Author: Admin

A major corruption trial began Monday for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year and represents the strongest challenge to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s political dominance.

The 55-year-old mayor stands as the primary defendant among more than 400 individuals connected to Istanbul’s city government who face corruption and bribery allegations. Both Imamoglu and his Republican People’s Party (CHP) reject these accusations, which collectively could lead to centuries of imprisonment.

Proceedings are taking place at the Silivri prison complex courthouse located west of Istanbul, where Imamoglu has remained detained. This trial represents the most significant element of a broader legal offensive targeting the CHP that is casting a shadow over Turkish politics as next year’s anticipated elections approach.

Speaking with Reuters, Imamoglu maintained a confrontational stance, challenging Erdogan to immediately schedule elections. However, his chances of opposing the experienced leader appear dim given the ongoing legal assault that international rights organizations and foreign monitors claim has damaged Turkey’s democratic standing as a NATO ally.

Benjamin Ward from Human Rights Watch, serving as deputy director for Europe and Central Asia, offered sharp criticism of the proceedings. “(I)t’s hard to avoid the conclusion that prosecutors are trying to remove Imamoglu from politics and discredit his party in ways that undermine democracy,” Ward stated, characterizing the trial as the culmination of over a year of “weaponising” Turkey’s criminal justice system against the CHP.

Turkish officials reject claims of judicial manipulation, maintaining that the country’s court system operates independently.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, recently appointed to his position after previously serving as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor and leading the investigations into Imamoglu, defended his handling of the case. “I simply did my duty as a public prosecutor. My conscience is clear,” Gurlek stated to reporters in remarks released Friday.

Imamoglu’s presidential aspirations have already sustained significant damage when a court in January dismissed his legal challenge to the revocation of his university diploma—a credential mandated for any presidential candidate.

Erdogan, now 72, has maintained control over Turkey either as prime minister or president since 2003. While presidential and parliamentary contests aren’t officially scheduled until 2028, he must hold early elections if he intends to pursue a third presidential term, unless constitutional term restrictions are modified.

DUBAI, March 9 – Iran’s religious establishment has chosen defiance over diplomacy by selecting Mojtaba Khamenei as the nation’s new Supreme Leader following his father’s death, according to regional officials who view the decision as a direct challenge to President Donald Trump’s previous declaration that the son was “unacceptable.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation at the beginning of the current conflict, which has now entered its second week.

The Assembly of Experts’ selection of Mojtaba as the new leader ensures hardline elements maintain their grip on power in Tehran – a strategic decision that could fundamentally alter Iran’s ongoing conflicts with the United States and Israel while creating ripple effects throughout the region.

“Having Mojtaba take over is the same playbook,” said Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

“It’s a big humiliation for the United States to carry out an operation of this scale, risk so much, and end up killing an 86-year-old man, only to have him replaced by his hardline son.”

Within Iran’s intricate religious government structure, the Supreme Leader wields ultimate power over all major decisions, including nuclear policy and international relations, while also providing direction to elected officials and lawmakers.

DECISION SIGNALS CONTINUED CONFRONTATION

Experts believe Mojtaba’s selection – a hardline religious figure whose spouse, mother, and additional relatives also perished in U.S.-Israeli attacks – delivers a clear signal: Iran’s ruling class has abandoned any possibility of negotiation to maintain their system and views continued confrontation, retaliation, and resistance as their only option.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Mojtaba will confront enormous domestic and international pressure from an unhappy citizenry and escalating warfare, though he is anticipated to quickly work to strengthen his authority.

This approach will probably result in increased power for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stricter domestic oversight, and widespread oppression to eliminate opposition.

“The world will miss the era of his father,” a regional official close to Tehran told Reuters. “Mojtaba will have no choice but to show an iron fist… even if the war ends, there will be severe internal repression.”

This position follows months of intensifying civil unrest – the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution – which had already undermined the Islamic Republic before hostilities commenced.

Iran was struggling with economic devastation, rising inflation, currency devaluation, and expanding poverty, combined with increasing oppression that had sparked public outrage and demonstrations – challenges that will likely worsen under military governance.

CHALLENGING PERIOD ANTICIPATED

Harsh times await under Mojtaba’s leadership, featuring stricter internal oversight, heightened domestic pressure, and an increasingly aggressive international stance, according to another Iranian source with knowledge of conditions within the country.

Paul Salem, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, described Mojtaba as someone unlikely to negotiate with the United States or pursue diplomatic solutions.

“Nobody emerging now is going to be able to compromise,” Salem said. “This is a hardline choice, made in a hardline moment.”

From the perspective of Iran’s religious leaders, many who traditionally refer to America as the “Great Satan,” the killing of Khamenei, the Islamic Republic’s top spiritual leader, has transformed him into a “martyr.”

Religious authorities have portrayed the deceased leader as a heroic figure, comparing him to Imam Hussein – the Shi’ite symbol representing sacrifice and opposition to tyranny.

“Mojtaba is even worse and more hardline than his father,” said Alan Eyre, former U.S. diplomat and Iran specialist, adding that he was the preferred candidate of the Guards. “He’s going to have a lot of revenge to exact.”

This approach involves significant dangers. Israel has indicated that any replacement for Khamenei would become a target, while Trump has stated the conflict might only conclude after Iran’s military commanders and governing elite are eliminated.

NEW LEADER HISTORICALLY OPPOSED MODERATES

An influential mid-level cleric, the 56-year-old Mojtaba has consistently opposed moderate factions supporting Western engagement. His strong connections with senior religious figures and the IRGC – which controls Iran’s security apparatus and economic sectors – provide him with influence throughout the state’s political and enforcement mechanisms.

He built power under his father’s leadership as an important figure in the security structure and the extensive commercial network it oversees, functioning for years as Ali Khamenei’s intermediary and effectively operating as a “mini-supreme leader,” according to analysts.

His rise occurs as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran escalates, with coordinated attacks targeting fuel facilities and other infrastructure within Iran, while Iranian rockets and unmanned aircraft have attacked Gulf nations, expanding the conflict.

Mojtaba received his education from traditional clerics in Qom’s religious schools, the center of Shi’ite theological education, and maintains the religious title of Hojjatoleslam.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Mojtaba in 2019, stating he acted as the supreme leader’s representative in an official role despite never serving in elected or formal government positions.

A Gulf source knowledgeable about regional government perspectives commented on Mojtaba’s selection: “This tells Trump and Washington that Iran will not back down, they will fight on until the finish.”

Salem, from the Middle East Institute, compared Iran’s current path to Iraq under Saddam Hussein after 1991 or Syria under Bashar al-Assad after 2012 – administrations that endured years of conflict and isolation while gradually losing authority.

“They’re doubling down on the hard line,” Salem said. “Internally, it’s terrible — and deeply destabilising.”

Iran’s clerical leadership has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the recently killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to serve as the nation’s new top authority, according to Iranian media reports.

The Assembly of Experts made the announcement more than a week following the elder Khamenei’s death in an airstrike during ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran. The 56-year-old cleric survived the same attacks that claimed his father’s life.

Council member Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir explained in a Sunday video statement that their choice followed the late leader’s instructions to select someone “hated by the enemy.”

“Even the Great Satan (U.S.) has mentioned his name,” Heidari Alekasir commented, referencing President Donald Trump’s recent description of Mojtaba as an “unacceptable” selection.

The new supreme leader accumulated significant influence during his father’s reign, operating as an unofficial advisor with deep connections to Iran’s security apparatus and the extensive business networks they oversee. He has consistently opposed reform movements attempting to improve relations with Western nations seeking to limit Iran’s nuclear activities.

Mojtaba’s extensive relationships with the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps provide him substantial control throughout Iran’s political and military structures, with sources describing his role as his father’s primary “gatekeeper.”

“He has strong constituency and support within the IRGC, in particular amongst the younger radical generations,” explained Kasra Aarabi, who leads Revolutionary Guard research at United Against Nuclear Iran, a Washington-based policy group.

Iran’s supreme leader holds ultimate authority over all state matters, including international relations and nuclear policy. While Western governments seek to prevent Tehran from developing atomic weapons, Iranian officials maintain their nuclear program serves only peaceful civilian purposes.

The new leader may encounter resistance from Iranian citizens who have demonstrated willingness to organize large-scale demonstrations demanding expanded freedoms, despite violent government suppression.

Born in 1969 in Mashhad, a sacred Shiite city, Mojtaba grew up while his father helped organize resistance against the Shah’s rule. During his youth, he participated in the Iran-Iraq conflict.

His religious education took place in Qom’s conservative seminaries, Iran’s primary center for Shiite theological studies, where he achieved the clerical designation of Hojjatoleslam.

Despite never holding an official government role, Mojtaba has attended loyalist gatherings but rarely makes public statements.

His informal influence has generated significant debate within Iran, as opponents reject any suggestion of hereditary rule in a nation that toppled a U.S.-supported monarchy in 1979.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Mojtaba in 2019, stating he acted for the supreme leader “in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position” beyond his work in his father’s administration.

Treasury officials said the elder Khamenei had transferred certain duties to his son, who collaborated closely with Quds Force leadership and the Basij religious militia “to advance his father’s destabilising regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives.”

Protesters specifically targeted Mojtaba during 2022 demonstrations following a young woman’s death while in police custody after her arrest for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s mandatory dress requirements.

In 2024, a widely circulated video showed him announcing the halt of Islamic law classes he taught in Qom, sparking questions about his motivations.

The new leader shares a striking physical resemblance with his father and wears the black turban of a sayyed, signifying his family’s claimed descent from Prophet Mohammad.

Opponents argue Mojtaba lacks sufficient religious qualifications for the supreme leadership role, noting that Hojjatoleslam ranks below Ayatollah, the title held by both his father and Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini.

However, he remained a leading candidate, particularly after another potential successor, former President Ebrahim Raisi, perished in a 2024 helicopter accident.

A 2007 U.S. diplomatic document released by WikiLeaks quoted three Iranian contacts identifying Mojtaba as a key channel for accessing his father.

Many observers credit Mojtaba with orchestrating hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s unexpected 2005 presidential victory.

He supported Ahmadinejad again during his controversial 2009 reelection, which triggered anti-government demonstrations that security forces, including the Basij, brutally crushed.

Moderate cleric Mehdi Karroubi, who competed in that election, sent a formal complaint to the elder Khamenei alleging Mojtaba’s improper support for Ahmadinejad, though Khamenei dismissed the claims.

Mojtaba’s wife, who died in the recent airstrikes, was the daughter of hardline former parliament speaker Gholamali Haddadadel.

State media in Iran announced Sunday that the country’s Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the nation’s new supreme leader, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The younger Khamenei, who serves as a mid-ranking cleric, maintains strong relationships with Iran’s influential Revolutionary Guards and had been considered by many within the country’s leadership as a likely candidate to inherit his father’s role. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died following military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran.

While Iran’s governing philosophy typically opposes the concept of passing power from father to son, Mojtaba Khamenei commands significant support among the Revolutionary Guards and retains backing from his late father’s office, which continues to wield considerable influence in Iranian politics.

Guinea’s top opposition leader has strongly condemned his country’s government following the dissolution of 40 political organizations, claiming the move represents an effort to establish a single-party system.

On Friday, Guinea’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization announced it was eliminating the political parties due to their alleged failure to fulfill required obligations. The official order removes the organizations’ legal recognition and prohibits all political activities, including displaying their names, symbols, logos, and other identifying marks.

In a Facebook video posted Sunday, Cellou Dalein Diallo, who heads the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea opposition party that was among those dissolved, criticized President Mamadi Doumbouya for attempting to eliminate political competition to create a single-party system.

“I urge the leaders, activists and supporters of the UFDG, and all Guineans who cherish liberty and justice, to rise as one and use every means to bring an end to this exceptional regime that has lasted far too long,” Diallo stated, noting that peaceful negotiations and court challenges appear unlikely to produce meaningful political reform.

President Doumbouya assumed power following a military takeover in 2021 and won election in December during a contest that excluded all significant opposition candidates. Throughout his leadership, multiple political organizations and news outlets have faced suspension, while various opposition figures and civil rights advocates have been detained or fled the country.

Friday’s dissolution targeted several major political organizations, including Diallo’s group, the Rally of the Guinean People formerly led by ex-President Alpha Condé, and the Union of Republican Forces headed by opposition politician Sidya Touré. All three party leaders currently live outside Guinea.

These organizations had previously been suspended in August for allegedly violating the nation’s political party regulations, just before a constitutional referendum that permitted the military leader to seek the presidency.

Guinea joins multiple West African nations that have experienced military takeovers or attempted coups since 2020, as military leaders have capitalized on public frustration with security problems, economic struggles, and contested elections to seize control.

Thousands of protesters filled the streets across Brazil on Sunday during International Women’s Day demonstrations, demanding action against gender-based violence following a shocking alleged gang rape case involving a teenage victim in Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana district.

The incident occurred in January but captured national attention this week after four suspects surrendered to police. Law enforcement officials have classified the attack as a gang rape, intensifying ongoing concerns about escalating violence against women throughout the country and triggering widespread demonstrations and online activism campaigns.

Organizers coordinated at least 15 protest events nationwide, demanding protection for women’s lives and calling for an end to femicide across Brazil.

According to Rio’s Civil Police, the four young men currently held in pretrial detention face rape charges, while a fifth suspect — who is underage — surrendered to authorities Friday and will face comparable charges under juvenile justice laws.

Law enforcement officials issued an arrest warrant for the minor after discovering his alleged connection to another sexual violence case with similarities to the Copacabana incident, according to an email from Rio state prosecutors’ office.

Defense attorneys representing two of the accused have proclaimed their clients’ innocence, while lawyers for the remaining three suspects have not yet made public statements regarding the charges.

Police investigators determined that the victim received an invitation from a school classmate in January to visit a friend’s residence at her elite private school. After entering the apartment, she was forced into a room and confined with the suspects, where she endured sexual assault along with physical and psychological abuse, according to a March 4 police report.

Security camera recordings showing the men entering and exiting the alleged crime location spread rapidly across social media platforms earlier this week.

Public attention intensified after news outlets reported that one suspect’s father worked as undersecretary for governance and compliance in Rio’s state social development and human rights department. The official was terminated from his position following the allegations against his son, according to Wednesday’s announcement in the state government’s official publication.

Brazilian citizens, women’s advocacy organizations, and prominent officials including ministers Anielle Franco and Sônia Guajajara used social media platforms to condemn the case.

“It’s impossible not to feel indignation when a 17-year-old young woman suffers such brutal sexual violence,” declared Racial Equality minister Franco, sister of murdered councilwoman Marielle Franco, while encouraging mass demonstrations on March 8 International Women’s Day.

Violence targeting women in Brazil continues rising, with 1,568 documented femicides in 2025 representing a 4.7% jump from the prior year and more than triple the 2015 figures, data from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety shows.

Additional crimes against women — including threats, stalking, psychological abuse, physical harm, sexual assault and attempted femicide — have also shown consistent increases over recent years, the research organization reported before March 8.

“Women’s bodies continue to be seen as someone else’s territory, which can be threatened, assaulted, sexually violated and murdered,” the organization stated.

Following multiple high-profile cases and resulting protests last year, Brazil’s government expanded protective measures. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration announced a comprehensive anti-femicide initiative this year involving executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Brazilian officials unveiled emergency measures this week featuring a national task force to execute roughly 1,000 outstanding arrest warrants for known perpetrators, implementation of electronic monitoring systems for individuals subject to protective orders, and deployment of 52 mobile assistance units for women experiencing violence.

Government initiatives carry significant symbolic importance and demonstrate that authorities consider violence against women unacceptable, explained Isadora Vianna, a sociology researcher from Rio de Janeiro State University. However, she emphasized, “it would be more effective to invest massively in policies of prevention and support networks.”

Vianna also highlighted the need for stronger internet regulation to prevent rapid spread of misogynistic content online.

Tatianny Araújo, a 47-year-old veteran women’s rights advocate who has attended more than 30 International Women’s Day events, described this year as uniquely impactful following prominent reports of sexual violence, including the alleged Copacabana gang rape. Her 13-year-old son attends the same school as two suspects currently facing expulsion.

“We feel bad, we cry, we’re consumed by rage and by pain,” Araújo explained. “But at the same time we cannot stop. We have to mobilize, we have to do something.”

Iranian military officials announced Sunday that a deadly submarine attack by United States forces resulted in the deaths of at least 104 personnel, with an additional 32 injured, when their naval vessel was struck in waters near Sri Lanka last week.

According to Iranian army reports, an American submarine destroyed the frigate Dena while it was positioned approximately 19 nautical miles from Galle, a major port city on Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. The Wednesday incident in the Indian Ocean claimed the lives of numerous naval personnel and marks a significant escalation in the United States’ military actions against Iran’s maritime forces.

TORONTO (AP) — Three upcoming by-elections could determine whether Canada’s Liberal Party gains complete control of Parliament, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Sunday.

Carney scheduled the special elections for April 13 in three constituencies: two Toronto-area seats in Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale, plus the Montreal-area district of Terrebonne.

Political analysts view the two Toronto constituencies as likely Liberal victories, though the Terrebonne race remains competitive and unpredictable.

With 169 seats currently in the House of Commons, the Liberals sit just three seats short of the 172 needed for majority control, which would enable them to advance their legislative agenda without requiring opposition party backing.

The Liberal caucus has grown recently through defections, as three Conservative MPs — Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma and Matt Jeneroux — switched parties in recent months.

Jeneroux cited Carney’s World Economic Forum address in Davos as influential in his decision to join the Liberals. The prime minister’s remarks criticizing economic bullying by major powers against smaller nations drew significant international attention and overshadowed U.S. President Donald Trump’s presence at the event.

The Terrebonne election stems from a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Liberals’ narrow one-vote victory there. The Quebec-based Bloc Québécois had challenged the results after a voter complained about an uncounted mail-in ballot.

Even with victories in all three races, the Liberals would still require House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia’s tie-breaking votes to guarantee passage of government bills.

Since replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister in 2025 and winning the subsequent national election, Carney has positioned the Liberal Party toward the political center.

Russian defense officials announced Sunday that military air defense systems successfully shot down 170 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions in central and southern Russia during a concentrated four-hour timeframe.

The intercepts took place between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time (1100-1500 GMT) on March 8, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry. Officials reported no injuries or property damage from the incident.

The Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine, experienced the heaviest drone activity with 73 intercepts recorded. Among the drones targeted were two aircraft reportedly en route to Moscow.

Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed via Telegram that two drones were brought down while approaching the Russian capital. He noted that emergency response teams were dispatched to examine debris at the crash locations.

The reported number of drone intercepts represents a figure above typical averages for such incidents.

SÃO PAULO, March 8 – Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received a clean bill of health during his yearly medical examination conducted Saturday morning, according to officials at São Paulo’s Sirio-Libanes Hospital who released the findings Sunday.

The medical facility confirmed that the president, commonly referred to as Lula, will continue with standard follow-up appointments under the supervision of his healthcare providers, including heart specialist Roberto Kalil Filho and doctor Ana Helena Germoglio. Hospital representatives stated no additional testing is scheduled at this time.

The 80-year-old Brazilian leader announced in 2025 his intention to pursue another presidential term in elections scheduled for later this year. Last year, Lula required two surgical procedures to address and prevent cranial bleeding complications. This marks his second stint as Brazil’s head of state, having previously served from 2003 through 2010 before returning to office in January 2023.

President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching a military mission to capture Iran’s weapons-grade uranium stockpile, according to a Bloomberg News report published Sunday.

The report, dated March 8th, indicates that three diplomatic sources with knowledge of the discussions have confirmed the administration is examining options for deploying special operations forces to secure Iran’s near-bomb-grade nuclear materials.

Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.

BERLIN – Germany’s Green Party claimed victory in Sunday’s state elections in Baden-Wuerttemberg, defeating Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative party and positioning themselves to maintain their governing coalition, according to preliminary election results.

Early projections from public television network ARD placed the environmental party at the top with 32% of votes cast, while Merz’s Christian Democratic Union secured 29%. The far-right Alternative for Germany finished in third position with 17.5%, solidifying its role as the country’s primary opposition force beyond its traditional strongholds in former East Germany.

The Social Democrats, who partner with Merz’s party at the federal level, barely crossed the 5% minimum required for parliamentary representation, earning just 5.5% of votes and highlighting their continued decline in voter support.

This southwestern German state serves as headquarters for major automotive companies including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Bosch, making it one of the nation’s wealthiest regions. However, the area’s car manufacturing sector faces mounting pressure from competitive Chinese electric vehicle producers, impacting the broader regional economy.

Green candidate Cem Ozdemir, seeking the state premier position, represents a moderate voice unlikely to challenge Merz significantly in the Bundesrat, Germany’s federal upper chamber where states hold representation. The Green-CDU partnership has governed Baden-Wuerttemberg for ten years.

These election outcomes underscore the difficulties facing Merz as his promised policy changes remain stalled and Germany’s economy continues its slow recovery following two years of recession. The Greens managed to overtake the Christian Democrats in polling as election day approached, despite initially trailing in the campaign.

The results may increase dissatisfaction among conservative party members already concerned about historically low approval numbers for Merz’s administration in Berlin.

Sunday’s contest marks the first of five state elections scheduled for this year. Rhineland-Palatinate voters will head to polls on March 22, with Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenberg-Vorpommern following in September.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto expressed optimism Wednesday that Russia might release two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war as he arrived in Moscow for scheduled meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The diplomatic visit follows a telephone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Putin on Tuesday, during which they addressed Middle Eastern developments, the Ukrainian conflict, and Hungary’s access to Russian crude oil and natural gas supplies.

Speaking in a Facebook broadcast from Moscow, Szijjarto revealed that two ethnic Hungarian captives had recently reached out to Hungary requesting assistance.

“I hope that after our talks more people will fly home on the plane than who came in this direction,” Szijjarto said.

The issue has become particularly sensitive as Orban’s administration has made the Russian invasion of Ukraine a central theme in campaigning for Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary elections, creating additional strain in relations between Budapest and Kyiv.

Approximately 150,000 ethnic Hungarians reside in Ukraine, with the majority concentrated in the Transcarpathia region. Budapest and Kyiv have maintained a contentious relationship regarding language rights for this community.

Hungary’s government has criticized Ukraine for drafting ethnic Hungarians into military service, arguing that Budapest believes these individuals should be exempt from conscription. Just last Friday, Szijjarto called in Ukraine’s ambassador to Budapest to formally object to the military drafting of two ethnic Hungarian men.

Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Orban’s administration has preserved friendly ties with Moscow and refuses to abandon its Russian energy imports, creating friction within the European Union. Hungary announced last month it would obstruct the EU’s upcoming sanctions package against Russia and oppose a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) European loan intended to support Ukraine’s defense efforts until oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.

ZAHLE, Lebanon (AP) — A former Lebanese security captain disappeared in December while meeting someone who claimed to want to purchase property from him.

Both Lebanese authorities and relatives of former General Security Directorate Captain Ahmed Shukr suspect he was kidnapped and transported to Israel as part of an intelligence mission to gather details about an Israeli pilot who went missing in Lebanon 40 years ago.

The relatives think Shukr was targeted due to his brother’s potential connections to the vanishing of Israeli navigator Ron Arad. However, the family maintains that Shukr was never affiliated with any militant organization and had no involvement in Arad’s disappearance.

Almost three months following Shukr’s vanishing — and after military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran sparked broader Middle East conflict — Israeli forces conducted a fatal commando raid in Nabi Chit, Lebanon, over the weekend while searching for Arad’s body.

Local witnesses reported that the commando unit started excavating in the Shukr family graveyard in Nabi Chit before encountering resistance from Hezbollah militants and armed local residents. Heavy fighting and air bombardments resulted in 41 deaths and numerous injuries, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported. Israeli forces suffered no reported losses.

Whether the Israeli mission resulted from intelligence obtained from Shukr remains unclear.

Israeli military officials confirmed the operation sought evidence regarding Arad’s fate and stated his body was not recovered. Military representatives refused to respond when questioned about whether Israel had captured Shukr.

Nevertheless, this event seems consistent with Israel’s long-standing practice of secret operations and military raids deep within Lebanon to capture or eliminate individuals it claims participated in anti-Israeli activities.

Israel has sometimes taken credit for such missions, including seizing a ship captain from northern Lebanon in November 2024 whom Israel described as a high-ranking Hezbollah operative.

In other instances, like the puzzling kidnapping and murder of a Hezbollah-connected Lebanese money changer in April 2024, Israel has stayed quiet, though Lebanese officials claim they possess proof of its participation.

For years, Israel has attempted to determine Arad’s fate after he ejected from his fighter aircraft during an attack on suspected Palestinian militants in 1986 near the southern Lebanese coastal city of Sidon.

A Shiite Muslim group known as the Believers’ Resistance took Arad prisoner following his landing.

In 1994, Israeli commandos transported by helicopter penetrated deep into Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, capturing Believers’ Resistance leader Mustafa Dirani and bringing him to Israel.

Dirani was freed a decade later through a prisoner swap. He informed the Israeli newspaper Maariv in a 2000 interview that Arad vanished in 1988 when his captors left him to visit family members near a major 1988 battlefield between Hezbollah forces and Israeli troops, who controlled portions of Lebanon then.

However, The Associated Press reported in 2000 that Dirani informed an Israeli court that Iranian soldiers had taken Arad away. An Israeli legal official noted that Dirani provided conflicting stories during his imprisonment.

Following extensive indirect talks between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-supported organization submitted a report about Arad through intermediaries in 2008, indicating he likely died while attempting to reach Israel after escaping.

Shukr’s relatives informed AP that months before his disappearance, he became acquainted with a Lebanese citizen named Ali Morad who reached out through social media and leased an apartment the former officer owned south of Beirut.

Shukr’s spouse, Salwa Hazimeh, explained that Morad telephoned her husband in mid-December, informing him that a businessman wanted to purchase land he was selling in Zahle and wished to view it at 5:30 p.m.

“I was standing by him as he spoke and told him that we cannot see the plot of land later in the afternoon but he (Morad) insisted,” she said. Shukr traveled the following day, December 17, to Zahle, where surveillance video captured him exiting his vehicle and entering another car, Hazimeh explained.

“Since then we know nothing about him,” Hazimeh said.

Shukr’s relatives report he suffers from diabetes, hypertension and cardiac issues, requiring continuous medical attention and treatment.

Family members stated Shukr’s cellular phone last showed activity in the eastern village of Ghazzeh around 7 a.m. on December 18. They suspect he was transported overland into Israel through southern Lebanon.

“It looks like an extraordinary rendition,” said Adam Coogle, deputy director with the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch. “That is effectively kidnapping someone, then transporting them across borders without any due process.”

Legal authorities in Beirut reported the court system has filed criminal charges against four individuals in the matter, including Morad, plus a Lebanese-French citizen, a Syrian-Swedish citizen and a Lebanese woman who leased a villa with views of Zahle. The legal officials stated an SUV was purchased for $22,000 for Shukr’s abduction and the woman paid $42,000 for one year’s rental of the villa.

Morad’s attorney, Samaher Bourhan, stated her client claims he was a victim who thought he was employed by a foreign corporation and was ultimately exploited in the kidnapping. She explained the company requested him to purchase the vehicle and register it in his name, alleging it was due to their lack of legal status in Lebanon.

“He said that he handed himself over because he had no idea about the operation,” Bourhan said.

Shukr’s wife and his brother, Abdul-Salam Shukr, informed AP that the former officer possesses no knowledge about Arad’s fate.

However, another Shukr family member, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive details, revealed that Shukr’s brother, Hassan Shukr was a Hezbollah member and knew Arad’s location during his captivity.

The family member stated Arad was confined in a secured room at Hassan Shukr’s in-laws’ residence, who belonged to Dirani’s Believers’ Resistance in Nabi Chit.

Legal officials verified that a Lebanese military document from the 1980s indicated Arad was detained by the Shukr family in Nabi Chit and became sick at one point, prompting them to bring medical professionals to care for him.

The family member reported Hassan Shukr died in the Meidoun battle on May 5, 1988. That day, when fighters returned from combat to Nabi Chit, they discovered the metal door of Arad’s holding room open and the prisoner missing, the family member explained.

The Shukr family member emphasized that Ahmed Shukr was not involved in detaining Arad and lacks any further information about the situation.

An AP team visited the two-level residence that legal officials and Shukr’s family identified as the headquarters used by operatives to execute the kidnapping. Lebanese authorities had sealed the main metal entrance while local residents reported seeing no suspicious activity inside the property, called “Wood Villa.”

A resident from a neighboring building reported Lebanese security personnel gathered evidence from the house in mid-December.

A local merchant stated security agents confiscated his surveillance camera recordings. He mentioned the villa had previously been rented by individuals or groups for celebrations.

Kurdish communities in northeastern Syria are issuing stark warnings to their Iranian counterparts, urging them not to partner with the United States in any confrontation against Tehran’s government.

The advice stems from the Syrian Kurds’ own bitter experience of what they describe as American abandonment in recent months, following more than a decade of cooperation in fighting ISIS.

Speaking from the northeastern Syrian Kurdish city of Qamishli, 45-year-old resident Saad Ali expressed his concerns about potential Iranian Kurdish cooperation with Washington.

“I hope that the Kurds of Iran will not ally themselves with America, because they will abandon them,” Ali stated. “Tomorrow, if an agreement is made between them (the U.S.) and the Iranians, they will eliminate you. Do not make our mistakes.”

The warning comes amid reports that Iranian Kurdish militant groups operating from northern Iraq have recently engaged in discussions with American officials regarding possible operations against Iranian security forces, as tensions escalate between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Syrian Kurdish forces had established a partnership with the United States over ten years ago to combat the Islamic State, eventually creating their own semi-independent territory in areas they had liberated from the extremist organization.

However, their situation dramatically changed in January when Syria’s new military forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa launched a major campaign that seized control of most Kurdish-controlled regions. When Syrian Kurds appealed to Washington for support, they felt betrayed as the U.S. instead encouraged them to integrate with al-Sharaa’s army.

This recent turn of events has left Syrian Kurds feeling disillusioned with American reliability as an ally.

“In my opinion, the Kurds in Iran should maintain a firm stance: they will not engage in any wars within Iranian territory without firm, signed guarantees from the United States regarding the future of these Kurdish regions in Iran,” said 26-year-old Syrian Kurd Amjad Kardo from Qamishli.

“We Kurds here in Syria, in particular, have had a negative experience with the Americans in Syria, and their abandonment of Kurdish resistance movements,” Kardo added.

Sources familiar with Iranian Kurdish leadership indicate that these groups share similar concerns about potential betrayal, echoing the experiences of their Syrian counterparts. These leaders have reportedly sought assurances from the United States, though the specific nature of these guarantees remains unclear.

President Donald Trump’s statements on the matter have been inconsistent. On Thursday, he told reporters it would be “wonderful” if Kurdish forces moved from northern Iraq into Iran, but refused to clarify whether the U.S. would provide air support for such operations. By Saturday, Trump appeared to reverse course, stating he opposed Kurdish fighters entering Iran.

Ahmed Barakat, who leads the Kurdish Progressive Democratic Party in Syria, advised Iranian Kurdish forces to proceed with “extreme caution.”

While acknowledging that the final decision rests with Iranian Kurdish groups, Barakat argued that “accepting the invitation of the United States and being considered the spearhead in confronting or weakening the Iranian regime is not, at present, in the best interest of the Kurds of Iran.”

Recent reports also indicate that Israel has maintained separate discussions with Iranian Kurdish insurgent organizations based in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region for approximately one year.

The Kurdish people represent an ethnic minority that has remained without a sovereign state since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire created modern Middle Eastern boundaries a century ago.

Predominantly Sunni Muslim, Kurds speak a language with Persian roots and primarily inhabit mountainous territories spanning Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.

While Iraqi Kurds have achieved significant autonomy through their regional government controlling three northern provinces, Kurdish populations in Iran, Turkey, and Syria continue to face obstacles in their aspirations for self-governance or statehood.

Iran’s Islamic Republic confronts an unprecedented challenge as it seeks a new leader following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes one week ago.

The regime’s traditional base of unwavering supporters appears to be eroding significantly, creating uncertainty about whether Iran’s next leader can maintain control. Mojtaba Khamenei, the deceased leader’s hardline son, emerges as a leading candidate for succession.

However, interviews conducted by Reuters with militia members, citizens, government officials, and political experts reveal that the Islamic Republic’s support network has contracted dramatically compared to previous decades.

“The strategy in choosing a hardliner as the new leader would be to consolidate the base, but they’re ending up with an increasingly small circle of supporters,” explained Ali Ansari, who teaches modern history at the University of St Andrews in the UK.

“And the longer this goes on, the more it will all fray at the edges,” Ansari added.

The Islamic government originally gained power through a 1979 revolution supported by millions of Iranian citizens. However, years of corrupt governance, authoritarian rule, and poor administration have eroded that backing, creating widespread disillusionment among regular people.

A dedicated group of supporters continues to exist, consistently voting to maintain the Islamic system and participating in street demonstrations to suppress opposition movements.

These well-coordinated loyalists can mobilize rapidly, presenting a significant challenge to any American or Israeli ambitions for regime change.

Mahdi Rastegari, a 32-year-old religious instructor and Basij militia member, demonstrated this commitment: “We have given many martyrs. They have sacrificed themselves for our leader. Now we must show that the path of the leader Khamenei continues. We will solve any problems and support whoever is chosen as leader. We will even give our lives for him.”

Recent electoral data illustrates the hardliners’ minority status. In Iran’s most recent presidential contest, the most conservative candidate, Saeed Jalili, received approximately 9 million votes initially and 13 million in the runoff, while more than 61 million of Iran’s 85-plus million citizens were eligible to participate.

Despite representing a clear minority, the hardliners’ weakness doesn’t provide much encouragement to those seeking political transformation, as the continued military assault has sparked concerns about potential chaos.

Babak, a 34-year-old business owner from Arak who requested anonymity for his surname, expressed this sentiment: “The Guards and the system are still powerful. They have tens of thousands of forces ready to fight to keep this regime in place. We, the people, have nothing.”

The death of Iran’s leader on the conflict’s opening day, combined with emerging divisions within the country’s leadership structure, will test hardline loyalty to the Islamic Republic more severely than ever before.

Individuals like Basij member Rastegari form part of a power structure that extends from the supreme leader’s now-destroyed Tehran headquarters to every town and neighborhood, creating barriers to internal opposition movements.

Since Khamenei’s death, hardline supporters have organized government-sponsored memorial services for him nightly, even as bombs continue falling throughout the nation.

These supporters include genuine believers willing to sacrifice their lives as martyrs for their conviction in clerical rule guided by divine authority, alongside those motivated by personal gain who have profited from publicly backing the system.

Ali Mohammad Hosseini, another Basij member, transitions from working at his father’s grocery store in the Shiite religious center of Qom to spending evenings at checkpoints designed to prevent public dissent.

The 29-year-old stated: “The most important issue is preserving the regime, which is what the Americans are targeting.” He described supporting whichever cleric succeeds Khamenei as a “religious duty” worth dying for.

Such dedication isn’t widespread, though. Hassan, another Basij member who requested only his first name and disclosed his location in the Shiite holy city of Mashhad, expressed skepticism about the Islamic Republic’s future.

“We need to be realistic,” he observed, citing ongoing American pressure and the devastating consequences of destructive airstrikes should a hardliner like Mojtaba Khamenei assume leadership.

Basij members and other system loyalists have historically received benefits including priority university admission, employment opportunities, and discounted bank financing – advantages that a collapsing economy might eliminate.

“We do not even have airports any more. No ports. How are they going to rebuild this economy?” questioned Hassan, who is 29 years old.

Health officials in Gaza reported that two Palestinians died Sunday when an Israeli airstrike targeted their vehicle in Gaza City, marking the most fatal incident in the territory since Israel and the United States began military operations against Iran a week prior.

According to medical personnel, the victims were driving near Al-Azhar University in the western section of Gaza City when the strike occurred. Officials have not yet released the names of those killed. Health authorities also confirmed that several other individuals in the vicinity sustained injuries from the attack.

While such military actions have become less frequent following the commencement of the joint U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iran, Israeli forces have been responsible for multiple Palestinian deaths throughout the past week.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a statement regarding Sunday’s airstrike when contacted for comment.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that was negotiated through U.S. mediation and began last October, violent incidents have persisted almost daily. Each party continues to accuse the other of breaking the terms of the truce.

Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israeli forces have killed no fewer than 640 Palestinians since October began. Israeli officials state that four of their soldiers have died in Gaza during the same timeframe due to militant attacks.

The Gaza Strip has suffered extensive destruction during more than two years of Israeli military operations that have resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, while leaving large portions of the territory in ruins.

The current conflict began following Hamas’ assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which the militant group killed 1,200 individuals and captured more than 250 hostages, based on Israeli government figures.

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — A massive civilian evacuation is underway in eastern South Sudan as thousands of residents abandon the town of Akobo following a military ultimatum that preceded a planned government assault, authorities reported Sunday.

The mass departure from Akobo, situated close to the Ethiopian border, commenced Saturday evening after government forces issued their evacuation directive.

“The town is now almost empty,” said Nhial Lew, a local official in charge of humanitarian affairs. “Women, children and the elderly have left and crossed into Ethiopia.”

Despite the government setting Monday afternoon as the evacuation deadline, armed conflict has already erupted west of Akobo starting Saturday.

“We are hearing the sound of machine guns approaching,” Lew said on Sunday evening.

On Friday, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces commanded the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to shut down its Akobo facility.

Aid organizations and local residents received orders to leave “in order to avoid unnecessary collateral damage,” as government forces prepare their military campaign against “Akobo and surrounding areas,” military spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang announced in an official statement.

The town represents one of the final territorial strongholds controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), the faction headed by detained Vice President Riek Machar.

The 2018 peace agreement between Machar and President Salva Kiir has virtually disintegrated since hostilities resumed between their respective forces last year.

Military clashes have escalated significantly in northern Jonglei since December, when opposition fighters seized government military positions. Government forces launched a counterattack that forced over 280,000 residents from their homes within weeks.

Akobo, positioned in South Sudan’s far eastern region and controlled by opposition forces since the 2013 civil war outbreak, had been considered a relatively secure sanctuary. A small U.N. peacekeeping presence attracted more than 82,000 displaced individuals seeking safety in and around the community.

UNMISS has not yet issued an official response to the government’s base closure directive.

Two United Nations aircraft transported most humanitarian personnel out of the area Sunday. The International Committee of the Red Cross operates a surgical facility at Akobo County Hospital, where multiple injured patients were receiving care. ICRC personnel had not yet been evacuated.

However, the threat of an imminent attack on Akobo has created anxiety among local medical officials.

“We are worried for our patients at the hospital,” said Dual Diew, the Akobo County health director. “We tried to make a plan to take them to a safer location, but we don’t have enough fuel.”

Saturday saw Akobo residents organize protests against the military ultimatum, with demonstrators marching to the U.N. facility demanding peace and protection.

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli forces commanded residents of numerous border communities in southern Lebanon to leave their homes “immediately” on Wednesday as bombing campaigns targeting Beirut suburbs grew more intense and Hezbollah claimed additional attacks.

Lebanon became embroiled in the Middle Eastern conflict early Monday after U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran, when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah organization launched rockets and drones into northern Israel. This prompted Israeli counterstrikes across various regions that resulted in more than 50 deaths and approximately 300 injuries.

The fighting has also forced tens of thousands to flee from southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods.

Israeli military officials released a directive Wednesday instructing residents of numerous southern Lebanese communities near the Israeli border to evacuate and relocate “immediately” north of the Litani River.

The Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson cautioned on X that anyone choosing to travel south of the river would be putting their lives at risk.

The region south of the Litani River, comprising roughly 8% of Lebanon’s territory, runs primarily along the Israeli border. Lebanese authorities claim they have removed Hezbollah’s military infrastructure from this area over recent months.

The evacuation directive followed overnight bombing raids on the mainly Christian southeastern neighborhood of Hazmieh that targeted a hotel. Additional strikes hit Aramoun and Saadiyat communities just south of Beirut’s international airport, resulting in six deaths and eight injuries. A separate attack on the eastern city of Baalbek claimed six lives and wounded 15, state media reported.

The four bombing operations occurred without advance notice, typically indicating targeted assassination attempts. Security sources speaking anonymously per protocol said the individual targeted in Hazmieh was a local leader from Beirut’s southern Ghobeiri district who sustained injuries.

“We live in a country where a missile can fall on your head at any moment,” said Maggie Shibli, wife of the owner of the Hotel Comfort in a Hazmieh neighborhood that was struck early Wednesday.

Abbas Najdeh, who was displaced from the southern port city of Tyre and was staying at the hotel, said: “We were sleeping then suddenly I, my children and my wife were thrown away.”

Also Wednesday, Israeli military officials issued multiple warnings for residents to evacuate buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which came under attack shortly thereafter.

Hezbollah announced Wednesday that it conducted multiple operations against Israel, including two attacks where the organization claimed it deployed precision-guided missiles.

The directive for residents to abandon the area south of the Litani River came one day after Israel deployed ground forces into southern Lebanon for the first time since a ceasefire concluded a 14-month Israel-Hezbollah conflict in November 2024.

Whether Israel is planning a ground offensive remained unclear. Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency documented Israeli artillery bombardment of multiple Lebanese border communities, including Aid al-Shaab and Beit Lif.

In eastern Lebanon, the primary border crossing with Syria temporarily shut down Wednesday after Lebanese authorities received warnings of an imminent Israeli attack, which officials subsequently determined was a false alert. Similar false alarms have occurred throughout Beirut and other Lebanese regions, heightening anxiety among civilians.

The current fighting represents another chapter in the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel conflict. Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire into Israel one day following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that sparked the Gaza war. Following months of limited combat, full-scale warfare began in September 2024, with Israel subsequently launching a ground offensive into Lebanon.

Israeli troops pulled back from most of southern Lebanon following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that ended hostilities in late 2024, but maintained control of five positions on Lebanese territory. Israel has also continued conducting nearly daily attacks, mainly in southern Lebanon, claiming that Hezbollah has been attempting to reestablish its military presence in the region.

CAIRO (AP) — A vessel flying the Russian flag and transporting liquefied natural gas burst into flames and went down in Mediterranean waters near Libya’s coastline, North African officials announced Wednesday. Authorities reported no deaths or injuries from the incident.

The vessel was operating under Western economic restrictions and believed to belong to Russia’s covert fleet of energy transport ships attempting to circumvent penalties placed on Moscow due to its military actions in Ukraine. Officials have not yet determined what triggered the blast.

Libya’s Maritime Authority reported that the Arctic Metagaz experienced “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” on Tuesday while positioned roughly 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the Libyan port city of Sirte.

The LNG carrier, loaded with 61,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, “completely sank” in waters between Libya and Malta, according to an official statement. Emergency responders successfully evacuated all 30 crew members, who were transferred to another ship en route to Benghazi, Libya.

The vessel had departed from Murmansk, a northwestern Russian port on the Barents Sea, with Port Said, Egypt as its Mediterranean destination. Ship-tracking service MarineTraffic showed the tanker’s final recorded location was in western Mediterranean waters near Malta’s coast.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stepped forward to help negotiate a fresh ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan as violent border confrontations reached their sixth consecutive day Wednesday.

The hostilities began last week when Afghanistan launched strikes Thursday in response to Pakistani air attacks from the prior weekend. Pakistan has since conducted military operations along the frontier and announced it was engaged in “open war” with Afghanistan, causing concern among international observers.

The current violence has destroyed a previous ceasefire that Qatar and Turkey had successfully negotiated in October, when the two nations had previously approached the brink of war. That agreement, reached in Qatar, led to six days of discussions in Istanbul, producing a deal to maintain the ceasefire and schedule additional negotiations for November.

The November 6-7 talks failed to achieve any progress and diplomatic efforts came to a standstill.

A statement from Turkey’s presidential office revealed that Erdogan spoke by phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he “condemned the terrorist attacks in Pakistan” and pledged Turkey would work to “contribute to the reestablishment of the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

While Sharif’s office didn’t explicitly acknowledge Erdogan’s mediation proposal, it confirmed the leaders addressed tensions along the 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) Afghan-Pakistan frontier. The statement indicated both leaders “exchanged views on recent developments” and would maintain closer “contact in our shared pursuit of peace and stability in the region.”

Afghanistan’s Taliban government hasn’t immediately responded to Erdogan’s proposal, though Kabul might view the Turkish president’s statements as biased or openly favoring Islamabad.

Nevertheless, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan contacted Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi last week regarding the cross-border crisis, according to Afghanistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, though no additional information was provided.

Since the latest combat erupted, both nations have reported causing significant casualties to opposing forces in battles primarily concentrated in Pakistan’s border areas within the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and southwestern Balochistan province.

Death toll accounts have been dramatically inconsistent. The frontier region — where extremist organizations including al-Qaida and ISIS maintain operations — remains inaccessible to journalists, preventing independent verification of casualty claims.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that its troops had killed or injured dozens more enemy personnel as cross-border combat persisted. Tuesday’s ministry statement claimed Afghan forces eliminated 150 Pakistani soldiers during the previous five days, while acknowledging 28 Afghan military deaths in the same timeframe.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated Wednesday that 481 Afghan troops had died over the past six days. These contradictory figures cannot be verified.

Pakistan has indicated its military actions will persist until Afghanistan takes confirmed measures to control the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and other militants operating from Afghan soil.

Pakistan has consistently blamed Kabul for sheltering the TTP, a militant organization behind increased attacks within Pakistan since 2021 when the Afghan Taliban regained control in Afghanistan. Kabul rejects these accusations, maintaining it prevents its territory from being used against neighboring countries.

Colombian citizens went to voting stations Sunday to select their new legislative body and determine presidential nominees for the upcoming May election, in a process that will significantly influence the future president’s capacity to advance their political priorities.

More than 3,000 candidates competed for 102 Senate positions and 182 House positions, with political experts anticipating the results will be split among approximately two dozen political parties. This fragmentation will likely require the eventual president to build coalition partnerships to govern effectively.

Additionally, 41.2 million registered voters had the opportunity to participate in primary elections where right-wing, centrist, and left-wing parties selected their presidential nominees. Notable candidates including leftist Ivan Cepeda, conservative Abelardo De La Espriella, and moderate Sergio Fajardo chose not to take part in Sunday’s primary contests.

“It is very important to come and exercise the right to vote. The most important thing is for Colombia to decide its future and for the results to be respected,” said Federico Rodriguez, a 32-year-old business administrator, after voting in Bogota’s north.

“It is a source of pride that we can go out and exercise our right to vote and to democracy, but I also have uncertainty about the results, about knowing what Colombia’s future will be in the next four years,” said university student Isabella Suarez, 21.

Voting locations remained open from 8 a.m. local time until 4 p.m.

Current President Gustavo Petro, whose administration concludes in August, has raised concerns multiple times about the vote-counting technology planned for the elections, suggesting potential problems could occur. However, National Registrar Hernan Penagos has assured voters of the election’s integrity and confirmed that party representatives can monitor the software’s operations.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez announced this week that approximately 246,000 military personnel and police officers were deployed on heightened security status to guard against potential violence from criminal organizations that might attempt to interfere with voting or intimidate citizens into supporting specific candidates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that he and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten explored expanding their nations’ collaborative weapons manufacturing efforts during the Dutch leader’s visit to Kyiv.

“It is important that we are producing weapons together with the Netherlands – and we will certainly continue and expand this joint work,” Zelenskyy posted on social media, noting their detailed conversations about investment opportunities and manufacturing capacity.

Over the past several months, Ukraine has intensified its push to develop collaborative defense manufacturing partnerships with European nations, establishing multiple facilities dedicated to producing unmanned aircraft.

With Iran deploying drones against American allies throughout the Gulf region and elsewhere in retaliation for sustained American and Israeli military operations, Ukraine sees an opportunity to strengthen its position with international partners by demonstrating how its hard-earned knowledge from four years of Russia’s comprehensive invasion could prove essential for allies’ future security needs.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine possesses unmatched expertise in countering drone attacks, the same technology Iran frequently deploys against Middle Eastern nations.

The Ukrainian leader revealed that his country stands ready to export interceptor drones not needed by Ukrainian forces, with the initial team of Ukrainian military trainers scheduled to deploy to the Middle East on Monday.

“They are coming with the means to help,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that Ukraine would share its knowledge and practical experience in neutralizing “Shahed” drones and cruise missiles.

Ukrainian companies producing cost-effective interceptor drones specifically engineered to destroy hostile unmanned aircraft report having the manufacturing capability to supply international markets in substantial quantities.

Political adversaries are blasting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for damaging the historic alliance between the United States and United Kingdom following disagreements with President Donald Trump regarding Iran policy.

On Tuesday, Trump labeled Britain as “uncooperative” and criticized Starmer as “not Winston Churchill” following the prime minister’s initial refusal to allow American forces to utilize British military installations for operations against Iran. Starmer subsequently changed his position, permitting US aircraft to operate from English bases and the Diego Garcia facility in the Indian Ocean for strikes on Iranian missile installations threatening British allies across the Middle East.

Despite this reversal, Trump’s frustration persists, leaving Starmer to assess potential consequences for Atlantic partnerships and commercial relationships.

The foundation for post-World War II cooperation between the nations was established when Churchill proclaimed in a 1946 address at Westminster College in Missouri that there existed “a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States.”

This partnership has endured through decades thanks to shared language, mutual interests, defense collaboration and cultural bonds. Personal connections have sometimes strengthened these ties, including the alliance between Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan during the 1980s, and the partnership between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

However, tensions have emerged periodically. During 1956, Israel, Britain and France launched an operation to control the Suez Canal following Egypt’s nationalization of the waterway. These forces ultimately retreated when President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration withheld support and threatened economic penalties, highlighting Britain’s declining influence and America’s growing global dominance.

Ten years later, diplomatic relations reached another low point when British Prime Minister Harold Wilson refused pressure from President Lyndon B. Johnson to participate in the Vietnam conflict.

Blair attempted to prevent similar discord by deploying British forces alongside the American-led Iraq invasion in 2003, based on subsequently discredited intelligence regarding Saddam Hussein’s purported weapons programs. This war resulted in 179 British military deaths, approximately 4,500 American casualties, and thousands of Iraqi fatalities. Blair’s choice remains among the most divisive decisions by a British leader in recent history.

The center-left Starmer had developed unexpectedly positive relations with Trump following the president’s 2025 return to office, though tensions between the leaders have been escalating for months. Trump’s statements about potentially acquiring Greenland drew condemnation from Starmer and fellow European officials earlier this year.

More recently, Trump has criticized Britain’s decision to transfer the Chagos Islands, which house the Diego Garcia installation, to Mauritius, despite his administration’s previous support for the arrangement.

Starmer has strongly suggested he views military action against Iran as unlawful and stated the British government opposes “regime change from the skies.”

Cabinet minister James Murray declared Wednesday that Starmer was proceeding with “a cool head, with a real clarity of purpose,” and maintained that Britain’s connection with America remains “historic, long-lasting and deep.”

However, political rivals and media critics argue that Starmer is marginalizing Britain during a critical period. The conservative Daily Mail announced: “Starmer takes the Great out of Britain.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch argued that Starmer should have endorsed the American-Israeli military campaign.

On Monday, an Iranian-manufactured drone attacked a British air force installation in Cyprus, resulting in “minimal” damage without casualties. Badenoch claimed that Starmer “has the wrong priorities.”

“When our bases are attacked, they call the lawyers,” she stated Wednesday.

American presidential temperament can shift rapidly, and British authorities are optimistic this current disagreement will resolve quickly.

Trump’s warning this week to terminate trade with Spain after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Iranian strikes as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous” demonstrates the potential consequences.

The British agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, which Britain considers essential for maintaining the Diego Garcia base’s future, remains suspended pending American approval. A trade agreement signed by Trump and Starmer with considerable ceremony in May has yet to be completed and faces uncertainty following Trump’s recent tariff announcements.

Peter Ricketts, a former British national security adviser, observed that Trump appears to demand “completely blind loyalty” from allies and had launched an “unfair” attack against Starmer. However, he advised British officials against overreacting.

“I think the prime minister should keep calm and carry on,” he told the BBC.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his measured approach to Middle East military operations on Wednesday, following sharp criticism from President Donald Trump over the United Kingdom’s level of support for American strikes against Iran.

The United Kingdom, traditionally one of America’s closest allies, initially declined to permit U.S. forces to use British military installations for operations against Tehran. London only modified this stance after Iran launched attacks on neighboring countries, at which point the UK agreed to allow limited use of its bases for defensive operations.

Trump publicly criticized Starmer on three separate occasions, including during Tuesday’s Oval Office session with reporters where he stated: “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”

During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, Starmer defended the enduring partnership between the two nations, arguing it extends far beyond presidential commentary. The prime minister had previously insisted that any British military involvement required a “viable, thought-through plan.”

“That is the special relationship in action,” Starmer declared, referencing U.S. aircraft operating from British facilities, British fighter jets defending American installations, and ongoing intelligence cooperation.

“Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship,” he added.

Acknowledging public concerns about potential military escalation, Starmer promised Britain would proceed “with clarity, with purpose and with a cool head.”

The prime minister faces domestic pressure from multiple directions regarding his military decisions. Left-wing critics demand he denounce the military operations entirely, while conservative opposition figures Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage have attacked him for inadequately supporting Britain’s primary intelligence and security partner.

According to Starmer, British and American officials have maintained close coordination for weeks regarding military asset deployment in the region.

Following damage to the runway at Britain’s Akrotiri military base in Cyprus from an Iranian-manufactured Shahed drone strike, London announced the deployment of HMS Dragon, an air-defense vessel, accompanied by additional helicopters equipped with anti-drone technology.

ABU FALAH, West Bank — Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank claimed three more Palestinian lives on Sunday, pushing the death count from recent clashes to six as global attention remains fixed on Israel’s wider regional conflict with Iran.

Israeli military officials reported they intervened after receiving word that Israeli settlers were attacking Palestinians close to Khirbet Abu Falah, located east of Ramallah. Two Palestinians died from bullet wounds while a third succumbed to asphyxiation, presumably from tear gas exposure, according to military statements.

The fatalities included cousins Fare’ Hamayel and Thaer Hamayel, along with Mohammad Murra. The community held a combined burial service for all three men.

Amin Shouman, an Abu Falah local who saw the incident unfold, spoke with The Associated Press about what happened. “Dozens of Israeli settlers approached the village from the north and opened fire when they were confronted by a guard committee along the border of the village,” Shouman said.

These latest casualties follow other fatal encounters from the previous week. An Israeli reservist killed one Palestinian in the south Hebron Hills on Saturday, while settlers were responsible for the deaths of two Palestinian brothers in the northern West Bank on Monday.

In an unusual move, Israeli military leadership issued harsh criticism of the settler actions and launched a criminal probe into those responsible.

“This is an unacceptable incident. There will be zero tolerance for civilians who take the law into their own hands,” stated Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, who leads the military’s Central Command overseeing West Bank operations. “Especially at a time when the IDF is striking our bitter enemies, Iran and Hezbollah, with a firm hand — we cannot allow reckless internal violence to undermine the rule of law and the security of the region.”

Palestinian officials and human rights organizations maintain that Israeli leadership consistently fails to pursue legal action against settlers or ensure accountability for violent acts.

The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry issued a Saturday statement charging Israel with “exploiting the atmosphere of war” and reduced global focus on West Bank matters to escalate harassment, violence and forced relocation efforts.

Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din documented over 50 cases of settler attacks against Palestinians during just the initial four days of the Iran conflict, which began February 28.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reports that checkpoint shutdowns and gate restrictions implemented due to the war are creating significant barriers for emergency responders throughout the West Bank, particularly during settler violence incidents.

Though authorities have not imposed a complete lockdown like those following the October 7, 2023 attack and last year’s Iran war, Israel has installed hundreds of additional gates throughout the territory, restricting movement between Palestinian communities and severely complicating emergency response efforts. Current gate numbers have reached approximately 1,100, compared to roughly 800 during last year’s conflict, the Red Crescent noted.

Medical professionals and emergency personnel report that movement limitations severely impact their response times, especially after violent settler attacks. Many communities most at risk from such violence are located in West Bank areas under complete Israeli military and civilian authority, situated far from urban medical facilities and reliant on roadways that can be blocked without advance warning.

Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced Sunday that his country anticipates finalizing negotiations with Italy for the acquisition of military warships by next month.

The potential agreement involves purchasing Bergamini class frigates from Italian manufacturers, building on naval cooperation agreements signed between high-level Greek and Italian officials in the previous year. These memorandums paved the path for Athens to acquire two FREMM frigates, with the possibility of obtaining two additional vessels.

Speaking to a Greek publication, Dendias expressed optimism about the timeline. “We hope that negotiations with Italy will be concluded and that we will have signed (a deal) for the acquisition of 2+2 frigates by April,” the minister stated.

The Defense Minister also revealed that Greece is working to equip these frigates with advanced ELSA missile systems of the latest generation.

This warship acquisition represents one component of Greece’s extensive military modernization effort, which includes a comprehensive defense budget of approximately 28 billion euros spread across multiple years. The broader military upgrade also encompasses the purchase of a fourth Belharra frigate from French manufacturers and new submarine vessels, as Greece seeks to maintain military parity with Turkey, its longtime regional competitor.

Israel’s military announced Sunday the deaths of two soldiers during operations in southern Lebanon, representing the first military casualties since fighting with Hezbollah intensified over the past week following increased Israeli airstrikes in the region.

Military officials have not released additional information about how the incident occurred or the specific circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ deaths.

Fighting has persisted along the border between Israel and Lebanon as tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have escalated following joint U.S.-Israeli military operations targeting Iran.

WASHINGTON – Military leaders at the Pentagon reported Wednesday that Iran has significantly reduced its missile activity compared to when hostilities began this past Saturday, with officials citing weakened Iranian military capacity as U.S. operations prepare to move deeper into the country.

General Dan Caine, who serves as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced during a Pentagon briefing that American forces will “now begin to expand inland striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory, and creating additional freedom of maneuver for US forces.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed confidence that America is prevailing in the current conflict with Iran, though he acknowledged the loss of six American service members in the fighting. Hegseth emphasized that the United States has the endurance to outlast Iranian forces.

In a significant naval development, Hegseth verified that U.S. forces destroyed an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka’s coastline, marking the first time since World War Two that an American submarine has used a torpedo to sink an enemy vessel.

“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death,” Hegseth stated during the briefing.

The naval engagement was initially disclosed through Reuters reporting before receiving official confirmation from the Pentagon.

KEFLAVIK, Iceland — In an unprecedented move, Sweden has deployed military aircraft to patrol Icelandic airspace for the first time as NATO works to demonstrate its commitment to Arctic security to both American and Russian leadership.

Six Swedish Saab Gripen fighter aircraft — representing the pinnacle of Sweden’s defense manufacturing capabilities — have been stationed at Keflavik as part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry operation.

This deployment aims to bolster NATO’s military footprint in the Arctic, a region of growing strategic importance, while addressing internal alliance friction sparked by former President Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark.

Trump had previously pressured NATO members to dramatically boost defense expenditures, particularly in Arctic territories. He had criticized Denmark’s limited military assets protecting Greenland, sarcastically referring to their presence as “two dog sleds.”

The Swedish aircraft are primarily monitoring for Russian long-range bombing aircraft that could launch from installations on the Kola Peninsula, where Russia maintains its Northern Fleet headquarters and nuclear missile facilities.

“Iceland as well as all of the Arctic would be important (in case of a conflict) because that’s the warning chain for attacks against the U.S. or Canada across the Arctic,” explained Major General Frode Arnfinn Kristoffersen, who serves as deputy chief of staff for operations at NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk.

“Russia sees the Arctic as vital to becoming a great power and has also built up new Arctic bases and opened up former Soviet military sites, including deep-water ports and airfields,” Kristoffersen added.

Russian officials have consistently rejected allegations of Arctic territorial ambitions or regional threats, calling such concerns fabricated “horror stories” created by Western nations to rationalize their own military actions.

The Keflavik Air Base, originally constructed during World War II and operated by American forces until 2006, now hosts NATO air patrol operations that began intermittently in 2008.

The harsh, frigid conditions mirror those found throughout Greenland and other Arctic territories.

“We have experiences from operating in this kind of harsh environment…so for us, it’s quite natural to also be able to operate here in Iceland,” stated Major General Jonas Wikman, commander of Sweden’s Air Force.

The JAS 39 Gripen represents a fourth-generation lightweight, single-engine supersonic aircraft capable of multiple mission types, including ground attack, surface strikes, and aerial combat operations.

“It’s perfectly suitable for this weather. It’s built in Sweden for the Swedish climate, and this is basically what we have back in Sweden,” noted Lieutenant Colonel Robin Arvidsson, a fighter pilot and squadron leader in Sweden’s Air Force.

The aircraft requires minimal logistical support and can be refueled and rearmed by a single officer and four enlisted personnel in just 10 minutes.

While NATO countries have accelerated efforts to expand their Arctic military presence, some experts and political figures have challenged the reasoning behind this military expansion, arguing Russia currently presents no immediate danger to Greenland.

“This is very dangerous because it leads to an action-reaction cycle,” warned Pavel Devyatkin, a senior researcher at The Arctic Institute, a Washington-based policy organization.

“There’s a very high chance of an accidental incident, of an escalation,” Devyatkin continued. “These moves from Sweden and from NATO are basically appeasing President Trump.”

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have consolidated their control over military strategy following the elimination of senior commanders, according to insider sources who say this shift is driving Tehran’s aggressive missile and drone operations throughout the Middle East.

The Guards had already distributed authority to lower-level officers before Saturday’s joint U.S.-Israeli strike, implementing a survival strategy that could potentially lead to miscalculations or broader conflict as mid-level commanders gain power to launch attacks on neighboring countries. This week, Iran launched strikes against Turkey, a NATO member.

Within Iran’s borders, the Guards’ expanded influence across all government levels and their strict security measures may prevent popular uprisings, potentially dashing any American or Israeli expectations that their attacks might trigger internal revolt and government overthrow.

The selection of Iran’s next supreme leader following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death on Saturday could further strengthen the Guards’ position, according to Kasra Aarabi, who leads Revolutionary Guards research at United Against Nuclear Iran, a Washington-based policy group.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son and a prominent succession candidate, maintains strong Revolutionary Guards connections, wielding considerable influence over the organization and receiving broad backing, particularly from more extremist lower-ranking members.

“If the conflict suddenly stops and the regime survives, we can be certain the Guards will have an even more important role,” said Aarabi.

DECENTRALIZED COMMAND STRUCTURE BUILDS RESILIENCE

Six Iranian and regional sources with intimate Guards knowledge told Reuters the organization has assumed significantly greater authority since Saturday’s war outbreak, now participating in all major strategic choices.

A security official with Guards connections reported that new commander Ahmad Vahidi attends every senior leadership meeting, with the organization’s primary focus remaining the preservation of Iran’s Islamic revolutionary government and its objectives.

Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaeinik, himself a Guards member, outlined the elite unit’s resilience preparations during a Tuesday television appearance, explaining that each command position includes designated replacements extending three levels down the hierarchy.

“The role of each unit and section has been organised in such a way that if any commander is killed, a successor immediately takes their place,” he said.

Israeli operations last year eliminated the Guards’ top commander along with intelligence, aerospace, and economic division leaders. Saturday’s airstrike killed current Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour.

This decentralized approach has been Guards doctrine for nearly two decades, developed after observing Iraqi military collapse during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Aarabi explained.

“The whole idea was to decentralise so that if one particular province came under attack, it could defend itself and sustain the regime’s authority and rule,” he said.

DUAL MISSION: EXTERNAL DEFENSE AND INTERNAL CONTROL

The strategy ensures Guards can simultaneously function as Iran’s primary military response force against foreign attacks while enforcing domestic security within the Islamic Republic, he noted.

This framework appears effective currently, though continued strikes targeting both senior and junior Guards officers could eventually challenge the organization’s ability to maintain coordinated strategy.

While the Guards contain internal factions with personal conflicts and disagreements about their mission, one source described them as more “united than ever when Iran is under attack.”

Five days into the Israeli and American strikes, signs suggest the command structure may be deteriorating, Aarabi observed, citing increasingly erratic attacks on civilian targets in Gulf nations.

Whether this reflects deliberate strategy to demonstrate global consequences of attacking Iran remains unclear.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated Iran’s response was predetermined.

“These units are operating based on general instructions given to them in advance, rather than direct, real-time command from the current political leadership,” he told Al Jazeera.

Though Guards involvement in Iranian strategic decisions now exceeds their pre-war influence, they benefit from surviving political leadership where the three highest officials are former Guards members.

MILITARY AND ECONOMIC EMPIRE

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps formed shortly after Iran’s 1979 revolution to protect the new government against internal and external enemies while balancing regular military forces.

Reporting directly to the supreme leader, it evolved into a parallel state combining military strength, intelligence operations, and economic power focused on preserving Iran’s Islamic governing system.

This mission faced its first major test when Iraq invaded months after the revolution, launching an eight-year conflict that shaped many current Iranian leaders.

Prominent Iranian officials with Guards wartime service include the three non-clerical leaders holding critical positions since Khamenei’s death.

President Masoud Pezeshkian served as battlefield medical officer, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf fought frontline battles before commanding the Guards’ aviation unit, while Ali Larijani, Khamenei’s chief advisor, worked as staff officer behind combat zones.

Beginning in the early 2000s, as war veterans entered leadership roles and Iran’s Western confrontation intensified, Guards influence within the Iranian state expanded significantly.

The Guards assumed control of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran maintains serves peaceful purposes but Western nations suspect covers atomic weapons development.

As nuclear-related sanctions took effect, Guards entered economic sectors, with their construction division Khatam al-Anbia securing major contracts including crucial energy projects.

The Guards increasingly became the primary channel to Shiite proxy forces across the Middle East, while their volunteer militia, the Basij, suppressed domestic protests.