Author: Admin

MOSCOW — Cuba’s top diplomat arrived in the Russian capital Wednesday for high-level discussions as the Caribbean island nation battles widespread electrical blackouts and critical fuel shortages intensified by American oil sanctions.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez of Cuba conducted negotiations with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and was scheduled for a subsequent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During their discussions, Lavrov called upon the United States to abandon blockade plans against Cuba, noting the island’s difficulties in securing oil imports for electrical generation and fuel processing facilities following President Donald Trump’s tariff warnings against countries providing petroleum to Cuba.

“Together with most members of the global community, we are calling on the U.S. to show common sense, take a responsible approach and refrain from its plans of sea blockade,” Lavrov stated while meeting with Rodriguez.

The Russian foreign minister pledged Moscow’s continued commitment to “supporting Cuba and its people in protecting the country’s sovereignty and security.”

Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov emphasized that “Russia, like many other countries, has consistently spoken against the blockade of the island.”

“We have our relations with Cuba, and we value these relations very much,” Peskov informed journalists. “And we intend to further develop them — of course, during difficult times, by providing appropriate assistance to our friends.”

When questioned about potential impacts on improving US-Russia relations if Moscow provides fuel assistance to Cuba, Peskov stated that “we don’t think these issues are linked.”

The Russian leader has commended Trump’s mediation efforts regarding the Ukraine conflict, with both Moscow and Washington exploring opportunities to rebuild economic partnerships.

Cuba lost a major petroleum source when Venezuela halted crude oil sales to the island in January following the US capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro during an early morning operation, subsequently transporting him to New York on drug trafficking charges.

Additionally, Mexico terminated oil deliveries to Cuba in January after Trump issued tariff warnings.

Last week, Russia’s Izvestia publication reported that Moscow’s embassy in Havana indicated preparations for humanitarian fuel deliveries to the Cuban capital in the coming period. Monday saw Russian Ambassador Viktor Koronelli confirm Moscow’s examination of assistance logistics for Cuba, though he provided no detailed timeline.

The fuel crisis has already impacted Russian tourism operations, forcing travel companies to suspend Cuban vacation packages after Havana announced it cannot guarantee aircraft fuel for incoming flights.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s top diplomat has expressed optimism about Myanmar rejoining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations following controversial elections conducted almost five years after military leaders seized control of the country.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow made these remarks Wednesday following discussions with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe during meetings held in southern Thailand.

The neighboring nation completed a three-stage electoral process spanning from December through January, marking the first voting since the 2021 military takeover that removed an elected administration and plunged Myanmar into chaos and internal conflict.

Election officials announced victory for a party backed by the military in areas where voting was permitted, though the United Nations and human rights organizations have condemned the electoral process.

MOSCOW – Moscow is calling on five European nations to back up their accusations with hard evidence after they claimed Russia poisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny using a toxin derived from South American dart frogs, according to statements made Wednesday by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Over the weekend, officials from Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands announced that laboratory testing of biological samples taken from Navalny had detected epibatidine – a poisonous compound naturally occurring in South American poison dart frogs that does not exist in Russia’s environment. The European officials stated that Russia possessed the “means, motive and opportunity” to poison the Kremlin opponent with this substance.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Zakharova dismissed the European claims as lacking substance. “All the accusations against Russia were of the ‘highly likely’ variety. There were no specific details. It was purely a proclamation to become the opening act of the Munich (security) conference and to overshadow the Epstein files,” she stated.

“We demand they hand over concrete data on this issue,” Zakharova added.

Russian government officials have completely denied the European allegations, while Yulia Navalnaya, whose husband was the deceased opposition leader, stated that the real circumstances surrounding her spouse’s death have now been revealed.

Romania’s Constitutional Court delivered a significant victory to the country’s pro-European Union government on Wednesday, approving sweeping changes to judicial retirement benefits and age requirements.

The ruling allows Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s administration to move forward with reforms that will gradually increase the retirement age for judges and prosecutors from approximately 50 years old to the standard 65 over the next 15 years.

Additionally, the approved measures will limit judicial pensions to 70% of an individual’s final gross salary. Currently, judicial retirement benefits fall into a special category that operates independently of tax contributions, with monthly payments reaching approximately 5,000 euros ($5,800) — significantly higher than Romania’s national average of 600 euros.

The government’s broad coalition initially attempted to implement these judicial pension modifications last year as part of requirements to secure EU recovery and resilience funding.

However, the Constitutional Court rejected the original legislation in October due to technical issues, prompting officials to draft and approve revised measures.

“The reform of special pensions has been much requested by Romanian society and we are achieving a great step towards equality,” government officials stated in their announcement.

The European Commission maintained special oversight of Romania’s judicial system for corruption concerns from the country’s 2007 EU membership until 2023.

However, recent developments have raised new concerns about anti-corruption efforts, as the pace of corruption investigations has decreased since 2023, and several high-profile acquittals have sparked questions about the momentum of graft-fighting initiatives.

These concerns intensified last December when approximately 700 judges and prosecutors made allegations of ongoing systemic misconduct within the justice system, leading to several days of street demonstrations focused on anti-corruption themes.

Bolojan’s coalition government, which assumed power in June, has weathered six no-confidence votes, primarily related to tax increases and spending reductions designed to address the European Union’s largest budget deficit and maintain Romania’s investment-grade debt status.

Despite these challenges, the four-party coalition continues to face difficulties reaching consensus on public sector employment and spending reductions, with the 2026 budget still awaiting approval.

A comprehensive international survey conducted by the Pew Research Center explored what citizens value most about their home countries across 25 nations, revealing diverse sources of national pride. The research findings show dramatically different priorities depending on the country.

According to the study, Americans overwhelmingly cite freedom as their primary source of national pride. Meanwhile, Canadians point to diversity and multiculturalism as what they value most about their nation. The survey revealed that Italians take greatest pride in their artistic legacy and cultural traditions, while citizens of India highlight their country’s economic achievements. Notably, Israel stands alone among the surveyed nations, with its residents identifying religion as their foremost reason for national pride.

VARADERO BEACH, Cuba – The pristine beaches of Cuba’s Varadero peninsula, featuring crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white sand, paint a picture of tropical perfection.

However, these once-bustling resort beaches have become increasingly deserted since Cuban officials declared on February 8 that the country was facing a critical jet fuel shortage.

Recovery appears unlikely in the near future.

A comprehensive Reuters investigation involving hotel operators, travel companies, airlines, and local tourism workers reveals that virtually every segment of the industry has been severely impacted by the fuel crisis. This development threatens to deliver a fatal blow to an already struggling sector that serves as a lifeline for Cuba’s battered economy.

Major Canadian carriers including Air Canada, WestJet, and Transat – representing the primary airlines from Canada, Cuba’s top visitor source – have announced flight suspensions to the island. According to analytics company Cirium, this will result in up to 1,709 canceled flights through April, potentially reducing visitor numbers by hundreds of thousands during the crucial winter tourism season.

Russian aviation authorities announced last week that they plan to evacuate their tourists from Cuba in the coming days before halting all flights until the fuel crisis subsides. Russia represents Cuba’s third-largest tourist market.

International hotel chain NH announced Friday that it had shuttered all its Cuban properties, while Spanish hospitality giant Melia, Cuba’s largest hotel operator, revealed the same day it had closed three of its 30 island locations and was consolidating guests into better-equipped facilities with higher capacity.

“There is just total uncertainty,” said Alejandro Morejon, a 53-year-old tourism guide who began work in Varadero shortly after Cuba re-opened to international tourism in the 1990s. “Everything is beginning to fall apart.”

The tourism crisis represents the first major casualty in a broader U.S. campaign designed to pressure Cuba’s leadership through economic strangulation by preventing oil deliveries to the Caribbean nation.

The Trump administration has designated Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to American national security, severing Venezuelan oil supplies to the island while threatening tariffs against any country that provides fuel to Cuba.

The tourism industry generated $1.3 billion in foreign currency for the communist government in 2024, the most recent year for which dollar figures were available, representing approximately 10% of total export revenues.

Paolo Spadoni, an Augusta University economist in Georgia who specializes in Cuban economic analysis, noted that tourism, along with medical professional exports and remittances, forms the backbone of the country’s critical hard currency income.

The Trump administration has targeted all three revenue streams with renewed sanctions that had already prevented the resort industry from achieving a complete post-pandemic recovery.

“The complete collapse of Cuba’s tourism sector would create an unsustainable situation for the Cuban economy and threaten its survival,” Spadoni said.

Cuba welcomed only 1.8 million tourists in 2025, declining from 2.2 million the previous year and marking the lowest visitor count in over twenty years.

Current tourists expressed difficulty relaxing, feeling anxious following Cuba’s recent announcement about the impending jet fuel depletion.

“We’re just winging it, trying not to stress, because we don’t want it to ruin our trip,” said Tyler LaMountaine, an Alberta-based oil and gas industry worker who had come to Cuba with his wife to escape Canada’s cold winter but worried they could end up stranded by the canceled flights. “But you get scared because everyone else is scared.”

Cuban government officials announced a contingency strategy in early February to safeguard essential services including emergency medical care and elementary education.

Leadership initially assured that tourism and international aviation would remain unaffected, but two days later, authorities informed aviation stakeholders that fuel supplies would soon be exhausted.

Carriers throughout Europe, South America, the United States, Russia, and Canada have subsequently reduced flights or modified routes to accommodate the fuel shortage.

APPROACHING CRISIS

Surface conditions in Varadero appear normal at the beach destination that once served as a winter retreat for the DuPont family before Cuba’s 1959 revolution and now attracts Europeans and Canadians during the northern hemisphere’s cold months.

As of late last week, souvenir stores and most dining establishments remained operational. Beach furniture and umbrellas still lined the shores, and sunburned visitors continued collecting shells and swimming in the remarkably clear waters.

However, Reuters verified that at least two peninsula hotels had ceased operations.

A security officer at the Domina Marina resort, an extensive complex featuring multiple towers overlooking an expansive marina constructed in the early 2010s, prevented a reporter from accessing the property and confirmed its closure. The hotel’s local telephone line was disconnected.

Local employees indicated that maintaining hotel and restaurant operations will become increasingly challenging as the U.S. fuel blockade enters its third complete week.

Jorge Fernandez, who provides peninsula tours for visitors in a pink 1950s convertible, reported late last week that his fuel supply would last only one additional day.

“After that, it’s back home to invent something else to do,” the 53-year-old said.

“Trump and (Cuban President) Miguel Diaz-Canel need to come to some agreement because the only ones that are suffering here are the people,” Fernandez said. “The country is shutting down.”

BEIJING — A devastating blast at a pyrotechnics store in China’s Hubei province claimed the lives of 12 people on Wednesday, marking the second deadly incident of its kind within days as the nation observes Lunar New Year festivities.

Fire crews extinguished flames at the fireworks retailer located in Xiangyang, a town in central Hubei province, during Wednesday afternoon hours, the state-run Xinhua News Agency confirmed. Officials are currently examining what triggered the deadly blast, though the report provided no additional specifics.

Pyrotechnic displays play a central role in China’s Lunar New Year traditions, yet they have repeatedly led to tragic incidents.

Just days earlier on Sunday, a separate tragedy at a fireworks retailer in Jiangsu province’s eastern region resulted in eight deaths and left two others wounded. Officials determined that a local resident had ignited fireworks in proximity to the store.

China’s central authorities issued a safety warning on Tuesday, with the Ministry of Emergency Management declaring that “fireworks are still the biggest risks during the Spring Festival period.”

Germany’s national railway operator has fully restored its ticketing and customer information platforms following a cyber attack that knocked systems offline Tuesday, the company announced Wednesday.

Deutsche Bahn confirmed that a distributed denial-of-service attack temporarily disrupted their digital services, but stated that protective measures helped reduce disruptions for travelers. “Our countermeasures were effective in minimizing the impact on our customers,” the railway company posted on their official blog, though they did not identify the perpetrators behind the attack.

This latest incident adds to a pattern of security challenges facing Germany’s rail network. The transportation company has faced previous suspected sabotage attempts that German officials believe were intentional, including incidents where attackers severed fiber optic communication lines, bringing train operations to a complete standstill.

Ukraine’s current ambassador to Britain has broken his silence about a dramatic behind-the-scenes conflict with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including a shocking intelligence raid on his military command center that nearly escalated into an armed confrontation.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the 52-year-old former army commander who many consider Zelenskyy’s primary political challenger, revealed the previously unknown incident during his first public discussion of tensions between the two Ukrainian leaders. The confrontation occurred in September 2022, just months after Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

According to Zaluzhnyi’s account, dozens of domestic intelligence agents unexpectedly appeared at his military headquarters following a heated meeting with Zelenskyy. British officers were present at the facility during the search, which Zaluzhnyi describes as an intimidation tactic.

The situation became so tense that Zaluzhnyi contacted Zelenskyy’s chief of staff with a stark ultimatum. “I will fight with you and have already called in reinforcements to the center of Kyiv for support,” he warned, threatening to deploy military forces to halt the intelligence operation.

Neither Zelenskyy’s administration nor Ukraine’s security service responded to requests for comment about the incident, and the details could not be independently verified.

The intelligence agency had obtained a court warrant claiming to search for a strip club allegedly operated by criminals at that location. However, former employees of the establishment told reporters the club had relocated before the Russian invasion began, suggesting the warrant may have been fabricated.

Zaluzhnyi believes the search was deliberately targeting him. “I told Yermak that I would repel this attack, because I know how to fight,” he said, referring to his conversation with the president’s chief of staff at the time.

The dramatic revelation comes as disagreements between the two leaders over military strategy continued throughout the conflict. Their most significant dispute centered on Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

Zaluzhnyi maintains that his original battle plan, developed with NATO assistance, could have succeeded if properly resourced. The strategy called for concentrating forces into what he termed a “single fist” to recapture Zaporizhzhia region and advance to the Sea of Azov, cutting off Russian supply lines to occupied Crimea.

Instead, he says, forces were scattered across multiple fronts, weakening their effectiveness. Two Western defense officials confirmed Zaluzhnyi’s version of how the counteroffensive deviated from initial plans.

The ongoing friction led to Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal as army chief in February 2024, followed by his appointment as ambassador to London. Political observers interpreted the diplomatic posting as Zelenskyy’s attempt to neutralize a potential rival by removing him from Ukraine’s daily operations.

Recent polling data supports concerns about Zaluzhnyi’s political potential. An Ipsos survey from last month shows him leading Zelenskyy 23% to 20% in a hypothetical future election, making him the president’s strongest competitor.

Zelenskyy’s popularity has declined as the war continues, particularly following corruption scandals involving senior officials. The president recently reorganized his leadership team in response to eroding public confidence.

From his London embassy office, decorated with military aircraft posters and children’s battlefield drawings, Zaluzhnyi monitors the ongoing conflict through real-time drone footage. He criticizes current Ukrainian strategy as requiring unrealistic troop numbers and lacking proper technology deployment.

Despite his removal from military leadership, Zaluzhnyi says his interactions with Zelenskyy have remained cordial during their two meetings since his departure. However, he continues receiving offers from campaign consultants and political operatives interested in supporting a future presidential bid.

One notable approach came from Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who previously worked for Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. “I thanked him for paying attention to me, but said that I did not need his services,” Zaluzhnyi stated. Manafort did not respond to media inquiries.

The former general insists he won’t discuss political ambitions while the war continues, citing concerns about national unity. “Until the war is over or martial law ends, I am not discussing this and have done nothing toward that,” he explained.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko suggests many Ukrainians view Zaluzhnyi as someone capable of systemic change. “People will vote not only for Zaluzhnyi but also against Zelenskyy — blaming him for the failures of his presidency,” Fesenko observed.

The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as Russian forces continue advancing along Ukraine’s eastern front, while the United States pressures both sides toward a potential peace agreement. President Trump has proposed a framework calling for post-war elections and security guarantees, which Zelenskyy has accepted in principle.

The disclosure of high-level Ukrainian leadership conflicts risks further polarizing public opinion at a crucial moment in the war effort, potentially undermining the national unity both leaders claim to prioritize.

GENEVA — Representatives from Russia and Ukraine continued American-mediated discussions in Geneva on Wednesday, extending their diplomatic efforts into a second straight day as they attempt to resolve political and military disputes that have persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.

Ukrainian delegation leader Rustem Umerov posted on X that “consultations are taking place in working groups by areas within the political and military tracks,” adding that delegates are “working on clarifying the parameters and mechanisms of the decisions discussed yesterday.”

These Switzerland-based discussions mark the third series of direct negotiations facilitated by the United States, following earlier sessions this year in Abu Dhabi that officials characterized as productive despite failing to achieve any major breakthrough.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, stated on social media that America’s year-long diplomatic efforts toward Ukrainian peace have “brought about meaningful progress,” though he provided no additional details and combat operations have persisted.

Military forces from both nations remain engaged along an approximately 750-mile battle zone, as Russia continues its bombardment of Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian air force officials reported that Russia fired one ballistic missile and 126 long-range drones at Ukraine during overnight attacks.

In the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone attack resulted in one woman’s death and wounded seven others, including two young children, according to regional military leader Ivan Fedorov.

The two countries continue to maintain significantly different positions regarding potential peace terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed implementing a ceasefire and arranging direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Moscow insists on securing a comprehensive settlement before agreeing to halt hostilities.

Putin maintains the same primary objectives he established when Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022: Ukraine must abandon its NATO membership aspirations, dramatically reduce its military forces, and safeguard Russian language and cultural interests to maintain the country within Moscow’s sphere of influence.

Putin also demands that Ukraine remove its military presence from four territories that Russia has seized but does not completely control.

Zelenskyy maintains that Ukraine will not cede any territory to Russia.

MOSCOW – Russian officials firmly rejected allegations Wednesday that Moscow or Beijing have conducted clandestine nuclear weapons testing, responding to recent American accusations against China.

Washington earlier this month alleged that China secretly performed nuclear testing in 2020, while simultaneously pushing for expanded arms control agreements that would include China alongside existing U.S.-Russia frameworks.

“We’ve heard many references to certain tests. Both the Russian Federation and China have been mentioned in this regard. Neither the Russian Federation nor China has conducted any nuclear tests,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov further stated: “We also know that these allegations were categorically denied by a representative of the People’s Republic of China, so that’s the situation.”

President Donald Trump has been advocating for China’s participation in negotiations to create a successor agreement to New START, the final nuclear arms limitation treaty between America and Russia that lapsed on February 5.

The treaty’s recent expiration has sparked debate among defense analysts, with some warning of a potential acceleration in global nuclear weapons development, while others believe such concerns are overstated.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s top diplomat is scheduled to sit down with Myanmar’s foreign minister Wednesday as part of an effort to foster dialogue and explore peaceful solutions in the conflict-torn nation following recent elections that solidified military control.

Myanmar has experienced widespread violence and government oppression ever since military forces seized power in 2021, overthrowing the country’s first democratically elected government in fifty years.

The military-supported political party declared success in January’s voting, which took place in select regions only. The United Nations and human rights organizations have condemned these elections.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow explained to media on Tuesday evening that the planned discussion with Myanmar’s Than Swe, who previously served as both a military officer and diplomatic representative, could represent a pivotal moment for establishing peace following the disputed vote.

According to a ministry announcement, Wednesday’s diplomatic session will address future bilateral relationships as well as Myanmar’s connections with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We have not said we’ve accepted (the election), but it’s the reality that an election has happened, so we’ll help by being a bridge. But for us to help them, they have to help us,” Sihasak said.

“It’s time for ASEAN to move. We can have conversations to help the transition be positive … so they can understand ASEAN’s good intentions,” he said.

Thailand faces higher stakes regarding Myanmar’s situation than other ASEAN countries, given that the two nations share a 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) boundary – Myanmar’s most extensive border with any neighboring country.

Than Swe previously represented Myanmar as its U.S. ambassador in 2012 and subsequently gained prominence following the 2021 military takeover, eventually assuming roles as both deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Turkish parliamentary representatives are scheduled to cast votes Wednesday on a comprehensive proposal designed to move forward peace negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers Party, a militant organization that has waged conflict for more than four decades.

The PKK, which Turkey, the United States, and the European Union classify as a terrorist group, ceased its attacks last year and announced plans to surrender weapons and dissolve, requesting that Turkish officials create pathways for its members to enter legitimate political participation.

The approximately 60-page proposal, distributed to media representatives before Wednesday’s parliamentary vote in Ankara, outlines simultaneous legal changes as the PKK surrenders its weapons. The document calls for judicial officials to examine current laws and ensure compliance with rulings from both the European Court of Human Rights and Turkey’s Constitutional Court.

Parliamentary approval of this proposal would move peace negotiations into the legislative arena, as President Tayyip Erdogan, who has led Turkey for more than twenty years, works to halt violence that has created significant internal divisions and extended beyond Turkey’s borders into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Parliamentary officials established the commission in August 2025 to facilitate a possible new chapter in efforts to resolve the deadly conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and hindered economic progress in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeastern regions.

Since beginning its insurgency in 1984, the PKK initially demanded an independent nation within Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast, though in recent years the group has modified its goals to focus on expanded Kurdish civil rights and partial self-governance.

The prolonged conflict has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths, with militants comprising the majority of casualties, while Turkey’s NATO-allied military forces pushed PKK operations into remote mountainous areas of northern Iraq.

In symbolic gestures, the PKK has destroyed some of its weapons and declared it is removing any remaining combatants from Turkish territory as an initial step toward lawful reintegration into society, following directives from imprisoned movement leader Abdullah Ocalan.

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government reports significant progress in its battle against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab extremist organization, with American-supported air campaigns and expanded military operations helping shift the balance of power in the nation’s prolonged conflict.

Officials claim recent efforts have successfully recaptured territory from the militants while targeting key leadership figures and bomb-making operations within the terrorist network.

This military escalation occurs during a crucial transition period, as African Union peacekeeping forces begin their gradual withdrawal while Somalia prepares to take on increased responsibility for national security — almost twenty years since al-Shabab became a major insurgent threat.

The extremist organization first appeared in the mid-2000s as the military branch of what was then called the Islamic Courts Union coalition, later establishing ties with al-Qaeda. During its strongest period, the group maintained control over large portions of southern and central Somalia, including sections of the capital city Mogadishu.

African Union forces successfully expelled al-Shabab from Mogadishu in 2011, prompting the organization to change tactics toward guerrilla-style attacks, suicide bombings, and assassination campaigns. United Nations monitoring reports indicate the group continues generating millions annually through forced taxation and extortion schemes.

American military strikes in Somalia have continued for over ten years. During his initial presidency in 2020, Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of most American personnel. Two years later, Joe Biden authorized the return of U.S. forces to Somalia, reestablishing a continuous advisory and anti-terrorism mission.

Government officials report that Somali military units have successfully reclaimed territories in Lower Shabelle, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and portions of Jubbaland that had remained under militant control for extended periods.

Somalia’s state defense minister Omar Ali Abdi told The Associated Press that several Lower Shabelle locations, including Jilib Marka, Gendershe, and Dhanaane — all former al-Shabab strongholds — are now under military control.

Abdi also highlighted victories in the central Hiiraan region, specifically mentioning Taydaan and Yasooman, along with operations near Masjid Ali Gaduud in Middle Shabelle. In Jubbaland’s Kudhaa area, he reported that combined operations featuring regional Darawiish forces and Somalia’s American-trained Danab special operations units have eliminated numerous militants and captured equipment.

Al-Shabab has not acknowledged these claimed territorial losses. Independent confirmation remains challenging due to restricted access in many disputed regions.

American forces conduct aerial strikes throughout areas under U.S. Africa Command jurisdiction, targeting al-Shabab commanders, training facilities, and weapons sites in coordination with Somalia’s federal government.

State minister Abdi reported that recent air operations successfully destroyed facilities manufacturing improvised explosive devices and eliminated bomb-laden vehicles before deployment. He noted that Somali intelligence agencies provide confirmed targeting information.

AFRICOM states it performs precision strikes while evaluating potential civilian casualties before execution. Previous U.S. strikes in Somalia have faced criticism from human rights organizations regarding civilian deaths. AFRICOM has acknowledged certain incidents and maintains it investigates such allegations.

Mogadishu-based security expert Abdullahi Ahmed Ali explained that enhanced aerial surveillance and strike capabilities transformed what had been a relatively balanced conflict.

During earlier stages, he noted, both government troops and al-Shabab possessed comparable ground weaponry. The government’s disadvantage was the absence of consistent airpower and continuous surveillance.

Enhanced drone operations have enabled forces to locate al-Shabab’s underground facilities and supply lines that were previously inaccessible, he explained. After aerial targeting of these positions, government troops could more easily advance into those territories.

Somali leadership reports that drones now deliver advance warning of militant activity near Mogadishu, where al-Shabab continues conducting bombings despite enhanced security measures.

The renewed offensive’s timing coincides significantly with the transition away from African Union forces — officially called the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia — who are progressively reducing their presence as Somali forces assume greater responsibility.

Security analysts emphasize this makes air support and intelligence coordination with international allies increasingly vital.

Simultaneously, Somalia confronts multiple challenges, including climate-driven drought conditions, political friction between federal and regional governments, and budget shortfalls impacting security and humanitarian programs.

Some security specialists warn that territorial victories over al-Shabab require consolidation through effective governance and public services. During past military campaigns, al-Shabab successfully returned to areas after government forces departed or failed to maintain ongoing presence.

Somali authorities claim thousands of al-Shabab fighters have died since the intensified campaign began, including dozens during recent operations in coastal Kudhaa and other locations. These casualty figures cannot be independently confirmed.

Experts caution that territorial authority in Somalia remains unstable, especially in rural areas. While government forces appear to have expanded their reach in multiple regions, al-Shabab maintains access to extensive areas of central and southern Somalia.

Somali officials indicate operations will continue alongside international partners, combining ground campaigns, intelligence collection, and reconstruction projects in recovered communities.

According to Abdi, the government intends to reconstruct housing and provide assistance in newly secured areas to prevent al-Shabab from regaining control. However, despite reported government advances, al-Shabab remains among Africa’s most persistent militant organizations and a primary security threat.

This means the government must now convert battlefield successes into enduring stability. Success will depend on Somalia’s capacity to secure and administer territory as international peacekeeping forces reduce their involvement.

MOSCOW – Russia’s digital development minister has accused international spy agencies of intercepting communications from Russian military personnel who use the Telegram messaging platform, according to a Wednesday report from Interfax news agency.

Minister Maksud Shadayev made the allegations as Russian authorities continue pressuring the widely-used messaging service, which has become popular among Russian troops deployed in Ukraine. Officials have placed restrictions on Telegram, claiming the company refuses to remove what they consider extremist material.

“There are numerous indications that foreign intelligence agencies have access to the messenger’s correspondence and are using this data against the Russian military,” Shadayev stated according to the news agency.

Russia’s communications oversight body, Roskomnadzor, has been deliberately slowing Telegram’s performance as part of a broader campaign against international messaging platforms that officials say violate Russian regulations.

Last week, the Kremlin announced it had completely banned WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, for non-compliance with domestic laws. Russian officials are encouraging citizens to switch to MAX, a government-supported “national messenger” service.

However, critics argue that MAX functions as a surveillance system, though Russian government officials reject these accusations.

The resignation of Dubai port company DP World’s top executive represents the most significant Middle Eastern consequence stemming from Justice Department documents that reveal how Jeffrey Epstein worked to establish influential connections with political and business figures throughout the region.

DP World made the announcement Friday that Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem had stepped down from his positions as CEO and chairman. Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that the company made this decision after Bin Sulayem’s connections to Epstein came under increased examination following the release of the government documents.

The correspondence between the two men included discussions about Bin Sulayem’s romantic encounters with women Epstein had introduced to him. In one email from November 9, 2007, Bin Sulayem informed Epstein about meeting one such woman in New York, though he stated no sexual contact occurred.

“Yes after several attempts for several months we managed to meet in NY,” Bin Sulayem wrote, explaining there had been confusion because “she wanted some BUSINESS! while i only wanted some PUSSYNESS!”

Dubai’s leadership also issued an official order Friday naming a replacement chairman for Dubai’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, another position Bin Sulayem had occupied.

While Reuters could only verify portions of the Epstein documents concerning Bin Sulayem, sources confirmed his departure was connected to the files, though they provided no additional specifics. Neither Bin Sulayem nor DP World responded to requests for comment regarding his resignation.

Email exchanges show Epstein characterizing Bin Sulayem as humorous, reliable, and passionate about food. Epstein noted that Bin Sulayem, who practices Islam, abstains from alcohol and maintains his daily prayer schedule.

A photograph without a date stamp, appearing in an email and available publicly, depicts Epstein and Bin Sulayem cooking side by side, appearing comfortable in each other’s company. The complete identity of the email recipient remains unclear.

Bin Sulayem has made no public statements regarding Epstein’s characterizations or their email correspondence.

While appearing in these documents doesn’t indicate illegal conduct, Congressional members highlighting Bin Sulayem’s presence in the Justice Department files prompted renewed questioning from some of DP World’s financial supporters about his historical associations.

Bin Sulayem offered no public response to these concerns. British International Investment, the UK’s development finance organization, along with Canada’s second-largest pension fund, announced last week they would halt all new DP World investments due to Bin Sulayem’s alleged Epstein connections.

“We are shocked by the allegations emerging in the Epstein Files regarding Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,” a BII representative stated, without specifying which claims prompted concern. “In light of the allegations, we will not be making any new investments with DP World until the required actions have been taken by the company.”

Canadian pension fund La Caisse announced it was “pausing additional capital deployment alongside the company” pending DP World’s clarification of the matter and implementation of “the necessary actions.”

Following Friday’s DP World leadership transition, BII expressed approval of the company’s actions and anticipated continuing “our partnership to advance the development of key African trading ports.” La Caisse stated “the company took the appropriate measures” and would “move quickly to work with DP World’s new leadership to continue our partnership on port projects around the world.”

The extensive collection of Justice Department documents, encompassing text messages and emails, demonstrates that Epstein’s strategy of leveraging his wealth to cultivate relationships with influential figures in politics, finance, academia, and business extended globally, including the Middle East.

Reuters could not determine Epstein’s success level in attempting to influence his Middle Eastern contacts or whether they followed his guidance.

The Justice Department materials examined by Reuters reveal Epstein’s attempts to counsel Qatari business and political leaders during the 2017-2021 economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. These nations accused Qatar of maintaining inappropriate ties with Iran and supporting terrorism, allegations Qatar rejected.

In communications with Qatari businessman and royal family member Sheikh Jabor Yousuf Jassim Al Thani, Epstein recommended Qatar “stop kicking and arguing…let the heat come down a bit.” He criticized “the current Qatar team is very weak” and stated “FM is not experienced and it shows.”

The foreign minister during that period was Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who currently holds both foreign minister and prime minister roles. Sheikh Mohammed has not publicly addressed Epstein’s assessment. Qatar’s International Media Office, responsible for prime ministerial media inquiries, declined commentary when asked about these exchanges.

Reuters received no responses to comment requests sent to three Qatari companies listing Sheikh Jabor as chairman, nor to a text message sent to someone the Justice Department files identify as working in Sheikh Jabor’s office.

Epstein encouraged Qatar to establish Israeli connections to maintain favorable relations with then-President Donald Trump during his initial term. He proposed either moving toward Israeli recognition or contributing $1 billion to a terrorism victims’ fund. Qatar ultimately maintained its independent approach. The blockading nations restored Qatar relations in 2021, and current Trump administration-Qatar ties remain robust.

Epstein engaged in extensive email discussions about Saudi Aramco’s planned initial public offering. In a September 10, 2016 exchange with someone identified as Aziza Alahmadi, copying former Norwegian diplomat Terje Roed-Larsen, Epstein cautioned that Aramco’s public listing could expose Saudi Arabia to legal action and asset confiscation. Saudi Aramco declined to comment on these communications.

Reuters could not contact Alahmadi for comment and was unable to determine her involvement, if any, in Epstein’s activities.

In an October 16, 2017 email also sent to Alahmadi, Epstein proposed offering China an option to purchase a $100-billion Aramco stake instead of pursuing a conventional IPO, arguing this would provide liquidity while reducing public market exposure.

Saudi Aramco refused Reuters’ request for comment regarding the emails. Roed-Larsen did not immediately respond to an email comment request sent through his attorney.

The Justice Department documents show Epstein’s influence reached Egypt as well. Some emails reveal a 2011 request from Hosni Mubarak’s family member – specifically his son Gamal Mubarak’s wife – seeking Epstein’s assistance following the former president’s removal from power and subsequent legal difficulties. The documents don’t specify what help was requested, and Reuters couldn’t establish whether Epstein attempted to intervene for the family.

Reuters sent comment requests to two attorneys who represented Gamal Mubarak, one by email and another by text message, but received no immediate responses.

GENEVA – Diplomatic representatives from Ukraine and Russia reconvened Wednesday for their second consecutive day of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced concerns about excessive American pressure to conclude the four-year conflict.

The Switzerland-based discussions, facilitated by U.S. mediators, come amid repeated public statements from President Donald Trump suggesting Ukraine and its leader must take decisive action to ensure successful negotiations.

In a Tuesday interview with Axios, Zelenskyy expressed his displeasure with Trump’s approach, stating it was “not fair” that the American president consistently demands Ukraine, rather than Russia, make compromises when discussing potential peace agreement terms.

The Ukrainian leader firmly stated that any proposed settlement requiring his country to surrender territory in the eastern Donbas region that remains under Ukrainian control would face rejection by citizens in a national referendum.

“I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision,” Zelenskyy told Axios regarding Trump’s public statements.

Despite his criticism, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Trump’s diplomatic efforts and noted that his direct discussions with chief U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner have not involved similar pressure tactics.

Trump addressed reporters Monday with a direct message: “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.”

Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, who leads the National Security and Defence Council, characterized Tuesday’s discussions as focusing on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” though he declined to elaborate on specifics.

Russian representatives remained silent about the proceedings, but Russian media outlets cited unnamed sources describing the talks as “very tense” and lasting six hours across various bilateral and trilateral meeting formats.

Prior to the Geneva meetings, Umerov tempered expectations for major progress, indicating the Ukrainian delegation approached the talks “without excessive expectations.”

During his Tuesday evening address, Zelenskyy said he awaited updates from his negotiating team in Switzerland.

“We are ready to move quickly toward a worthy agreement to end the war,” Zelenskyy declared. “The question for the Russians is: Just what do they want?”

These Geneva discussions follow two previous rounds of American-brokered negotiations in Abu Dhabi that ended without significant progress, as both nations remained deeply divided on crucial matters including territorial control in eastern Ukraine.

Early Wednesday, Witkoff praised Trump’s diplomatic approach on social media platform X, stating that Trump’s “success in bringing both sides of this war together has brought about meaningful progress, and we are proud to work under his leadership to stop the killing in this terrible conflict.”

“Both parties agreed to update their respective leaders and continue working towards a deal,” Witkoff added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation Tuesday evening to review diplomatic developments following peace negotiations in Geneva, according to officials from Downing Street.

The call between the two leaders covered the ongoing U.S.-facilitated peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, as well as recent dialogue between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program, a spokesperson for the British government confirmed.

During their conversation, Starmer and Trump also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the British Prime Minister emphasizing the critical need to expand access for aid deliveries to the region, the spokesperson added.

Representatives from both Ukraine and Russia wrapped up the initial day of two-day peace negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, with the U.S. serving as mediator. Trump has been urging Ukrainian officials to move quickly toward reaching an agreement.

In a related development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced that his country and the United States had reached a preliminary understanding Tuesday on “guiding principles” designed to address their ongoing nuclear disagreement, though he cautioned that this does not indicate an immediate resolution is forthcoming.

WARSAW – The Polish military announced Tuesday evening that it has implemented a ban on Chinese-manufactured vehicles entering secure military installations, expressing concerns that embedded sensors in these cars could potentially gather classified information.

According to a military statement, exceptions may be granted for these vehicles to access restricted areas only when certain functions are deactivated and additional security protocols required by individual facilities are implemented.

The armed forces have also prohibited personnel from linking work phones to entertainment and navigation systems in cars produced in China as an additional measure to prevent potential data breaches.

Military officials clarified that these new rules do not extend to military facilities open to the public, including medical centers, healthcare clinics, libraries, legal offices, and recreational facilities for service members.

The Polish Army emphasized that these security measures are preventative steps that mirror protocols already adopted by NATO partners and allied nations to maintain robust protection standards for defense installations.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government issued a ban Wednesday preventing one of its citizens with suspected Islamic State connections from returning home from a Syrian detention facility.

This individual was part of a 34-person group consisting of women and children who attempted to travel from Damascus to Australia on Monday. However, Syrian officials sent them back to the Roj detention facility due to administrative issues.

Since the Islamic State lost territorial control in Syria in 2019, the country has held wives of former militants and their children from various nations in detention camps.

Tony Burke, the Home Affairs Minister, announced that Australian security officials determined one person in the group posed enough risk to warrant entry denial, even though they hold citizenship. Burke declined to reveal the person’s identity or specify the duration of the prohibition.

“I can confirm that one individual in this cohort has been issued a temporary exclusion order, which was made on advice from security agencies,” Burke stated.

“At this stage, security agencies have not provided advice that other members of the cohort meet the required legal thresholds for temporary exclusion orders,” Burke continued.

These temporary exclusion orders allow Burke to block high-risk citizens from entering Australia for as long as two years.

Previously, Australian administrations have brought home Australian women and children from Syrian camps twice. Additional Australians have also made their way back independently.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese restated his stance from the previous day that his administration would not provide assistance to bring this latest group home.

“These are people who chose to go overseas to align themselves with an ideology which is the caliphate, which is a brutal, reactionary ideology and that seeks to undermine and destroy our way of life,” Albanese explained to media.

“We are doing nothing to repatriate or to assist these people. I think it’s unfortunate that children are caught up in this, that’s not their decision, but it’s the decision of their parents or their mother,” Albanese continued.

COPENHAGEN – Government leaders from Nordic countries are gathering in Denmark today to consider granting Greenland equal standing in their regional partnership, a direct response to President Donald Trump’s demands for U.S. control over the Arctic territory.

The meeting comes after Denmark and its European partners firmly rejected Trump’s calls for the Nordic nation to transfer Greenland to American control. Diplomatic discussions between Copenhagen, Nuuk, and Washington began last month in an effort to ease tensions over the dispute.

Today’s discussions will center on revising the Helsinki Treaty, originally signed in 1962 by Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. The proposed changes would grant complete membership rights to Denmark’s autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, along with Finland’s Aland region.

These self-governing areas have spent decades pushing for equal representation in Nordic forums but were previously excluded from discussions on security issues and topics like the conflict in Ukraine. Greenland’s leadership boycotted the partnership format in 2024 due to this exclusion.

“An update of the Helsinki Treaty will be a historic step and a future-proofing of Nordic co-operation,” stated Morten Dahlin, Denmark’s minister for Nordic cooperation.

Greenland plans to take an active role in establishing a commission to revise the agreement, according to the island’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt. “The process surrounding the Helsinki Treaty will be decisive in determining whether Greenland can be recognised as an equal partner in Nordic cooperation,” Motzfeldt explained.

Polling data shows that most of Greenland’s 57,000 residents aspire to eventual independence from Denmark, though many caution against moving too quickly due to their economic dependence on Copenhagen and concerns about increased U.S. influence.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated earlier this month that if residents were compelled to pick between the United States and Denmark, they would side with Denmark.

China’s President Xi Jinping has reached out to longtime contacts in Iowa with a message of optimism about future U.S.-China cooperation, according to Chinese state media reports released Monday.

Writing to Iowa businessman Luca Berrone and others who sent New Year’s greetings, Xi expressed confidence that Americans and Chinese will continue seeking cooperation and exchanges, no matter how government relations between the two nations develop.

“The hope of U.S.-China relations lies in the people,” Xi stated in his response to the Iowa group, whom he first encountered during a 1985 visit to the state as a provincial leader from Hebei province studying agricultural practices.

The personal correspondence comes as Xi prepares for an anticipated April meeting with President Trump, following a rocky period in diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Last year brought significant challenges to the relationship, with Trump threatening to slap additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in October. However, the year also witnessed an unexpected cultural bridge-building moment when Trump’s proposed TikTok restrictions drove American users to explore Chinese social media platform RedNote.

A trend called “Chinamaxxing” also gained traction among younger Americans, reflecting growing fascination with Chinese culture and technology among Generation Z users.

Diplomatic relations showed signs of improvement after Xi and Trump held discussions in South Korea last October, resulting in a one-year extension of existing trade agreements. During those talks, Trump agreed to reduce some tariffs while Beijing committed to intensifying efforts against illegal fentanyl trafficking, resuming American soybean imports, and temporarily halting restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.

The leaders followed up with an unexpected phone conversation in early February, addressing Taiwan and other security concerns. Trump reported that Xi indicated China might expand its purchases of American soybeans, a key crop for Iowa farmers.

Trump announced plans last month to visit China in April, with Xi expected to make a reciprocal trip to the United States later in 2026.

Xi has maintained personal connections with Iowa contacts over the decades, including Sarah Lande, another friend from his original 1985 visit. In 2022, he sent Lande New Year’s wishes emphasizing the global need for stable U.S.-China relations during pandemic-related tensions.

The Australian government announced Wednesday it has activated seldom-used anti-terrorism legislation to block one of its own citizens from returning home from a Syrian detention facility.

The citizen is part of a group of 34 Australians currently detained at a northern Syrian camp that houses families connected to suspected ISIS fighters. Camp officials had given conditional approval for the group’s release, but their attempt to leave on Monday was unsuccessful when Syrian authorities rejected them due to insufficient documentation.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the government’s action in a Wednesday statement, saying the temporary exclusion order was implemented based on recommendations from security officials.

“I can confirm that one individual in this cohort has been issued a temporary exclusion order, which was made on advice from security agencies,” Burke stated.

Burke noted that security officials have not yet determined that other group members warrant similar restrictions.

The 2019 legislation permits the government to ban Australian citizens aged 14 and older from entering the country for up to two years if they are deemed a security threat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the situation Wednesday, noting that some group members, which includes minors, had embraced what he called a “brutal, reactionary ideology and that seeks to undermine and destroy our way of life.”

“It’s unfortunate that children are caught up in this, that’s not their decision, but it’s the decision of their parents or their mother,” Albanese commented.

The Australian government has previously stated it will not offer assistance to individuals detained in the camp and is conducting security assessments to determine if any pose national security risks.

The potential homecoming of these families has sparked debate across Australia, coinciding with rising support for the anti-immigration One Nation party in recent months.

Recent polling data shows One Nation has reached a historic 26% share of popular support, surpassing the combined backing for the traditional center-right opposition coalition.

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Dozens of expensive homes have been constructed illegally within a protected national park that acts as a crucial environmental shield for Sierra Leone’s capital city, while government authorities have taken minimal action to address the violations, according to an investigation.

The Associated Press and The Gecko Project obtained exclusive access to findings from a government probe into the unauthorized development that has remained hidden from public view for nearly four years since President Julius Maada Bio ordered the investigation. The probe revealed that high-ranking government officials distributed land ownership paperwork for the protected area.

During a recent site visit, AP reporters observed ongoing construction activity.

These luxury homes are located in the Bio Barray community, portions of which have been illegally developed within the mountainous Western Area Peninsula National Park — an area Sierra Leone’s administration has nominated for UNESCO World Heritage designation. No fewer than 50 residences in Bio Barray have been completed or remain under development within park limits on terrain that was covered by rainforest just five years ago in 2019.

Bio initiated the investigation in 2022 to determine how the unauthorized encroachment occurred and assess the environmental consequences of the resulting forest destruction.

The probe’s conclusions describe forest clearing in the national park as “an environmental time bomb that has to be nipped in the bud.”

“The government is fully aware of what is going on,” stated Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Freetown’s mayor and environmental advocate who intends to run against Bio in the upcoming presidential race.

According to Aki-Sawyerr, the Bio Barray development houses influential individuals who received permission to disregard environmental laws. “They are being given permission, simple,” she explained.

Sierra Leone’s capital sits on a narrow coastal strip between the national park and the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the last ten years, numerous forested hillsides overlooking the city have been cleared by developers, mining operations, marijuana cultivators, and charcoal producers.

Construction activity within the park at Bio Barray can be easily seen by motorists traveling south from the capital along one of the nation’s major roadways.

Located above the Bio Barray mansions sits a water reservoir that supplies 90% of Freetown residents’ drinking water. The government probe determined that forest destruction and other human interference in the national park might trigger a “water shortage crisis.”

Bio ordered the investigation following a destructive fire near the water reservoir in 2022.

Landslide risks also pose a significant danger. A previous landslide on the national park’s border claimed over 1,000 lives in 2017.

The investigation team’s 13 members — comprising police personnel, attorneys, nonprofit representatives, and an Anti-Corruption Commission member — examined satellite images and reviewed documentation to understand how construction permits were obtained for residences within the park.

The committee discovered “widespread and indiscriminate clearing of forested areas” despite construction prohibitions in the area.

The most significant encroachment occurred in and surrounding Bio Barray, where deforestation had “increased exponentially” during the months before the investigation began. Maada Kpenge, who served as managing director of Freetown’s water utility until recently, informed the AP that this activity endangered the reservoir’s stability by heightening landslide risks.

Personnel at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning were aware that “vast stretches” of government property were being illegally occupied but remained “reluctant to act robustly for reasons unknown,” according to the investigation.

The probe found that certain officials promoted encroachment and actively assisted it for financial benefit.

According to the State Land Act, the ministry has authority to transfer government property to private citizens through a process that begins with issuing a letter. However, clearing land and building within a national park violates the Forestry Law, the investigation noted.

Denis Sandy, who held the ministerial position during that period, approved no fewer than 175 documents providing land leases to private parties, which the investigation labeled a “flagrant violation.” The report did not specify how many of these grants involved Bio Barray property.

The committee suggested disciplinary action against Sandy and 16 additional named officials. Sandy has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

The investigation results were allegedly submitted to Sierra Leone’s former chief minister, who coordinates between the president and government departments, in September 2022.

Twelve months later, the president’s office released a photograph showing Bio formally accepting the findings from a commission leader. The related statement mentioned that “people in high places” participated in deforestation, without providing specifics.

“We will act on it very soon and do whatever is needed to be done,” Bio declared.

However, AP analysis of satellite images from Bio Barray demonstrated that unauthorized mansions continue to stand while construction proceeds. Multiple new structures appeared during the months following the chief minister’s reported receipt of the findings.

An AP site inspection last year discovered construction workers actively completing residential projects.

In November, current Chief Minister David Sengeh informed the AP that multiple government agencies had responded to the investigation’s recommendations. He declined to reveal whether the Cabinet had approved any penalties, explaining that cabinet deliberations remain confidential.

Sandy currently holds the position of minister of works and public assets. When asked about the accusations against Sandy, Sengeh responded, “I don’t think government makes decisions based on accusations only.”

Sengeh indicated that the Anti-Corruption Commission represented the proper authority to examine the allegations. However, during an interview, ACC director Ben Kaifala stated that no investigation had begun and claimed he had not reviewed the original probe’s conclusions.

Kaifala said the ACC would examine the report and take action, while noting that other government departments bear responsibility for protecting national parks.

“Other institutions must do their job,” Kaifala explained. “I can’t do it for them.”

Thomas Kamara, executive director of the National Protected Area Authority responsible for managing national parks, also claimed ignorance of the report. The investigation findings indicated that allegations had been raised regarding staff members under his predecessor’s involvement in selling park lands.

Kamara, who was appointed two months after the investigation was publicly presented to the president, asserted that all park encroachment had been halted. He stated he possessed no evidence of staff participation in land transactions. Kamara was dismissed from his role late last year, with the environment minister citing his failure to address the encroachment.

In mid-2025, Bio declared that no one is exempt from prosecution for illegally selling government land. He had previously stated regarding unauthorized homes in the national park, “Even if a house belongs to me or my family, it would be broken down.”

The investigation findings did not identify specific individuals owning homes in Bio Barray. While it identified 876 property owners throughout the national park, only 301 responded to requests for documentation supporting their land ownership claims.

The AP confirmed 46 luxury residences within the national park boundaries. A comprehensive survey of these properties late last year revealed that 14 owners held government positions, according to residents, caretakers, and security personnel.

These included officials reportedly employed in the presidential office, land ministry, and Environment Protection Agency.

Sierra Leone’s president initially consented to an interview but subsequently failed to respond to comment requests.

KALAMATA, Greece — A Greek coastal city famous for its olives has earned international recognition after a giant wall painting featuring opera icon Maria Callas was crowned the globe’s top mural for 2025.

Street Art Cities, an international organization that tracks urban artwork worldwide, selected the enormous piece painted on a central building in Kalamata as this year’s “Best Mural of the World.”

The southern Greek community, situated roughly 150 miles southwest of Athens, produces some of the planet’s most celebrated olives, figs and grapes — agricultural products that play starring roles in the award-winning artwork.

City officials say that was exactly their intention.

Deputy Mayor Vassilis Papaefstathiou, who oversees strategic planning and climate initiatives, said Kalamata stands among the rare Greek municipalities pursuing carbon neutrality by 2030. Local leaders sought a method to help their 73,000 residents better understand complex ideas like sustainable growth, agricultural programs, and economic development.

This vision led to commissioning a large-scale public mural.

“We wanted it to reflect a very clear and distinct message of what sustainable development means for a regional city such as Kalamata,” Papaefstathiou said. “We wanted to create an image that combines the humble products of the land, such as olives and olive oil — which, let’s be honest, are famous all over the world and have put Kalamata on the map — with the high-level art.”

“By bringing together what is very elevated with … the humbleness of the land, our aim was to empower the people and, in doing so, strengthen their identity. We want them to be proud to be Kalamatians.”

The region has endured severe heat, drought conditions and devastating fires recently, all threatening the olive farms that drive the local economy.

Officials selected Maria Callas to symbolize their community. The legendary performer, considered among history’s finest opera voices and celebrated throughout Greece as a cultural treasure, was born in New York to Greek parents, though her father originated from a village near Kalamata. Local residents consider her family.

This bond extends beyond symbolism: Kalamata’s music academy alumni group bears Callas’ name, while the community cultural facility maintains a permanent display honoring her life, featuring personal correspondence from her archives.

Creator Kleomenis Kostopoulos, age 52, explained the mural “is not actually called ‘Maria Callas,’ but ‘Kalamata’ and my attempt was to paint Kalamata (the city) allegorically.”

Instead of creating a glamorous portrait of the celebrated singer, Kostopoulos chose a more realistic, relatable approach. He wove in features connecting residents to their homeland: tree limbs representing underground root systems, local bird species, and signature farm products.

“The dress I create on Maria Callas in ‘Kalamata’ is essentially all of this, all of this bloom, all of this fruition,” he said. “The blessed land that Kalamata itself has … is where all of these elements of nature come from.”

The project demanded significant effort. Kostopoulos spent approximately two weeks painting, stretched across a full month due to poor weather conditions. He worked mainly with traditional brushes while adding spray paint details, using mechanical lifts to access the entire wall surface.

Deputy Mayor Papaefstathiou noted the mural has transformed into a community centerpiece.

“We believe this mural has helped us significantly in many ways, including in strengthening the city’s promotion as a tourist destination,” he said.

The artwork has generated discussions about public art beyond attracting visitors. Additional property owners throughout Kalamata have approached officials about featuring murals on their buildings.

“All of us — residents, and I personally — feel immense pride,” said tourism educator Dimitra Kourmouli.

Artist Kostopoulos hopes the international recognition will influence Greece’s broader arts scene and increase support for public artwork.

“We see that such modern interventions in public space bring tremendous cultural, social, educational and economic benefits to a place,” he said. “These are good springboards to start nice conversations that I hope someday will happen in our country, as well.”

MANILA, Philippines — During a televised address on Wednesday, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, despite facing ongoing impeachment proceedings and criminal investigations that could potentially bar her from holding office if she’s found guilty.

Duterte used her television appearance to launch fresh accusations of corruption and poor governance against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two politicians formed a surprising partnership during the 2022 election cycle but have since experienced a dramatic breakdown in their relationship.

The Duterte family holds Marcos responsible for the imprisonment of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who could face trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. The court issued an arrest warrant for him in the Netherlands last year related to his controversial war on drugs.

Sara Duterte leveled charges against Marcos, claiming he failed to deliver on campaign commitments and governed poorly. She made multiple requests for public forgiveness regarding issues including government corruption, public safety problems, and rising prices.

“Politicians often avoid announcing their plans early so they wouldn’t be the target of attacks,” Duterte said. “But this administration has long destroyed my name.”

After making her presidential announcement, she departed the news conference without fielding reporters’ questions.

Marcos, who cannot seek re-election due to the single six-year term limit, has not yet responded to his vice president’s candidacy announcement or her accusations. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro suggested that Duterte should apologize to citizens for numerous irregularities and corruption allegations she faces, as well as her frequent international travel.

“She should ask forgiveness for focusing on destroying reputations of other people instead of doing her work and helping the government,” Castro said.

Many of the charges against Duterte were part of an impeachment case she escaped last year due to a procedural error.

The House of Representatives approved impeachment proceedings against her and forwarded the matter to the Senate for trial. However, the Supreme Court later determined that the lower chamber had broken a constitutional provision allowing only one impeachment case per year against any impeachable official.

New impeachment complaints filed this month focus on her alleged improper use and management of $10.3 million in confidential funds from both the vice president’s office and her previous role as education secretary under Marcos.

Additional allegations involve unexplained wealth, including funds in personal banking accounts. An anti-corruption prosecutor has indicated his office is working to access those accounts as part of a separate criminal probe.

One impeachment complaint referenced the vice president’s threat made during a 2024 online news conference to arrange the assassination of the president, his spouse, and the House speaker if she herself were killed.

Throughout the House’s initial investigation into these allegations, Duterte declined to provide detailed responses to questions and was absent from several televised hearings.

The vice president’s attorney, Michael Poa, has stated that Duterte is ready to address these accusations and remains confident “that a fair and impartial review will demonstrate that the accusations are devoid of both factual and legal basis.”

SEOUL – A South Korean government official disclosed Wednesday that private citizens have conducted unauthorized drone operations across the border into North Korea, creating additional strain in the already tense relationship between the neighboring countries.

According to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, three individuals have carried out drone flights into North Korean airspace on four different occasions since President Lee Jae Myung began his term in office.

The minister indicated these civilian-led drone incursions have contributed to deteriorating diplomatic relations between Seoul and Pyongyang.

The head of the European Central Bank may be planning an early departure from her position, according to a Wednesday report from the Financial Times.

Christine Lagarde is reportedly considering stepping down before her eight-year appointment concludes in October 2027, the newspaper stated, referencing someone with knowledge of her plans.

According to the Financial Times, Lagarde aims to depart prior to France’s presidential election scheduled for April of next year. Her goal would be to give current French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the opportunity to select her successor.

Macron will be unable to seek reelection in 2027 due to constitutional limits after completing two consecutive terms in office.

Reuters has not been able to confirm this information independently. The European Central Bank has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

This news emerges just one week following an announcement from Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau that he plans to resign in June, cutting his tenure short by over a year. His early departure would enable Macron to appoint a replacement before the 2027 presidential race, which far-right candidates could potentially win.

The Financial Times had previously reported on Lagarde’s possible early exit in May 2025, indicating the banking leader had discussed leaving her post to take charge of the World Economic Forum.

At that time, the European Central Bank stated that Lagarde remained committed to serving her complete eight-year presidency.

Lagarde’s position at the ECB is scheduled to end on October 31, 2027, and cannot be renewed. Before taking the helm at the European Central Bank, she served as the International Monetary Fund’s managing director from 2011 through 2019, and previously held the role of France’s finance minister.