Italy and make them available to the world as well as to Italians.”

Minister Giuli traveled to New York this week to finalize the transaction with Sotheby’s for the double-sided devotional piece painted on wood, measuring 20.3 cm (7.9 inches) by 14.9 (5.8 inches).

The front displays the “Ecce Homo” image showing Jesus wearing a crown of thorns with a rope around his neck, capturing the biblical moment when Pontius Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd before crucifixion. The reverse side depicts Saint Jerome the Penitent.

Created around 1470, the religious artwork was transported in a leather pouch by its previous owner for many years and regularly used during prayer sessions. The repeated devotional kissing by the owner has worn away Saint Jerome’s facial features.

According to Giuli, Italian officials learned about the piece just as it was heading to auction and decided to intervene.

“Our pockets are not deep, as the Culture Ministry budget is not even 0.3 percent of the national budget, but it is large enough to purchase works of art,” Giuli explained, noting that these acquisitions don’t affect funding for other government programs, which operate on separate budget lines.

The Renaissance masterpiece will first be exhibited at the National Museum of Abruzzo in L’Aquila before traveling to additional Italian venues, ensuring maximum public access for citizens across the country.

This purchase follows Italy’s acquisition two weeks earlier of a rare Caravaggio portrait, representing one of the government’s largest single artwork investments. That baroque painting shows Maffeo Barberini, a nobleman who eventually became Pope Urban VIII.

NEW YORK — Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro made a Thursday appearance at a federal courthouse in New York, where his legal team pushed for the dismissal of narcotics trafficking charges stemming from his January apprehension during a U.S. military operation. Outside the Manhattan federal building, both supporters and critics of Maduro assembled as legal proceedings unfolded inside.

Meanwhile in Venezuela’s capital, backers of the former presidential couple congregated in a central plaza, hoping to view the court session on large screens. However, those gathered were unaware that federal court proceedings in the United States prohibit camera coverage.

The Associated Press photo desk compiled visual documentation from both locations during Thursday’s court appearance.

MEXICO CITY – Naval Secretary Raymundo Morales announced Thursday that investigators have identified the cause of an oil spill affecting Mexico’s Gulf coastline as a combination of vessel activity and naturally occurring oil seepage from the ocean floor.

During a Thursday press briefing, Morales explained that both a ship and natural oil emissions rising from the seabed were responsible for the environmental incident along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s national oil corporation Pemex has launched underwater inspections of offshore drilling infrastructure to ensure that no equipment malfunctions contributed to the spill, according to Morales’ statement to reporters.

TYRE, Lebanon — The historic coastal city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, renowned for its ancient Roman archaeological sites and pristine beaches, has transformed into a near-deserted landscape.

Stray dogs wander through empty streets lined with residential buildings damaged by recent Israeli bombing campaigns. The millennia-old city saw mass departures last week when Israel intensified military operations targeting the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah and issued broad evacuation directives for all areas south of Lebanon’s Litani River.

Israeli forces have recently bombed most bridge crossings over the Litani River, effectively cutting off large portions of the nation — including Tyre — from connection to the remainder of Lebanon.

The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, occurring within the broader regional confrontation involving Israel, the United States and Iran, has displaced more than 1 million Lebanese citizens. Many have sought shelter with family members in northern regions or established makeshift encampments throughout Beirut’s rain-soaked thoroughfares.

However, thousands of residents continue to remain in Tyre, determined not to be driven from their ancestral territory.

Local fishermen, claiming they cannot financially survive abandoning their livelihood, dropped their nets into Mediterranean waters Thursday, lamenting that strict nighttime restrictions and lack of buyers mean their daily haul brings minimal income.

“To avoid being displaced and suffering on the streets, we prefer to stay in our homes,” said 52-year-old fisherman Joseph Najm.

Displaced families from surrounding communities have packed into Tyre’s Christian neighborhood, hoping Israeli forces will choose not to target that area. Hezbollah draws its primary support from Lebanon’s Shiite population, while southern Lebanon’s Christian residents have generally attempted to stay neutral in the fighting.

Throughout other sections of Tyre, especially neighborhoods where deep religious conviction intersects with Hezbollah’s armed resistance movement, the thunder of Israeli bombing runs has created an atmosphere filled with dread, terror — and stubborn resistance.

Local inhabitants report their resolve to remain has only strengthened as Israeli officials suggest potential long-term military control similar to their destructive takeover of much of Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault.

“This is our land — where would we go? We won’t abandon our homes, even when they’re destroyed,” said Jihan Salama, 55, examining what was left of her family’s residence: an enormous mound of debris with twisted metal rods protruding from concrete fragments. An Israeli bombing attack on southern Lebanon demolished Salama’s multi-floor building Tuesday.

The current warfare between Israel and Hezbollah commenced March 2, when the Lebanese militant organization fired multiple rockets across the international boundary, occurring two days after Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran triggered the continuing Middle Eastern conflict.

“We saw our belongings flying in the air, hundreds of meters in the air,” said Salama’s neighbor, Nader al-Ashqar, 60, who awakened to the deafening blast of airstrikes that Tuesday and rushed from the structure with his spouse and two daughters as Israeli warplanes flew overhead.

“Everything is gone,” he said. “But God told me to stay here.”

Since Israel and Hezbollah started exchanging attacks, at least three Israeli military personnel have perished in ground fighting and two Israeli civilians from rocket fire, including one man killed Thursday in the northern city of Nahariya.

Lebanese casualties have reached at least 1,116 deaths, including 42 healthcare professionals according to Lebanese officials, among them paramedic Ahmed Ibrahim Deeb, who died in an Israeli airstrike while riding his motorcycle Tuesday en route to assist patients near Tyre.

Salman Harb, Hezbollah’s primary spokesman in southern Lebanon, led journalists through Tyre’s destruction Thursday, highlighting multiple ambulances struck by Israeli fire. Israeli authorities have claimed Hezbollah uses medical vehicles to conceal military operations, though they have not provided supporting evidence.

Searching through the leveled wasteland of concrete blocks Thursday, Salama considered her future plans.

“Tomorrow,” she said, “we will set up tents and remain here.”

ABUJA, Nigeria — A groundbreaking United Nations General Assembly decision on Wednesday has sparked celebration across Africa after lawmakers labeled the enslavement of Africans as “the gravest crime against humanity” while demanding reparations for descendants.

The historic resolution has generated widespread support from African leaders and justice advocates, though many are questioning what concrete actions will follow and how reparations might actually work.

European powers forcibly removed approximately 12 million Africans between the 16th and 19th centuries, enslaving them on plantations that generated enormous wealth through human suffering.

Ghana spearheaded the legislative effort, which also demands “the prompt and unhindered restitution” of cultural artifacts — including artwork, monuments, museum collections, documents and national archives — returned to their home countries at no cost.

Ghana’s foreign affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa commented following the vote: “It recognizes that even within (its) complexity, there are moments in history that stand apart … To acknowledge this is not to diminish any other history; it is to deepen our collective moral awareness.”

While General Assembly decisions carry no legal enforcement power, they represent significant global sentiment and frequently serve as foundational frameworks for various causes.

The African Union described the outcome as “marks an important step toward truth, justice and healing” in an official statement.

The measure passed with 123 nations supporting it, while Argentina, Israel and the United States cast opposing votes. Britain and all 27 European Union countries joined 52 other nations in abstaining.

Before the voting began, U.S. deputy ambassador Dan Negrea explained that while America condemns the trans-Atlantic slave trade and all slavery forms, it “does not recognize a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred.”

France’s UN mission legal adviser Sylvain Fournel contended the resolution “seems to establish a hierarchy among crimes against humanity,” creating “serious legal difficulties and runs the risk of creating a competition against historic tragedies.”

Erieka Bennett, who founded the Ghana-based Diaspora African Forum connecting people of African heritage with their continental roots, called the UN resolution “an answer to the prayers of our kidnapped, oppressed and murdered ancestors.”

“This vote will energize our collective resolve to continue the fight for the dignity of African people and the liberation of our Motherland from the stranglehold of Western domination,” Bennett continued.

Nadege Anelka, a travel agent from Martinique who relocated to Benin and gained citizenship through a 2024 law allowing those with slave trade ancestry to become citizens, called Wednesday’s decision “fantastic news” despite limited immediate impact on her personally. “Having returned to Benin, I already feel like I have undergone my ‘journey of reparations’,” the 58-year-old explained.

Gilles Olakounle Yabi, who established WATHI, the West Africa Citizen Think Tank, characterized the resolution as “symbolic” during a period when few want to acknowledge slavery’s true cost.

Yet Yabi noted that opposing votes and abstentions show “it’s still not so clear that people recognize the immensity of the crimes that were committed.”

During a 2023 reparations conference in Ghana, international participants attempted to address these questions by creating a Global Reparation Fund seeking financial compensation as reparations, though without defined implementation methods.

Recent American polling suggests limited support for reparations. A 2021 Pew Research Center study found only approximately 30% of U.S. adults believed descendants of enslaved Americans should receive some form of compensation, whether money or land.

Some advocates argue reparations should extend beyond direct monetary payments to include development assistance for affected countries, returning colonized resources and systematically correcting oppressive policies and legislation.

Elkory Sneiba from SOS Esclaves, a Mauritanian anti-slavery organization, emphasized that reparation efforts must deliver “justice for those communities who have suffered from this abject, inhuman and serious practice.”

Beverly Ochieng, a Senegal-based Control Risks Group analyst, expressed skepticism that Western governments will actually allocate funds for slavery payments.

“Some will argue that they have tried to develop former colonies and countries they exploited,” Ochieng observed.

Olivette Otele, Distinguished Research Professor of the Legacies and Memory of Slavery at SOAS, University of London, previously noted that reparations advocates “hardly ever” seek only financial compensation. She explained “their work is grounded in an understanding that the social, the political and the economic are bound together and must be addressed together, creating the possibility of a better world.”

WASHINGTON – During a Thursday Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump delivered a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding the nation either reach an agreement to halt U.S. and Israeli military strikes or prepare for continued attacks.

Speaking to reporters, Trump outlined what he sees as Iran’s options. “They now have the chance, that is Iran, to permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join a new path forward,” the president stated. “We’ll see if they want to do it. If they don’t, we’re their worst nightmare. In the meantime, we’ll just keep blowing them away.”

The president’s remarks came on the same day that a high-ranking Iranian official criticized Washington’s peace proposal to Reuters, calling it “one-sided and unfair” while confirming that diplomatic efforts remain ongoing after nearly four weeks of conflict.

According to Trump, Iranian representatives are currently in discussions with the United States and are eager to reach an agreement – claims that Tehran has previously rejected.

The president praised Iranian leaders as skilled in negotiations while outlining his goals for any potential agreement: reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Tehran’s military activities.

However, Trump expressed uncertainty about whether negotiations would succeed. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that,” he admitted when discussing the possibility of reaching a deal. “I don’t know if we’re willing to do that.”

GENEVA, March 26 – The ongoing conflict involving Iran has forced the World Health Organization to drastically alter how it delivers critical medical supplies worldwide, with officials warning that escalating fuel prices could create serious shortages in developing nations.

Medical aid shipments from the WHO’s distribution center in Dubai were initially completely halted when the Iran conflict erupted on February 28 following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. The disruption affected air, maritime, and ground transportation corridors throughout the region.

The conflict expanded when Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting energy facilities and infrastructure throughout the Gulf region. Lebanon was drawn into the broader regional conflict after Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israel in solidarity with Iran.

To address the transportation crisis, the United Arab Emirates has funded alternative delivery methods, including trucking essential supplies such as insulin and emergency medical kits to Lebanon through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. The UAE has also financed charter flights to deliver aid to crisis zones including Kabul, Afghanistan, according to WHO officials.

Lebanon has been particularly affected, with more than 3,000 people requiring medical treatment due to the ongoing violence.

Paul Molinaro, WHO’s head of Operations, Support and Logistics, explained the challenges during a Thursday interview with Reuters. “What you’re getting is cost increases and lead time increases as we do the workarounds,” Molinaro stated. UAE officials have confirmed their support for partner organizations during this crisis.

Despite progress in finding alternative routes, Molinaro noted that some medical shipments remain stuck in Dubai, though two shipping companies have agreed to waive additional insurance fees.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported plans to transport ambulances destined for Lebanon overland from Dubai, but noted that ground transportation costs have increased by approximately 30 percent, with additional delays at border crossings.

When asked about potential medication shortages, Molinaro expressed greater concern about rising oil prices leading to fuel shortages in economically disadvantaged countries, which could strand aid supplies.

“You could be seeing serious issues 6 to 8 weeks down the line,” Molinaro warned. “I think we’re going to feel that quicker than shortages of drugs and of plastics and of equipment.”

European Union legislators took a significant step Thursday toward implementing their portion of a trade agreement with the United States, despite ongoing concerns about tariff policies and import duties.

The European Parliament approved the trade legislation by a margin of 417 to 154, with 71 members abstaining. However, lawmakers incorporated additional protective measures, citing worries that Washington might not uphold the agreement negotiated in Turnberry, Scotland last July.

These protective provisions include a possible suspension mechanism and other safeguards. European legislators are demanding that the United States eliminate the 50% tariffs that were imposed one month following the Turnberry agreement on steel and aluminum components in products like wind turbines and motorcycles.

European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic described the vote as a “crucial step” that provides certainty for businesses across the EU. The U.S. Mission to the European Union expressed its support for the parliamentary decision.

The European Parliament has been considering proposals to eliminate EU import taxes on American industrial products and expand market access for U.S. agricultural goods, which represents a central component of the agreement. The legislation also continues duty-free treatment for American lobsters, a provision originally negotiated with Trump in 2020.

Thursday’s parliamentary vote does not conclude the legislative process. Negotiations between parliament representatives and EU member governments will begin April 13 to finalize the text, with a final approval vote by EU lawmakers not anticipated until June. EU governments had already endorsed the legislation in November with fewer protective measures.

The United States serves as the European Union’s primary trading partner, with EU exports to America reaching a record 555 billion euros ($641 billion) in 2025.

During pre-vote discussions, numerous parliamentarians criticized the trade agreement as unbalanced, noting that the EU must reduce most import duties while the U.S. maintains a general 15% rate.

Bernd Lange, who chairs the parliament’s trade committee, questioned whether this constitutes a genuine agreement. Belgian Social Democrat Kathleen Van Brempt characterized it as an unfavorable deal.

“It does not bring stability. It does not protect us from tariffs, threats and coercion,” she said.

The EU assembly had originally planned to vote on this legislation at the beginning of the year but suspended proceedings after Trump threatened new tariffs on European allies that refused to support his proposed Greenland acquisition and subsequently implemented an import surcharge.

The additional safeguards include a sunrise provision making EU import duty reductions dependent on Washington fulfilling its obligations, a sunset clause that expires the tariff concessions on March 31, 2028, and a suspension mechanism if Washington violates the agreement terms or if there’s a harmful increase in U.S. imports.

KERICHO, Kenya — Criminal investigators in western Kenya announced Thursday they have recovered the remains of at least 33 individuals from a mass burial site, with officials believing the bodies originated from a hospital morgue facility.

The investigation team uncovered remains of eight adults and 25 children, along with dismembered body parts contained in burlap sacks, at a cemetery owned by a church in Kericho, law enforcement officials reported.

“We were able to establish that these were bodies transferred from Nyamira District Hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho,” Mohamed Amin, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, told reporters.

Amin explained that investigators are working to determine if proper legal protocols were followed when the bodies were removed from the morgue and disposed of.

Kenyan regulations mandate that medical facilities and morgues must dispose of unclaimed remains after a 14-day period, but this process must be authorized through a court order.

State pathologists performed examinations Thursday to establish how the individuals died. Officials have not disclosed the identities of the deceased.

Two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the case.

Media outlets in the area reported that unknown individuals transported the bodies using a government vehicle and hastily interred them. Some cemetery workers reportedly contacted police about the suspicious activity.

“We need authorities to conduct a thorough investigation,” said resident Brian Kibunja.

Another community member, Samuel Moso, said officials should “reveal if the government was involved or if a different group of people was behind the mass burial.”

This marks Kenya’s third significant mass grave discovery within the past three years.

During 2023, law enforcement found hundreds of bodies in a forest burial ground in the coastal Kilifi area. Those remains were connected to a religious leader who caused his followers’ deaths through starvation.

The following year in 2024, officials retrieved nine bodies from a waste disposal site in the capital city of Nairobi.

This recent find comes amid increasing worries among Kenyan citizens regarding alleged police misconduct and human rights violations.

Human rights organization Missing Voices has recorded 125 extrajudicial killings and six forced disappearances in Kenya during the past year. The organization documented 104 extrajudicial killings in the year prior.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for diplomatic discussions as his country seeks to strengthen partnerships with Middle Eastern nations during its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Ukraine is providing air defense knowledge and drone technology to regional nations that have experienced Iranian attacks, hoping to receive backing in its fight against Russian forces in return.

“Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security,” Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X.

Rustem Umerov, who leads Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, traveled with Zelenskyy for these diplomatic discussions.

According to recent statements from Zelenskyy, Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, seeking financial backing and technology in exchange for their military expertise.

As the conflict with Russia enters its fifth year, Ukrainian military forces are preparing for another spring campaign from Moscow while U.S.-supported peace negotiations remain at a standstill.

SEOUL/BEIJING – Asian manufacturers are confronting an unprecedented supply crisis as the conflict in Iran disrupts global energy markets, affecting everything from instant noodles and snack foods to beauty products and toys.

The impact is already devastating businesses across the region. Choi Gun-soo, who manages a South Korean facility that has produced plastic films for 57 years, reports that suppliers are hiking raw material costs by up to 50%, while others have completely exhausted their inventory.

“Since we’re out of raw materials for some products, we’ll have to gradually shut down the machines, and the next one to two weeks is likely to be very critical,” Choi explained.

Despite surviving previous oil crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, this situation is different, according to Choi. His facility has slashed production to just 20% to 30% of normal capacity.

“This is the first time we’ve been hit this hard. We’re really shaken,” he stated.

The crisis stems from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway along Iran’s southern border that typically handles approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Asian nations face the greatest risk because they depend more heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil, natural gas, fuel, and fertilizer compared to other regions worldwide.

The most severe shortages involve oil-based products like naphtha, primarily obtained from Gulf nations and essential for Asian refineries producing plastics and petrochemicals found in nearly all manufactured goods.

Costs for essential materials including plastic and rubber have reached record highs.

Samyang Foods, the South Korean company behind the widely popular spicy Buldak instant ramen, warns that an extended conflict could create packaging material shortages and drive up expenses.

Instant ramen products depend heavily on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most commonly used plastics globally, which is also crucial for packaging various items from food to personal care products.

Competing South Korean ramen manufacturer Nongshim maintains a two to three-month supply of packaging materials and is preparing for the possibility that the war, which started with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, may continue.

Yonwoo, which produces containers for L’Oreal and Korean beauty companies including Amorepacific, informed Reuters that it is working urgently to obtain plastic resin supplies needed for manufacturing skincare and cosmetic containers. The company has limited material visibility beyond June.

“The issue isn’t the price – if supply itself isn’t available, then without containers, you simply can’t sell the product,” an unnamed company representative told Reuters, noting they lacked authorization to speak publicly.

“We are stockpiling supplies, but beyond that, we don’t really have any substantial measures in place; we’re simply hoping that the situation would be resolved by May.”

The conflict has created fuel shortages globally, with businesses ranging from airlines to grocery stores and used car dealerships facing challenges including increased costs, declining demand, and broken supply chains.

In Japan, department store chain Takashimaya indicated that if the crisis continues, price increases and supply problems could extend to clothing and home appliances.

Demonstrating the widespread effects, Japanese consumers of Wasabeef potato chips became alarmed this month when producer Yamayoshi Seika stopped manufacturing, citing a lack of heavy oil needed for boilers that heat frying oil.

China manufactures nearly half of the world’s synthetic rubber, and naphtha shortages required for production are creating downstream effects, pushing tire and glove manufacturers to consider price increases or switching to natural rubber alternatives.

Chinese production is expected to drop by approximately one-third in April due to the war, according to SCI analyst Xinhua Jing.

Tire manufacturer Michelin told Reuters that its supply chain teams are “fully mobilised” and the company is managing and modifying deliveries to fulfill contracts “as much as possible.”

In India, the conflict has already increased bottled water costs due to rising prices for plastic bottles and caps, while international brewing companies operating there have cautioned about price increases and supply interruptions caused by gas shortages.

High oil prices and supply chain disruptions are also affecting China’s southern manufacturing center of Dongguan.

Liu Chaonan, whose toy manufacturing business supplies major U.S. retailer Walmart, said escalating raw material expenses are creating significant challenges.

“The situation in Iran is having a very significant impact on our toy industry,” Liu, who has more than 150 employees, told Reuters. “We will likely make price adjustments when quoting new products.”

Rising crude oil prices directly influence retail fuel costs, increasing expenses for gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, cooking gas, and business and manufacturing operations globally.

Dominic Desmarais, chief solutions officer at Liya Solutions, which connects companies with Chinese suppliers producing everything from furniture to titanium products, noted that petroleum-based product prices are climbing.

“We buy a lot of expandable polystyrene from Taiwan, and the prices went up 35%, but our client still bought about 500 tonnes, and they didn’t argue on the price, they just want supply,” he explained.

Consumer panic has already emerged, leading to stockpiling of items like garbage bags, with South Korean supermarkets experiencing shortages and implementing purchase limits.

South Korean student Ryu June-ho, 24, recently purchased trash bags along with ramen noodles.

“I was worried that garbage bags would get more expensive, so I bought ten 20-litre ones. I also bought lots of ramen … because the cost of plastic packaging probably accounts for a big part of the product’s price.”

TOKYO (AP) — Two people died Thursday following a violent incident at a Pokemon retail location in central Tokyo, where an armed assailant fatally wounded a store employee before ending his own life, according to Japanese authorities.

Emergency responders arrived at the busy commercial complex after receiving reports of an armed individual attacking people with a blade.

Authorities confirmed the victim was a female employee in her twenties who worked at the Pokemon retail outlet located on the building’s second level within the Sunshine City complex, a multi-use facility containing various businesses and offices. She sustained fatal neck wounds during the assault.

The perpetrator subsequently inflicted a similar wound upon himself, Tokyo law enforcement officials reported. Medical personnel transported both individuals to a hospital in critical condition, but doctors later declared both deceased.

Investigators are treating the incident as a homicide case, police stated.

The Pokemon Company released a statement via social media platform X announcing the indefinite closure of Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo while they assist with the ongoing investigation and provide support to their staff members.

“We deeply apologize to our customers for the tremendous worry and inconveniences,” the company said.

A customer present during the attack described the chaotic scene to the Asahi newspaper, explaining how he evacuated after hearing screams for assistance and the sound of merchandise displays falling. Upon looking back, he witnessed a staff member with bloodstained clothing and observed the black-clad attacker pushing toward the checkout area.

Japan’s NHK public broadcaster reported that customers evacuated the vicinity while workers at surrounding businesses lowered security barriers as a precautionary measure.

While Japan maintains stringent firearm regulations and experiences relatively low violent crime rates, the nation has witnessed several notable blade-related attacks in recent years.

WASHINGTON – Pentagon officials verified Thursday that a high-ranking Iranian military leader was killed during an Israeli military operation, according to an announcement from U.S. Central Command posted on social media.

The deceased officer has been identified as Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who served as the naval commander for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. Central Command confirmed his death resulted from an Israeli airstrike, marking a significant development in regional military tensions.

The verification came through an official post on the social media platform X, representing the first American confirmation of the Iranian commander’s death.

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will face a federal judge in New York on Thursday as his legal team fights to dismiss drug trafficking charges against him amid complications over attorney payment arrangements.

This marks the second court appearance for Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores since their January hearing where he proclaimed his innocence following their capture by American military personnel, stating: “I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.” Flores has similarly entered a not guilty plea.

Both defendants continue to be held at a Brooklyn detention facility without requesting bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein may announce a trial schedule during Thursday’s proceedings.

In Caracas, several hundred supporters including government party members, public workers, and militia participants assembled at a central plaza Thursday morning to offer prayers for the couple and attempt to view the court session, not realizing federal courtrooms prohibit recording devices.

A massive display screen showed images of Maduro alongside Venezuela’s national flag and highlights from the nation’s recent World Baseball Classic victory.

“We are going to see him today,” party official Carmen Melendez addressed the gathering. “We may see him skinnier. … But that’s our president.”

Protesters waved Venezuelan banners and held placards reading “Free President Maduro” while chanting “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air. U.S. out of everywhere,” criticizing American military involvement worldwide.

Several demonstrators carried an inflatable figure dressed like Maduro in orange prison-style clothing.

Signage revealed connections to the Workers World Party, an organization that identifies as a revolutionary socialist movement.

During Maduro’s previous courthouse visit, authorities transported him in dramatic style via helicopter from Brooklyn to a Manhattan landing pad, followed by a high-speed law enforcement convoy to the federal building.

New York’s various police and federal agencies have perfected the process of moving high-profile individuals through typically congested city streets.

Similar security measures were employed in 2024 when Trump faced trial at a nearby Lower Manhattan courthouse, with police ensuring his Secret Service detail had clear passage.

The presiding judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein, is 92 years old and received his appointment from President Bill Clinton in 1998. The New York native, while senior, is not the oldest federal judge in the district – that distinction belongs to 98-year-old Judge Louis L. Stanton.

Hellerstein brings extensive experience with major cases, including nearly 25 years overseeing civil lawsuits stemming from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

While the drug trafficking prosecution against Maduro involves complex legal questions, Thursday’s hearing will likely focus primarily on attorney fee arrangements rather than substantive case issues.

The central problem involves compensating Maduro’s defense team. U.S. sanctions prevent his lawyers from accepting direct payment from Venezuela’s government without special authorization from American officials, who argue Maduro should fund his own defense.

This financial dispute requires judicial resolution.

Limited courtroom seating prompted people to begin queuing a full day before the hearing, with professional line-holders setting up small tents outside the building by Wednesday afternoon.

Media organizations paid hundreds of dollars to secure spots for their reporters who would arrive when the courthouse opened Thursday morning.

Federal prosecutors allege Maduro orchestrated an extensive drug trafficking operation spanning over 25 years, facilitating the movement of thousands of tons of cocaine into American markets by collaborating with Venezuelan law enforcement to assist major drug dealers.

Maduro maintains his innocence, while his supporters claim U.S. military forces captured him as part of President Trump’s efforts to force governmental change in Venezuela.

TOKYO – A tragic stabbing incident claimed two lives at a popular Pokemon retail location in Tokyo’s bustling shopping district Thursday evening, authorities confirmed.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a woman in her twenties working at the store suffered fatal neck wounds when attacked by a male assailant, also in his twenties, at approximately 7:16 p.m. local time. The attacker subsequently turned the weapon on himself.

Medical personnel declared both individuals deceased at a local hospital less than an hour after the violence occurred, police officials stated.

TV Asahi reported that the victim worked as staff at the Pokemon Center retail outlet housed within the commercial building, while witnesses described the perpetrator as carrying blades in each hand during the assault.

Authorities have not yet determined what drove the attacker to commit the violent act, according to local news outlets.

Social media footage captured panicked customers evacuating the area as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene, located mere blocks from Ikebukuro terminal – among Tokyo’s most heavily trafficked railway hubs.

The timing proved particularly disturbing as the attack unfolded during Japan’s spring school holiday period, when families with children typically crowd shopping centers.

Representatives from Pokemon Co, which manages roughly two dozen retail locations across Japan featuring merchandise from the beloved entertainment franchise, had not responded to media inquiries by press time.

Japan’s stringent firearm restrictions mean blade-related violence represents the predominant form of public attacks, with several stabbing incidents occurring at transit facilities and aboard trains in recent years.

Burning fuel facilities releasing toxic smoke. Wreckage contaminating the Persian Gulf. Military installations under bombardment.

Environmental scientists warn that the ongoing conflict in Iran has created a dangerous cocktail of pollutants, toxic metals, and harmful chemicals that pose serious threats to farming, water supplies, and public health — with environmental consequences that may last for generations.

“All the burning of oil and gas fields in the coastal areas, all the ships that are there, the oil tankers that are being burned or (sunk) — all of these mean pollution,” stated Kaveh Madani, an Iranian scientist serving as director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. “For someone like me who has fought for sustainability and protection of the environment in that region, this is like going many years backward.”

Recording the full extent of environmental harm has proven challenging, with complete assessment currently impossible, according to Doug Weir, who leads the Conflict and Environment Observatory, a United Kingdom-based organization tracking environmental impacts from military conflicts.

The organization employs satellite monitoring and open-source intelligence gathering to identify environmental damage and assess risks to communities, natural habitats, and farmland. Their research has documented over 400 environmentally harmful incidents connected to the conflict, though significant gaps remain due to delayed satellite data and Iran’s internet shutdown, Weir explained.

Strikes targeting petroleum and natural gas infrastructure pose the greatest environmental dangers through air quality degradation and contamination of soil and groundwater, along with direct health hazards. More difficult to measure are the risks from bombed military installations, some located deep underground and others near residential areas, creating “huge uncertainties” about potential consequences, Weir noted.

The conflict’s most memorable visuals may be the blackened skies from burning oil infrastructure hit by air attacks, including an incident two weeks ago when contaminated rainfall occurred near Tehran, Iran’s capital city.

Particles, ash, and poisonous compounds from attacks on fuel storage areas and a refinery mixed with atmospheric moisture and returned to ground level as greasy, acidic precipitation that led authorities to advise residents to remain inside. Tiny soot particles increase risks for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, while dangerous chemicals create long-term cancer threats and toxic metals from the contamination could poison soil and water sources, scientists explained.

Wreckage and pollution from missile strikes, along with possible attacks on manufacturing plants and other critical infrastructure, could also spread dangerous contamination across the region, researchers warned.

“If you hit an ammonia-producing plant for fertilizer or for food production … those release chemicals that are absolutely toxic and harmful if they spread,” explained Mohammed Mahmoud, who heads Middle East Climate and Water Policy at the United Nations University Institute of Water, Environment and Health and established the Climate and Water Initiative.

Heavy fossil fuel burning is also dramatically increasing greenhouse gas levels that drive climate change, scientists noted. Carbon tracking firm Greenly calculated that U.S. military operations alone produced nearly 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases during just the conflict’s first six days, indicating the total emissions from all fighting are substantially higher when including Israeli and Iranian activities plus infrastructure damage.

This represents a substantial amount for such a brief period, considering approximately 50 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases are released globally each year, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

Worldwide petroleum shortages are also forcing some nations to restart or expand coal usage, generating additional air pollution that harms human health and increases greenhouse gas output.

Nations throughout the dry Persian Gulf area depend on hundreds of water treatment facilities for drinking supplies, creating health and security concerns if plants suffer damage or water becomes contaminated, experts warn.

Iran has claimed a U.S. airstrike harmed one of its water treatment plants, while nearby Bahrain has blamed Iran for damaging one of its facilities. Scientists worry additional plants could become targets as the conflict continues.

Regional residents “struggle with having access to clean drinking water, even at peace times,” noted Madani, the Iranian scientist and U.N. official. “Any damage to water infrastructure can have long-lasting impacts.”

Weir expresses concern that contamination, including petroleum from sunken vessels and other sources, might block water treatment plants or that facilities could be shut down by attacks on electrical generation sites.

Scientists say pollution could also harm fishing industries and critical ecosystems. While some contaminants will spread and become diluted by water circulation through the gulf, heavy metals and toxic substances may still accumulate in bottom sediments.

“It’s an enclosed basin, quite shallow,” Weir observed. “There are sensitive habitats there, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sensitive species which could be impacted.”

The U.N. nuclear monitoring agency has been denied access to Iranian nuclear installations, including sites attacked in June by the United States and Israel, leaving their condition largely undetermined.

Potential strikes on major and minor nuclear facilities throughout the area represent “another thing to worry about,” due to immediate and lasting health and environmental effects, Madani said. Radiation exposure can cause skin injuries and acute radiation syndrome, while long-term dangers include cancer, cardiovascular disease, and genetic harm.

American and Israeli leaders have stated that destroying Iran’s nuclear weapons capability is among the conflict’s objectives.

Following joint Israeli and U.S. bombing of an Iranian uranium processing facility this month, Iran responded by launching missiles at two Israeli communities, including one housing a nuclear research facility. Israel reported the installation sustained no damage.

“We are hearing that there is no major radiation or change in the level of pollutants so that makes us hopeful that nothing has gone wrong,” Madani said. “But the risk is always there.”

Following the conflict’s end, as Iran and neighboring countries begin reconstruction, environmental restoration may receive limited attention, experts predicted.

Priority will go to power and water systems, industrial facilities, and food production sites, Mahmoud said. Some contamination, particularly affecting the gulf or other waterways, “I doubt will be addressed soon, and in some cases, not at all.”

Weir said environmental restoration receives inadequate attention following most conflicts due to high costs and because “humanitarian needs come first,” despite potentially severe environmental risks.

In heavily populated Tehran, for instance, numerous strikes have targeted not only petroleum infrastructure but also buildings and neighborhoods, creating harmful contamination from crushed construction materials. Residents face exposure to dust and chemicals that may persist long after the conflict ends and reconstruction efforts begin.

Financial police in Italy have confiscated property, artwork and financial holdings valued at 20 million euros (approximately $23 million) in the Florence area, claiming these assets were bought using funds fraudulently taken from Bond actress Ursula Andress, according to a Thursday announcement from Italian authorities.

The asset seizures followed an investigation that began when Andress filed a complaint with Swiss law enforcement, alleging she had been defrauded by her financial advisers.

In January, the 90-year-old actress spoke to Swiss publication Blick about losing 18 million Swiss francs (roughly 20 million euros) to her longtime financial adviser across an eight-year span. The publication reported that the adviser has since passed away.

“I am still in shock,” Andress stated. “I was deliberately chosen as a victim. For eight years, I was courted and wooed. They lied to me shamelessly and exploited my goodwill in a perfidious, indeed criminal, way in order to take everything from me. They took advantage of my age.”

According to Italian investigators, the fraudulent funds were placed into overseas companies, utilized for asset purchases, and moved through various transactions intended to hide their origins.

Authorities tracked the money to the acquisition of 11 properties, 14 parcels of land used for vineyards and olive cultivation, plus artwork and financial holdings throughout Florence and surrounding Tuscan regions.

Officials have not disclosed whether any individuals have been taken into custody.

Born in Switzerland, Andress gained fame as the original Bond girl Honey Ryder in 1962’s “Dr. No,” particularly remembered for her iconic scene walking out of the ocean wearing a white bikini. Her career continued with roles alongside Elvis Presley in “Fun in Acapulco” and with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in “Four for Texas.” She later focused on European film and television projects before stepping away from acting in the early 2000s.

Northern European nations announced Thursday their commitment to intensify efforts against Russia’s fleet of oil vessels used to circumvent sanctions, coinciding with reports from Turkish authorities that a naval drone struck one such tanker near the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.

This fleet consists of older vessels purchased secondhand, frequently by obscure organizations registered in nations that haven’t imposed sanctions on Russia. Moscow relies on these ships to bypass Western restrictions and continue selling oil and petroleum products that primarily fund its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

During a gathering with allies in Finland, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that “we should go after the shadow fleet even harder.”

Meeting with fellow members of the Joint Expeditionary Force—a coalition of 10 nations monitoring these vessels—Starmer announced that British forces would now have authority to board these tankers when they pass through United Kingdom territorial waters, following the lead of other partner nations.

“Together, we must close off critical sea routes to this vital trade, to keep up the pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and to help change the narrative of this war” in Ukraine, Starmer stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized in a video statement that Russia’s energy exports are powering Moscow’s campaign to conquer Ukraine.

“So please keep the pressure on Russia — its tankers and shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters,” he declared.

Turkish officials reported that all 27 Turkish crew members aboard the Altura tanker escaped injury during Thursday’s early morning assault, which damaged the vessel’s bridge and engine compartment.

The Altura, reportedly transporting 140,000 tonnes of crude oil at the time of the incident approximately 14 nautical miles north of the Bosphorus, has been under Turkey-based Pergamon Maritime’s ownership since November.

According to the Open Sanctions database, the European Union has sanctioned the vessel since October for its involvement in transporting Russian oil exports that violate sanctions.

Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed the tanker suffered an “attack by an unmanned sea vessel.” He declined to speculate whether Ukraine was responsible for the assault.

Ukrainian forces have previously acknowledged using maritime drones to destroy Russian ships in the Black Sea. Earlier this month, Russia attributed the sinking of a Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya to a Ukrainian naval drone.

TORONTO (AP) — Air Canada’s chief executive issued a public apology Thursday for delivering condolences entirely in English following Sunday’s fatal aircraft accident at LaGuardia Airport, as political leaders demanded his resignation over the language controversy.

Michael Rousseau, who heads the Canadian airline, faced harsh criticism after posting a four-minute online condolence message that contained just two French phrases — “bonjour” and “merci.”

“I am deeply saddened that my inability to speak French has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families and the great resilience of Air Canada’s employees, who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism despite the events of the past few days,” Rousseau stated.

“Despite many lessons over several years, unfortunately, I am still unable to express myself adequately in French. I sincerely apologize for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.”

Quebec’s top official demanded the airline leader step down Wednesday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the response as lacking compassion and proper judgment, saying he anticipated further action from Air Canada’s governing board.

The fatal accident claimed the lives of pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther when their Air Canada Jazz aircraft struck a fire vehicle during landing Sunday night. Forest was a French-speaking resident of Quebec.

The nation’s biggest airline operates from its Montreal headquarters in Quebec, where French serves as the dominant language. Rousseau has faced previous criticism for his English-only communications. His condolence message was delivered in English with French translations displayed on screen.

Carney emphasized that Canada maintains two official languages as a bilingual nation.

The language debate in Quebec dates back to the 1760s British conquest of New France. Today, approximately 80 percent of Quebec residents speak French.

Quebec Premier François Legault pointed out that Rousseau committed to learning French when he took the airline’s top position in February 2021.

The federal language commissioner’s office has logged hundreds of complaints regarding Rousseau’s video message.

“Back in November 2021, less than a year after he was appointed CEO of Air Canada, one of his first major speeches in his role triggered a strong controversy among Francophones, as the speech was almost exclusively in English,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.

“At the time, in response to that controversy, Rousseau apologized and pledged to learn French. He did later take French lessons but, as the new controversy suggests, it was probably not very successful to say the least.”

Jason Kenney, a former Conservative Cabinet minister, said he would rather the CEO of Canada’s flagship carrier focus his scarce time on safety and reliability than language training.

KABUL, Afghanistan — A second mass burial ceremony took place Thursday in a Kabul cemetery for dozens more victims of a devastating airstrike that destroyed a drug rehabilitation facility in Afghanistan’s capital earlier this month.

Heavy machinery carved out a massive grave site where individual burial plots were prepared for 60 coffins. According to Afghan authorities, hundreds lost their lives when Pakistani forces targeted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility, on March 16.

United Nations humanitarian officials continue working to confirm the exact number of casualties. Pakistani leadership maintains they did not intentionally strike civilian targets, claiming their forces hit a weapons storage facility instead.

The attack occurred during a period of intensifying hostilities between the neighboring countries that started in February, marked by repeated border skirmishes and aerial bombardments within Afghan territory, including multiple strikes in the capital city.

Pakistani officials claim Afghanistan shelters extremist groups responsible for terrorist activities on Pakistani soil, particularly the Pakistani Taliban movement. This organization operates independently from but maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in 2021 as U.S.-led coalition forces withdrew. Afghan leadership rejects these allegations.

Last month, Pakistan officially announced it considers itself in “open war” with Afghanistan. This escalating conflict has drawn international concern, especially given the region’s continued presence of other terrorist organizations like al-Qaida and ISIS, which have been attempting to reestablish themselves.

Both nations agreed to a temporary ceasefire last week before the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, brokered through diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. However, the truce ended this week, and combat resumed Wednesday, with Afghan officials reporting at least two civilian deaths and multiple injuries in eastern provinces.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban — officially called Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP — announced they have restarted operations within Pakistan following their own three-day Eid ceasefire.

This Thursday ceremony marked the second large-scale funeral for the treatment center victims, following an earlier service for more than 50 people on March 18.

Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman announced Thursday that fatalities from the hospital strike have reached 411 people, after two injured patients died in medical care and rescue teams recovered another body from the debris in recent days. An additional 263 people sustained injuries, he reported.

The Omid facility had been expanded from an existing treatment center as part of the Taliban government’s campaign to address Afghanistan’s severe drug addiction crisis. The nation’s extensive poppy cultivation has supplied much of the global heroin trade, which combined with decades of warfare and widespread economic hardship has created a significant addiction problem that current leaders have pledged to eliminate.

Located near Kabul’s international airport, the hospital sits next to the former NATO military installation Camp Phoenix, where American forces previously trained Afghan National Army personnel.

The airstrike triggered a massive fire throughout the medical facility, and authorities report many victims’ remains were too severely damaged for identification.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday that her country will seek support from G7 nations for establishing a new defense financing institution designed to help smaller military contractors access much-needed capital.

Speaking to Reuters during the G7 foreign ministers’ gathering in Vaux-de-Cernay, France, Anand outlined plans for the Defense and Resilience Bank (DSRB) as Western leaders meet March 26-27 amid ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, global economic instability, and concerns about shifting U.S. foreign policy directions.

The Canadian-led initiative has gained momentum in recent months as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader strategy to strengthen cooperation among NATO allies and partner nations. Montreal has been hosting discussions to develop the framework for this international financial institution.

“The capital available is going to depend on the number of countries that participate, and Canada is certainly advocating for more and more countries to come on board, and I will be presenting such an argument here at the G7 foreign ministers’ (meeting),” Anand stated during the conference.

While Montreal is competing to host the bank’s headquarters, the proposal faces competition from other financing initiatives aimed at increasing private investment in national defense capabilities.

Several major European powers have not yet endorsed the Canadian proposal. Germany rejected the concept of a new multinational defense bank in December, while Britain announced earlier this week its intention to collaborate with the Netherlands and Finland on an alternative private defense financing program.

According to Anand, many defense contractors are smaller businesses lacking sufficient capital to meet the increased demand for weapons and military equipment – a gap not necessarily addressed by other programs like the European Union’s 150 billion euro ($173 billion) SAFE lending initiative.

“This bank is going to be a pooling mechanism for capital for these small and medium-sized enterprises in particular,” she explained.

Anand indicated that once the bank’s charter is finalized, officials will determine funding levels and distribution methods. She noted that negotiations will continue throughout the spring, providing opportunities for additional nations to participate, though she declined to name interested countries.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the defense sector has gained valuable insights since Ukraine’s war began in 2022.

“We saw that there was a need for interoperability and there was a need for rapid scale-up in procurement and supply of military equipment. That’s what the Defence Bank is going to address,” she said.

Canada has committed C$25.5 billion ($18.5 billion) in assistance to Ukraine and plans to provide additional private and public sector support, including sourcing power generators before the next winter season.

Anand stressed the importance of G7 nations maintaining their commitment to Russian sanctions while continuing military and economic assistance to Ukraine.

Regarding potential pressure on Ukraine to accept unfavorable agreements, she was definitive: “The geographical boundaries of Ukraine and the decisions relating to its territory are Ukraine’s alone to make, full stop.”

A Finnish parliament member has been convicted and fined by the country’s highest court for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder” in social media posts, marking the end of a years-long legal battle that has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech boundaries.

The Supreme Court of Finland ruled Tuesday that Paivi Rasanen, a physician who has served in parliament representing the Christian Democratic party since 1995, was guilty of inciting against a group. The conviction stems from statements she made on social media in 2019 and published on her personal website in 2020, where she claimed scientific evidence supported her characterization of homosexuality as a developmental disorder.

The court imposed a financial penalty of 1,800 euros, equivalent to approximately $2,080, on Rasanen.

In its decision, which passed by a narrow 3-2 vote, the court stated that Rasanen “must have understood that, for example, claiming that homosexuality is a disorder of psychosexual development is, in light of the prevailing medical understanding, an incorrect assertion.” This verdict reversed earlier decisions by lower courts, which had cleared Rasanen of all accusations.

The U.S.-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization focused on free speech advocacy, had backed Rasanen throughout the proceedings. The group has pointed to her case as evidence of what it describes as European censorship efforts.

Speaking to media after the ruling, Rasanen expressed surprise at the outcome, calling it “a shock.” She indicated she may take her case to the European Court of Human Rights for further review.

The decision immediately prompted calls for legislative reform from government officials within Rasanen’s party and the nationalist Finns Party. Ville Tavio, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development from the Finns Party and a practicing Christian, told reporters that “The law on incitement against a group should be amended.”

The court did clear Rasanen on a related charge involving a biblical quote condemning same-sex relationships that she shared on social media in 2019.

The case has attracted international attention, with U.S. House Republicans inviting Rasanen to testify before the Judiciary Committee in Washington this past February. The hearing, titled “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” featured her discussing the legal proceedings.

MEXICO CITY — Throughout her battle with terminal illness, Samara Martínez has penned numerous heartfelt letters addressing her disease directly.

“Dear cursed one,” the Mexican advocate once penned. “I hate you because you have taken things away from me, but I love you because you have been my greatest teacher.”

The 31-year-old has emerged as one of Mexico’s leading advocates for legalizing euthanasia. While the subject has been discussed for years among advocacy organizations, political figures and scholars, her personal story has brought the issue into mainstream public discourse as legislators consider potential reforms.

Martínez first showed symptoms of chronic kidney disease when she was just 17 years old. Even after enduring chemotherapy treatments, receiving two kidney transplants, undergoing dialysis sessions and experiencing numerous hospital stays, medical experts believe she has approximately five years remaining.

The devastating physical impact and personal sacrifices brought on by her condition haven’t crushed her determination. Through her social media presence reaching over half a million people, Martínez shares how her health journey has strengthened her resolve and given her direction. She regularly engages with government officials, organizes speaking events and continues working in academia from her home base of Chihuahua in Mexico’s northern region.

“I would not have taken up this fight unless I had to endure what I’ve had to, so I’ve found in it my purpose,” she said.

While Mexico’s Constitution doesn’t specifically mention the practice, the country’s General Health Law categorizes euthanasia as “mercy killing” and prohibits both it and assisted suicide.

According to national legislation, helping or encouraging someone to end their life carries a sentence of one to five years behind bars. When someone directly causes another person’s death, penalties can reach up to 12 years imprisonment.

Throughout Latin America, Colombia stands alone as the only nation with comprehensive legal euthanasia regulations. Ecuador removed criminal penalties in 2024, while Uruguay passed enabling legislation in 2025 that awaits implementation.

Martínez champions what’s called the Transcendence Law.

Legislators from multiple political parties, including Morena – the party of President Claudia Sheinbaum – introduced the measure in 2025.

The bill seeks to eliminate current prohibitions and reclassify euthanasia as a lawful, voluntary medical intervention. It positions the practice as a fundamental right connected to human dignity and personal choice, contending that life shouldn’t be viewed as a mandate to endure pain.

Should it pass, the measure would permit adults to seek the procedure. While healthcare professionals could refuse participation based on personal beliefs, public medical facilities would be required to provide willing personnel.

Patricia Mercado, a legislator who has long championed women’s reproductive and workplace rights, backs Martínez’s efforts.

“Samara’s emergence — her struggle, her authenticity — brings the possibility of passing legislation closer,” Mercado said. “A testimony speaks louder than a thousand data points.”

Martínez frequently returns to her written correspondence with her illness. She describes writing as therapeutic and finds that reviewing her past thoughts helps her appreciate inner strength she didn’t realize she possessed.

“Today I read things I wrote four years ago and think: I was so wrong,” Martínez said. “But it’s nice to see how there’s more wisdom.”

She remembers correspondence from 2021 when her physician explained that her kidneys had stopped working independently, leaving her with two choices: receive a transplant or depend on treatments that assume her kidneys’ function of filtering toxins and excess fluids.

At that time, Martínez considered the second option impossible. “I thought I could never live connected to a machine,” she said. Today, she performs peritoneal dialysis nightly, spending hours attached to medical equipment roughly the size of a printer that accompanies her everywhere.

“An illness like this isn’t for everyone and it’s hard to embrace the pain,” Martínez said. “You can stop living and just exist, but I don’t want that.”

Martínez once enjoyed an active lifestyle, playing soccer and maintaining careful nutrition habits while believing she was building a foundation for lifelong wellness.

She encountered her future husband in 2013 during university studies where she pursued journalism. They wed five years afterward, even though Martínez had warned him about her medical situation.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she questioned him after receiving a broader diagnosis that included lupus, an autoimmune condition. He replied that no hardship would ever drive him away.

When their marriage ended in 2024, Martínez had experienced losses beyond romantic love. Following over ten years of serious illness, she also lost her ideal position at a publishing company after informing her supervisor about an upcoming transplant and potential week-long recovery period. Financial obligations mounted, forcing her to sell her house and compelling her parents to secure loans. Longtime friendships disappeared.

Nausea, weight increases from treatment steroids and hospital stays became regular occurrences. While Martínez deliberately avoids portraying herself as a victim and firmly rejects sympathy, she acknowledges that certain periods brought inevitable frustration and uncertainty.

“I consider myself agnostic, but there are moments when you look up at the sky and question God — why me?” she said. “Now I practice stoicism and live each day with gratitude.”

People opposing her position frequently send Martínez hostile online messages. “I’ve been told that if God wants me to suffer, then I should suffer,” she said.

Resistance to euthanasia continues strongly among traditional and faith-based communities in Mexico. After Martínez’s proposal was presented, the Catholic Church reinforced Pope Leo’s message supporting life’s sacred nature.

Rodrigo Iván Cortés, who leads a traditional advocacy organization, explained their belief that life requires protection from conception through natural death. “For us, the value of life spans every stage,” he said.

Rev. Héctor Reyes stands among the few religious leaders backing Martínez’s mission, working alongside the organization “For the Right to Die with Dignity.” This group has promoted euthanasia for nearly twenty years.

“Transcendence has everything to do with the God I believe in,” said Reyes, emphasizing that people shouldn’t remain confined by concepts of a harsh and punitive God. “For me, transcendence lies in the hope that life doesn’t end with physical death.”

Martínez states she has no plans to surrender her cause. However, when her body fails, she envisions bidding farewell beside the ocean.

She maintains this isn’t driven by fear, but rather by her conviction that selecting one’s manner of death represents life’s most brave choice.

Her parents found it difficult when she announced she would dedicate her remaining time to advocating for euthanasia. “That meant beginning to grieve while I was still alive,” she said. “When my father asked me why I had to fight for this, I told him that if I didn’t do it, no one else would.”

Martínez recognizes she may not survive to witness her campaign’s results. Nevertheless, she believes working toward change has already proven worthwhile.

When her final moments approach, she hopes for a sunset away from medical facilities – a celebration of her life with family and friends present.

“That’s what my life deserves,” she said. “A proper time to say goodbye, to laugh and cry, and leave in peace.”

European Union officials announced Thursday they are launching a formal probe into Snapchat amid allegations that the social media platform inadequately safeguards young users from dangerous situations including potential predators and criminal recruitment.

The European Commission initiated the investigation under the Digital Services Act, comprehensive legislation designed to shield internet users across the 27-member bloc.

According to EU regulators, while Snapchat mandates users be at least 13 years old, the company’s age verification methods appear inadequate for preventing younger children from accessing the platform. Officials also expressed concern that the system fails to properly identify users under 17, which is necessary to provide them with appropriate content experiences.

The commission believes Snapchat’s current safeguards are insufficient to shield minors from contact with dangerous individuals who may seek to exploit them sexually or recruit them for illegal activities. Additionally, the platform allegedly allows underage users to encounter information about prohibited substances including drugs, vaping products, and alcohol.

“Snapchat appears to have overlooked” the DSA’s “high safety standards for all users,” stated Henna Virkkunen, the commission’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. She added that the investigation will examine Snapchat’s adherence to EU regulations.

In response, Snapchat issued a statement saying the company has “fully cooperated” with the Commission by “engaging proactively, transparently and working in good faith to meet the DSA’s high safety standards – and we will continue to do so throughout this investigation.” The platform emphasized that user safety represents a “top priority” and noted its design includes “privacy and safety built in from the start, including additional protection for teens.”

This investigation intensifies mounting pressure on social media companies regarding youth welfare on both sides of the Atlantic. Just Wednesday, a California jury awarded millions in damages to a 20-year-old woman after determining that Meta and YouTube created their platforms to addict young users without considering their wellbeing.

One day prior, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million penalty on Meta for knowingly damaging children’s mental health while hiding information about child sexual exploitation occurring on its platforms.

The EU previously accused TikTok of violating the DSA through “addictive design” elements that promote compulsive usage among children, and has been examining Facebook and Instagram since 2024 for child protection deficiencies.

On the same day, Brussels also charged four major adult websites – Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos – with failing to prevent children from accessing explicit content, following an investigation that began last year.

The Digital Services Act mandates that internet companies and online platforms strengthen protections for European users against harmful content and suspicious products, with potential penalties reaching 6% of annual revenue.

The adult websites did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In initial findings, regulators determined the site operators failed to “diligently identify and assess” risks to children and did not implement effective barriers to prevent minors from using their services.

“Children are accessing adult content at increasingly younger ages and these platforms must put in place robust, privacy-preserving and effective measures to keep minors off their services,” Virkkunen explained.

The adult websites now have an opportunity to address the allegations before the commission renders its final ruling.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A former structural engineer who gained recognition as a rapper and later served as Kathmandu’s mayor is now set to lead Nepal as prime minister following his party’s commanding victory in recent parliamentary elections.

Balendra Shah, commonly called Balen, heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which secured approximately two-thirds of the 275 seats in parliament’s influential lower chamber, the House of Representatives.

This marks the first occasion in numerous years that any single political party in Nepal has achieved such a dominant majority.

Party members elected Shah as their leader Thursday, and the president is expected to formally name him prime minister and conduct his swearing-in ceremony Friday.

The electoral triumph places the 35-year-old political newcomer in position to address widespread public dissatisfaction with Nepal’s traditional political parties, which citizens widely criticized for corrupt practices and ongoing governmental instability.

Shah’s political emergence represents a significant transformation in Nepal’s political landscape following youth-driven demonstrations that brought down the former administration last year.

Political experts suggest his strong electoral mandate may provide opportunities to implement meaningful changes, though his lack of national leadership experience and the challenge of meeting supporter expectations could prove difficult in coming months.

“Balen Shah does not have the experience of government operation and lacks the complex knowledge of running the state,” said Hari Bahadur Thapa, a Kathmandu-based author who has written extensively on corruption and governance.

However, Thapa noted that Shah might advantage from a diminished opposition. With nearly two-thirds of legislators supporting his party, he may find it simpler to advance bills through parliament and implement reforms, Thapa explained.

Shah gained national attention as Kathmandu’s mayor after securing the position as an independent candidate in 2022. He subsequently joined the RSP and rapidly became its prime ministerial nominee, presenting himself as an option distinct from two other leading figures from competing parties.

Shah mounted a direct challenge against former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli in a southeastern district and prevailed decisively, an outcome many interpreted as evidence of voter dissatisfaction with the nation’s established political hierarchy.

During his tenure as Kathmandu’s mayor, Shah earned recognition for addressing the capital city’s waste management problems, removing unauthorized street merchants, and promoting road construction projects, although detractors criticized him for tearing down residences and commercial properties without sufficient planning or advance warning.

Prior to his political career, Shah studied structural engineering and achieved moderate recognition as a rap performer, frequently incorporating criticism of corruption and social inequality into his musical work.

His song “Nepal Smiling” gained widespread circulation on Instagram and TikTok platforms. The track begins with children’s voices singing: “I want to see Nepal laugh.” Shah then contributes verses envisioning a more equitable nation. “May the country be a beautiful garden,” he sings.

In a different song titled “Sacrifice,” his message becomes more confrontational. “All the people who defend the country are idiots. All leaders are thieves … plundering the country,” he raps.

Shah also became a notable figure during the violent youth-driven uprising in September that removed the government in this nation of 30 million residents, a period of civil unrest that resulted in dozens of fatalities.

While he didn’t participate directly in the demonstrations, he publicly supported the primarily Generation Z activists who spearheaded the movement.

As tensions escalated, he advocated for peaceful approaches and moderation, requesting order to avoid additional bloodshed. Subsequently, he endorsed discussions that contributed to establishing an interim administration.

Frequently appearing in black clothing and dark sunglasses, Shah seldom delivered traditional campaign speeches and communicated with supporters primarily via social media platforms. His campaign focused on economic restructuring, including commitments to improve educational and healthcare access for Nepal’s less affluent citizens.

Whether Shah can transform his popularity into successful governance remains questionable, as critics point out his governmental experience extends only to managing Kathmandu.

For numerous supporters, though, his political advancement already symbolizes a departure from Nepal’s traditional political system.

“Finally we have a young, good and clean leader,” said Susil Singh, an office worker.

Singh expressed hope that Shah would control corruption and provide justice for those killed during the previous year’s demonstrations.

“He asked us for our support and we gave him our votes. Now he is going to bring the country back on track,” Singh said.

France has announced plans to welcome the leaders of India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya to the upcoming G7 summit scheduled for June in Evian-les-Bains, according to officials from the Elysee Palace.

The decision represents France’s strategy to expand international backing for its mission to address worldwide economic disparities. Paris hopes to prevent what it calls a “massive financial crisis” by encouraging China to increase domestic consumption while reducing exports that create market instability. France also wants the United States to lower its deficits and Europe to increase production while reducing savings.

However, these broader economic objectives may take a backseat to more pressing concerns, as the summit will occur during ongoing tensions from the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran, which has created energy market disruptions. Questions also persist about the G7’s continued relevance on the world stage.

“We don’t know where the Iran crisis will be by June,” an adviser to President Emmanuel Macron said. “However it evolves, we will have to address its energy and economic consequences.”

Beijing will be absent from the June 15-17 gathering and maintains its criticism of the G7 as a “club of rich countries,” French officials confirmed. Despite diplomatic sources indicating France attempted to extend an invitation to China, officials say they will pursue engagement with Beijing through alternative diplomatic channels.

“The risk for China is to see global markets, and European markets, closing off to it,” the official said.

French officials emphasized that the invited nations represent democracies and market-based economies that follow international cooperation standards.

Uncertainty also surrounds whether U.S. President Donald Trump will participate in the summit, given his recent use of tariff threats that have concerned both allies and competitors while creating market volatility.

“I won’t make any predictions, but if Trump doesn’t come, it also makes sense — it’s a new international reality and we need to organise ourselves accordingly,” the official said.

The leader of the World Trade Organization announced Thursday that the international trading framework has undergone permanent transformation, urging nations to focus on future reforms rather than attempting to restore previous systems.

Speaking at the launch of the 14th WTO ministerial gathering in Yaounde, Cameroon, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala addressed delegates with a stark assessment of current conditions.

“The world order and multilateral system we used to know has irrevocably changed. We will not get it back…We must look to the future,” Okonjo-Iweala stated during her opening remarks.

Despite noting that approximately three-quarters of international commerce continues operating under WTO guidelines, with artificial intelligence-related trade showing promising expansion, the director-general highlighted major obstacles confronting the global trading environment. She specifically pointed to ongoing Middle Eastern hostilities and the widespread effects of American tariff policies as sources of considerable instability.

The WTO chief outlined several critical issues plaguing the organization, particularly the complete breakdown of its dispute resolution mechanism and insufficient transparency regarding subsidy reporting requirements.

According to Okonjo-Iweala’s data, only 64 member nations submitted their required subsidy disclosures for 2025, leaving 102 countries in non-compliance.

“Lack of transparency leads to lack of trust, and that breeds suspicions of unfairness and anti-competitive behaviours,” she explained to the assembled representatives. She further described how this creates a destructive pattern of distrust that prevents member countries from reaching consensus on new regulations and necessary organizational changes.