Author: Admin

President Donald Trump launched his newly-formed Board of Peace Thursday, bringing together delegates from more than 40 nations plus observers from an additional dozen countries. The first-ever gathering centered on rebuilding efforts in Gaza and establishing an international peacekeeping presence in the war-torn region, where a fragile ceasefire remains in place.

According to Trump, board participants have committed $5 billion toward reconstruction efforts, though this represents only a small portion of the estimated $70 billion experts say will be required to fully restore the Palestinian territory. Participants are also expected to provide thousands of personnel for international peacekeeping and police operations, raising concerns among some that Trump aims to establish an alternative to the United Nations.

Earlier this week, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed reservations to reporters, stating that “at the international level it should above all be the U.N. that manages these crisis situations.”

The Trump administration defended the initiative Wednesday, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responding: “This president has a very bold and ambitious plan and vision to rebuild and reconstruct Gaza, which is well underway because of the Board of Peace. This is a legitimate organization where there are tens of member countries from around the world.”

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized that the board “is not talking, it is doing.”

“We are hearing the chattering class criticizing the structure of the board, that it’s unconventional, that it’s unprecedented,” Waltz stated. “Again, the old ways were not working.”

Trump expressed hope this week that his board would motivate the UN to “get on the ball.”

“The United Nations has great potential,” he remarked. “They haven’t lived up to the potential.”

Meanwhile, UN Security Council members gathered Wednesday to advocate for making the Gaza ceasefire permanent and criticized Israeli expansion activities in the West Bank as threatening two-state solution prospects. The high-level UN session was originally planned for Thursday but was rescheduled earlier after Trump announced his board meeting for the same date, creating scheduling conflicts for diplomatic personnel.

This timing issue highlights potential coordination challenges between the UN’s most influential body and Trump’s broader goals to mediate international disputes, which has sparked worry in some nations about possible competition with the UN Security Council.

In related economic news, the Commerce Department announced Thursday that the U.S. trade deficit decreased slightly in 2025 as Trump implemented significant tariff increases on imports from most nations. The trade imbalance dropped to just over $901 billion from $904 billion in 2024, with exports climbing 6% and imports rising nearly 5%.

Countries participating in the Board of Peace include Argentina, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Egypt, El Salvador, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kosovo, Morocco, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The organization has evolved since its creation as part of Trump’s 20-point peace framework to resolve the Gaza conflict. Following October’s ceasefire, Trump envisions an expanded role that would address not only Israeli-Hamas peace efforts but also help mediate conflicts worldwide.

A critical component of both Israeli demands and the ceasefire agreement involves creating an armed international stabilization force to maintain security and ensure Hamas disarmament. So far, only Indonesia has made a concrete commitment to Trump’s proposed force, while Hamas has shown little indication of willingness to proceed with disarmament.

A devastating accident in Santiago, Chile claimed three lives Thursday morning when a tanker truck carrying liquid gas veered out of control and exploded after striking a highway barrier.

The blast left ten additional people wounded in what authorities describe as a tragic incident that occurred in Santiago’s northern district during early morning hours.

During a news briefing, Victor Vielma, who leads the Carabineros police department, explained that the gas transport vehicle lost control before colliding with the guardrail, though investigators have not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control.

The explosion’s impact extended beyond the initial crash, with seven additional passenger vehicles sustaining damage from the incident that unfolded in Chile’s capital city early Thursday.

Extremist groups have launched a series of synchronized assaults across Burkina Faso over the past week, resulting in the deaths of dozens of military personnel and civilians, according to confidential diplomatic reports obtained by Reuters.

The coordinated operations were carried out by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an organization with ties to Al Qaeda, demonstrating the group’s growing capability to organize large-scale attacks across vast areas simultaneously.

Burkina Faso’s current military leadership took control through a coup in 2022, vowing to strengthen the nation’s security situation. However, extremist violence has escalated throughout the West African nation as government forces struggle against an insurgency that has expanded throughout the Sahel region from neighboring Mali.

The synchronized strikes targeted multiple communities in northern and eastern areas, including Bilanga, Titao, Tandjari, and Nare, according to the diplomatic documents. Additional attacks occurred in the eastern city of Fada N’Gourma and the northern Ouahigouya region.

“These attacks, which were almost simultaneous and spread across several provinces, demonstrate unprecedented coordination between jihadists and the junta’s inability to contain the assaults,” stated one confidential report, which estimated casualties at over 180 people.

A second diplomatic assessment provided no casualty figures but confirmed the incidents appeared synchronized and involved several hundred fighters from JNIM and potentially Islamic State-affiliated groups. The militants targeted military installations, civilian transport routes, and marketplace areas.

According to the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, JNIM has claimed responsibility for killing numerous Burkinabe military personnel during last week’s operations.

Government officials in Burkina Faso have not responded to requests for information regarding the attacks or casualty reports.

In the northern community of Titao, militants stormed a military installation and ignited a local market, the confidential reports indicated. One assessment stated that nearly 80 soldiers and pro-government militia fighters were killed, while another reported approximately 10 civilian deaths in the same location.

Ghana’s foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday that eight tomato merchants were among the civilian casualties.

SITE reported that JNIM’s media division claimed the insurgents captured military vehicles, weapons, and other equipment during the operations.

More than ten years of armed insurgencies throughout the Sahel have forced millions from their homes and caused economic devastation, with violence spreading southward toward West Africa’s coastal nations.

According to SITE director Rita Katz in a LinkedIn post, JNIM has claimed responsibility for nearly 500 attacks in Burkina Faso during 2025 and almost 300 in Mali.

Workers across Argentina walked off the job Thursday as the nation’s Congress prepared to vote on sweeping changes to employment laws championed by libertarian President Javier Milei.

The Chamber of Deputies was scheduled to consider the controversial workplace legislation late Thursday, while a massive 24-hour work stoppage disrupted transportation, banking, and government services nationwide.

Argentina’s most powerful labor organization, the CGT umbrella union, organized the strike to protest what it calls an attack on decades-old worker rights, including protections for striking employees. The walkout affected bus and train services, banks, and government offices across the South American nation.

Maritime workers had already begun their own 48-hour work stoppage Wednesday, shutting down cargo operations at the port of Rosario, a critical hub for the country’s agricultural exports and one of the world’s busiest grain ports.

Milei’s administration defends the proposed changes as necessary economic reforms that will attract business investment and create more legitimate jobs. The legislation received approval from Argentina’s Senate last week with backing from Milei’s party and centrist coalition partners.

Under the proposed reforms, companies would face restrictions on striking workers’ ability to completely shut down essential services, requiring minimum staffing levels during work stoppages. The changes would also reduce costs for employers when laying off workers by removing certain bonus payments from severance calculations.

Financial markets are closely monitoring whether Milei can successfully advance his free-market economic policies through Congress. If lawmakers modify the legislation during Thursday’s vote, it would return to the Senate for final consideration before becoming law.

LONDON — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III who was once known as Prince Andrew, was taken into custody Thursday on charges of misconduct in public office. The arrest follows years of mounting allegations concerning his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

The 66-year-old has consistently maintained his innocence regarding any improper conduct in his association with the disgraced financier. His legal troubles intensified after the U.S. Justice Department made public over 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents.

Here’s how Mountbatten-Windsor’s situation unfolded over the years:

His troubles began when he was compelled to step down from his position as Britain’s special trade representative after initial reports emerged about his connections to Epstein, who had previously served time for sex crimes involving minors.

When Epstein faced new sex trafficking charges and subsequently took his own life in a New York detention facility, scrutiny intensified around claims that the royal had engaged in sexual activity with at least one minor who had been trafficked. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently rejected these accusations.

In an attempt to address the growing controversy, he participated in a televised interview with BBC journalist Emily Maitlis. The appearance proved damaging as he defended his association with Epstein while showing little compassion for victims and providing explanations many found unconvincing. During the interview, he claimed he had ended all communication with Epstein in December 2010 — a statement that would later prove problematic.

Shortly after the interview, Buckingham Palace declared that Andrew would step back from all royal responsibilities indefinitely. Within days, he lost his patronage of 230 charitable organizations.

He reached a financial agreement to resolve a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was coerced into sexual encounters with the royal at age 17. Though he admitted no wrongdoing, Andrew acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as an abuse victim. Legal analysts believe the confidential settlement may have cost him up to $10 million, though the funding source remains unclear.

Giuffre later died by suicide in Australia, where she had resided since approximately 2002.

British media later disclosed that Andrew had contacted Epstein via email on February 28, 2011 — more than two months beyond the date he told the BBC he had severed ties. In the message, Andrew indicated they were “in this together” and would need to “rise above it.”

He subsequently announced he would relinquish his royal titles, including Duke of York, stating that ongoing allegations were becoming a distraction for the monarchy and his brother’s reign.

In a book published after her death, Giuffre provided additional details about meeting Andrew in March 2001 and described being forced into sexual encounters with him on three different occasions.

King Charles then removed his brother’s remaining titles and honors, including his birthright as a prince. He became known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and was later required to vacate Royal Lodge, his 30-room residence near Windsor Castle where he had lived for over two decades. He agreed to move to the king’s private Sandringham Estate.

The release of the Epstein documents by the U.S. Justice Department revealed additional troubling information about the relationship between Andrew and Epstein. A particularly disturbing photograph showing Mountbatten-Windsor positioned over an unconscious, unidentified woman in what appeared to be Epstein’s New York residence sparked public outrage. The documents also suggested that Mountbatten-Windsor had provided Epstein with classified reports from a 2010 Southeast Asia trade mission — allegations that ultimately led to his arrest.

After relocating from his Windsor Castle residence to a smaller dwelling on the Sandringham Estate, the situation continued to deteriorate.

King Charles indicated his willingness to cooperate with law enforcement investigating claims that his brother had shared sensitive information with Epstein.

Thames Valley Police, responsible for the area west of London that includes Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence, confirmed they are examining reports that Andrew transmitted trade documents to Epstein in 2010. This investigation culminated in Thursday’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

LONDON (AP) — Once considered Queen Elizabeth II’s favored son, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has become a persistent source of trouble for Britain’s monarchy.

On Thursday, coinciding with his 66th birthday, Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into police custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office connected to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. This detention represents an unprecedented moment, as no senior member of the British royal family has faced arrest in contemporary times.

Born into royalty in 1960 as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s second son, Andrew followed the traditional path for non-heir royals by pursuing military service, while his older brother Charles was groomed for the crown.

Following a distinguished 22-year career with the Royal Navy, where he served as a helicopter pilot in combat during the 1982 Falklands conflict, Andrew received an appointment as Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

The ongoing police probe relates to this diplomatic period. Recent revelations from newly disclosed Epstein documents indicate that Andrew may have shared official government materials with the deceased financier during his tenure as trade representative. No criminal charges have been filed against the former prince, who has consistently maintained his innocence regarding any Epstein-related misconduct.

Mounting pressure over his connection to Epstein, who received an 18-month prison sentence in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, forced Mountbatten-Windsor to resign from his trade position in 2011.

Previously known for attracting tabloid attention due to his romantic relationships, earning him the nickname “Randy Andy,” he later became notorious for financial difficulties and associations with controversial figures, particularly Epstein, the American financier and registered sex offender.

Following Epstein’s 2019 re-arrest, Andrew participated in a catastrophic BBC Newsnight interview attempting to distance himself from the scandal. The appearance proved counterproductive, drawing widespread criticism for his implausible explanations and apparent lack of compassion for Epstein’s victims.

The public outcry prompted Andrew to announce on November 20, 2019, his withdrawal from public responsibilities and charitable commitments “for the foreseeable future.”

Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, filed a lawsuit against Andrew in New York federal court in August 2021, claiming the prince engaged in sexual conduct with her while she was a minor. Though Andrew disputed these accusations, he lost all military honors and royal charitable positions.

The case concluded with Andrew agreeing to an undisclosed financial settlement. While not admitting guilt, Andrew did recognize Giuffre’s trauma as a trafficking victim. Giuffre took her own life in April 2025 at age 41.

The controversy continued when correspondence surfaced last year revealing Andrew maintained contact with Epstein beyond what he had previously disclosed. This led King Charles III to revoke his brother’s princely title, other ceremonial positions, and his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

His current arrest adds another chapter to his downfall.

Despite everything, he retains his position as eighth in succession to the British throne.

BUDAPEST – Opposition leader Peter Magyar spoke out Thursday against a controversial campaign advertisement released by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party, which features an emotionally charged scene of a young girl crying at a window while witnessing her father’s wartime execution.

With Hungary’s parliamentary election scheduled for April 12, Orban has framed the contest as a decision between “war and peace,” claiming that Magyar’s center-right Tisza party would force Hungary into Ukraine’s conflict with Russia under pressure from the European Union.

The Tisza party has maintained its commitment to peace, stating it would not provide weapons or military personnel to Ukraine.

The brief 33-second advertisement, shared on the Budapest branch of Fidesz’s Facebook page, shows a blindfolded Hungarian soldier kneeling on a rain-soaked battlefield before being shot. Text accompanying the video states: “This is only a nightmare now, but Brussels is preparing to make it a reality … Let’s not take risks. Fidesz is the safe choice!”

Magyar issued a statement describing the video as “sickening, unforgivable and deeply outrageous.” “This is not politics, this is soulless manipulation,” he declared.

During a press conference, Orban’s chief of staff noted that more than one thousand casualties occur daily in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.

“What we see is the reality of the war,” stated Gergely Gulyas.

Gulyas did not dispute that artificial intelligence technology was used to create the video, which enables the production of realistic, complex scenes without traditional filming methods or performers.

Last October, Magyar submitted a criminal complaint alleging that one of Orban’s senior political advisors used deepfake technology to create a false representation of him in another campaign advertisement without proper disclosure.

The ruling Fidesz party has frequently employed AI-created election content in recent months, with some videos properly labeled and others not identified as artificially generated. The European Union’s upcoming AI Act will require mandatory disclosure of such content.

Reuters verified that Google’s AI technology was utilized in creating the war-themed video.

A Thursday poll from the 21 Research Centre revealed that 23% of voters think Tisza would involve Hungary in the Ukraine conflict if elected.

Among Fidesz supporters, 57% agreed with this assessment, while virtually no Tisza supporters shared this view.

Current polling shows Tisza maintaining an 8-12 point advantage over Orban’s Fidesz party, although government-affiliated pollsters continue to report the ruling party in the lead.

STOCKHOLM – Swedish officials announced Thursday a substantial new military assistance commitment to Ukraine valued at 12.9 billion crowns, equivalent to $1.42 billion.

The aid package will provide Ukraine with air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and long-range missile capabilities, according to Swedish authorities.

Defence Minister Pal Jonson revealed during a news briefing that this latest commitment is part of a broader 40 billion crown framework designated for Ukrainian military assistance through 2026.

With this new package included, Sweden’s total military assistance to Ukraine has reached 103 billion Swedish crowns since Russia launched its invasion in 2022, Jonson stated.

An 83-year-old congressman from Peru’s left-wing Peru Libre party has taken control of the country’s government following the congressional ouster of the previous interim leader.

Jose Balcazar assumed the interim presidency after Peru’s Congress voted Wednesday evening to install him in the position, defeating three other candidates including center-right legislator Maria del Carmen Alva. The veteran politician will hold office until the winner of April 12 general elections and a likely June runoff takes power on July 28.

The transition comes after lawmakers removed interim President Jose Jeri on Tuesday following just four months in office. Jeri faced a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman, and Balcazar was among those who voted for his removal.

Balcazar brings considerable legal experience to the role, having worked as both a lawyer and former judge. The Cajamarca region native earned a doctorate in law and political science, spent decades teaching at universities, and served on superior courts in Lambayeque before holding a temporary position on Peru’s Supreme Court.

However, his appointment comes with significant controversy. During 2023 legislative discussions about prohibiting child marriage, Balcazar made statements suggesting sexual relationships among minors were commonplace, referencing situations involving students and teachers. These remarks drew immediate criticism from human rights groups and government officials.

The new interim president also faces ongoing legal challenges. Prosecutors are investigating him for alleged influence peddling, and the Lambayeque Bar Association permanently removed him from membership in 2024 over suspected fund misappropriation. Balcazar maintains his innocence regarding these allegations.

Since winning his congressional seat in 2021 representing Lambayeque, Balcazar has held prominent positions including leading the special committee responsible for choosing Constitutional Court magistrates and serving in key roles on justice and education committees.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, Balcazar outlined his priorities: “We are going to work to make the elections cleaner and to have new representatives.”

The interim president inherits a nation experiencing severe political instability and widespread public skepticism toward government institutions. His primary responsibilities include maintaining order, supervising elections characterized by voter uncertainty and political fragmentation, and ensuring a smooth power transition in July.

Peru’s latest leadership change represents another test of whether the country’s political framework can prevent further deterioration during this period of crisis.

A 19-year-old Palestinian-American man died Wednesday night during violent confrontations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian health officials.

Palestinian Health Ministry officials identified the victim as Nasrallah Muhammad Jamal Abu Siyam, who they say was fatally shot by settlers in Mukhmas village, located north of Jerusalem.

Israeli military officials provided a different account, stating that their forces responded to violent disturbances in the region and worked to break up rioting. Military representatives said unidentified individuals opened fire on several Palestinians, who were then transported for emergency medical care.

Abu Siyam’s mother confirmed to The Associated Press that her son possessed U.S. citizenship. The American Embassy has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

Extremist settler violence throughout the West Bank has dramatically increased over recent years.

Palestinian communities and human rights organizations maintain that Israeli authorities consistently fail to bring settlers to justice or hold them responsible for acts of violence. Data from Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din shows that investigations into settler attacks have dropped significantly under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s leadership.

Israeli prosecutors made an unusual announcement earlier this week, revealing plans to file charges against a settler for killing a Palestinian activist during an altercation that was recorded on video.

The occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem house more than 3.4 million Palestinians alongside 700,000 Israeli settlers. Israel seized these territories during the 1967 war, and Palestinians view them as essential for establishing a future independent state. Most of the international community views Israeli settlement expansion in these areas as violating international law and hindering peace efforts.

A new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists reveals that dozens of Palestinian journalists detained by Israel during the Gaza conflict endured harsh treatment, including beatings, forced uncomfortable positions, isolation tactics, sexual abuse and inadequate medical attention.

The organization has verified the detention of at least 94 Palestinian journalists and one media worker throughout the Gaza war. This includes 32 journalists and one media worker from Gaza, 60 from the West Bank, and two from Israel. Thirty journalists remain imprisoned, according to CPJ findings.

The investigation revealed that half of the detained journalists never faced formal charges and were imprisoned through Israel’s administrative detention system, which permits holding individuals considered security threats for six-month periods that can be extended without limit.

Israeli prison authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment about the report, though they previously dismissed a similar January report about Palestinian prisoner conditions as containing “false allegations,” maintaining they operate within legal bounds, face proper oversight and investigate complaints.

The extensive damage throughout Gaza will require a minimum of seven years just to clear away debris, according to United Nations Development Program estimates.

Former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who recently visited Gaza, reported that UNDP workers have cleared only 0.5% of the rubble, and Gaza residents are living in “the worst living conditions that I have ever seen.”

De Croo described how 90% of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are living in “very, very rudimentary tents” surrounded by debris, creating serious health risks and dangers from unexploded ordnance.

He noted that UNDP has constructed 500 improved temporary housing units with 4,000 more prepared for deployment, but estimates show the actual need ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 units. These temporary structures are designed to provide shelter during the reconstruction process. He urged Israel to allow greater access for reconstruction materials and goods, and called for private sector involvement in development efforts.

LONDON — British authorities have taken Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor into custody Thursday, charging the former royal with suspected misconduct in public office.

Following standard UK procedures, Thames Valley Police did not publicly identify the detained individual by name. However, when questioned about Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, officials referenced their statement about apprehending a man in his sixties. The former Prince Andrew is currently 66 years old.

Thames Valley Police released the following official statement:

“During our ongoing investigation, we detained a man in his sixties from Norfolk today (19/2) under suspicion of misconduct in public office. We are currently conducting searches at properties located in both Berkshire and Norfolk.”

“The detained individual continues to be held in police custody.”

“In accordance with national protocols, we will not be disclosing the identity of the arrested individual. We also remind everyone that this matter is now an active case, so caution must be exercised in any reporting to prevent contempt of court violations.”

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright provided additional details about the investigation:

“After conducting a comprehensive review, we have initiated a formal investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”

“Maintaining the integrity and impartiality of our investigation is crucial as we collaborate with our partners to examine this alleged violation.”

“We recognize the considerable public attention surrounding this matter, and we will share additional information when it is appropriate to do so.”

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Major labor organizations across Argentina launched a country-wide work stoppage Thursday in opposition to President Javier Milei’s proposed changes to workplace regulations, escalating tensions between the libertarian president and influential union groups while lawmakers consider the controversial legislation.

The strike brought widespread disruption as financial institutions and government schools shuttered, public transit systems halted operations, air carriers grounded hundreds of scheduled flights, and medical facilities delayed non-critical procedures. The work stoppage coincided with legislative discussions in Argentina’s lower chamber, occurring one week following the Senate’s preliminary endorsement of the workplace reform measure.

This demonstration of union strength — encompassing employees from transit, building trades, food industry, and other essential sectors — reflects growing discontent with Argentina’s unsteady economic progress under Milei’s administration. While his government has achieved monetary stability in a nation previously troubled by soaring prices, challenges remain with joblessness, wage stagnation, and sluggish economic expansion.

The president views updating Argentina’s five-decade-old employment regulations as essential for attracting international investment, enhancing worker productivity, and generating employment opportunities in a nation where approximately 40% of the workforce operates in the informal economy.

Labor organizations contend the proposed changes would erode established worker safeguards by diminishing severance compensation, limiting strike rights, simplifying employee termination procedures, and permitting extended 12-hour shifts.

“The labor reform project is entirely regressive,” stated Cristian Jerónimo, a prominent figure within the General Confederation of Labor, Argentina’s primary union alliance, during a media briefing about the strike. “The only thing it prioritizes is the restriction of workers’ rights.”

Strong union resistance has previously blocked government initiatives to modernize Argentina’s outdated employment framework, which experts consider among Latin America’s most expensive for businesses to navigate.

The labor reform’s outcome represents Milei’s first major political challenge since his emerging libertarian movement, La Libertad Avanza, secured victory in Argentina’s recent midterm contests with support from key partner U.S. President Donald Trump.

The timing proved awkward for the Argentine leader, who was attending Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace gathering in Washington during the strike.

Should the workplace legislation survive Thursday’s lower house proceedings, it requires Senate approval next week before enactment into law.

This additional step became necessary after a last-minute provision reducing wages by half for workers on medical leave for non-workplace injuries sparked outrage among opposition legislators, forcing government modifications to the Senate-approved version.

Union data indicates roughly 40% of Argentina’s 13 million documented workers maintain union membership, with many connected to the labor-focused populist Peronist movement that controlled the previous administration and influenced national politics for generations.

LONDON — British law enforcement officials took Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor into custody Thursday, charging him with misconduct in public office.

Thames Valley Police, which serves regions west of London including where Mountbatten-Windsor previously resided, announced they are examining allegations that the former royal family member shared confidential trade information with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, back in 2010.

The investigation began after authorities reviewed extensive documentation from a U.S. probe into Epstein’s activities. Mountbatten-Windsor’s name appears multiple times throughout these released documents.

Following standard British legal protocol, police did not publicly identify the arrested individual by name. However, when questioned about Mountbatten-Windsor specifically, officials referenced their announcement about detaining “a man in his 60s.” Mountbatten-Windsor is currently 66 years old.

“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” the statement said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently rejected any allegations of improper conduct regarding his connections to Epstein. In recent months, King Charles III removed Andrew’s royal designations, including his princely status, as the monarchy sought to distance itself from ongoing scandals surrounding the king’s brother and his ties to Epstein. These controversies have cast a shadow over the British royal family for more than ten years.

Social media posts showed what appeared to be unmarked law enforcement vehicles stationed at Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence, Wood Farm located on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with investigators visible near the property.

WARSAW – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Thursday that his nation will have the capability to install anti-personnel mines along its eastern frontier within just two days once it formally exits the Ottawa Convention, a move set to take effect shortly.

Poland’s departure from the international treaty comes as nearly all of Russia’s European neighbors, with the exception of Norway, are moving to abandon the agreement that prohibits the manufacturing and deployment of anti-personnel mines. The country intends to use these weapons as part of its comprehensive ‘East Shield’ initiative designed to fortify its boundaries with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad territory.

‘We are in the process of finalising this mine project, which is crucial for our security, for the security of our territory and border,’ Tusk stated during a press briefing.

Back in December, Deputy Defence Minister Pawel Zalewski revealed to Reuters that Warsaw plans to restart anti-personnel mine manufacturing for the first time since the Cold War era, with intentions to place them along the eastern frontier and possibly supply them to Ukraine.

The withdrawal process from the Ottawa Convention began in August, with Poland set to formally leave the agreement after completing a six-month exit period that concludes on February 20, 2026.

Northern Kenya is confronting a devastating return of drought conditions, leaving communities struggling with severe food shortages as international relief organizations face significant funding cuts that limit their ability to provide assistance.

Just four years following a catastrophic dry period that ravaged the region, insufficient rainfall has once again brought widespread hunger to northern Kenya, with humanitarian groups forced to reduce operations and serve fewer people in need.

In Turkana county’s desolate landscape, 76-year-old widow and grandmother Echakan Amaja endures harsh conditions outside her earthen dwelling in Loperot village, relying on wild gingerbread fruit she gathers and minimal relief supplies.

Her family’s situation became even more dire two weeks ago when cattle thieves killed her son during a livestock raid and made off with all their animals. “When my livestock were stolen by bandits, all my grandchildren came back home,” Amaja explained to Reuters, describing how she now bears responsibility for feeding her five daughters and seven grandchildren.

The household depends on gathered wild fruit and approximately 43.2 kilograms of food supplies plus 3.2 liters of cooking oil provided monthly through the United Nations’ World Food Programme.

According to Kenya’s National Drought Management Authority, more than nine counties throughout the nation – primarily in northern and eastern regions – were experiencing developing drought conditions as of December, potentially severely impacting food availability, water supplies, and grazing land.

Officials have cautioned that repeated dry periods are intensifying competition over limited resources and heightening the potential for violent disputes as the emergency extends into previously unaffected areas.

Sarah Ayodi, who leads the WFP’s Turkana field operations, stated that 333,000 county residents need food assistance, but warned the organization cannot continue supporting them beyond next month.

Save the Children reported last August that at least four African nations, Kenya among them, would exhaust their supplies of specialized nutrition products for severely undernourished children due to shortages resulting from aid reductions.

The United States has dramatically reduced humanitarian funding under President Donald Trump’s administration, while other Western countries have similarly decreased their contributions as part of broader long-term cuts.

Families in Turkana report that even wild fruits, which have historically sustained them during difficult periods, are vanishing or withering due to the extreme dry conditions. Asinyen Akol, 81, characterized the current drought as unlike anything she has witnessed.

“This year is so bad that this is the worst drought I have ever experienced. You can’t survive here because of drought … even trees and wild fruits are nowhere to be seen, not even a green leaf,” Akol stated.

The drought has created a visible path of destruction throughout Kenya, with dead cattle scattered across pastoral lands.

The emergency has also impacted other Horn of Africa nations, with Somalia announcing a national drought emergency in November following consecutive seasons of poor precipitation.

The WFP issued a warning last month that millions of Somalis are confronting acute hunger, with nearly half of all children suffering from malnutrition and requiring immediate medical intervention.

BAGHDAD – A representative from the Kurdistan Workers Party described Turkey’s parliamentary commission decision to endorse a peace plan as a significant breakthrough that signals a major shift in Turkish government policy, according to statements made to Reuters Thursday.

The commission delivered an overwhelming endorsement Wednesday of the comprehensive report, which outlines legal changes paired with the dissolution of the PKK militant organization, moving forward a peace initiative aimed at concluding decades of warfare.

“The vote is considered an achievement and an important step toward consolidating democracy in Turkey,” said the PKK source.

The PKK – classified as a terrorist entity by Turkey, the United States and European Union – suspended its attacks in the previous year and announced in May its intention to dissolve and abandon armed resistance.

Wednesday’s parliamentary decision moves the peace initiative into the legislative arena, as President Tayyip Erdogan, who has led Turkey for over twenty years, works to conclude a conflict responsible for more than 40,000 deaths, creating significant internal division and extending violence beyond Turkey’s borders into Iraq and Syria.

LONDON – British law enforcement officers made an appearance Thursday at the home of Prince Andrew, brother to King Charles III, according to reports from The Daily Telegraph.

The publication reported that half a dozen unmarked police vehicles along with approximately eight officers in civilian clothing were observed arriving at Wood Farm, located on the Sandringham royal estate in eastern England, during Thursday morning hours.

This development follows earlier announcements from Thames Valley Police in February regarding their examination of claims that Prince Andrew provided classified government materials to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, based on information from recently disclosed documents.

The Duke of York has rejected any allegations of misconduct and has expressed regret over his association with Epstein. However, he has remained silent regarding specific inquiries following the release of the most recent files by United States authorities.

When contacted about Thursday’s reported police presence, Thames Valley Police declined to provide immediate commentary on the matter.

SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was handed a life sentence Thursday by a Seoul court for his December 2024 martial law declaration, which judges determined amounted to rebellion against the state.

The historic ruling concluded nearly a year of intense legal battles, throughout which Yoon showed no remorse and continued defending his actions as proper presidential powers used to fight his political opponents. The sentence brings closure to South Korea’s worst political upheaval in recent memory.

Below is a timeline of critical moments leading to Yoon’s unprecedented conviction:

According to prosecutors, Yoon instructed Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun about plans for “emergency measures” targeting liberal opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, following their majority votes to impeach government officials and slash budgets.

Around 10:30 p.m., Yoon shocked the nation with a televised martial law announcement, calling the opposition-led legislature a “den of criminals” that was crippling government operations. He promised to “eradicate” what he termed “anti-state” liberal opponents. Armed forces and police quickly surrounded the National Assembly building.

Just after midnight, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik announced via YouTube that lawmakers would use “constitutional procedure” to counter Yoon’s declaration. By 1 a.m., 190 legislators—including 18 from Yoon’s own People Power Party—unanimously voted to end martial law. Military and police forces withdrew from the assembly grounds. At 4:30 a.m., a Cabinet meeting officially terminated martial law.

An impeachment attempt against Yoon failed when most ruling party members refused to participate in the vote.

Authorities arrested former Defense Minister Kim for his involvement in planning and implementing the martial law order.

The Justice Ministry prohibited Yoon from leaving the country as multiple agencies launched competing investigations into rebellion and related charges.

Kim received formal arrest on charges of conspiring with Yoon and others in the martial law plot. Officials revealed Kim attempted suicide hours before a Seoul court approved his detention warrant.

Yoon characterized his martial law order as legitimate governance and rejected rebellion accusations, promising to “fight to the end” against impeachment efforts.

Lawmakers successfully impeached Yoon with a 204-85 vote, elevating Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to acting president.

The National Assembly also impeached acting President Han for refusing to appoint Constitutional Court justices before the court’s decision on Yoon’s removal.

Seoul Western District Court authorized Yoon’s detention for questioning.

Investigators attempted to arrest Yoon at the presidential residence but were prevented by security personnel and physical barriers.

Anti-corruption officials and police successfully raided the presidential compound and detained Yoon, marking the first arrest of a sitting South Korean president.

Seoul Western District Court issued Yoon’s formal arrest warrant over evidence tampering concerns. His arrest sparked violent protests by supporters who stormed the courthouse, breaking windows and damaging equipment. Police arrested approximately 90 rioters.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office charged Yoon with orchestrating attempted rebellion, alleging he illegally tried to control the legislature and election facilities while planning to arrest political rivals.

Seoul Central District Court ordered Yoon’s release from custody due to unresolved questions about investigators’ detention authority. He was freed the next day.

The Constitutional Court reversed Prime Minister Han’s impeachment, reinstating his role as acting leader.

The Constitutional Court confirmed Yoon’s impeachment and presidential removal, mandating an election within 60 days. Officials set June 3 as the election date.

Seoul Central District Court conducted the initial hearing for Yoon’s rebellion case.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung, Yoon’s liberal opponent, won the presidential election.

Seoul Central District Court approved Yoon’s re-arrest after special prosecutors argued he might destroy evidence.

Authorities arrested Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, as investigators prepared bribery and other criminal charges.

Special prosecutors charged Kim Keon Hee and former Prime Minister Han with assisting Yoon’s martial law declaration, document falsification and destruction, and perjury.

Investigators added charges against Yoon for allegedly ordering drone flights over North Korea to increase tensions and justify martial law plans.

A special prosecutor requested the death penalty for Yoon on rebellion charges.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon to five years for resisting arrest and fabricating the martial law declaration in the first verdict against him.

Seoul Central District Court gave Han a 23-year sentence for supporting Yoon’s martial law and other offenses.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon’s wife Kim to 20 months in jail on corruption charges.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon’s former interior minister Lee Sang-min to seven years for supporting the martial law decree.

Seoul Central District Court imposed a life sentence on Yoon for rebellion charges. His attorneys expressed disappointment with the verdict and said they would consider whether to file an appeal.

Security officials in the nation of Georgia have taken two foreign nationals into custody after they attempted to buy nuclear materials worth $3 million, including uranium and a dangerous radioactive substance used in nuclear weapons programs, authorities announced Thursday.

The arrests took place in Kutaisi, where the State Security Service apprehended the suspects from undisclosed countries, according to an official statement.

“They were planning to illegally purchase nuclear material uranium and radioactive substance Cesium 137 for $3 million and illegally transport it to the territory of another country,” the security service stated.

Officials revealed that additional foreign individuals have been coming to Georgia in recent weeks with similar intentions to buy and smuggle nuclear and radioactive substances, though they provided no further details about these activities.

Authorities did not disclose how much material the suspects were trying to obtain, nor did they reveal where the substances came from or their intended final destination.

Cesium 137 represents a particularly dangerous radioactive material that typically appears following nuclear weapons tests and nuclear power plant disasters, including the catastrophic Chernobyl accident that occurred in what was then Soviet Ukraine in 1986.

Nuclear material security became a major international concern following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, when Georgia was still part of the former communist bloc. The country has experienced multiple serious cases involving illegal nuclear material trafficking over the past several decades.

In the most recent previous incident, authorities in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi arrested three Chinese nationals who were attempting to purchase two kilograms of uranium described as “nuclear material.”

A devastating gas cylinder explosion brought down a multi-story residential building in Pakistan’s largest city Thursday, leaving at least 13 people dead, according to local authorities.

The deadly blast occurred on the ground level of the residential complex located in Soldier Bazaar, a neighborhood on the eastern side of Karachi, the major southern port city, officials reported.

Among the fatalities were seven children, with the youngest victim being just two years old, according to police official Summaiya Syed.

Authorities are still working to determine what caused the gas cylinder to detonate, police stated.

Rescue teams pulled more than a dozen injured survivors from the wreckage, though emergency responders warn additional victims may still be trapped beneath the debris.

This tragedy follows another deadly incident in Karachi just last month, when a massive blaze at a shopping mall claimed more than 70 lives.

SEOUL – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a life prison sentence Thursday from a Seoul court for orchestrating an insurrection during his short-lived martial law declaration in December 2024.

The dramatic events began on December 3, 2024, when Yoon announced on national television just before 10:30 p.m. that he was implementing martial law to eliminate what he called “anti-state forces” and break through political gridlock.

Within an hour, military orders banned all political party activities and legislative functions. Security forces surrounded the opposition-controlled parliament building, where staff members fought back using barricades and fire extinguishers against special operations troops. Lawmakers climbed over fences to bypass security barriers as demonstrators gathered outside.

By early December 4, with 190 legislators in attendance, parliament unanimously rejected Yoon’s martial law order, prompting military forces to withdraw. Approximately 3.5 hours later, Yoon reversed his decision. The entire martial law period lasted roughly six hours.

Opposition lawmakers immediately filed impeachment proceedings against Yoon. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated that Yoon had “badly misjudged” his martial law decision.

On December 7, Yoon delivered a public apology to the nation, stating he would leave his political future to his ruling People Power Party (PPP), though he stopped short of announcing his resignation. An initial impeachment vote failed due to a PPP boycott that prevented the required quorum.

Criminal investigations began December 8, with prosecutors targeting Yoon over the martial law incident. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was taken into custody that same day.

Army Special Warfare Command leader Kwak Jong-geun testified before parliament on December 10 that Yoon had instructed him to “drag out” legislators from the parliament building following the martial law announcement.

Yoon declared he would “fight to the end” on December 12, making accusations that North Korea had infiltrated South Korea’s election systems and questioning his party’s significant electoral losses in April.

Parliament successfully impeached Yoon on December 14 with support from 204 out of 300 lawmakers, including at least 12 members from his own PPP. His presidential authority was immediately suspended, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepping in as acting president.

The Constitutional Court started examining the impeachment case on December 16. However, parliament also impeached acting President Han on December 27, leading Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok to assume acting presidential duties.

A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon on December 31 after he failed to appear for questioning. Yoon’s legal team denounced the warrant as illegal and claimed investigators lacked proper authority.

Between January 3-15, 2025, authorities made unsuccessful attempts to arrest Yoon during confrontations with presidential security and military personnel at his residence. Yoon eventually surrendered after a local court extended his arrest warrant.

During his Constitutional Court impeachment hearing on January 21, Yoon refuted claims that he had ordered military leaders to remove lawmakers from parliament by force.

Prosecutors formally charged Yoon with insurrection on January 26 and requested his continued detention.

A court canceled Yoon’s arrest warrant on March 9, leading to his release from custody.

The Constitutional Court ruled on April 4 that Yoon had breached his constitutional obligations and permanently removed him from the presidency.

The liberal Democratic Party selected former leader and 2022 presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung as their nominee for the special election on April 27.

Lee won the presidency in the emergency election held June 3.

Yoon returned to jail on July 10 after a court granted the special prosecutor’s detention request.

In a historic first for South Korea, Yoon’s wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, was detained on August 13 following court approval of an arrest warrant, making them the first presidential couple simultaneously imprisoned in the nation’s history.

Special prosecutors charged former first lady Kim with bribery and additional offenses on August 29.

On October 10, special prosecutors indicted Han Hak-ja, head of South Korea’s Unification Church, for allegedly orchestrating bribes to former first lady Kim.

Additional charges related to the martial law incident were filed against Yoon on November 10, including accusations of assisting an enemy nation.

Special prosecutors sought a 15-year prison term for former Prime Minister Han on November 26 for allegedly supporting insurrection and committing perjury.

On December 15, special prosecutors claimed Yoon had attempted to provoke North Korea into armed conflict to validate his martial law declaration.

The special prosecutor requested the death penalty for Yoon on insurrection charges on January 13, 2026.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison on January 16 for charges including obstruction of arrest attempts.

The same court imposed a 23-year sentence on former Prime Minister Han on January 21 for his central role in the insurrection.

Former first lady Kim received a 20-month jail sentence on January 28 for accepting bribes.

On February 12, Seoul Central District Court sentenced former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to seven years in prison for his involvement in the martial law attempt.

The legal proceedings concluded Thursday with Seoul Central District Court’s life sentence for Yoon Suk Yeol for leading the insurrection.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Military tensions between the United States and Iran escalated Thursday as both countries engaged in shows of naval force while nuclear negotiations remained uncertain, with Tehran conducting joint exercises with Russia as Washington moved an aircraft carrier closer to Middle Eastern waters.

The Iranian military exercise alongside the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier near the Mediterranean Sea entrance highlight growing tensions between the two nations. Earlier this week, Iran also conducted live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil shipments.

The deployment of additional American naval vessels and aircraft doesn’t necessarily signal an imminent U.S. military strike against Iran, but it provides President Donald Trump with operational capabilities should he decide to take such action. Trump has thus far refrained from military action despite establishing clear boundaries regarding the deaths of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran’s mass executions, while attempting to restart nuclear discussions previously interrupted by the Iran-Israel conflict in June.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website, seeking to pressure the United Kingdom over its plans to settle the future of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius.

Concurrently, Iran faces domestic turmoil following its harsh response to protests, with families now conducting memorial services for those killed 40 days after their deaths at the hands of security forces. Several of these gatherings have featured anti-government demonstrations, despite official warnings from authorities.

Thursday’s military exercise involved Iranian and Russian naval personnel operating in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean waters, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency. The exercise focused on “upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences,” IRNA reported.

While China participated in the “Security Belt” exercise in previous years, there was no confirmation of Chinese involvement in this iteration. Recently, what appeared to be a Russian Steregushchiy-class corvette was observed at Iran’s Bandar Abbas military facility.

Iranian authorities also issued warnings to regional pilots about potential rocket launches, indicating plans to test anti-ship missiles during the exercise.

Tracking information revealed the Ford positioned off Morocco’s Atlantic coast Wednesday afternoon, suggesting the carrier could pass through Gibraltar and potentially deploy to the eastern Mediterranean alongside its escort destroyers.

Stationing the carrier in that region would provide American forces with additional aircraft and defensive missile capabilities to potentially safeguard Israel and Jordan if hostilities with Iran develop. The U.S. employed similar naval positioning during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza to counter potential Iranian attacks.

Memorial ceremonies for protest victims killed by security forces last month have intensified. Iranian tradition calls for commemorating deceased family members 40 days after their passing. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage documented memorial gatherings at Tehran’s expansive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. Some ceremonies featured participants chanting against Iran’s religious government while performing patriotic songs.

The protest movement started December 28 at Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar, initially triggered by Iran’s currency collapse, then expanded nationwide. Tensions peaked January 8, coinciding with demonstrations organized by Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi.

Iran’s administration has provided only one official casualty count for the violence, claiming 3,117 deaths. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has maintained accuracy during previous Iranian unrest periods, estimates over 7,000 fatalities, with additional deaths suspected.

KARACHI, Pakistan — At least 16 people lost their lives Thursday morning when a devastating gas explosion tore through an apartment complex in Karachi, Pakistan’s major port city, causing a partial building collapse that trapped victims under debris, according to police and emergency response teams.

The deadly blast occurred as residents were cooking their pre-dawn meal to mark the beginning of Ramadan in a neighborhood within Karachi, located in Sindh province, local police commander Rizwan Patel reported. Emergency crews continued digging through the wreckage searching for anyone who might still be alive beneath the collapsed sections, Patel explained.

Officials initially confirmed 13 fatalities, but Patel announced the count climbed to 16 after rescue workers recovered three additional bodies from the destruction.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement expressing grief and offering sympathy to bereaved families while ordering officials to provide top-quality medical care for those wounded. He also demanded rapid completion of search and rescue efforts and pressed the Sindh provincial leadership to strengthen construction regulations, improve gas cylinder safety measures, and launch a comprehensive investigation to prevent future tragedies.

Throughout Karachi and other Pakistani cities, residential buildings typically receive natural gas service for cooking purposes. Many families supplement this with liquefied petroleum gas tanks due to inadequate natural gas pressure in their neighborhoods.

A similar tragedy struck Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad this past July, when a gas explosion at a wedding celebration claimed eight lives, including the newlywed couple. Officials reported the deadly blast happened while wedding guests had come together to honor the bride and groom.

A former prosecutor turned president has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars after his risky political maneuvers finally caught up with him.

Yoon Suk Yeol, 65, received a life sentence Thursday from Seoul Central District Court for orchestrating an insurrection, marking a dramatic conclusion to his meteoric rise and spectacular collapse from South Korea’s highest office.

The former leader’s reckless decision to impose martial law ultimately sealed his fate, according to those who worked alongside him during his career in law enforcement and politics.

A telling glimpse into Yoon’s mindset emerged from former judge Han Dong-soo, who recalled a 2020 dinner conversation where the then-powerful prosecutor made a startling admission.

“If I had gone to the military academy, I would have staged a coup,” Han quoted Yoon as saying during the evening gathering with flowing alcohol.

The court determined Thursday that Yoon violated constitutional principles by implementing martial law, sending military forces to invade parliament and attempt to arrest his political rivals.

Looking noticeably thinner than when he was arrested a year ago, Yoon appeared pale and shaken as he listened to the verdict while dressed in a dark suit. His legal team expressed opposition to the ruling and indicated they would consider filing an appeal.

Yoon has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming his martial law declaration served as a necessary alert that democratic principles and liberty faced danger from “anti-state” elements attempting to seize control of South Korea.

His path to the presidency began through his work as a prosecutor investigating sitting presidents, which made him widely recognized across the nation.

“Yoon Suk Yeol was the most powerful prosecutor-general ever,” Han observed, having overseen internal affairs at the prosecutor’s office during Yoon’s tenure.

“He used the office to carry out his plan to become president and in doing so, his actions were daring.”

By 2022, following his leadership of a corruption probe involving the justice minister, conservative voters who had grown frustrated with then-President Moon Jae-in’s liberal agenda embraced Yoon as their presidential nominee.

However, his time in office brought constant conflicts with opposition forces, which former prosecution colleague Lee Sung-yoon said revealed the reckless tendencies that had always characterized Yoon’s approach.

When Yoon declared martial law in December 2024, his political standing had severely deteriorated due to controversies surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who faced accusations of improperly receiving gifts, though charges weren’t filed initially.

Following Yoon’s removal from office, a special prosecutor’s investigation led to Kim’s bribery conviction in January, resulting in her current 20-month prison sentence.

The year leading up to Yoon’s martial law announcement was marked by continuous opposition battles that prevented his policy initiatives and legislative priorities from moving forward.

Despite domestic struggles, Yoon achieved notable success in international relations.

His efforts to end a longstanding diplomatic dispute with Japan and establish trilateral security partnership with Japan and the United States stand out as among his limited policy victories.

Yoon’s ability to connect personally with world leaders was memorably demonstrated at a 2023 White House gathering, where he surprised then-President Joe Biden and thrilled the audience by performing the 1970s classic “American Pie.”

Coming from a wealthy background, Yoon performed well academically and gained admission to prestigious Seoul National University law school. However, his love of social activities caused him to fail the bar examination multiple times before finally succeeding on his ninth attempt at 30 years old.

During his prosecution career, colleagues knew him for his relaxed demeanor, but associates noted increased ambition following his marriage to Kim, an accomplished art curator.

His presidency began controversially when he relocated the presidential office away from the historic Blue House complex, raising speculation about whether feng shui beliefs regarding the location’s supposed curse influenced the decision.

Yoon rejected claims that he and his wife had any connection to a shaman.

Critics accused him of protecting his “yes men” when he declined to dismiss senior officials after a Halloween crowd disaster claimed 159 lives.

Among those he protected was Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, a fellow graduate of Yoon’s high school, who later received a seven-year sentence for his involvement in the martial law declaration.

Another high school classmate, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, previously served as presidential security chief and now faces insurrection charges for allegedly being the primary advisor who encouraged Yoon to impose martial law. Kim has denied any wrongdoing.

Political science professor Shin Yul from Myongji University believes Yoon’s downfall resulted from following bad advice, suggesting the former president likely “still thinks he did the right thing” regarding his martial law decision.

Four individuals with ties to the Chagos Islands found themselves facing eviction orders from British officials after arriving on a remote atoll earlier this week in what they hoped would disrupt Britain’s plans to hand over the territory to Mauritius.

The group touched down Monday on Ile du Coin, located within the Peros Banhos atoll, with additional people expected to join what organizers described as a permanent community.

A British Foreign Office representative condemned their arrival as an “illegal, unsafe stunt” that would not assist the collaborative efforts between the UK and Mauritius to restart heritage visit programs to the Chagos Islands.

According to a 2025 deal, Britain plans to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining authority over the strategically vital U.S.-UK military facility on Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease arrangement.

British politician Nigel Farage, who leads the Reform UK party, described the four as British passport holders attempting to “reclaim their birthright” and indicated he was researching legal options to assist them.

“They were this morning served an eviction notice on behalf of the British government, and told that unless they comply, they could face up to three years in prison,” he stated during a London press conference.

Documents reviewed by Reuters show the eviction notices, sent to each individual by a British Indian Ocean Territory immigration officer, declared their presence unlawful and ordered their departure.

The paperwork cautioned that violating the directive by returning would constitute a criminal act carrying penalties of up to three years behind bars, a fine of 3,000 pounds sterling ($4,060), or both punishments combined.

During the 1960s and 1970s, as many as 2,000 Chagossians were forced from their homes in the archipelago and relocated primarily to Mauritius and Britain.

Some Chagossians have voiced opposition to the sovereignty transfer agreement, claiming Mauritius has ignored their needs for decades, though Mauritius disputes these accusations.

A United Nations investigation has concluded that the brutal takeover of a Sudanese city by paramilitary forces shows clear signs of genocide, according to a report released Thursday.

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan found that when the Rapid Support Forces seized control of al-Fashir in late October, they systematically murdered members of non-Arab ethnic groups during three horrific days of violence.

Al-Fashir had served as the final government stronghold in Sudan’s western Darfur region before falling to the RSF after an 18-month blockade. During that siege, investigators say the paramilitary group deliberately created living conditions designed to physically destroy the Zaghawa and Fur communities.

According to the UN mission, evidence shows the RSF systematically targeted people based on their ethnicity, gender, and perceived political loyalties. The attacks included mass executions, sexual assault, torture, and other acts that constitute core elements of genocide under international law.

Mission Chairman Mohamad Chande Othman emphasized the organized nature of the violence. “The scale, coordination, and public endorsement of the operation by senior RSF leadership demonstrate that the crimes committed in and around al-Fashir were not random excesses of war,” Othman stated.

“They formed part of a planned and organised operation that bears the defining characteristics of genocide,” he continued.

The report describes how al-Fashir’s population consisted primarily of the Zaghawa people, while surrounding refugee camps housed members of the Fur, Berti, Masalit, and Tama communities before the attack.

Survivors told investigators about explicit threats from RSF forces to “clean” the city. The paramilitary group used drones and heavy artillery to attack displacement camps, community kitchens, and medical facilities while conducting widespread killings, theft, beatings, and sexual violence throughout al-Fashir.

The investigation found that the RSF’s “exterminatory rhetoric” and other violations demonstrated clear intent to destroy the Zaghawa and Fur populations either completely or partially.

“Witnesses heard the Rapid Support Forces saying, ‘Is there anyone Zaghawa among you? If we find Zaghawa, we will kill them all’,” the report documented.

Survivors described point-blank executions of civilians and streets filled with the bodies of men, women, and children. The report also details how women and girls between ages 7 and 70 from non-Arab communities, especially the Zaghawa, were subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence, including whipping and forced nudity.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called for strong international action in response to the findings. “The findings of this UN report are truly horrific — atrocities including systematic starvation, torture, killings, rape and deliberate ethnic targeting used on the most horrendous scale during the Rapid Support Forces siege of al-Fashir,” Cooper said in a statement.

The UN mission received its mandate from Human Rights Council members, including Britain, to urgently examine violations of international law in and around al-Fashir. Investigators shared their final report with Sudan’s government but received no response, while the RSF declined to meet with mission leadership.

Neither the RSF nor Sudan’s Armed Forces immediately responded to requests for comment from Reuters. The RSF has previously rejected similar allegations, claiming such reports are fabricated by opponents while making counter-accusations against their enemies.

Britain’s foreign secretary is strongly denouncing Iran’s decision to hand down decade-long prison sentences to two UK citizens accused of spying, calling the punishment completely without merit.

Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper issued a sharp rebuke Thursday regarding the sentencing of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who face 10 years in Iranian custody after being accused of collecting intelligence across multiple regions of the country.

“We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family,” Cooper declared in her official response.

According to Joe Bennett, who is Lindsay’s son, the pair faced a three-hour court proceeding on October 27 where they were denied the opportunity to mount any defense against the charges.

“We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage,” Bennett stated, expressing his family’s serious worries about the couple’s well-being and criticizing the lack of openness in Iran’s legal proceedings.

Violent demonstrations erupted in Albania’s capital last week as citizens threw gasoline bombs at government offices while law enforcement deployed tear gas and water cannons to control the crowds. Protesters could be heard shouting demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, calling his administration corrupt.

The unrest stems from corruption charges filed in December against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, SPAK. Balluku faces allegations of manipulating the bidding process for two major infrastructure projects in 2021 valued at more than 200 million euros.

Balluku, considered a political rising star and potential heir to Rama’s leadership, maintains her innocence. The Prime Minister has continued supporting her despite mounting pressure.

The corruption allegations pose a significant threat to Albania’s European Union membership aspirations, with the country aiming to join the bloc by 2030. The ongoing crisis represents one of the most serious challenges for Rama, who has governed the Balkan nation since 2013 and secured his fourth consecutive term last year.

“Albania has to understand that to become an EU member, respecting the rule of law is a prerequisite,” stated Andi Hoxhaj, a Balkan expert at King’s College London. “That has to hit home, or it will not look good with the EU.”

Rama’s representative Manjola Hasa defended the government’s anti-corruption efforts when contacted by Reuters. “Albania deserves to join (the EU) for many reasons and fighting corruption with no second thoughts is one of them,” Hasa responded.

Following nearly five decades of communist isolation that ended in the early 1990s, Albania experienced widespread corruption issues common throughout post-communist Eastern Europe. The country made significant progress through judicial system overhauls in 2016, establishing SPAK in 2019, and achieving steady economic development.

EU membership negotiations commenced in 2022, and Albania reached a milestone on November 17 when it entered the final phase of accession discussions, positioning itself as a leading candidate in the EU’s Balkan expansion initiative.

Just three days following this achievement, SPAK announced the charges against Balluku.

The accusations center on two 2021 infrastructure projects – a highway tunnel construction contract and a section of Tirana’s ring road development. As infrastructure minister, Balluku allegedly manipulated the tender processes to benefit particular construction companies.

Court documents reviewed by Reuters contain text message exchanges between Balluku and associates, including the Albanian Road Authority director, who also faces charges.

One September 10, 2021 message shows Balluku apparently requesting the director arrange a meeting with a NOVA Construction 2012 representative.

Within four days of this meeting, NOVA partnered with two other firms to create a consortium that subsequently secured the ring road project.

According to SPAK, Balluku “predetermined the winner” and “created unfair advantages and privileges.”

Reuters could not confirm whether the requested meeting occurred. NOVA Construction declined to comment, as did Balluku’s legal counsel.

After an anti-corruption court suspended Balluku in November, she stated she would not address the case or respond to “half-truths and lies.”

Relations between SPAK and Prime Minister Rama have grown increasingly tense. The prosecutor’s office seeks to remove Balluku’s protection from pre-trial detention, but Rama opposes this action and accuses SPAK of exceeding its authority.

During Monday’s parliamentary session, Rama revealed he had rejected Balluku’s resignation attempts three times. “There is no such thing as a resignation under pressure from a power that has stepped outside its territory,” he declared while Balluku observed.

That same day, Rama announced plans to modify legislation protecting ministers from suspension during criminal investigations, a proposal opposition leaders claim is designed to shield him and his political allies.

European Union officials are monitoring the situation closely.

“Rhetoric that sows public mistrust in the judiciary and in the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judicial and prosecutorial systems is counterproductive,” the EU’s Tirana office stated to Reuters.

“Fighting corruption effectively is of paramount importance for Albania’s progress towards EU membership.”

MUNICH – Five senior European intelligence officials are casting doubt on President Trump’s optimistic assessment that a Ukraine peace deal is “reasonably close,” telling Reuters they believe Russia has no intention of ending the conflict anytime soon.

The intelligence chiefs, who requested anonymity when speaking with Reuters recently, indicated that Moscow is primarily using ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States to pursue sanctions relief and business opportunities rather than genuine peace negotiations.

One European intelligence leader characterized the discussions – including the latest round held in Geneva this week – as “negotiation theatre.”

These assessments reveal a significant divide between European intelligence services and the White House, which according to Ukraine hopes to secure a peace agreement by June, ahead of November’s U.S. congressional midterm elections. Trump has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in making a deal.

“Russia is not seeking a peace agreement. They are seeking their strategic goals, and those have not changed,” stated one intelligence chief. Moscow’s objectives continue to include removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from power and transforming Ukraine into a “neutral” buffer zone between Russia and Western nations.

A second intelligence official emphasized that Russia has neither the desire nor the necessity for rapid peace, noting that the Russian economy is “not on the verge of collapse.”

While the intelligence leaders did not reveal their information sources, their agencies employ human intelligence assets, communications intercepts, and various other collection methods. All five confirmed they prioritize Russia as a key intelligence target.

Russia’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Putin has indicated willingness to pursue peace, but only under his conditions. Russian officials maintain that European governments have consistently misjudged Russia in their analyses.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE

Ukrainian and Russian representatives conducted their third U.S.-facilitated meeting of 2026 this week without achieving breakthroughs on major disputes, particularly territorial issues.

Russia demands that Ukraine withdraw its military forces from the remaining 20% of eastern Donetsk region not under Russian control, a requirement Ukraine categorically rejects.

According to the second intelligence official, while Russia might accept territorial gains limited to the rest of Donetsk, this would not satisfy Moscow’s broader goal of removing Zelenskyy’s pro-Western administration.

A third intelligence chief warned against assuming that Ukrainian territorial concessions in Donetsk would rapidly produce a comprehensive peace agreement.

“In the case of the Russians getting these concessions, I (think) that this is maybe the beginning of actual negotiations,” the official predicted, suggesting Russia would then present additional demands.

This same official also criticized what they described as “very limited” negotiating expertise regarding Russia throughout the West, including Europe, despite Zelenskyy’s call for active European participation in the talks.

The U.S. negotiating team is headed by Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime Trump associate, along with Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.

While both men have handled other conflicts for Trump, neither possesses formal diplomatic training or specialized knowledge of Russia or Ukraine.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded to the criticism by stating that anonymous complaints do not assist U.S. peace efforts. “President Trump and his team have done more than anyone to bring both sides together to stop the killing and deliver a peace deal,” Kelly said.

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Two officials reported that Moscow is attempting to divide negotiations into separate tracks – one addressing the war itself and another focusing on bilateral U.S.-Russia agreements that would include sanctions relief.

Zelenskyy revealed that his intelligence services informed him that U.S. and Russian negotiators have discussed bilateral cooperation deals worth up to $12 trillion, proposed by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

The European officials did not elaborate on these discussions.

The second intelligence chief suggested this proposal targets both Trump’s interests and Russian oligarchs who have not benefited from the war due to sanctions but whose support Putin requires as Russia’s economy faces increasing challenges.

This official characterized Russia as a “resilient society” capable of withstanding hardship.

However, the third official identified “very high” financial risks facing Russia in the latter half of 2026, citing factors including Moscow’s restricted capital market access due to sanctions and elevated borrowing costs.

Economic analysts suggest Russia’s economy is experiencing somewhere between stagnation and recession after achieving only 1% growth last year.

Russia’s central bank has set its key interest rate at 15.5%, directly affecting borrowing costs nationwide. The liquid portion of Russia’s emergency fund used to address budget deficits has decreased by more than half since the 2022 invasion began.

SEOUL – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was convicted Thursday on insurrection charges stemming from his unsuccessful effort to impose martial law on the nation in December 2024.

The court’s decision represents a major legal milestone in the case against Yoon, who was found guilty of orchestrating what prosecutors described as an insurrectionary plot when he attempted to declare martial law last year.

The failed martial law declaration had thrown South Korea into political turmoil before being quickly reversed.

TIVOLI, Italy (AP) — Centuries ago, Roman builders would travel to quarries near Tivoli to extract chunks of porous limestone called lapis tiburtinus — what we now call travertine — then transport the stone blocks on rafts down the river to construction sites.

This ancient process created the iconic Colosseum two millennia ago. The same method was used centuries later for St. Peter’s Basilica and Bernini’s magnificent colonnade.

The identical quarries that supplied Rome’s legendary travertine continue operating today, providing their signature hole-filled stone for modern religious structures, houses of worship, and mosques worldwide — plus banks, cultural institutions, government facilities and residential properties.

Although other nations produce similar sedimentary limestone, Roman travertine stands apart because workers extract it from underground sulfuric springs and pools surrounding Tivoli. Composed primarily of calcium carbonate minerals, this Roman stone developed over hundreds of thousands of years through calcium, sulfur and mineral deposits, displaying the area’s volcanic past, ancient forests and fossil remains in its layered bands.

Architects value the material for multiple qualities: durability, abundance and resistance to various weather conditions and environmental challenges. The cutting method and location determine its appearance, ranging from rough to smooth textures, warm white with irregular dark pockets to sandy tan with gray, brown or green streaks.

The Mariotti Carlo SpA stone-cutting company has shaped travertine to specification for four generations, completing some of the globe’s most notable architectural projects: Los Angeles’ Getty Center, Beijing’s Bank of China headquarters, and the Great Mosque in Algiers, Algeria.

During a recent work session, components for a temple reconstruction by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormon church, sat arranged across Mariotti’s Tivoli warehouse floor — travertine chunks extracted from local quarries and shaped into custom puzzle-like sections for assembly at the New York City location.

Following their travertine supply work for the Latter-day Saint temple in Rome, church architects selected Mariotti to renovate the Manhattan Upper West Side temple. This temple stands opposite Lincoln Center and Julliard School, both constructed with Mariotti-processed travertine decades earlier when the stone first entered American markets.

“Travertine represents a classic stone recognized globally. It’s similar to spreading Rome’s illumination everywhere, since travertine’s light reflection qualities are truly unique,” explained Fabrizio Mariotti, who leads the family enterprise.

Throughout the Tivoli quarry areas, sulfur odors fill the atmosphere alongside continuous hammering, chiming and splitting sounds from massive jackhammers breaking ancient rock formations.

At Degemar quarries, excavated 30 meters below sea level, brilliant blue sulfur spring pools collect travertine debris while flatbed trucks transport 33-ton stone slabs to ground level.

This location provided Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect, with brilliant white travertine for the 284 columns and 88 pillars forming St. Peter’s Square colonnade, plus his other Catholic and Roman masterpieces.

Bernini visited so frequently to choose his stones that he maintained a residence overlooking the quarry, which remains standing.

Current quarry director Vincenzo De Gennaro points out that Bernini’s tower still contains the pigeon coop that housed homing birds carrying stone measurement orders from Rome to the quarry.

Today, the quarry serves clients across much greater distances: Riyadh’s new airport in Saudi Arabia and the Chinese governing party’s new Shenzhen headquarters, among others.

“This is exceptional, a unique stone because it lives and breathes, born from a mixture of mineral waters,” De Gennaro commented while navigating earth-moving equipment and walking past sulfur pools.

Anyone doubting travertine’s longevity need only examine Rome itself, he noted.

“We have the physical proof of a civilization spanning thousands of years that remains visible today, glowing continuously for 2,000 years,” he stated. “That serves as our warranty.”

Marco Ferrero, civil engineering professor at Rome’s La Sapienza University, explained that travertine’s attraction partly stems from its connection to ancient Rome “and consequently to the enchantment of the classical era.”

He said the stone captures Rome’s character in multiple ways: Travertine demonstrates strength, endurance and dignity without the flashiness of marble, which deteriorates faster when facing weather exposure.

“Here’s an appropriate comparison: Marble communicates in elegant Italian, in literary Italian, while travertine speaks in Roman dialect,” he observed. “It truly represents the Romans’ stone. Similar to Roman cooking, which features simple meals often using leftover ingredients, travertine remains an authentic and traditional material.”

International human rights investigators have concluded that paramilitary forces in Sudan conducted operations in October that exhibit characteristics of genocide against ethnic minority groups in the Darfur region.

The United Nations-supported fact-finding team released findings Thursday showing the Rapid Support Forces executed mass killings and other brutal acts in el-Fasher following an 18-month blockade. The investigators determined these actions were designed to physically eliminate non-Arab populations, specifically targeting Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups.

According to UN officials, the RSF’s conquest of el-Fasher resulted in several thousand civilian deaths. The city had been the Sudanese military’s final remaining position in Darfur. Of el-Fasher’s 260,000 inhabitants, only 40% successfully escaped the assault, with thousands suffering injuries. The whereabouts of remaining residents is unclear.

The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 when tensions between military and paramilitary leadership erupted in Khartoum before spreading to additional areas including Darfur.

This devastating conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives based on UN data, though humanitarian organizations believe the actual death toll could be significantly higher.

The RSF along with allied Arab militia groups called Janjaweed captured el-Fasher on October 26 and conducted widespread violence throughout the area. Their offensive included mass executions, sexual assault, torture, and kidnappings for financial gain, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Between October 25 and 27, the forces killed more than 6,000 people within the city limits. Prior to the main attack, rebels attacked the Abu Shouk displacement facility near the city, killing at least 300 individuals over two days.

The RSF did not provide a response to requests for comment. Their leader, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has previously admitted to misconduct by his troops while questioning the extent of reported atrocities.

The international Genocide Convention from 1948 establishes five standards for determining genocide: killing group members; causing severe physical or psychological damage; implementing birth prevention measures; intentionally creating conditions for physical elimination; and forcibly moving children to different groups.

The investigation team found evidence of at least three criteria being satisfied by RSF actions. The convention allows for genocide determination if even one criterion is met.

According to the team, RSF activities in el-Fasher included murdering members of protected ethnic groups, inflicting serious physical and mental trauma, and intentionally creating life conditions designed to destroy the group partially or completely.

The findings cited systematic ethnically-motivated killings, sexual violence, destruction, and public declarations calling for non-Arab community elimination.

Mohamed Chande Othman, the team’s chairman and former Tanzania chief justice, stated the RSF operations were not “random excesses of war” but indicated a deliberate and coordinated effort displaying genocide characteristics.

“Physically exhausted, malnourished, and in part unable to flee, leaving them defenseless against the extreme violence that followed,” the report described el-Fasher residents. “Thousands of persons, particularly the Zaghawa, were killed, raped or disappeared during three days of absolute horror.”

The investigation documented mass killings, extensive rape, sexual violence, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, extortion, and forced disappearances during the RSF takeover in late October.

The report recorded survivor accounts of fighters making statements such as: “Is there anyone Zaghawa among you? If we find Zaghawa, we will kill them all” and “We want to eliminate anything black from Darfur.”

Investigators noted “selective targeting” of Zaghawa and Fur women and girls, “while women perceived as Arab were often spared.”

The Geneva-based Human Rights Council, the UN’s primary human rights organization with 47 member nations, established the fact-finding team in 2023.

The team demanded accountability for those responsible and emphasized that civilian protection is needed “more than ever” as the conflict spreads to additional Sudanese regions.

Throughout the conflict, both sides have faced accusations of international law violations, though most atrocities have been attributed to the RSF. The Biden administration recently declared the group committed genocide in Darfur.

UN experts and rights organizations report that the United Arab Emirates has supported the RSF during the war, though the UAE denies these claims.

The RSF originated from Janjaweed militias that gained infamy for atrocities in the early 2000s during a brutal campaign against people of East or Central African identity in Darfur. That earlier campaign resulted in approximately 300,000 deaths and displaced 2.7 million people.