Author: Admin

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — African nations may face higher costs for solar energy projects after China announced plans to eliminate tax rebates on solar panel exports and reduce incentives for battery storage manufacturing.

Starting April 1 for solar panels and next year for batteries, China will end value-added tax rebates that have helped keep equipment costs lower for international buyers. The policy shift could create challenges for Africa’s renewable energy expansion, as the continent depends largely on Chinese-made solar technology.

Energy analyst Wangari Muchiri, who specializes in Africa’s clean energy market, explained the potential impact. “We are likely to see solar panel prices increase in Africa because most of the inputs come from China,” Muchiri said. “Removing the rebate will add to existing costs, especially when you consider shipping, logistics, and other import fees.”

African countries already face steeper prices for solar equipment compared to other regions due to transportation expenses, smaller order quantities, and import duties.

The policy adjustment comes after intense competition among Chinese manufacturers drove solar panel prices down dramatically, from $0.25 per watt in 2022 to as low as $0.07 per watt in 2025. While this pricing helped accelerate worldwide solar adoption, it also resulted in substantial financial losses for many companies.

Many Chinese manufacturers had incorporated the VAT rebates into their export pricing strategies, essentially passing government subsidies along to international customers. Beijing is now reducing these payments as part of efforts to control overproduction and focus on more sophisticated technologies.

Industry experts anticipate gradual price adjustments rather than sudden cost increases, which should establish more stable global pricing.

John van Zuylen, CEO of the Africa Solar Industry Association, offered perspective on the changes. “The changes are significant, but not catastrophic,” van Zuylen said.

“The entire recent solar boom was built on artificially cheap Chinese pricing,” van Zuylen explained. “That era is now ending.”

Van Zuylen noted that companies typically respond to such policy changes in predictable ways. “When a structural rebate is removed, exporters typically either absorb the cost, raise prices, or reduce discounting,” he said. “African countries will likely feel this as a gradual upward shift in pricing rather than a single dramatic spike.”

Despite anticipated price increases, solar power is expected to maintain its competitive advantage across much of Africa, since it represents the most affordable energy source on the continent, according to Muchiri.

“Even with higher panel prices, it will still be significantly cheaper than alternatives like diesel,” she noted.

Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council industry group, warned of potential supply chain disruptions. “It will increase project costs slightly and might delay the project construction pipeline due to supply chain shortages and contractual changes, stockpiling rush, congestion in shipment for the countries heavily reliant on Chinese imports,” Dunlop said.

Battery storage technology, essential for providing power during nighttime hours, may encounter greater obstacles as incentives are eliminated through 2027. Van Zuylen suggested that smaller-scale users could face the most significant impact from higher costs.

“Batteries matter more than panels for Africa because storage is what makes solar reliable for off-grid and backup users,” he explained.

Basil Abia, co-founder of Nigerian energy research company Truva Intelligence, provided historical context for battery usage in African solar projects. “Batteries have historically been expensive, and many solar installations in Africa were built without them,” Abia said.

“Only recently have we started seeing more systems combining solar with battery storage,” Abia added.

Abia emphasized that solar panels remain reasonably priced even without government rebates. Throughout 2024 and early 2025, panel costs dropped significantly from approximately $0.25 per watt in earlier years to as low as $0.07 per watt.

Solar energy currently accounts for 3% of Africa’s power generation, with demand expected to continue expanding as storage technology enhances system reliability. The continent’s heavy reliance on Chinese equipment has highlighted the limited local manufacturing capabilities.

“The VAT removal will slow, but not reverse Africa’s clean energy transition,” Abia concluded. “Countries that use this moment to accelerate local manufacturing will emerge stronger. Those that do not will remain exposed to Beijing’s next industrial policy adjustment.”

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Citizens of Slovenia cast their ballots Sunday in a closely watched parliamentary election between the country’s liberal government and right-wing opposition forces, with the outcome determining whether this small European Union member continues its current liberal direction or shifts toward populist policies.

The election is anticipated to produce narrow margins following a campaign season disrupted by claims of outside interference that shocked this typically centrist EU nation.

The contest centers on two primary contenders: current Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement and the right-wing Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), headed by former three-term leader Janez Jansa, a populist figure who has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump.

The results will have implications beyond Slovenia’s borders within the 27-nation EU.

Golob’s administration has championed liberal positions within the European bloc, while a Jansa victory — given his close ties to Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orbán — would bolster Europe’s growing populist movements.

“Although Slovenia is a small Balkan country, the elections taking place there could be seen as another sign of the rise of illiberal tendencies in Europe,” Helen Levy, a researcher at the Robert Schuman Foundation, wrote in an analysis last month.

Slovenian sociologist Samo Uhan told The Associated Press that “the biggest differences between the government and the opposition are reflected in their understanding of global developments.”

Recent polling shows Slovenia’s leading parties in a virtual tie, with experts predicting neither will secure an outright majority in the 90-seat parliament, potentially giving smaller parties decisive influence in forming a government.

The result “is completely uncertain, which is nothing unusual for Slovenia as the electorate has always been polarized,” Uhan said.

Adding to the political tensions are accusations, initially raised by activist and journalist groups, that a series of covert video recordings depicting alleged government corruption were designed to influence voter behavior.

The claims further suggest connections between Jansa’s party and an international private intelligence firm behind the recordings, according to gathered evidence. While Jansa has confirmed contact with a Black Cube consultant, he has rejected allegations of election manipulation.

Official investigations have revealed that representatives from the private Black Cube intelligence company made four visits to Slovenia in recent months, including to a street in Ljubljana where Jansa’s party maintains its headquarters.

At an EU summit in Brussels Thursday, Golob called for European-level investigation into the matter.

“It is so important not to act now on behalf of Slovenia, but to act now to protect every other state that will come into election process in the next months,” Golob said. “I am absolutely confident that Slovenian voters will be able to recognize that foreign interference is something that shall never be allowed.”

Black Cube has not responded to requests for comment.

The firm, operated by two former Israeli intelligence officers, has been connected to several scandals in recent years, including covert work for film producer Harvey Weinstein aimed at undermining his accusers. The company maintains that its operations are conducted legally and ethically.

During his most recent tenure from 2020-22, Jansa faced criticism for restricting press freedoms and weakening democratic institutions in Slovenia. He has attacked Golob’s administration as a “crime syndicate” and vowed to “take back” what he calls a compromised state.

The 59-year-old Golob, a former energy sector executive, and his party emerged in 2022 as fresh alternatives for frustrated voters. However, his government has subsequently struggled with multiple cabinet changes, healthcare reform challenges, and frequent tax policy adjustments that have created an impression of instability.

On foreign policy, Golob’s government has adopted a strongly pro-Palestinian position, officially recognizing Palestinian statehood in 2024 and prohibiting senior Israeli officials from entering the country. Conversely, Jansa supports Israel and has sharply opposed Palestinian recognition.

Since gaining independence from Communist Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia has regularly alternated between these two political camps. This Alpine nation of 2 million joined both NATO and the EU in 2004.

French citizens went to the polls Sunday to choose mayors in runoff elections spanning Paris, Marseille, and more than 1,500 additional municipalities across the nation. These contests will measure the political power of far-right movements and traditional parties before the 2027 presidential campaign begins.

Municipal leaders oversee nearly 35,000 communities throughout France, ranging from major metropolitan areas to small villages with just dozens of inhabitants, and rank as the country’s most trusted public officials.

While numerous candidates secured victories during last Sunday’s initial voting round, competitive contests in France’s largest urban centers advanced to these decisive runoff elections.

A critical battle is unfolding in Marseille, France’s second-largest city, where the far-right National Rally (RN) faces off against the current Socialist mayor. An RN triumph there would represent a significant breakthrough for the party.

Polling data from Paris indicates the race between conservative and left-wing candidates remains too close to call, with results falling within statistical margins of error.

Ballot casting began at 8 a.m. local time and concluded between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with election outcomes expected throughout the evening hours.

The anti-immigration, European Union-skeptical RN has historically found limited success in municipal campaigns.

Initial round results delivered mixed outcomes for the organization, which secured reelection in multiple cities but failed to achieve substantial victories outside its established strongholds in southern and northern regions.

“It’s true that these 2026 municipal elections do not mark a landslide for the National Rally – far from that. But … it stands to confirm its territorial integration in France,” said Anne Muxel, a political science research director at Sciences Po university.

The RN’s prospects for capturing Marseille suffered when hard-left candidate Sebastien Delogu of France Unbowed (LFI) exited the second round, citing concerns that a divided left-wing vote might benefit the RN.

Meanwhile, in the French Riviera destination of Nice, Eric Ciotti, a renegade conservative allied with Le Pen’s movement, appears positioned to defeat a centrist-backed opponent.

Paris has remained under left-wing leadership since 2001, with the Socialist candidate leading after the first round. However, a far-right contender withdrew from the runoff to support Rachida Dati, a conservative former interior minister, creating an extremely tight competition for control of the capital.

These thousands of individual municipal elections typically center on hyperlocal concerns and don’t predict the April 2027 presidential winner.

Yet they reveal important trends regarding popularity levels and potential coalition arrangements within France’s increasingly divided political environment, along with voter responses to these developments.

A significant factor involves the impact of inter-round alliance formations or their absence.

Negotiations among local party organizations since Sunday’s first round have exposed fractures within the left, as Socialists formed partnerships with their hard-left rivals from LFI in certain cities like Lyon and Toulouse, while avoiding such agreements in places including Marseille and Lille.

Although LFI traditionally performs weakly in local contests, the party emphasized these elections more heavily this cycle, and its influential role in determining winners demonstrates its expanding political influence.

“We can clearly see that, because of the relatively good performance of France Unbowed in the municipal elections, this party and (leader) Jean-Luc Melenchon once again gain a position of power in what the balance of power in the left could constitute,” Sciences Po’s Muxel said.

TOKYO, March 22 – Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi indicated Sunday that his country might deploy military personnel to remove naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz following any potential ceasefire in the current U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Speaking on a Fuji TV program, Motegi outlined the possibility while emphasizing its conditional nature. “If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up,” he stated. “This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider.”

While Japan’s post-World War II pacifist constitution restricts military operations, security laws passed in 2015 permit the Self-Defense Forces to operate internationally when attacks on Japan or close allies pose existential threats and alternative solutions are unavailable.

The Foreign Minister noted that Tokyo currently has no immediate intentions to arrange safe passage for Japanese ships stuck in the strait. However, he emphasized the critical importance of ensuring all vessels can safely traverse the narrow passage, which handles one-fifth of global oil transportation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed with his Japanese counterpart on Friday the possibility of allowing Japanese-affiliated ships to pass through the waterway, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

The strait serves as the route for approximately 90% of Japan’s oil deliveries. Tehran has mostly blocked the passage during the ongoing conflict, which has entered its fourth week. Rising global oil costs have forced Japan and other nations to tap into their strategic petroleum reserves.

During a Washington meeting Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to increase involvement, as he continues unsuccessfully urging allies to deploy naval vessels to reopen the waterway.

Following their summit, Takaichi informed reporters that she had explained to Trump the extent of assistance Japan could legally provide in the strait under current legislation.

Four years have passed since a catastrophic China Eastern Airlines crash claimed 132 lives, yet Chinese aviation authorities continue to withhold critical details about their investigation into the nation’s worst air disaster in three decades.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft mysteriously dove into a mountainous area of Guangxi province on March 21, 2022, approximately one hour into its journey from Kunming to Guangzhou. All passengers and crew members perished in the devastating crash.

China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) has now missed releasing mandatory annual investigation updates for two straight years, leaving grieving families without closure or explanations for the tragedy.

International aviation standards require investigators to publish preliminary findings within 30 days of an accident, followed by a comprehensive final report within one year. When these deadlines cannot be met, annual progress statements are expected to keep the public informed.

The last official communication from CAAC came in March 2024, consisting of only brief paragraphs that revealed minimal information. According to those limited updates, no mechanical problems were discovered with the aircraft or its engines prior to departure, and weather conditions posed no threat.

Chinese authorities confirmed that the flight crew possessed current certifications, had received proper rest, and cleared medical examinations before the fatal flight. No hazardous materials or dangerous weather were factors in the incident.

After ruling out equipment malfunctions, investigators turned their attention to examining the crew’s behavior during the flight, according to sources familiar with the probe. Air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft made multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the pilots as the plane rapidly descended.

In May 2022, the Wall Street Journal cited U.S. officials in reporting that flight recorder data suggested the aircraft was deliberately crashed, though this remains unconfirmed.

CAAC dismissed such reports as speculation that “gravely misled the public” and hindered their investigation efforts. The agency promised to share information as their probe progressed but has remained silent since.

Both CAAC and China Eastern Airlines declined to provide comments when contacted recently.

The International Air Transport Association highlighted the importance of timely accident reporting in their 2025 safety analysis, emphasizing how delayed or incomplete investigations compromise aviation safety improvements worldwide.

“Accident investigation helps us improve safety, but many reports are not published in a timely, complete, or accessible way. Some are not made public while others lack clear recommendations,” stated IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “While compliance with this obligation is improving, anything less than 100% shortchanges everyone on opportunities to improve.”

Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced Sunday that one of two Japanese citizens being held in Iran has been freed and will return home.

During an appearance on a Fuji Television program, Motegi revealed that the individual had been held in Iranian custody since the previous year before being released this past Wednesday.

A second Japanese citizen who was taken into custody earlier in 2023 remains detained in Iran, according to Motegi.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the person still being held as a reporter working for NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting network.

Taiwan’s defense ministry announced that long-awaited F-16V fighter aircraft from the United States will finally begin arriving this year, with manufacturing now operating at maximum capacity following a high-level visit to the production facility.

The island nation, which confronts growing military pressure from China, has expressed frustration over recurring postponements of weapons deliveries from the U.S., its most crucial international ally and primary arms provider. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory.

In 2019, Washington authorized an $8 billion agreement for Lockheed Martin to sell F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan, a contract designed to expand the island’s F-16 fleet beyond 200 aircraft. However, the initiative has encountered various challenges, including technical software complications.

Deputy Minister Hsu Szu-chien and Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Tien Chung-yi traveled to Lockheed Martin’s F-16V manufacturing facility in South Carolina this past Monday to inspect the initial aircraft, according to a defense ministry announcement released Saturday evening.

The ministry confirmed that aircraft deliveries would commence within the year but provided no additional timeline details.

Lockheed Martin has deployed several hundred workers to complete assembly of the remaining aircraft, and the ministry stated that “there are no bottlenecks in either parts supply or manpower; production is proceeding at full capacity on a two-shift schedule.”

In its own statement, Lockheed Martin expressed commitment to “delivering advanced deterrence capabilities to support Taiwan’s security goals.”

“We continue to work closely with the U.S. government to accelerate delivery where possible,” the company added.

The defense ministry noted that since the F-16V represents a new variant specifically engineered for Taiwan, additional test flights remain necessary to optimize its systems, requiring careful implementation of testing procedures.

Taiwan has already upgraded 141 older F-16A/B aircraft to the F-16V configuration and has purchased 66 additional new F-16Vs, which feature enhanced electronics, weaponry and radar capabilities designed to counter the Chinese air force, including its advanced J-20 stealth fighters.

Iran carried out the executions of three young demonstrators in the early morning hours Thursday, timing the hangings just one day before the country’s New Year celebrations in what human rights advocates are calling an act of “state terror.”

The three men – Saleh Mohammadi, 19, Saeed Davoudi, 22, and Mehdi Ghasemi, believed to be in his early twenties – were put to death on accusations of “participation in the murder” of law enforcement officers in Qom during violent confrontations that occurred January 8-9.

According to human rights organizations, the trio was detained after authorities violently suppressed the January demonstrations and were compelled through torture to admit guilt to offenses they did not carry out.

The executions took place at dawn in Qom, adding to growing concerns about the fate of hundreds of other detained protesters who may face similar retribution from the regime.

Rights activists maintain that the young men had retracted their coerced confessions when they appeared in court, but were still sentenced to death despite the torture allegations.

HAVANA (AP) — The island nation of Cuba plunged into complete darkness Saturday when its electrical system failed entirely, marking the third total power loss the country has experienced this March while officials grapple with crumbling infrastructure and energy sanctions from the United States.

Cuba’s government-operated Electric Union confirmed the complete loss of electrical service throughout the nation but did not specify what triggered the system-wide failure.

Officials stated they were actively working to bring electricity back online.

Both island-wide and regional electrical failures have grown increasingly frequent over the past two years as the nation’s outdated power infrastructure continues to deteriorate. These system failures are made worse by daily power cuts lasting up to 12 hours due to insufficient fuel supplies, which further destabilize the electrical network.

The most recent complete power loss happened just Monday. Saturday’s blackout marked the second occurrence this week and the third time in March that the entire grid has failed.

These widespread power failures severely affect Cuban citizens, disrupting work schedules, preventing cooking with electric appliances, and causing food to spoil when refrigeration stops functioning, creating numerous hardships in daily life.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has stated that the nation has gone three months without receiving oil shipments from international suppliers. The country can only produce about 40% of the fuel required to operate its economy.

Cuba’s deteriorating electrical infrastructure has significantly worsened in recent years. However, government officials have also attributed the outages to energy restrictions imposed by the United States, particularly after former President Donald Trump warned in January about imposing tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba. The Trump administration has demanded that Cuba free political prisoners and pursue political and economic reforms before sanctions would be lifted. Trump has also suggested the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba.”

President Donald Trump issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, warning of devastating attacks on the nation’s electrical infrastructure if Tehran fails to completely reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump declared on social media.

The ultimatum represents a sharp reversal from Trump’s previous statements about scaling back military operations, coming as Iranian threats have effectively blocked most shipping through the vital waterway that carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies.

The shipping disruption has already caused European gas prices to spike by as much as 35% in recent days, raising concerns about a global energy crisis that could impact American consumers ahead of November’s congressional elections.

The escalating tensions coincided with Iran’s deployment of long-range missiles for the first time in the conflict, according to Israeli military officials. Iran fired two ballistic missiles with a 2,500-mile range at the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant expansion of the conflict’s geographic scope.

Israeli military commander Eyal Zamir warned that these weapons pose a direct threat far beyond the Middle East region. “These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals – Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” Zamir stated.

The conflict took a dangerous turn Saturday evening when Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, wounding dozens of civilians including children. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they targeted military facilities and security installations in southern Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin acknowledged on social media that the country’s defense systems failed to intercept the incoming strikes. “We will investigate the incident and learn from it,” he said.

The attacks occurred dangerously close to Israel’s classified nuclear facility, located just eight miles southeast of Dimona, and near major military installations including Nevatim Air Base.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with determination following the Arad strike. “This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Netanyahu said in an official statement. “We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts.”

The Trump administration’s messaging has been inconsistent throughout the four-week conflict, creating confusion among international allies about American objectives. Saturday’s aggressive deadline marked the most dramatic policy shift yet, moving from discussions of military reduction to explicit threats against Iranian infrastructure.

Rising energy costs are contributing to inflation concerns that could become a significant political challenge for Trump as he seeks to maintain public support for the military action with congressional elections approaching.

Trump has also criticized NATO partners for what he called reluctance to assist in reopening the shipping route. While some allies have indicated they might consider involvement, most remain hesitant to join a conflict they say began without proper consultation.

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that American and Israeli forces targeted the Shahid Ahmadi-Roshan Natanz nuclear enrichment facility Saturday morning. Technical assessments found no radioactive contamination, and local populations faced no immediate danger. Israeli officials denied knowledge of such an operation, while the International Atomic Energy Agency announced it was investigating the incident.

Additional strikes were reported at a passenger terminal in the southern Iranian port of Bushehr and an unoccupied passenger vessel near Kharg Island, where Iran processes nearly all of its oil exports.

Iran retaliated by launching drone attacks against American military bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait that have been used to stage operations against Iranian positions in the Persian Gulf. In response to the escalating situation, Saudi Arabia expelled Iran’s military attaché and four other Iranian diplomatic personnel.

The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where Israeli forces attacked Beirut targets associated with the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization. Hezbollah began supporting Tehran militarily on March 2, representing the most serious regional expansion of the conflict.

Israeli aircraft also conducted strikes on ballistic missile manufacturing facilities around Tehran, while Iranian media reported that three family members died when a residential building was hit in the city of Ramsar.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 2,000 total casualties, with 15 deaths reported in Israel from Iranian attacks.

President Donald Trump delivered a stark ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, warning the United States will destroy Iranian power facilities if Tehran fails to completely reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The president issued the warning through a social media post while spending his weekend at his Florida residence.

Trump stated he is providing Iran with exactly 48 hours to reopen the critical shipping lane or encounter a fresh series of strikes. He warned the U.S. would target “various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”

The president is under mounting pressure to secure the waterway as petroleum costs continue climbing.

Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks on two towns near Israel’s primary nuclear research facility late Saturday, damaging structures and seriously wounding at least seven individuals. This occurred hours after Tehran’s principal nuclear enrichment location was struck, escalating the conflict into dangerous new territory as it enters its fourth week.

This marked the first instance Israel’s nuclear research facility has been targeted during the hostilities. Israeli forces reported they could not stop missiles that struck the southern communities of Dimona and Arad, the largest settlement near the facility in Israel’s thinly populated Negev desert.

“This is a very difficult evening,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, noting that additional emergency resources were being dispatched to the area.

“The war is not close to ending,” Israel’s army chief, Gen. Eyal Zamir, remarked earlier Saturday.

Iran additionally struck the joint British-American Diego Garcia military installation in the Indian Ocean approximately 2,500 miles distant, indicating Tehran possesses missiles with greater range than previously recognized — or utilized its space program for an improvised launch.

The conflict’s impact extends well beyond the Middle East, driving up food and energy costs globally.

The extent of damage Iran has experienced from U.S. and Israeli strikes beginning February 28 remains unclear — as does who is actually leading the country. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming the position.

Video from Israel’s emergency services revealed a large crater beside what looked like residential buildings with exterior walls torn away. The missile seemed to have hit an open space.

Emergency responders reported the direct strike in Arad caused extensive damage to at least 10 apartment complexes, with three severely damaged and at risk of collapse. A minimum of 64 people were transported to medical facilities.

Dimona sits approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the nuclear research center while Arad is roughly 35 kilometers (21 miles) north.

Israel is thought to be the sole Middle Eastern nation possessing nuclear weapons, though its officials refuse to acknowledge or deny their existence. The UN nuclear monitoring agency reported on social media it had not received information about damage to the Israeli facility or unusual radiation readings.

Israel denied involvement in Saturday’s strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, located nearly 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran. The Iranian judiciary’s official news service, Mizan, reported no contamination occurred.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has indicated most of Iran’s estimated 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium is located elsewhere, buried beneath debris at its Isfahan facility. The agency stated on social media it was investigating the attack.

The Pentagon refused to comment on the Natanz strike, which was also hit during the war’s first week and in last June’s 12-day conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned such strikes created a “real risk of catastrophic disaster throughout the Middle East.”

Iran responded with retaliatory strikes hours later.

British officials provided no specifics about Friday’s unsuccessful strike targeting the Diego Garcia base. Britain’s Ministry of Defense characterized Iran as “lashing out across the region.”

The proximity of the missiles to the island remains unknown. Iran has previously claimed it limits its missile range to under 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles).

Military analysts suggested Iran may have employed its space launch vehicle for an improvised attack. “If you’ve got a space program, you’ve got a ballistic missile program,” explained Steve Prest, a retired Royal Navy commodore.

Israel’s army chief, however, claimed Iran had launched “a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile.” Iran issued no official statement.

Britain has not joined U.S.-Israeli attacks but has permitted American bombers to operate from its bases for strikes on Iran’s missile installations. Friday, the U.K. government announced bombers could utilize Diego Garcia for attacks on sites used to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

With Iran threatening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates joined 21 other nations including Britain, Germany, France and Japan in declaring “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage.”

The Trump administration announced temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto ships as of Friday, though this does not boost oil production, a key factor in rising prices. Iran’s oil ministry, which has circumvented sanctions for years, responded that it “essentially has no crude oil left in floating storage.”

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper claimed Iran’s capacity to attack strait vessels had been “degraded.” He reported 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) bombs were dropped earlier this week on an underground coastal facility Iran used to store anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile launchers.

The U.S. is sending three additional amphibious assault vessels and approximately 2,500 more Marines to the Middle East, an official informed The Associated Press. Two other U.S. officials confirmed ship deployments without specifying destinations. All three requested anonymity to discuss the operations.

Gulf nations reported additional attacks. A missile warning sounded Saturday evening in Dubai. Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted 20 drones in its eastern region, home to major petroleum facilities.

Iran’s war casualties have exceeded 1,500, state television reported, citing the health ministry. In Israel, 15 people have died from Iranian missiles and four others have perished in the occupied West Bank. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have been killed, along with over a dozen civilians in Gulf states.

LJUBLJANA – Citizens of Slovenia cast ballots Sunday in a closely contested parliamentary election pitting current liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob against conservative challenger Janez Jansa, with political observers predicting neither candidate will secure enough seats to govern without coalition partners.

Recent polling data shows Jansa’s Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) running neck-and-neck with Golob’s Freedom Movement (GS) following a contentious campaign marked by accusations of international interference and corruption scandals.

Political experts note that Jansa, who supports Donald Trump and is pursuing his fourth term leading the EU and NATO nation of 2 million residents, maintains a loyal voter base that could benefit from lower voter participation rates.

The election outcome will determine Slovenia’s domestic priorities and international relationships, as the current administration focused on healthcare and social policy reforms but saw declining approval ratings due to mixed achievements.

Jansa has pledged to implement corporate tax reductions while decreasing government support for nonprofit organizations, social programs and news media.

The Alpine nation, which has a strong industrial economy, weathered the breakup of Yugoslavia better than neighboring countries like Serbia and Bosnia, which faced prolonged conflicts, economic penalties and political turmoil.

Jansa, who supports Israel and maintains close ties with Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, would likely reverse Golob’s international policies that led Slovenia to recognize Palestinian independence and implement weapons restrictions against Israel last year.

The campaign season, which political watchers characterized as nasty from the beginning with incidents including dead animals being displayed on GS campaign materials, intensified recently when secret recordings appeared on an unnamed website allegedly showing government misconduct.

Golob has rejected all accusations of improper conduct.

This week, reports emerged claiming Jansa had meetings with representatives from Black Cube, an Israeli private intelligence company that LinkedIn accused in 2023 of conducting undercover surveillance operations targeting journalists and activists before Hungary’s 2022 elections.

While Jansa acknowledged meeting with a Black Cube consultant, he has denied any improper behavior. Black Cube has not responded to media inquiries for comment.

Golob has informed European Commission leadership about concerns regarding Slovenia’s democratic processes and has asked for an investigation into allegations of outside interference in the voting.

A Royal Navy nuclear submarine carrying cruise missiles has been deployed to the Arabian Sea, positioning the United Kingdom for potential long-range military operations as tensions continue to rise in the region, according to a Saturday report from the Daily Mail.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the deployment. The British Ministry of Defence has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the report.

According to the Daily Mail, HMS Anson departed from Perth earlier this month and traveled approximately 5,500 miles to reach its current position. The vessel carries Tomahawk Block IV missiles along with Spearfish torpedoes.

The submarine reportedly surfaces at regular intervals to maintain communication with the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters located in Northwood. Any authorization to launch missiles would require approval from the prime minister and would be transmitted through the chief of joint operations, the report stated.

This military positioning follows a recent decision by Downing Street to allow the United States to utilize British military installations for potential strikes against Iranian facilities that pose threats to the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.

Cuba experienced a complete electrical system failure on Saturday, plunging the entire island nation into darkness and affecting roughly 10 million residents, according to the country’s power grid management company.

The widespread blackout represents the second total power system collapse this week, following a similar incident that occurred on Monday. The national utility company UNE confirmed the outage through its social media channels and promised to provide ongoing updates about restoration efforts.

The power crisis comes as Cuba struggles with an aging electrical infrastructure that has been severely impacted by ongoing U.S. economic sanctions targeting oil imports to the Caribbean nation.

Jordan’s efforts to stay out of regional warfare collapsed Friday morning when missile fragments crashed into central Amman while King Abdullah attended Eid prayers in Aqaba. Emergency crews rushed to secure the debris site in the Wadi Saqra neighborhood, warning residents to avoid handling suspicious objects from what officials believe was Iranian missile interception remnants.

The kingdom that desperately wanted to avoid becoming a battleground now finds itself directly in the crosshairs. As Iran launched fresh ballistic missile strikes toward central Israel and Jerusalem on Eid morning, Jordan discovered that the difference between being targeted and caught in crossfire has essentially vanished.

Jordanian military officials revealed Saturday that Iran has launched 240 missiles and drones at Jordan during three weeks of warfare. The Royal Jordanian Air Force successfully intercepted 222 of these projectiles, but 18 managed to penetrate their defenses.

Ground crews have documented 414 separate debris incidents throughout the country, according to the Public Security Directorate. Missile pieces struck streets in Irbid, home to 800,000 residents in northern Jordan. Air defense systems engaged threats above Aqaba, the nation’s sole port city facing the Israeli resort of Eilat. Twenty-four individuals sustained injuries during these incidents, though all have since made full recoveries.

The conflict’s impact on Jordan has moved beyond theoretical concerns to tangible threats hitting urban areas, challenging the kingdom’s defensive capabilities and highlighting the impossibility of remaining uninvolved while public opinion remains focused on Gaza.

A child suffered wounds Monday when rocket debris hit his family’s residence in Beit Ras, located west of Irbid. Earlier, on March 3, air defense systems neutralized nine separate incoming threats in a single day, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

Perhaps the most significant damage occurred at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, where Iranian strikes destroyed a U.S. radar installation. The Raytheon-manufactured system, valued at nearly half a billion dollars, detects incoming ballistic missiles and directs interceptor weapons toward them. A U.S. official confirmed the loss to Bloomberg, while CNN satellite imagery revealed two impact craters near the location, with all five trailer components destroyed or severely damaged around March 1 or 2.

More than 50 fighter aircraft had been stationed at that base since mid-February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Kyiv deployed drone specialists and equipment to help protect American installations in Jordan. U.S. officials report efforts are underway to replace the damaged radar equipment.

Jordanian analyst Bassam Badareen emphasized that Amman maintains it remains outside the conflict. “Jordan refuses to be a battlefield or a corridor for conflicts,” he stated. However, security analyst Amer Sabaileh argues the military statistics underestimate Jordan’s actual vulnerability, with current missile counts representing a floor rather than a ceiling.

“There are several risks Jordan could face, beyond direct or indirect targeting by missiles or drones if Iran decides to expand the level of chaos in the region,” Sabaileh explained to The Media Line. “Some of these missiles could have consequences that cannot be fully controlled, and they could strike sensitive areas inside Jordan.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi denounced the attacks on the conflict’s opening night, stating Iran had struck Jordan without justification despite the kingdom’s efforts to shield Iran by refusing to allow Jordanian territory or airspace for attacks against Iran while advocating for peaceful solutions. He also condemned concurrent Iranian strikes against the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. Jordan joined a collective statement with the United States and Gulf nations condemning Iran’s attacks as territorial sovereignty violations endangering civilian populations.

Brig. Gen. Mustafa al-Hayyari, spokesman for Jordan’s armed forces, dismissed claims that Iranian projectiles were simply passing through Jordanian airspace en route to Israel. The missiles and drones specifically targeted Jordanian locations, he stated, including “vital installations inside Jordanian territory.”

Amman had informed all parties before hostilities began that it would not serve as a conflict zone. The strikes occurred regardless. Jordan has since activated defense cooperation agreements with partner nations for additional air protection, al-Hayyari announced during a joint press briefing in Amman, though he declined to identify specific partners. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer later confirmed UK aircraft based in Cyprus had been deployed to help defend Jordanian airspace.

On March 19, the United States approved a $70.5 million support package to maintain Jordan’s existing fleet of F-16 and F-5 fighter jets plus C-130 transport aircraft. The package provides spare parts, maintenance, logistics, and munitions support designed to keep the Jordanian air force operational under current circumstances.

However, the official government position faces domestic pressure. Pro-government newspapers, including Al-Rai and Addustour, have not simply defended Amman’s stance but have criticized both Israel and Iran, characterizing each as promoting extreme religious agendas threatening regional stability.

Jordan shares borders with Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia while maintaining close security relationships with the United States and a peace agreement with Israel. The kingdom has historically attempted to balance these relationships while insisting its territory would not become a battlefield. This time, that diplomatic balancing act failed to prevent warfare from reaching Jordanian soil, with Iran directly striking Jordanian territory with 240 projectiles during the conflict’s first three weeks.

Even before the initial missile crossed Jordan’s border, domestic political opinion was already strained. On February 20, eight days before warfare erupted, Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, told Tucker Carlson it would be “fine” if Israel seized territory between the Nile and Euphrates rivers—land encompassing Jordan. President Donald Trump’s administration claimed the remarks were taken out of context, but Jordan’s parliament rejected that explanation.

Parliament Speaker Mazen Al-Qadi characterized the statements as “a blatant provocation and a serious breach of state sovereignty” violating international law and the UN Charter. Lawmakers urged the government to summon the U.S. ambassador in Amman for clarification. One legislator called for permanently removing the term “Israel” from official Jordanian discourse, replacing it with “the usurping entity.” The chamber voted unanimously to strike the word from that session’s official minutes.

One week later, Iran destroyed the American radar installation Jordan’s government was hosting on its territory. This contrast—parliamentary rhetoric on one side, strategic dependence on the other—has not escaped Jordanian attention.

As the war enters its fourth week, pressure on Jordan extends beyond military concerns. Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on March 17. The Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed to commercial shipping. Oil prices have risen more than 40% since warfare began, particularly impacting Jordan, which imports nearly all its energy needs.

The fighting with Iran has not displaced Gaza in Jordanian public consciousness. Gaza’s ceasefire continues unraveling as Israel has closed all border crossings and blocked humanitarian aid, with negotiations on the next phase suspended. For many Jordanians, the new conflict has not replaced Palestinian concerns but has been layered on top of them.

This distinction carries significance. Jordanian public opinion is neither the unified position official statements suggest nor the passive civilian endurance often portrayed in outside reporting.

Political scientist Hassan Barari explained the pressures are reshaping public sentiment in ways the government cannot fully manage. “The escalation between Israel and Iran could affect public sentiment in Jordan in several ways,” he told The Media Line. “It may increase public tension and anxiety because of fears that the war could expand across the region and bring serious security and economic consequences.”

Still, Barari distinguishes between anxiety and alignment. “The escalation could strengthen public mobilization and expressions of solidarity against what many see as aggression toward Iran, especially as the war in Gaza continues,” he said. “Jordan finds itself in a sensitive position between its regional and international commitments and a public mood that strongly sympathizes with the Palestinian cause.”

That sentiment is not uniformly pro-Iran but rather anti-war, hostile to Israel’s military campaign, and deeply suspicious of being drafted into someone else’s conflict.

“Many Jordanians believe the war between Israel and Iran is part of a broader geopolitical struggle involving the United States and other powers,” Mohammed Abu Sharife, a writer and political researcher specializing in Israeli affairs, told The Media Line. “But they insist Jordan should not become a battlefield for those rivalries.”

Abu Sharife noted public perceptions remain influenced by Gaza rather than sympathy for Iran’s government. “For many people here, Iran is not seen as the main threat. The conflict with Israel and what is happening in Gaza remains the issue that shapes how people see the region.”

Meanwhile, these tensions are manifesting online. Former Jordanian Information Minister Samih Al-Maaytah called for legal action against individuals publicly celebrating Iranian missile attacks, warning that praising projectiles passing through Jordanian airspace toward Israel crosses legal boundaries. Jordan’s Cybercrime Unit reported detecting social media accounts spreading rumors, questioning state positions, or posting content that could inflame tensions. The unit warned it is monitoring online platforms and could pursue legal measures against anyone publishing material threatening national security or inciting unrest. The crackdown itself indicates government awareness that the official narrative is not resonating at the popular level.

On the street, calculations are more immediate. “We live in the middle of this region,” said Mohammad Al-Hussein, a 30-year-old day laborer from Mafraq. “When missiles start flying between Israel and Iran, people here feel that Jordan could become the next place affected. I don’t follow politics closely, but I know one thing: If this war expands, families like mine will pay the price first.”

The warfare erupted on Ramadan’s 10th day. Eid al-Fitr began Friday, March 20. Jordanians who expected to spend the holy month’s final nights at iftar tables with family, in Amman’s illuminated downtown markets, or traveling to visit relatives across the country are instead calculating whether air raid sirens will sound before or after children go to sleep.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan announced the Eid holiday would run from March 20 to March 23. The Amman Chamber of Commerce reported clothing and shoe prices remained stable. The government is attempting to project normalcy into a holiday that does not feel normal. Eid began with the established pattern already in place—missiles at night, interceptions overhead, debris in the morning. What comes next remains uncertain in Amman.

The government briefly closed the country’s airspace when fighting started, then reopened it following a security review. Schools remained open, though the Cabinet considered shifting to remote learning based on security conditions.

Another area drawing attention is Central Badia on civil defense debris maps. The sparsely populated desert territory along the Iraqi border is widely viewed as a vulnerable corridor into Jordan. Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have threatened to expand attacks to regional countries hosting U.S. troops, specifically naming Jordan.

“This could move to other levels, not just chaos caused by military strikes, but also through the activation of sleeper cells operating inside the country,” Sabaileh warned. “There is also the possibility of militias being pushed toward Jordan’s borders or attempts to target vital areas inside the country. All of these scenarios are now possible.”

King Abdullah has incorporated these same pressures into his diplomacy. In conversations with regional leaders, he emphasized the need to protect worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, connecting the war, Gaza, and the holy month in a unified message directed at the Arab and Islamic world. Border crossings between Jordan and Israel have remained operational since warfare began, indicating Amman has not used the conflict as justification to suspend infrastructure supporting its peace treaty.

“Jordan does not want any of this,” Sabaileh concluded. “But the country has little choice but to strengthen its ability to intercept missiles and Iranian drones, maintain a high level of readiness along its borders, and increase internal awareness among citizens. What they must do now is take all necessary defensive measures and be prepared to respond if attacks occur.”

Emergency responders declared a mass casualty incident in the southern Israeli city of Arad on Saturday after a missile launched from Iran wounded more than 88 people, according to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency medical service.

The attack occurred during what officials described as the ninth wave of Iranian missile strikes targeting southern Israel in a 24-hour span. Channel 13 news reported “early indications of multiple fatalities,” though authorities have not yet officially confirmed any deaths.

Among the wounded, ten people suffered serious injuries, including a young girl aged 5. Another 19 victims sustained moderate injuries, while the remainder had minor wounds. Emergency teams deployed helicopters and numerous ambulances to respond to the crisis as rescue efforts remained ongoing.

“Four seriously wounded in two destruction sites, there are people trapped. We requested assistance from the Home Front Command,” MDA Director-General Eli Bin explained to N12 news. The missile impact devastated nine buildings, with some structures completely destroyed and others collapsing from the blast.

The assault on Arad happened two hours following another direct missile hit in the nearby city of Dimona. Israeli Defense Forces officials are examining why their defense systems failed to stop the missiles that reached Arad. Military analysts believe the projectiles contained conventional explosives weighing hundreds of kilograms.

Medical teams evacuated 37 wounded individuals from the blast zone, including four with critical injuries and 12 with moderate wounds. The emergency declaration triggered the deployment of additional resources, with Soroka Medical Center placed on high alert to treat incoming patients. Rescue helicopters landed at the Arad airstrip to help with patient transport.

Emergency medic Yakir Talker described the devastating scene to Channel 12: “This is a very difficult scene. We arrived with large forces of ambulances, intensive care units, and MDA motorcycles, and saw many injured with varying degrees of injuries as a result of a missile strike.”

Talker continued: “We immediately began setting up a casualty concentration point, triaged the injured according to severity, and provided life-saving medical treatment. There is extensive destruction and chaos at the scene. Teams are conducting thorough searches at this time and will continue to operate here as required.”

While rescue operations continued in Arad, Iran fired additional missiles toward northern Israel. Warning sirens activated twice throughout the region, stretching from the Golan Heights to Haifa. Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted all incoming missiles or they fell harmlessly in unpopulated areas.

Earlier Saturday evening, another Iranian missile barrage targeted Dimona and nearby communities, wounding 31 people across 12 impact locations. One building collapsed in that attack, with casualties including a 10-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman who suffered moderate shrapnel injuries, while other victims sustained minor wounds.

BOGOTA, Colombia — During a weekend summit in Colombia, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denounced what he characterized as a revival of colonial-style interference in developing nations, specifically referencing the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and ongoing restrictions against Cuba.

Speaking at a high-level gathering that included African delegates and members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Lula appeared to target U.S. regional policies without directly mentioning the country. “It’s not possible for someone to think that they own other countries,” Lula declared. “What are they doing with Cuba now? What did they do with Venezuela? Is that democratic?”

The leftist leader also condemned military action by the U.S. and Israel against Iran that began February 28, drawing comparisons to the Iraq conflict. “Iran has been invaded under the pretext that Iran was building a nuclear bomb. Where are Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons? Where are they? Who found them?” he questioned.

Addressing the assembled nations, Lula noted that all present countries had previously suffered exploitation of their natural resources including gold, silver, diamonds and other minerals. He warned that unnamed powers now seek control over critical minerals and rare earth elements. “After taking everything we had, now they want to own the critical minerals and rare earths that we have,” Lula stated. “They want to colonize us again.”

The United States has a lengthy record of regional intervention dating to President James Monroe’s declaration over two centuries ago claiming the hemisphere as America’s sphere of influence. Though major overt U.S. involvement decreased following the Cold War, recent Trump administration actions have revived these concerns.

Since taking office last year, Trump has authorized maritime operations against suspected Caribbean drug traffickers, implemented a naval embargo on Venezuelan oil shipments, and intervened in electoral processes in Honduras and Argentina.

Regarding Brazil specifically, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian products last year, citing what he called a ‘witch hunt’ prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. has also expressed significant interest in Brazil’s rare earth mineral reserves.

Most recently, on January 3, U.S. forces apprehended Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, transporting him to America to face drug trafficking and weapons charges.

While these measures have pleased right-wing leaders throughout the region, they have sparked alarm among leftist politicians who view them as American intimidation tactics.

“We cannot allow anyone to interfere and violate the territorial integrity of each country,” Lula emphasized Saturday.

The Brazilian president, who has announced plans to seek a fourth non-consecutive term in October’s elections, also criticized the United Nations for its inability to resolve ongoing global conflicts.

“What we are witnessing is the total and absolute failure of the United Nations,” Lula said, citing situations in Gaza, Ukraine and Iran while renewing calls for Security Council reforms.

The Security Council holds responsibility under the U.N. Charter for maintaining international peace and security, yet has proven ineffective in major conflicts due to veto authority held by five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

Reform efforts spanning decades have attempted to update the Security Council to reflect current geopolitical realities rather than the post-World War II landscape from 80 years ago when the United Nations formed. All such attempts have failed.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has labeled a “priority target,” supported Lula’s criticism of the United Nations.

The organization “is acting in impotence, and that is not what it was created for. It was created after World War II precisely to prevent wars. And yet, what we have today is war,” Petro observed.

However, Petro emphasized the world’s need for U.N. leadership on climate initiatives and global warming prevention. “The more serious humanity’s problems become, the fewer tools we have for collective action. And that path leads only to barbarism.”

Petro criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for promoting Western civilization and called for diplomatic dialogue instead.

The Colombian summit saw limited attendance from Latin American and Caribbean leaders, reflecting the region’s significant political divisions.

Attendees included presidents from Brazil, Uruguay, Burundi and Colombia, along with prime ministers from Guyana and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, plus various deputy ministers, foreign ministers, and ambassadors.

The World Health Organization reported Saturday that a devastating attack on a medical facility in Sudan’s East Darfur region resulted in the deaths of at least 64 individuals, including young patients, healthcare workers, and other civilians.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the casualty figures through a social media post, detailing the Friday assault on Al Deain Teaching Hospital. The organization confirmed that the attack has completely disabled the medical center, eliminating crucial healthcare services for residents of the city.

The incident has left the community without access to the hospital’s medical care, creating a significant healthcare crisis in the region.

Ukrainian officials and American negotiators gathered in Florida on Saturday for the latest attempt to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, now in its fourth year. Additional meetings are scheduled to take place through Sunday.

No Russian officials participated in Saturday’s discussions.

Chief Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov posted on social media platform X that the teams “continued discussing key issues and the next steps within the negotiation track.” He noted that “particular attention was paid to aligning approaches for further progress toward practical results.”

This marks the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts, following two rounds of American-facilitated negotiations in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year and another session in Geneva last month. While those previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives resulted in prisoner exchange agreements, no major diplomatic breakthroughs emerged.

The White House characterized Saturday’s meeting as “constructive,” stating that conversations “focused on narrowing and resolving remaining items to move closer to a comprehensive peace agreement.”

Both Umerov, who serves as a top Ukrainian security official, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that additional discussions would take place on Sunday.

Leading the American delegation are special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

During his evening video address, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic momentum. “It is important for all of us in the world that diplomacy continues and that we are trying to end this war. … No one wants this war,” he stated.

Zelenskiy also questioned Russia’s commitment to genuine peace efforts, saying, “The most important thing is to understand how ready the Russian side is to move toward a real end to the war and whether they are prepared to do so honestly and decently.”

On Friday, the Ukrainian president informed reporters that American and Ukrainian working groups would concentrate on bilateral agreements and explore an extensive drone partnership deal.

Drawing from its experience defending against Russian drone strikes, Ukraine is simultaneously working to complete agreements with eight Middle Eastern nations as tensions escalate in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, according to a knowledgeable source.

The Miami discussions were originally scheduled to include Russian negotiators and occur in Abu Dhabi, with the goal of finding a resolution to the four-year conflict that began with Russia’s comprehensive invasion in February 2022.

Territorial disputes remain the primary obstacle, with Russia demanding that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, including territories that Russian military forces have not yet seized.

Ukraine continues to reject this Russian requirement.

Two brothers return daily to a pile of debris in Tehran, desperately searching for their missing sibling who vanished when his butcher shop was leveled during what witnesses described as a double bombing of a commercial building.

Mahdi Mirzahosseini, 41, had worked as a butcher’s assistant for two decades before launching his own meat shop approximately one year ago. His family says he was determined to keep the business open to supply customers preparing for Persian New Year celebrations.

The youngest of seven children hasn’t been spotted since Monday’s attack that demolished the mixed-use building containing residences, retail shops, and a laundry facility on the ground level. His older brothers have conducted daily searches at the destruction site ever since.

Recovery teams using heavy machinery have only located Mirzahosseini’s jacket and vehicle key during their continuous excavation efforts, the family reported to Reuters on Saturday. He remains the sole person unaccounted for from the incident.

Emergency responders have pulled six bodies from the wreckage along with 18 survivors, rescue officials confirmed. Both a local resident and rescue personnel stated the building had no military connections and was hit twice in rapid succession shortly after midday.

Pir-Hossein Kolivand, who leads Iran’s Red Crescent Society, reported this complex was among more than 80,000 civilian buildings damaged in American and Israeli bombardments during the current three-week conflict.

The Red Crescent chief also noted that strikes have impacted nearly 500 educational institutions and 266 healthcare facilities, encompassing hospitals, medical clinics, and pharmacies. Reuters was unable to independently confirm these casualty figures or verify details surrounding the commercial complex attack.

“Attacks targeting residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent,” Kolivand stated. Both Israeli and American officials maintain they do not deliberately target non-combatants.

Six days after the bombing, a massive crater marks where the commercial center once operated, encircled by towering heaps of concrete and debris. Charred fabric remnants still dangle from a bare tree nearby.

Red Crescent emergency responder Amir Saeed-Jamshidi described arriving at the scene within minutes of the explosions to discover blazing fires and enormous piles of rubble. Local residents informed his team that people buried beneath the debris were making phone calls pleading for rescue.

Saeed-Jamshidi explained his crew excavated two separate tunnels to reach trapped survivors, including several people caught deep within an underground parking structure.

The blast’s shockwave damaged all neighboring structures, with one building losing every window.

According to his brother Hamid, Mirzahosseini had shuttered his shop during the conflict’s first two weeks, but customers began requesting meat and poultry for holiday meals. Their mother had begged him to remain at home for safety.

“Customers are calling. I have to go do my work,” Mirzahosseini told his family, according to his brother’s account.

The missing man’s relatives maintain their optimism for his safe return.

“God willing we will find him safe,” declared another brother, Khalil, while standing near his former butcher shop’s location and cradling his baby. “There is no trace of him.”

Thirty-four people were wounded Saturday night when Iranian missiles targeted Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility, marking a dangerous escalation in Middle East tensions as Iran claimed the assault was revenge for recent attacks on its nuclear infrastructure.

The casualties included a 12-year-old boy and a woman in her thirties who suffered moderate wounds, though medical officials later upgraded the child’s condition to serious. More than twenty additional victims received treatment for shrapnel wounds, injuries from rushing to bomb shelters, and stress-related symptoms.

Warning sirens blared throughout Dimona as Iranian missiles hit a dozen sites in and around the city. Israel’s military acknowledged it failed to intercept the incoming projectiles and announced plans for a full investigation into the defensive breakdown.

Iran’s official Tasnim news agency said the bombardment came “after the US and Israel attacked the Bushehr power plant and the Natanz facilities.”

The agency issued a stark warning, stating: “The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson. The missile attack on the Dimona area has once again conveyed a clear message: no area is safe from Iranian missiles. The enemy must surrender before it is too late.”

Dimona serves as the hub of Israel’s suspected nuclear weapons program, with critical installations spread across the surrounding Negev desert. Israeli officials have long refused to confirm or deny the country’s nuclear weapons capabilities.

Iranian officials say American and Israeli forces targeted the Natanz nuclear complex on March 21, though authorities reported no radiation leaks occurred. The International Atomic Energy Agency verified the attack while confirming radiation measurements stayed normal. Last Wednesday, the same watchdog agency reported that a projectile destroyed a building roughly 350 meters from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor.

On Saturday, Israeli forces acknowledged striking a military research facility at Tehran’s Malek Ashtar University. Military officials described the target as a strategic development center where Iranian forces create components for nuclear weapons and ballistic missile systems.

Israeli commanders said the university operates under Iran’s Defense Ministry and faces international sanctions for advancing the country’s nuclear and missile programs.

PARIS, March 21 – Foreign ministers from seven major world powers announced Saturday their commitment to taking action when needed to safeguard international energy supplies while emphasizing the critical importance of protecting shipping lanes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

Representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union’s chief diplomat, issued a joint declaration stating: “We … express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies.”

The Group of Seven officials also declared: “We condemn in the strongest terms the regime’s reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.”

Two skiers lost their lives Saturday when an avalanche swept through a mountainous area of Italy’s South Tyrol region, trapping 25 people on the slopes, according to Italy’s mountain rescue authorities.

The deadly slide occurred at approximately 7,874 feet elevation on Monte Tallone Grande (known locally as Hohe Ferse), a 8,757-foot peak located near Ratschings, just miles from the Austrian frontier.

Bolzano’s emergency operations center for the CNSAS rescue service confirmed that all 25 skiers were engulfed by the avalanche. Along with the two fatalities, five others sustained injuries – three described as serious and two with minor wounds.

The disaster struck at 11:40 a.m. local time, triggering an extensive search and rescue mission. ANSA, Italy’s national news service, reported that approximately 80 emergency personnel responded, including teams from CNSAS, the Alpine Association, law enforcement, and fire departments, supported by six helicopters.

This winter season has witnessed an alarming surge in avalanche-related deaths across Europe. Data from the European Avalanche Warning Services shows that while typical seasons average 100 fatalities, this year’s count reached 127 by mid-March since the season began October 1st. Italy has recorded 33 deaths, while France and Austria have seen 31 and 29 respectively.

February proved particularly deadly, with 13 Italian skiers perishing in a single week during the Winter Olympics period, including 10 in avalanche incidents.

Mountain safety specialists point to exceptionally unstable snow conditions and increased numbers of skiers venturing into unmarked backcountry areas following recent heavy snowfall as contributing factors.

Climate researchers suggest that warming temperatures combined with intensifying wind patterns are creating increasingly dangerous snow stability conditions.

AMSTERDAM – The European Union’s coordinator for combating racism delivered a stark warning Saturday that discriminatory practices continue to permeate institutions throughout the continent, calling on leaders to address the region’s colonial past.

Speaking at an Amsterdam conference focused on racial issues, Michaela Moua highlighted troubling statistics from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights revealing that approximately half of African-descended residents within EU borders report experiencing discriminatory treatment. Many qualified individuals with college educations still encounter significant employment obstacles, she noted.

During her address to the symposium attendees, Moua emphasized that eliminating these persistent disparities represents a fundamental requirement for maintaining democratic values.

“Racism is not a relic of the past. It’s a living structure. It’s very tangible for many of us. We feel and we sense the urgency, especially in these political times,” Moua stated, emphasizing the critical need for improved data collection on equality metrics, as member nations continue to show significant variation in gathering racial and ethnic information.

The coordinator outlined how the organization’s recently developed anti-discrimination framework seeks to strengthen implementation of current legislation, enhance national response plans, and address prejudicial practices within government agencies.

However, the January-adopted initiative has faced pushback from advocacy organizations. The European Network Against Racism has criticized the approach, arguing it lacks meaningful dedication to restorative justice or addressing the lasting impacts of Europe’s historical actions.

Four people died Saturday when Ukrainian military forces targeted a public facility in Russia’s Belgorod border area, according to regional authorities.

Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced via Telegram that the strike hit what he described as a “social site” in Smorodino village, though he did not provide additional specifics about the targeted building. Emergency responders recovered the remains of two women from beneath the debris, Gladkov reported.

The governor shared images showing flames engulfing structures in a developed area of the community.

The Belgorod region has experienced repeated Ukrainian military strikes throughout the ongoing four-year conflict that began with Russia’s comprehensive invasion.

PRAGUE — An estimated 200,000 demonstrators filled Prague’s streets Saturday in a massive show of opposition to Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his government’s controversial direction.

The peaceful gathering took place at Letná park, a location with deep historical significance as the site of major demonstrations in 1989 that helped topple communist rule.

Demonstrators traveled from throughout the Czech Republic to voice alarm that the billionaire leader and his coalition partners pose a danger to democratic institutions, moving the nation away from Ukraine support and toward authoritarian governance.

Crowds displayed Czech flags while banners proclaimed messages like “Let’s defend democracy.”

“We’re here to clearly stand against dragging our country onto the path of Slovakia and Hungary,” declared Mikuláš Minář, chief organizer from Million Moments for Democracy, referencing those nations’ pro-Russia and authoritarian tendencies.

Babiš regained control following his ANO (YES) party’s strong showing in October elections, subsequently forming a governing alliance with the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.

This partnership with groups holding extreme positions has enabled the administration to dramatically reshape both international and domestic policy approaches.

The prime minister has challenged major European Union environmental and immigration initiatives while refusing Ukrainian financial assistance and rejecting guarantees for EU loans to the war-torn nation, aligning himself with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Critics warn that proposed legislation mirrors Russian foreign agent laws, requiring nonprofit organizations and individuals engaged in broadly defined political activities who receive international funding to register or face substantial penalties.

“This law can easily be used to restrict personal freedom,” former Academy of Sciences director Václav Pačes told demonstrators.

Additional government plans include restructuring public broadcasting funding, which opponents argue would place state media under government influence.

Rally organizers cited parliament’s recent decision to maintain Babiš’s immunity from prosecution in a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies as motivation for the demonstration.

Parliamentary approval would have enabled immediate court proceedings, but the rejection means prosecution cannot occur until his legislative term concludes in 2029.

Legislators similarly blocked efforts to allow prosecution of lower house Speaker Tomio Okamura, who leads the Freedom party, on hate speech charges.

Million Moments characterized these decisions as creating two distinct groups: “the ordinary people and the untouchables.”

“I came to defend something that is extremely important to me,” explained Michael Černohlávek, a 19-year-old student. “I know that the system we have, our freedom, can’t be taken for granted and it is important for me to protect it.”

Additional demonstrations are scheduled to follow.

President Donald Trump has delivered a series of contradictory statements regarding the ongoing Iran conflict, creating uncertainty about his administration’s strategic direction over the past day.

During a span of just hours on Friday, the president spoke about potentially scaling back military operations while his administration simultaneously announced the deployment of additional forces to the Middle East. The White House also removed sanctions on certain Iranian oil shipments for the first time in decades, attempting to stabilize global energy markets by reducing economic pressure typically used as diplomatic leverage.

This combination of conflicting actions has intensified criticism from Trump’s opponents, who argue there is no coherent long-term plan for the military campaign that the United States and Israel initiated against Iran. The conflict, now entering its fourth week, continues along an uncertain trajectory with no clear resolution in sight, while global economic markets face ongoing disruption.

Following another difficult trading session, Trump posted on his social media platform Friday afternoon: “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.”

The president claimed that U.S. forces have successfully weakened Iran’s naval capabilities, missile systems, and industrial infrastructure while blocking Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump then indicated the United States might withdraw from the conflict without ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway that handles approximately 20 percent of global oil transportation. Iranian forces have severely damaged this shipping lane through missile strikes, drone attacks, and naval mines throughout the war.

“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!” Trump posted. However, contradicting himself again, he stated America would provide assistance if requested, “but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.”

Although oil passing through the strait typically heads to Asia and other regions rather than North America, the disruption still impacts American consumers. Global oil markets mean that supply shortages affecting Asian nations drive up prices for American companies as well.

This situation, combined with an Israeli attack on Iran’s gas infrastructure and Iranian retaliation that damaged a major Qatari liquefied natural gas export facility, caused U.S. stock markets to plummet Friday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.5 percent. American fuel costs also rose sharply.

Despite Trump’s comments about scaling back the war effort, his administration revealed plans to send three additional warships carrying approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. This marked the second troop increase announcement within the week, with military officials stating that roughly 50,000 personnel now support the conflict.

While Trump has rejected the possibility of ground combat forces, his administration has suggested potential special operations deployments or similar units might be considered.

The Marines heading to the region belong to an expeditionary force trained for rapid amphibious operations, though their deployment doesn’t guarantee a ground invasion. Military experts suggest that securing the strait may ultimately require American boots on the ground.

This troop buildup followed Thursday’s revelation that the Pentagon requested an additional $200 billion from Congress to finance the war effort. Such an enormous funding request contradicts any suggestion of scaling down operations.

The administration announced it would remove sanctions on Iranian oil sales, specifically for shipments already at sea as of Friday. This decision aims to reduce soaring energy costs by allowing freer distribution of oil that Iran has permitted through the strait, while also providing financial support to the Iranian government that Trump is simultaneously targeting.

Trump’s team has attempted various approaches to lower oil prices, including tapping strategic petroleum reserves and lifting certain Russian oil sanctions. Nevertheless, Brent crude remained at $112 per barrel Friday, with analysts predicting elevated prices for months regardless of future war developments.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained on X that while Iranian oil would eventually reach other countries, the United States and its allies can now compete for these supplies.

“At present, sanctioned Iranian oil is being hoarded by China on the cheap,” Bessent wrote. “By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.”

However, 140 million barrels represents only a few days’ worth of global oil consumption.

Patrick De Haan, petroleum analysis chief at GasBuddy fuel-tracking service, said he doesn’t anticipate the temporary sanction suspension will significantly affect gas prices. The effective blockade of the strait has far greater impact, he noted. “Prices will likely still continue to rise so long as the Strait remains silent,” De Haan stated.

The contradictions became apparent in Bessent’s announcement, which described Iran as “the head of the snake for global terrorism.” He promised steps to prevent Tehran from profiting from these sales, though the implementation method remained unclear.

Even some Republicans expressed rare public doubt about these contradictory policies.

“Bombing Iran with one hand and buying Iran oil with the other,” Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted on X Saturday.

NICOSIA, March 21 — The United Kingdom has promised Cyprus that British military installations on the island nation will not serve as staging areas for offensive strikes during the ongoing Iran crisis, according to a Cypriot government official who spoke Saturday.

The assurance came during a telephone conversation between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the government spokesperson revealed in a written statement.

“The British Prime Minister reiterated … that the security of the Republic of Cyprus is fundamental to the United Kingdom and, to that end, a decision has been taken to enhance the means contributing to the preventive measures already in place,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

“Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated that the British Bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations.”

The conversation follows a March 2 incident where a Shahed-style drone, similar to Iranian models, struck Britain’s Akrotiri airbase in southern Cyprus, causing minor damage. Military forces successfully intercepted two additional drones during the same attack. No additional security breaches have been reported since that incident.

The UK maintained control over two military installations on Cyprus following the island’s transition from British colonial rule to independence in 1960.

Bahrain’s government disclosed Saturday that a U.S.-manufactured Patriot missile defense system successfully shot down an Iranian drone that was targeting a residential neighborhood earlier this month, contradicting earlier reports about the March 9 incident.

The kingdom’s officials revealed that Iranian forces launched multiple drone attacks that day, with the Patriot system managing to destroy one of the unmanned aircraft before it could strike homes in the Sitra district.

“During this incident, the Patriot air defence system intercepted an Iranian drone aerially,” a government spokesperson explained.

The official added that the successful interception likely prevented mass casualties, stating: “Had the Iranian drone impacted the residential area, it would have resulted in significant loss of life.”

Despite the successful shootdown, the March 9 attacks still resulted in injuries to 32 civilians, including children who needed medical care. U.S. military officials had initially described the incident as a direct strike by an Iranian drone on the residential area.

American Central Command previously rejected claims from Russian and Iranian media outlets suggesting that a U.S. Patriot missile had malfunctioned and accidentally hit civilian areas instead of stopping the incoming drone.

The Patriot defense system, manufactured in the United States, is specifically engineered to destroy incoming missiles, drones, and other airborne threats before they reach their targets.

Multiple Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, have deployed these American-made systems to shield their cities, oil facilities, and military installations from ongoing Iranian aerial attacks during the current regional conflict.

PRAGUE – A massive crowd of Czech citizens filled Prague’s streets Saturday in what organizers called the nation’s most significant anti-government demonstration since 2019, with roughly 250,000 people voicing opposition to Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s policies.

The demonstration took place at Letna plain, which provides a sweeping view of Prague’s historic district. Participants began gathering hours ahead of the scheduled event, many carrying flags of the Czech Republic and European Union.

Young protester Tomas Chaloupka, 22, explained his motivation for attending: “I’m here because I care about my country’s future. It upsets me that the current government is trying to manipulate the free and independent media, and freedom and democracy are paramount.”

Babis and his populist ANO party regained control of the government this past December following a four-year period out of power, now governing alongside right-wing and far-right coalition partners.

The demonstration was organized by Milion Chvilek (Million Moments for Democracy), a group that has expressed alarm about potential authoritarian trends similar to those seen in neighboring Slovakia and Hungary, both of which have faced European Union criticism over rule-of-law violations.

Teacher Hana Malanikova voiced these concerns, stating: “We don’t want to be Hungary. We don’t want to follow the Slovak Republic’s path. So it’s time to wake up.”

The current administration has faced criticism for multiple policy changes, including reductions to defense spending and proposed modifications to public television funding that opponents argue could compromise editorial independence. Critics also point to new restrictions on disclosure requirements for non-governmental organizations.

This weekend’s rally follows a February demonstration supporting President Petr Pavel, who has publicly disagreed with Babis’s government on defense budget allocations and ministerial appointments. That earlier protest drew approximately 90,000 participants.

Babis, whose wealth stems from business ventures in food production, chemicals, and agriculture, previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021. The same organizing group staged comparable protests in 2019 that attracted more than 200,000 demonstrators.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an “immediate cessation” of what he characterized as U.S.-Israeli military actions during a Saturday telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Iran’s embassy in India.

During their discussion, Pezeshkian emphasized the need for assurances that would prevent future occurrences of such “aggression” and urged the BRICS group of emerging economies to take an independent stance in stopping actions against Iran.

The Iranian leader put forward the idea of establishing a regional security arrangement involving West Asian nations to maintain peace without outside interference, the embassy reported on social media.

In his own social media statement from earlier Saturday, Modi expressed his condemnation of strikes targeting vital infrastructure throughout the Middle East during his conversation with Pezeshkian.

The Indian leader also stressed the critical need to protect maritime navigation rights and keep shipping routes open and safe for international commerce.

For the first time in nearly six decades, Muslim faithful were denied entry to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque during Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Friday, as Israeli officials implemented an extraordinary security lockdown of one of Islam’s most sacred locations.

The unprecedented ban forced thousands of Palestinian worshippers to conduct their holiday prayers in nearby streets under intense police surveillance, creating a dramatically different scene from the typical massive gatherings that characterize Eid observances at the holy site.

Friday afternoon brought the regional conflict directly to Jerusalem’s doorstep when pieces of an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile crashed into the Old City’s Jewish Quarter. Israeli military officials reported the projectile was successfully intercepted, though falling debris struck approximately 400 meters from both the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa complex, resulting in property damage.

This missile strike highlighted the dangerous security conditions that Israeli officials cited as justification for blocking access to the religious site, arguing such measures were essential to avoid potential mass casualties. Earlier incidents this week had already seen missile fragments land dangerously close to significant religious locations, including areas near Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

However, the mosque closure during this important Islamic holiday sparked fierce condemnation from Palestinian leadership and religious authorities, who characterized the action as an infringement on religious liberty and a break from established protocols that have historically governed site access.

Eyewitnesses reported an unusually quiet and anxious mood throughout Jerusalem, where Eid prayers normally attract tens of thousands of worshippers to the compound. Instead, the faithful gathered near entrance points and security barriers, with some making unsuccessful attempts to reach the mosque before being turned away by law enforcement.

Reports indicate this represents the first prevention of Eid prayers at Al-Aqsa since 1967, making it a historically significant closure that underscores the severity of current regional tensions.

The dual impact of restricted religious access combined with active missile threats in Jerusalem has intensified concerns that the already precarious situation surrounding the city’s holy sites may worsen as broader regional hostilities persist.