Author: Admin

During a United Nations appearance on Tuesday, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered sharp criticism of American policies, accusing the United States of making it acceptable to wipe out Black history from educational and cultural institutions.

Speaking at a slavery reparations event at the UN, Mahama expressed concern that current U.S. leadership under President Donald Trump has been targeting cultural and historical sites across America – including museums, monuments, and national parks – in an effort to eliminate what Trump labels “anti-American” ideology.

Trump’s recent executive actions and declarations have resulted in the removal of slavery exhibits, the reinstallation of Confederate monuments, and other changes that civil rights groups argue could undo decades of social advancement.

“These policies are becoming a template for other governments as well as some private institutions,” Mahama stated during his UN remarks. “At the very least, they are slowly normalising the erasure.”

The Ghanaian leader pointed to specific examples in America, including the elimination of Black history courses from school programs, requirements for institutions to stop teaching about the realities of slavery, segregation and racism, and increasing bans on books covering these topics.

The White House has not yet provided a response to requests for comment on Mahama’s statements.

This isn’t the first time Mahama has challenged Trump’s positions. The Ghanaian president previously condemned Trump’s false assertions about white genocide and land confiscation in South Africa, describing those claims as offensive to all Africans. Last year, Mahama also announced an agreement to accept West Africans who face deportation from the United States.

Mahama’s New York visit centers on presenting a resolution to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that would officially recognize transatlantic slavery as the “gravest crime in the history of humankind” while demanding reparations.

Ghana has emerged as a primary champion for reparations, a movement that has built considerable support in recent years despite facing growing opposition from some quarters.

Multiple Western leaders have refused to even discuss the reparations topic, with opponents maintaining that current governments and organizations shouldn’t bear responsibility for historical injustices.

According to the draft resolution obtained by Reuters, the proposal encourages member nations to participate in reparations discussions, which could include formal apologies, returning stolen cultural artifacts, providing monetary compensation, and promising such crimes won’t happen again.

The African Union nations and Caribbean Community countries have endorsed the resolution, along with Brazil and other supporters.

However, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa revealed that both the European Union and United States have already indicated they will not support the resolution.

Neither the EU nor U.S. missions to the United Nations have responded to requests for comment regarding their positions.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Argentina’s capital Tuesday, commemorating five decades since the military coup that launched one of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin American history.

Human rights organizations estimate that approximately 30,000 individuals vanished during the regime’s systematic campaign targeting opposition voices, including leftist guerrilla fighters, union organizers and university students. Government records put the death toll closer to 8,000 victims.

Truth commissions and advocacy groups have determined that government security forces were responsible for the vast majority of violence during the seven-year military rule.

The nationwide demonstrations were organized by human rights advocates, labor organizations, student associations, social justice movements and political parties, rallying under the banner “Memory, Truth and Justice” to remember the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military government.

“Today is a special day,” said Elsa Britos, a 60-year-old domestic worker. “I joined the protest to fight, and to fight with hope.”

Current President Javier Milei, known for his far-right libertarian views, has argued that memorial events should equally recognize casualties from guerrilla attacks during that era. On Tuesday, Milei posted a statement attributed to Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov claiming that communism “is against human nature and can only be sustained through totalitarian repression.”

Reflecting this position, the presidential office released a video called “Day of Remembrance for Justice and the Full Truth,” showcasing two personal accounts: one from a woman who was stolen as an infant during the dictatorship and discovered her true identity in 2017, and another from the child of an Argentine military officer abducted by guerrilla forces.

The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, established in 1977 to search for children seized during the dictatorship, was among the organizations leading Tuesday’s march. Investigators believe roughly 500 newborns delivered in detention centers were unlawfully removed and placed with military families or their supporters. Approximately 140 of these individuals have been located and reunited with their biological families.

Following Argentina’s transition back to democratic governance in 1983, the government committed to pursuing legal action against those responsible for the atrocities but demonstrated less dedication to recovering victims’ bodies. These recovery efforts have been further complicated by military officials’ continued refusal to disclose information about burial locations.

Since Milei assumed the presidency in 2023, efforts to locate victims’ remains have faced additional obstacles. His cost-cutting measures have reduced the Human Rights Secretariat to a lower-level department, slashed its funding and eliminated staff positions. Archive research teams were terminated amid accusations of political prejudice and what the Milei administration characterized as harassment of former military officers.

Poland’s Finance Minister has announced his country is making the European Union’s defense funding initiative its top priority while simultaneously taking part in discussions about alternative military financing options.

Speaking during a visit to London on Tuesday, Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski explained that Poland views the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program as crucial for national defense against Russian aggression, offering affordable financing options.

“Right now, we are focused on the SAFE programme – it’s our priority,” Domanski stated during his London trip. “It’s close to 44 billion euros available for us immediately.”

When questioned about other military financing initiatives, including a collaborative effort between Britain, Finland and the Netherlands for joint defense funding and equipment purchasing, Domanski confirmed Poland’s involvement in technical discussions.

“We are also participating in the discussions,” he noted.

Nations worldwide are rushing to increase military spending and equipment acquisition as global security challenges escalate, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year and Middle Eastern conflicts continuing without resolution.

The British-Finnish-Dutch initiative, which Domanski called the Multilateral Defence Mechanism, represents one of multiple competing programs designed to attract private investment into national defense efforts.

Meanwhile, Canada has been spearheading efforts to establish a new international defense financial institution – the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB – as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to strengthen cooperation among NATO allies and partners.

“Originally comparing those two, I find this MDM much more interesting,” Domanski commented, though he chose not to provide additional details.

HOUSTON, March 24 – Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado addressed energy industry leaders in Houston this week, advocating for enhanced transparency and investment protections to revitalize her country’s struggling oil sector.

Speaking at the CERAWeek energy conference, Machado expressed optimism about growing international interest in Venezuelan petroleum resources while emphasizing the need for stronger legal frameworks and contract protections.

“I’m here to attract attention to Venezuela, not delay it,” Machado stated during an interview prior to delivering her conference presentation.

The opposition leader outlined an ambitious vision for Venezuela’s energy future, suggesting the nation could potentially reach daily oil production of 5 million barrels with proper investment and infrastructure development. This would represent a dramatic increase from current output levels of approximately 1 million barrels per day and would require an estimated $150 billion in capital investment.

Machado’s strategy includes significantly downsizing the state-controlled oil company PDVSA while transitioning operations to private sector management. Despite this privatization approach, she emphasized the importance of maintaining Venezuelan control over Citgo Petroleum, the Houston-based refinery currently owned by PDVSA.

“Losing Citgo would be damaging to Venezuela and an error for U.S. energy security,” she explained.

Regarding ongoing legal proceedings that could result in Citgo’s parent company being auctioned to satisfy creditor claims, Machado remained hopeful about preventing such an outcome.

“Until the last out, in the last inning, there’s a possibility,” she said, using a baseball metaphor to describe the ongoing court battle.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish government officials revealed Tuesday that the nation endured a staggering 250% increase in digital attacks throughout 2025, with cybersecurity threats continuing to escalate at an alarming rate.

Among the most concerning incidents was an unprecedented December breach targeting Poland’s power infrastructure, which experts believe marked the first destructive cyberattack on energy systems among NATO and EU member nations. Intelligence sources suspect the assault originated from Russia.

Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Paweł Olszewski disclosed Tuesday that Poland withstood 270,000 cyber incidents over the past year.

“We’ve been waging a war in cyberspace for many years now,” Olszewski stated. “The number of incidents and attacks has been increasing significantly and radically year after year.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration has significantly enhanced the country’s digital security measures following Russia’s comprehensive military offensive against Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022, responding to what officials view as heightened Russian cyber threats.

On the morning and afternoon of Dec. 29, synchronized digital assaults struck a heating and power facility serving nearly 500,000 residents, along with numerous renewable energy installations including wind and solar operations across Poland.

Polish security agencies believe a single “threat actor” orchestrated the cyberattacks, with numerous specialists indicating connections to Russian intelligence operations.

While electrical service remained uninterrupted, the destructive nature of the sabotage prompted CERT Polska, the nation’s Computer Emergency Response Team, to release a detailed technical analysis in late January and solicit assistance from the global cybersecurity community.

“The attack was a significant escalation,” CERT director Marcin Dudek explained to The Associated Press.

“We’ve had such incidents in the past, but they were of the ransomware type, where the motivation of the attacker is financial,” Dudek noted. “In this case, there was no financial motivation — the motivation was just destruction.”

Dudek emphasized that Poland has encountered few destructive cyber incidents previously, with none targeting energy infrastructure.

The CERT leader indicated he was unaware of similar destructive digital assaults on power systems within NATO or EU territories. While espionage cases and activist groups have caused minor disruptions, “advanced attacks” comparable to Poland’s December incident appear to be without precedent, he explained.

Dudek warned that if the assault had focused on larger energy facilities, it could have severely compromised Poland’s electrical grid stability.

Polish intelligence services have not yet publicly named a suspected perpetrator.

Dudek’s organization is authorized only to analyze attack methods and identify potential “threat actors” — cybersecurity terminology for individuals or groups conducting malicious operations.

The CERT investigation examined internet infrastructure utilized in the Polish breach, including web domains and IP addresses, discovering they had been previously employed by a Russian threat group called “Dragonfly,” also known as “Static Tundra” or “Berserk Bear.”

According to Dudek, Dragonfly has historically focused on energy sector targets, though not with destructive intent.

An FBI alert from August 2025 identified Dragonfly as a cybersecurity cluster linked to FSB Center 16, a critical division within Russia’s Federal Security Service.

Independent cybersecurity experts concur that evidence from the December attack points toward Russian involvement.

ESET, a major European Union cybersecurity firm, examined the malicious software used in the assault and determined the perpetrator was likely “Sandworm,” another suspected Russian group previously connected to destructive attacks in Ukraine.

U.S. authorities have previously linked Sandworm to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, known as GRU.

Anton Cherepanov, a senior malware analyst at ESET, told The Associated Press that “the use of data-wiping malware and its deployment” in the Polish incident “are both techniques commonly employed by Sandworm.”

“We are not aware of any other recently active threat actors that have used data-wiping malware in their operations against targets in European Union countries,” Cherepanov stated.

Regardless of whether Dragonfly or Sandworm was responsible, both groups have previous Russian affiliations. “Whether it’s these Russians or those Russians is a detail,” Cherepanov observed.

The Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Following a devastating military aircraft accident that claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticized his nation’s dependence on donated secondhand military equipment from the United States.

The tragedy unfolded Monday when a military transport aircraft went down moments after departure from Colombia’s Putumayo province. Defense officials confirmed that no fewer than 66 service members perished in the crash, while 57 others survived and were transported to Bogota and other locations for medical care.

Petro took to social media platform X to express his frustration with the donated Hercules CJ-130 aircraft involved in the accident. “An army cannot defend its own people with crappy gifts,” the president stated. “They give away whatever is useless to them — and the ‘gift’ ends up costing more than buying it new.”

The United States provided the Hercules CJ-130 to Colombia in 2020 through a cooperative arrangement that included two additional used Hercules aircraft. The plane had undergone comprehensive maintenance work in 2023, including engine inspections and replacement of critical components.

Aviation specialist and military analyst Erich Saumeth emphasized that investigators must now focus on determining what caused the four-engine aircraft to fail so quickly after departure. “I don’t think this plane crashed because of a lack of good parts,” Saumeth noted.

The crash occurred near Puerto Leguizamo, where the airport features a notably short 1.2-kilometer runway. The aircraft came down in a field within two kilometers of the airfield.

Former President Iván Duque, who held office when the aircraft was donated, responded to Petro’s comments on social media, advising him to “calm down and breathe.” Duque suggested investigators examine “how much weight the plane was carrying compared to the length of the runway.”

The current president has used this incident to advance his ongoing efforts to upgrade military equipment, claiming that modernization initiatives have faced “bureaucratic difficulties.” Petro indicated that accountability measures may be necessary, stating Monday: “If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they must be removed.”

Political opponents have countered by highlighting reduced military contract implementation and decreased flight hours for military aircraft under Petro’s leadership, attributing these issues to defense budget reductions.

BRASILIA, March 24 – Brazil’s federal audit court TCU has postponed making a decision on the controversial Banco Master case while waiting for results from multiple ongoing investigations, according to the presiding judge on Tuesday.

Reuters previously reported in February that the TCU’s internal review offered no guidance on how Brazil’s central bank handled the November shutdown of Banco Master, which occurred during a severe cash shortage and allegations of fraudulent loan sales.

Judge Jhonatan de Jesus declined to reveal details from the technical assessment but stated that issuing a court decision would be inappropriate “at the risk of reaching a decision with a lower degree of completeness than desirable.”

Jesus has mandated that results from active investigations by the central bank, the Office of the Comptroller General, and a Supreme Federal Court case be incorporated into the TCU’s proceedings.

“The existence of investigations being conducted in other spheres, using different fact-finding tools and with the potential to uncover new elements, reinforces the case for awaiting a more developed evidentiary record before this court reaches a final judgment,” Jesus stated.

The audit court’s participation has drawn significant attention after Jesus indicated he might implement “precautionary” actions to halt asset sales during Banco Master’s closure, given the permanent nature of such transactions while investigations determine whether proper procedures were followed.

Jesus had earlier demanded access to central bank records that supported the decision to close the financial institution.

Tuesday’s postponement allows Jesus to maintain the audit court’s influence over the liquidation proceedings.

This development follows recent disclosures showing that two high-ranking officials at Brazil’s central bank privately counseled troubled banker Daniel Vorcaro, who controlled Banco Master.

Federal police investigators determined that Vorcaro likely paid bribes to former central bank director Paulo Sergio Neves de Souza and Belline Santana, previously head of banking oversight, for insider information and document assistance, based on text messages accessed through court-approved surveillance of communication records.

Pakistan is stepping forward as a crucial intermediary in efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran, drawing on its carefully cultivated relationships with both nations and its history as a diplomatic bridge-builder.

Should these negotiations materialize, Pakistan could achieve international recognition comparable to its historic role in facilitating the secret diplomatic breakthrough that enabled President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 trip to China.

This diplomatic opportunity comes after more than a year of strategic relationship development with President Trump, involving sophisticated diplomatic efforts and cryptocurrency partnerships.

Pakistan holds a unique position, maintaining open communication channels with both Washington and Tehran while most other nations find such dual relationships impossible. The country would gain significantly from ending the Iran conflict, as it hosts the globe’s second-largest Shi’ite Muslim community after Iran and experienced widespread demonstrations following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.

Security experts and government officials identify Pakistan’s greatest concern as the potential for Iran’s prolonged conflict to spread across borders. The nation, already dealing with Afghan Taliban tensions, has also experienced fuel supply interruptions due to the Iranian war.

“Pakistan has unusual credibility as a mediator, maintaining workable ties with both Washington and Tehran, while a history of strained relations with each gives it just enough distance to be seen as a credible go-between,” Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute, told Reuters.

STRENGTHENING TRUMP CONNECTIONS

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has cultivated a strong partnership with Trump to overcome years of diplomatic mistrust. Following Munir’s January trip to Davos to meet with Trump, Pakistan joined Trump’s Board of Peace.

The country has also established a partnership with a Trump family-affiliated cryptocurrency venture to utilize its USD1 stablecoin for international transactions, while White House representative Steve Witkoff facilitated an agreement to renovate New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, which belongs to Pakistan’s state airline.

Since the Iran conflict’s beginning, Pakistan has engaged in diplomatic efforts, including delivering at least six communications between American and Iranian officials, according to five Pakistani government sources.

Prior to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Tuesday announcement confirming the peace talk proposal, Pakistani and foreign sources indicated that representatives from both countries might convene in Islamabad by week’s end. Pakistani sources suggested Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would participate.

Government statements reveal that during the past month, Sharif and Pakistan’s foreign minister conducted more than 30 discussions with Middle Eastern counterparts, including six conversations with Iranian leadership. Two occurred Monday, coinciding with U.S. confirmation of ongoing mediation efforts and a White House-verified phone call between Munir and Trump.

“Pakistan hosting U.S.-Iran talks represents a major upgrade in Islamabad’s strategic standing,” Kamran Bokhari, senior resident fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, told Reuters.

“After decades of being a troubled state, Pakistan appears to be re-emerging as a major American ally in West Asia,” he said.

IRANIAN RELATIONSHIPS

Bokhari noted that Pakistan represents Iran’s most cooperative neighbor while sustaining “the closest ties with its historic regional adversary Saudi Arabia and (being) trusted by Washington”.

Pakistan and Iran share a complex border along Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, where a multi-decade insurgency continues. The neighboring countries engaged in border conflicts during January 2024, though diplomatic relations have since recovered.

Iran may view Pakistan as more impartial than alternative mediators. “Unlike Gulf states like Qatar, Pakistan does not host U.S. military bases and is a military power in its own right,” said Weinstein.

Pakistan can also reference its established intermediary history – Iran’s unofficial diplomatic presence in America has operated through Pakistan’s Washington embassy since U.S.-Iran diplomatic ties severed in 1979.

Islamabad’s mutual defense treaty with Riyadh, established in September, obligates both nations to provide mutual assistance and influences strategic decisions.

As the American-Iranian conflict entered its second week and Tehran attacked Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated he had reminded Iran of the defense agreement while attempting Iranian mediation.

Pakistani security sources confirmed Islamabad’s treaty obligations but emphasized efforts to avoid conflict involvement through private diplomatic channels with Tehran.

HAVANA — A humanitarian relief vessel reached Cuba’s capital Tuesday, delivering crucial supplies including solar panels, bicycles, food, and medical equipment as the Caribbean nation confronts mounting economic and electrical power challenges.

The ship carried approximately 30 passengers and represents the first of three vessels scheduled to dock in Cuba while the country battles widespread electrical outages, deteriorating infrastructure, and energy supply restrictions from the United States.

“This type of economic warfare shouldn’t exist, this attitude of a pirate state that doesn’t respect international law,” activist Thiago Ávila told reporters as he disembarked from the ship, christened “Granma 2.0” in homage to the ship that ferried revolutionary leader Fidel Castro to the island in 1956.

“These ships are a drop in an ocean of need…at the same time, it’s a gesture of solidarity,” Ávila said.

The vessel left Puerto Progreso in Mérida, Mexico, last week, with two additional ships making their way toward Cuba.

“The help is important for us, so that it can be seen that the revolution is not alone,” Antonia Santamaría, a 72-year-old retiree, said as she watched the boat slowly approach the dock.

This maritime mission forms part of the “Our America Convoy to Cuba” initiative, which brought more than 650 supporters from 33 nations to the island over the weekend carrying tons of relief supplies. President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomed the international delegation.

Notable participants included British parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn, Colombian Sen. Clara López, Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls, and the popular Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap.

The energy restrictions implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January, designed to pressure political change on the island, have worsened a five-year economic downturn that began with COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and earlier American sanctions against the Caribbean nation.

Cuba currently experiences transportation difficulties, shortened work schedules, canceled flights, and most critically, power failures, including two complete island-wide blackouts in recent days.

Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s — have indicated readiness to “take” the island. Officials from both nations acknowledge ongoing discussions, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Argelio Abad Vigo revealed last week that the nation has spent three months without receiving diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas shipments — all essential for economic activity and power generation. Cuba domestically produces only 40% of its required fuel.

A Hong Kong-flagged ship reportedly transporting 200,000 barrels of diesel from Russia to Cuba has instead arrived in Venezuela, according to MarineTraffic, which monitors global vessel movements using public data.

International leaders and social organizations have cautioned that Cuba may be approaching a humanitarian emergency.

Nations including Mexico, China, Brazil, and Italy, along with American non-governmental organizations, have provided assistance.

Caricom, a Caribbean trade organization, announced Tuesday it would deliver aid including powdered milk, medical supplies, and water storage tanks to Cuba through Mexico, which has offered free maritime transport.

International assistance is typically distributed without charge by the government through Cuba’s food distribution network, unless donors specify particular recipients, such as medical supplies designated for hospitals.

Authorities in Hong Kong detained four bookstore employees on Tuesday for allegedly distributing materials deemed seditious, including a biographical work about imprisoned media mogul Jimmy Lai, according to local broadcaster TVB.

The detained individuals include Pong Yat-ming, who owns the Book Punch store, along with three employees. They face accusations of selling copies of “The Troublemaker,” a biographical account of Lai written by Mark Clifford, one of his former business associates, TVB reported.

Lai established the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and received a 20-year prison sentence in February following his conviction for conspiring with foreign entities and sedition in what authorities called the territory’s most significant national security prosecution.

When contacted about the reported detentions, a police representative declined to provide specific details but stated that law enforcement “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.”

A sign posted at the bookstore’s entrance stated: “Resting for a day due to emergency, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Reuters was unable to contact Pong immediately and could not confirm whether he or the staff members faced formal charges.

Clifford, who currently resides in New York and previously served as a director at Lai’s Next Digital media company, told Reuters he was unaware of the detentions. “If true, it’s a sad and ironic commentary that selling a book on a man who is in jail for his activities as a journalist, for promoting free expression, would be subject to sedition,” he said.

The local national security legislation, referred to as Article 23, establishes penalties of up to seven years imprisonment for sedition, with sentences extending to a decade when the offense involves collaboration with an “external force.”

Beijing implemented comprehensive national security laws in the territory during 2020, with Hong Kong and Chinese authorities stating the new regulations were necessary to restore order following months of pro-democracy demonstrations that disrupted the city in 2019.

As part of continued efforts to suppress dissent, the territorial government published new amendments Monday to the implementation guidelines for Beijing’s imposed legislation, granting customs officials authority to confiscate materials considered to have “seditious intention.”

The updated measures also authorize police officers with magistrate-approved warrants to compel individuals suspected of violating national security laws to surrender mobile phone or computer passwords, with refusal resulting in imprisonment and financial penalties.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus officials are demanding greater transparency from Britain regarding military operations after being left uninformed about a significant security incident at a British air base earlier this year.

An Iranian-manufactured Shahed drone hit a hangar at RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus’s southern coast just after midnight on March 2. While warning sirens sounded across the base alerting military personnel to seek shelter, British authorities failed to notify the Cypriot government about the incoming threat or potential danger to a nearby village housing 1,000 residents.

The incident has sparked President Nikos Christodoulides to demand a “frank and open discussion” with Britain about the future of the two military installations at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

“I’m not going to negotiate publicly, I’m not going to put my request publicly, but we need to open this discussion,” Christodoulides stated during the European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels on March 20. “The British bases in Cyprus is something that is a colonial consequence.”

The controversy began when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on March 1 that the United States would be permitted to use British facilities for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting Iran’s missile facilities. This statement alarmed Cypriot officials, who believed it contradicted previous British commitments not to use the island’s bases for such operations. British officials later clarified the referenced bases were located in England and the Indian Ocean, not Cyprus.

According to two senior Cypriot officials speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, British authorities provided no advance warning about the drone attack the following evening. The Ministry of Defence in London has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

The British warship HMS Dragon was dispatched Tuesday toward Cypriot waters to provide additional security against potential future attacks.

Prime Minister Starmer’s office released a statement saying he had contacted Christodoulides over the weekend to emphasize that “as close partners and friends, Cyprus’ security was of utmost importance to the U.K.” Starmer also confirmed that RAF Akrotiri would not be utilized for any American military strikes against Iran.

The two British installations span 99 square miles and were established when Cyprus achieved independence from British colonial rule in August 1960, following a four-year guerrilla campaign. The bases’ existence is written into Cyprus’s constitution, and they operate with their own police forces and court systems, making them technically British colonial territory according to former island attorney general Costas Clerides.

Nearly 66 years later, many Cypriots, including President Christodoulides, view these installations as unwelcome reminders of their colonial history. Approximately 10,000 Cypriot citizens reside within the bases’ boundaries and fall under their jurisdiction.

Previous calls to eliminate the bases have emerged, particularly when they’re used for regional military operations, though recent peaceful demonstrations have been smaller than in past decades.

Originally established to monitor Suez Canal shipping traffic and protect Middle Eastern oil supplies, the bases now serve broader strategic purposes. RAF Akrotiri continues housing the renowned U2 spy aircraft that conducts high-altitude surveillance missions across the Middle East. The facility served as a crucial logistics hub for the 2003 U.S. Iraq operation and more recently supported campaigns against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. The installations also include a mountaintop communications monitoring station that tracks Middle Eastern communications and beyond.

While previous Cypriot administrations have been told Britain would inform them of military actions launched from the bases, this understanding represents courtesy rather than legal requirement.

“We are playing a leading role, with the Republic of Cyprus, in coordinating the increasing capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean, to help that sovereign base to remain as protected as possible in the circumstances and in the face of the Iranian threat,” U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament Monday.

Christodoulides indicated last week that Cyprus has “a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases.” While declining to provide specifics, he said negotiations with Britain would occur after the Iran conflict concludes.

The Cypriot government has publicly stated that complete elimination of the bases isn’t currently under consideration. Any discussions would follow a gradual approach seeking greater operational transparency, including enhanced information sharing and intelligence cooperation, according to the anonymous Cypriot officials. They haven’t ruled out renegotiating the bases’ status similar to Britain’s recent agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Under that arrangement, Britain agreed to return Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius while paying approximately 101 million pounds ($135 million) annually to lease the base for at least 99 years. U.S. bombers now operate from the U.K. base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, to conduct strikes against Iran. On Sunday, Iran reported launching missiles at Diego Garcia.

MANILA, Philippines — Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine President, announced a national energy emergency on Tuesday as his government responds to threats stemming from ongoing Middle East conflicts, citing concerns about “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply.”

The emergency declaration, set to remain in effect for one year initially, establishes a contingency committee under Marcos’ leadership tasked with guaranteeing access to and proper distribution of fuel, food, medical supplies, farm products and essential commodities.

Government officials received orders to combat hoarding, price gouging and supply chain manipulation involving petroleum products. The Department of Migrant Workers was simultaneously directed to prepare for potential rescue operations and evacuations of Filipino citizens working throughout the Middle East.

The administration has begun distributing 5,000 pesos ($83) payments to numerous motorcycle taxi operators and public transportation workers across the country to offset rising gasoline and diesel costs. Selected cities are also offering complimentary bus transportation for students and employees.

Approximately 2.4 million Filipino citizens live and work throughout Middle Eastern countries, with roughly 31,000 residing in Israel and 800 in Iran. However, the majority have chosen to remain in the region and continue working, with only several hundred individuals accepting government assistance to return home since the regional hostilities commenced.

Philippine officials reported that Mary Ann de Vera, a Filipina caregiver, lost her life during an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 28 while assisting her elderly client to reach a bomb shelter.

Authorities in the Czech Republic announced Tuesday that three individuals have been taken into custody following a suspected arson attack that leveled a facility belonging to a firm that provides unmanned aircraft systems to Ukrainian forces.

Czech police are treating the warehouse fire as a potential act of terrorism, officials confirmed.

While two suspects were apprehended within Czech borders, the third individual was captured in Slovakia. Czech officials are now working to secure extradition of the suspect from their neighboring country.

The detained individuals are facing accusations of conducting a terrorist attack and being members of a terrorist organization.

According to police statements, the suspects hold both Czech and American citizenship, though authorities declined to provide additional details about their identities.

“We continue to work intensively to apprehend the remaining suspects, also in cooperation with foreign partners,” they said.

The blaze erupted at an industrial facility in Pardubice, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Prague, completely destroying the warehouse structure while fortunately causing no personal injuries, according to police reports.

LPP Holding acknowledged that one of their facilities had been damaged by fire and stated they are fully assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The firm specializes in creating products for both commercial and defense applications, including autonomous drone technologies currently being utilized by Ukraine’s military in their conflict against Russian forces.

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar indicated the incident could be connected to terrorist activities and confirmed that Czech investigators are coordinating with international partners.

Senior police official Martin Vondrášek stated that authorities believe the fire was deliberately set. Emergency responders successfully extinguished the flames, and police assured the public there was no ongoing threat to community safety.

LPP Holding had previously announced intentions to establish a facility in Pardubice for drone development and manufacturing, along with personnel training, in partnership with Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Following the attack, however, the company revealed that this joint venture had not materialized.

Defense contractors throughout the nation have subsequently enhanced their security protocols.

LPP Holding emphasized that no weapons were being manufactured at the targeted facility.

In contrast to the previous pro-Western administration, the current Czech government under populist leader Andrej Babiš has declined to provide financial assistance to Ukraine or back European Union loan guarantees for the country defending against Russian aggression. This positions the Czech Republic alongside Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico in opposing EU support for Ukraine.

Despite the government’s stance, public sentiment in favor of Ukraine remains strong among Czech citizens.

WASHINGTON — This Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head to France in an effort to convince reluctant Group of Seven partners to support America’s Iran military strategy, which has led to dramatic increases in global fuel costs, according to a Tuesday announcement from the State Department.

The G7 foreign ministers gathering near Versailles, just outside Paris, will provide Rubio an opportunity “to advance key U.S. interests” while addressing “shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation,” department officials stated.

“Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability,” the department announced in their statement, released as conflicting reports emerge about potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks to end the conflict.

On Monday, President Donald Trump claimed discussions between the U.S. and Iran have occurred, though Iranian officials have rejected this assertion. Multiple nations are reportedly exploring early-stage diplomatic solutions to the crisis, which has caused oil prices to surge dramatically following the shutdown of most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers.

The majority of G7 countries — including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — have shown lukewarm support at best for the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, choosing not to join the operation and prompting frustration from Trump, who insists America can handle the situation without international assistance.

Trump has publicly criticized several G7 members and NATO partners for failing to answer his requests for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though some nations have recently signaled potential support for appropriate measures to restore normal shipping operations through the critical waterway.

British financial regulators are standing by their decision to hire American data analytics company Palantir Technologies for an artificial intelligence project, despite facing tough questions from parliament members about data security and market dominance.

The Financial Conduct Authority awarded Palantir a 12-week deal to examine the agency’s internal information systems as part of efforts to fight financial crimes. Palantir Technologies was co-created by Peter Thiel, a billionaire investor who backed President Donald Trump early in his political career.

During a parliamentary Treasury committee hearing, lawmakers pressed FCA leadership, including CEO Nikhil Rathi, about whether the American company might gain access to confidential regulatory materials.

Conservative parliament member John Glen expressed additional worries about the company’s growing government presence. “The other concern is that they become ubiquitous across government,” Glen stated. “Is there anything that can be done to ensure they don’t become a monopoly?”

Palantir has already landed deals with Britain’s Defense Ministry and National Health Service, expanding its footprint across multiple government agencies.

Jessica Rusu, who serves as the FCA’s chief data, information and intelligence officer, explained that the selection process was conducted without revealing bidder identities until completion. She emphasized that Palantir would function solely as a data processor in this arrangement.

Rusu also noted that the U.S. CLOUD Act, which requires American tech companies to share data with U.S. officials under specific conditions, would not impact this particular FCA partnership.

The contract award appears contradictory to the FCA’s own previous warnings to financial institutions about the risks of depending too heavily on a limited number of major technology companies.

CEO Rathi recognized the broader strategic concerns about big tech’s role in government operations but defended the need for advanced tools to combat financial crimes effectively.

“We also want to be the most effective enforcer against financial crime and money laundering, and that requires us to use data intelligence more effectively and use best-in-class tools,” Rathi explained to lawmakers. “They won the procurement.”

A Palantir representative said the company takes pride in helping the FCA address financial crimes and stressed that it cannot profit from data processed during its British government work.

“The software can only be used – legally and contractually – to process data in strict accordance with the instructions of the customer,” the company spokesperson stated.

Palantir has seen significant revenue growth recently, particularly from U.S. government contracts. However, some of these agreements, including work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have sparked public backlash and forced CEO Alex Karp to publicly defend the company’s surveillance technologies.

The chief executive of surveillance technology company Intellexa announced Tuesday he will challenge his conviction in a major wiretapping scandal that shook Greece’s government in 2022.

Tal Dilian, who leads the surveillance firm, received a suspended prison sentence on February 26 when a Greek court found him and three others guilty of misdemeanor personal data violations.

“I remained silent during the trial, but I will not be a scapegoat,” Dilian stated to Reuters.

“I believe a conviction without evidence is not justice, it could be part of a cover-up and even a crime. I will present my case before national, regional, and international institutions, including requesting the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on judicial independence.”

The controversy, nicknamed “Predatorgate” by Greek media, began when a financial reporter and political figure claimed they were targeted by government surveillance using Predator malware, Intellexa’s primary spyware technology.

The scandal resulted in the dismissal of Greece’s intelligence chief and the prime minister’s top aide. Investigators discovered Predator software traces on numerous mobile devices.

Greece’s administration denied any misconduct and weathered a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2023 related to the surveillance allegations.

The country’s highest court prosecutor dropped charges against the intelligence service in 2024 but sent four individuals, including Dilian, to face misdemeanor prosecution.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated this month that judicial officials are handling the matter, emphasizing that the supreme court dismissed the case regarding government involvement.

In his statement, Dilian argued that trial evidence contradicted the prosecutor’s findings and failed to connect the defendants to the intelligence service’s alleged “interferences.”

Dilian has previously maintained that his surveillance products are sold exclusively to government entities, making those governments responsible for lawful usage of the technology.

PARIS – French authorities carried out search operations Friday targeting a French diplomatic official whose name surfaced in Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, according to the French financial prosecutor’s office announcement Tuesday.

The law enforcement action comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the diplomat after his identification in materials made public by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the convicted sex trafficker Epstein.

The prosecutor’s office confirmed the raids occurred as investigators continue examining the diplomat’s potential connections to the disgraced financier’s criminal network.

CAIRO (AP) — Officials in Libya completed a rescue operation Tuesday to tow a damaged Russian natural gas vessel that had been floating aimlessly in Mediterranean waters for nearly a month following what authorities believe was a drone strike.

The vessel, known as the Arctic Metagaz, operates as part of what experts call Russia’s “shadow fleet” — ships that transport energy products while circumventing international sanctions imposed due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Coast guard officials from Libya reported that the liquefied natural gas carrier was successfully pulled toward a secure area near Zuwara, located along Libya’s western shoreline.

Footage released Tuesday by Libyan officials captured a tugboat pulling the compromised vessel with heavy rope. The tanker appeared to be listing to one side, its hull blackened from fire damage.

Libya’s National Oil Corp. announced over the weekend that it was working alongside Italian energy firm Eni to safely guide the damaged vessel to shore and prevent an ecological disaster.

The Libyan oil company stated it had implemented “all procedures … to reduce environmental risks and prevent any potential leakage or negative impacts.”

Moscow officials confirmed that Ukrainian naval drones struck and severely damaged the Arctic Metagaz in waters near Malta. All 30 crew members aboard were successfully evacuated. Ukrainian officials have not issued any statement regarding the incident.

The vessel sustained the drone attack earlier this month. Libya’s Maritime Authority reported at the time that the tanker suffered “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” while positioned roughly 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the Libyan city of Sirte. The maritime agency initially and incorrectly announced that the vessel had gone down.

Despite the damage, the Arctic Metagaz continued to float and was carried by ocean currents and wind patterns toward Libya’s coastline, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, an international environmental group.

The conservation organization warned Monday that the tanker remained “highly unstable” and posed “significant environmental risks for one of the Mediterranean’s most fragile and biodiversity-rich marine areas.”

LONDON — Law enforcement officials in Britain are actively pursuing three individuals suspected of setting fire to emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish charitable organization, prompting authorities to enhance protective measures for a community already experiencing heightened anxiety.

The fire occurred in Golders Green, a London area home to many Jewish residents, where four emergency vehicles owned by volunteer group Hatzola Northwest were destroyed. The incident caused oxygen tanks aboard the vehicles to detonate, shattering windows in a nearby residential building and further damaging the community’s fragile sense of safety amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts and what residents describe as rising anti-Jewish sentiment.

“We’re feeling vulnerable,” said Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where the ambulances were parked. Some of the building’s stained-glass windows were damaged in the blast.

“We know what’s going on,” Hoff said. “Nobody’s eyes are closed. We’re living through wars. There’s multiple fronts, and Britain is a part of it, and our community is a tiny little part of a very, very big world.”

The United Kingdom’s Jewish population, while historically established, represents a small fraction of the nation’s demographics at approximately 300,000 people. Golders Green serves as a cultural hub for this community, featuring kosher dining establishments, numerous Jewish educational institutions, and dozens of places of worship.

According to the Community Security Trust, an organization dedicated to Jewish community protection, reported antisemitic incidents throughout the UK have dramatically increased following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel and the ensuing conflict in Gaza. The organization documented 3,700 incidents in 2025, a significant jump from 1,662 recorded in 2022.

A separate violent incident occurred in October 2025 when an individual used his vehicle to strike people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur, fatally stabbing one person. A second death occurred when police accidentally shot someone during their response to the attack.

Anti-terrorism investigators are heading the probe into the ambulance fire and examining a responsibility claim posted online by an organization identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which means the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.

Israeli officials describe this as a newly established group with potential connections to pro-Iranian networks that has also taken credit for synagogue attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley stated that investigators are examining the claim but cautioned it’s premature to connect the attack to Iran’s government.

British officials have previously accused Iran of employing criminal intermediaries to execute attacks on European territory, specifically targeting opposition media and Jewish communities. The UK’s MI5 intelligence agency reports disrupting over 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-supported plots in the year leading up to October.

Just last week, two individuals in London faced charges for conducting “hostile” surveillance of the UK’s Jewish community on Iran’s behalf during the previous year.

Many British Jewish residents believe animosity also originates domestically.

Certain community members fault Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s center-left Labour administration for not preventing pro-Palestinian rallies held since October 7, 2023 from escalating into anti-Jewish rhetoric and actions. While these demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, some political figures and religious leaders argue that chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” promote anti-Jewish hostility.

Some also contend that the UK’s acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has encouraged antisemitism — an assertion the government disputes.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, including some Jewish participants, maintain that criticizing Israeli policies doesn’t constitute antisemitism, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have merged these concepts.

Rowley announced that London police will boost security measures for Jewish educational institutions, synagogues, and community facilities before next month’s Passover observance, including “highly visible firearms patrols.”

Jack Taub, a member of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue leadership, stated authorities “need to do a lot more” to safeguard the Jewish community.

He described the attack as disappointing but unsurprising “given the sentiment that there is in the country, the hatred that is against Jewish people.”

Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, whose congregation is located near the attack site, described a feeling that threats are increasingly approaching.

“People are definitely anxious,” he told The Associated Press. “However, the other thing to say is there’s a very, very strong determination to continue with Jewish life. Judaism is nothing if not deeply resilient.”

These incidents have prompted some British Jews to consider relocating to safer locations — while questioning whether such places exist.

“Israel’s not exactly the safest place in the world at this moment,” Wittenberg said. “There certainly are people thinking, you know, Israel is my safe space. But I think there’s also a feeling, is there safe space anywhere?”

The European Commission has postponed its scheduled April 15 submission of legislation that would make the ban on Russian oil imports permanent, according to an updated legislative calendar released Tuesday.

While an EU representative confirmed to Reuters that the proposal remains active and will eventually be published, the mid-April timeline has been scrapped due to “current geopolitical developments.”

The International Energy Agency reports that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has created unprecedented oil supply disruptions worldwide, driving crude prices significantly higher.

The proposed legislation would legally mandate the complete elimination of Russian oil imports no later than December 2027. This follows similar EU action to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027.

Although the measure would have minimal immediate effect on actual oil supplies – the EU imported only 1% of its oil from Russia in the fourth quarter of 2025 after dramatically cutting imports following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine – Brussels seeks to make the prohibition legally binding.

The permanent ban would remain effective even if future peace agreements in Ukraine lead to the removal of current sanctions against Russia.

Existing EU restrictions on Russian seaborne oil have already eliminated the vast majority of imports from the bloc.

As of January 27, only Hungary and Slovakia continued receiving Russian oil, until a Russian drone attack damaged pipeline infrastructure in Ukraine, halting those shipments. Both Budapest and Bratislava have accused Ukraine of intentionally preventing the restoration of oil deliveries, creating a diplomatic crisis that prompted Hungary to block EU lending to Kyiv.

The original April 15 timing would have placed the proposal just three days following Hungary’s parliamentary elections. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has preserved friendly relations with Moscow throughout the Ukraine conflict, strongly opposes any such prohibition.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated earlier this month that resuming Russian energy purchases would constitute “a strategic blunder” and increase Europe’s vulnerability.

President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation Tuesday that centered on developments in the Middle East, with particular attention to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible to international shipping, according to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The diplomatic exchange between the two world leaders was revealed through a social media post by Gor on platform X, highlighting the ongoing international concern over the strategic waterway’s security.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan officials announced Tuesday that devastating floods have claimed 88 lives after two major rivers overflowed their banks, forcing families from their homes and destroying agricultural land throughout the East African nation.

The flooding disaster has impacted 21 counties across Kenya, creating serious concerns about public safety, damaged infrastructure, and mounting humanitarian crisis. More than 34,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes since the flooding began in early March, according to the Interior Ministry.

Western Kenya experienced the most recent flooding emergency when the Nyando River overflowed Monday, inundating portions of the Ahero Bridge on the Kericho–Awasi–Kisumu highway and cutting off transportation throughout the area.

Government officials released a warning urging drivers to avoid the flooded roadway and find alternate routes, especially during nighttime hours when visibility becomes poor.

“This advisory is especially critical during the hours of darkness, when it may be difficult to accurately determine the depth and strength of the flowing water,” the statement said.

Rescue operations have escalated in the hardest-hit regions, with the Kenya Red Cross Society leading efforts to save trapped residents and move families to higher ground.

Around the Nyando region, emergency workers have rescued more than 200 people along with over 200 farm animals, while pulling at least two families from life-threatening situations. Officials are also rushing to evacuate more than 900 students from Ahero Girls National School as flood levels continue climbing.

The Interior Ministry reported Tuesday that no fewer than 265 households have been impacted in the region. Evacuated families are finding temporary shelter in community buildings, including government facilities, religious centers, and medical clinics. Six children without guardians were among those rescued and are receiving special care.

Additional flooding has struck other areas across the country.

In Tana River County, the River Tana overflowed, swamping farmland in Mbalambala and nearby communities, including Asako village, putting food supplies at risk. In Uasin Gishu County, a coordinated response team is evaluating damage from rising waters along the Sosiani River in Lower Elgon View, where homes and hospitality businesses have been impacted.

Throughout Kenya, the flooding has upended normal activities, shutting down schools, making highways impassable, and halting commerce, especially in low-elevation areas and informal communities.

Government officials report that emergency response teams continue monitoring conditions on location, with more evacuations planned if rainfall continues.

While Kenya faces seasonal flooding annually, the current disaster’s scope and severity have heightened worries about emergency readiness and the risk to communities located near waterways and flood-vulnerable regions.

Officials have called on residents in dangerous areas to stay alert and heed official warnings, cautioning that situations may deteriorate further if heavy precipitation persists.

TOKYO — Beijing has formally complained to Japanese officials following a security breach at China’s embassy in Tokyo involving an alleged military member.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a Beijing press briefing, someone identifying himself as a member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces climbed over the embassy wall and entered the diplomatic compound Tuesday morning.

Relations between the neighboring countries have grown increasingly tense following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November. Takaichi stated that any Chinese military move against Taiwan would represent “a survival-threatening situation” for Japan that might require military response. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has responded with increased diplomatic pressure and trade measures against Japan.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that the intruder, suspected to be a member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, was immediately apprehended and turned over to Tokyo police. No injuries occurred during the incident, according to the television report.

The suspect reportedly left a knife behind after scaling the embassy walls, NHK stated. TBS television reported the individual was carrying Self-Defense Force identification. Japanese media indicated police are treating the case as suspected trespassing.

Tokyo police declined to verify the reports or provide comment. The Ground Self-Defense Force acknowledged awareness of the incident to The Associated Press and said they are conducting their own investigation but could not elaborate further.

“China is deeply shocked by the incident and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side, expressing strong protest,” Lin stated. “The Japanese side has failed to properly manage and discipline its Self-Defense Forces personnel and has not fulfilled its responsibility to ensure the security of Chinese embassies and consulates and their staff.”

Lin called on Japan to conduct a complete investigation immediately, hold the individual accountable, explain the situation to China, and implement measures to prevent future incidents.

Taliban officials in Afghanistan freed American researcher Dennis Coyle on Tuesday following more than 12 months of detention, timing the release to coincide with Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking Ramadan’s conclusion.

According to Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Coyle was set free in the capital city of Kabul after his family made appeals and the nation’s Supreme Court determined “his previous imprisonment sufficient.”

The academic was taken into custody in January 2025 amid accusations of legal violations, though Taliban leadership never disclosed the specific charges against him.

The ministry revealed that both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar served as intermediaries in securing Coyle’s freedom. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held discussions in Kabul with former U.S. Afghanistan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prior to the release.

Just weeks ago, the State Department labeled Afghanistan a nation that sponsors wrongful detention, claiming the country practices “hostage diplomacy.” This designation places Afghanistan alongside Iran as nations the U.S. accuses of imprisoning Americans to gain political advantages.

Taliban leadership has pushed back against American claims that they detain foreign nationals for diplomatic leverage, maintaining that arrests occur solely for legal infractions rather than bargaining purposes.

The Foreign Ministry stated Afghanistan freed Coyle “based on humanitarian sympathy and goodwill, and believes that such steps can further strengthen the atmosphere of trust between countries.” The statement continued that Kabul “also expresses the hope that both countries will find solutions to the remaining problems through understanding and constructive dialogue in the future.”

State Department officials have not yet responded to news of Coyle’s freedom.

At least one additional American remains in Taliban custody. Mahmood Habibi, a businessman with dual Afghan-American citizenship who worked for a telecommunications contractor in Kabul, disappeared in 2022.

While the FBI and Habibi’s relatives believe Taliban forces captured him, Afghan officials deny holding the businessman.

Ahmad Habibi, Mahmood’s brother, expressed gratitude for Coyle’s release while stating “we hope that our family will soon have the same feeling of relief, when Mahmood is returned home to us.”