Author: Admin

PARIS (AP) — A unique fashion presentation unfolded Wednesday at Paris Fashion Week when ten horses — half black, half white — took center stage before any models appeared on the runway.

This dramatic opening revealed everything about British-American designer Stella McCartney’s values and vision for her Winter 2026 collection.

McCartney transformed a riding facility in the Bois de Boulogne into her runway, timing the event with the Lunar New Year of the Horse to deliver a powerful but unspoken message: the fashion industry can honor animals instead of exploiting them.

Her commitment remained absolute — zero leather, zero fur, zero feathers, zero exceptions.

Equestrian performer Jean-François Pignon directed the horses through carefully planned movements around the oval space while fashion models circulated along the edges.

McCartney noted that some attendees became emotional during practice sessions.

The atmosphere carried that special intensity that only occurs when live animals share space with people.

Her clothing lineup told the story of her personal journey through fashion.

Opening pieces included full-length artificial fur coats so realistic they required a second look — representing the type of material breakthroughs McCartney has pursued for more than twenty years, utilizing everything from laboratory-cultivated yeast to repurposed denim.

According to the fashion house, sustainable materials comprised 93% of the entire collection.

The personal narrative continued from there.

Thick fisherman-style ribbed sweaters and handmade crocheted accessories paid tribute to her youth spent on Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre with her parents, Paul and Linda McCartney.

Brightly colored stirrup pants and silky dresses with bow details brought back memories of her teenage apprenticeships at fashion houses Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent — influential Paris experiences that she credits with determining her career path as a designer.

The collection’s centerpiece showcased McCartney’s signature strengths: gentle tailoring with structured shoulders, business wear that allows movement, and lustrous evening wear that catches light without being flashy.

Sequined gowns made without plastic featured bustle details and pleated accents.

Every design demonstrated her consistent blend of masculine and feminine elements, combining precision with playfulness.

The show concluded with a model wearing a tank top that read “My Dad Is A Rockstar.” Seated in the front row, Paul McCartney — Beatles legend, enduring rock icon, and devoted father — showed his appreciation with applause.

“It was beautiful,” he commented following the presentation.

“He’s my dad, he would say that,” Stella responded with humor.

Celebrity guests crowding around to offer congratulations included Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and Hannah Waddingham.

LVMH executive Antoine Arnault brought his spouse, Natalia Vodianova — their attendance was particularly significant since McCartney recently repurchased the luxury conglomerate’s minority ownership in her company this past January.

Despite the brand’s 25-year history, it hasn’t generated profits since 2017, yet McCartney opted for complete control over outside investment.

“I forget that I’m one of the few women designing for women,” McCartney observed casually, also mentioning she’ll receive France’s highest civilian recognition, the Légion d’honneur, on Thursday.

“I want to feel like I’m actually really embracing women through these collections, and I don’t want the planet to suffer because of it.”

China’s yearly parliamentary session kicks off Thursday in Beijing, where government officials are set to reveal plans for industrial modernization, reducing the technology divide with America, and reinforcing commitments to boost domestic consumer spending.

Premier Li Qiang’s upcoming report is anticipated to set an economic growth objective for 2026 ranging from 4.5% to 5%, representing a modest reduction from last year’s 5% achievement. This adjustment provides additional space for more substantial efforts to address industrial overproduction issues.

While any production limitations would be crucial for reducing deflationary pricing conflicts across numerous industrial areas, Beijing is not anticipated to abandon its dedication to advanced manufacturing investments as competition with Washington grows more intense.

The nation’s 15th five-year strategic plan, covering 2026-2030 and being released simultaneously, is projected to prioritize advancing high-technology sectors. Boosting domestic consumer demand is also expected to receive elevated importance, though potentially more in rhetoric than reality.

Economic experts point out that pursuing this double objective creates policy contradictions.

Should Beijing allocate additional resources toward manufacturers, fewer funds would remain available for consumers, unless the country increases borrowing when total debt already equals three times the nation’s yearly economic production.

Researchers from the Mercator Institute for China Studies characterize consumer promises as “hollow,” noting that leadership views extensive industry support as best serving national priorities during this period of major power rivalry.

“Precariously balanced as it is, China’s economic policy will continue to systematically favour companies over households,” MERICS analysts wrote in a note.

“Beijing will persist in slow-rolling measures to expand social welfare, while using generous subsidies and tax incentives to drive industrial growth and upgrading.”

Regarding economic stimulus measures, most experts predict the budget shortfall will remain steady at 4.0% of total economic output, while allowances for additional special debt issuance will likely increase moderately.

Citi projects a 1.6 trillion yuan allocation in special treasury bonds for the central government in 2026, rising from 1.3 trillion yuan last year, and 4.9 trillion yuan for regional governments compared to 4.4 trillion yuan in 2025.

Larry Hu, Macquarie’s chief China economist, anticipates fiscal tools will be modified adaptively based on economic performance in upcoming months.

“If exports remain strong, they may tolerate weak domestic consumption. Conversely, if exports falter, they will step up domestic stimulus to defend the GDP target,” said Hu.

Former central bank advisor Liu Shinjin cautioned at a January financial conference that China’s unprecedented $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year – a crucial element in achieving the 2025 economic growth goal – demonstrates both increasing manufacturing competitiveness and insufficient domestic consumption.

He emphasized China must transition from its traditional dependence on investment and exports toward a framework primarily powered by innovation and consumption, noting that while manufacturing capabilities could be enhanced further, this doesn’t mean its economic share shouldn’t decline.

“China’s current insufficient consumption is deeply tied to a series of institutional and structural factors, making it unrealistic to fully resolve these issues in the short term,” Liu said.

“However, leaving them unaddressed is not an option either.”

Numerous economists have long advocated for tax system modifications that benefit households over businesses and capital, or reducing state-owned enterprise influence to free resources for private sector investment in services, where local demand exceeds that of consumer goods manufacturing.

However, such reforms would also weaken the fundamental structures that have enabled China to become an export leader and achieve supply chain advantages over competitors.

The response to a significant ruling by China’s highest court last year that prohibited avoiding social insurance payments – theoretically promoting long-term fund transfers from companies to workers through the welfare system – demonstrates the challenges of implementing reforms.

Many companies, facing pressure from weak domestic demand, tariffs, substantial debts, and pricing conflicts caused by industrial overproduction, have responded to the decision primarily by minimizing their own payments, sometimes even reducing employee wages.

The inconsistent enforcement of this ruling has left many economists doubtful about China’s commitment to economic rebalancing.

“This highlights a core tension in Beijing’s structural reforms,” said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis.

As parliament begins its session, “expect rhetoric on social security improvements and consumption support, but don’t anticipate radical new enforcement mechanisms” that could burden businesses and risk destabilizing employment, she said.

OSLO, Norway – Norwegian authorities are investigating a powerful explosion that occurred in the vicinity of the United States embassy in the country’s capital during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 8th.

Officials with the Oslo police department confirmed the incident but stated that the source of the explosion and any potential perpetrators remain unknown at this time.

“The police are in a dialogue with the embassy and there are no reports of any injured persons,” authorities said in an official statement.

Law enforcement officials indicated they are working closely with embassy personnel as the investigation continues.

BEIRUT, March 8 – Lebanese health officials report that an Israeli airstrike on an apartment within a Ramada hotel building in downtown Beirut resulted in four fatalities and ten injuries, marking the initial attack on the capital’s center since Israel-Hezbollah fighting escalated again last week.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties from the bombing in Beirut’s Raouche neighborhood through an official statement.

The targeted hotel had been providing shelter to Lebanese families who fled their homes due to ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon and the capital’s southern districts. Witnesses observed residents evacuating the building afterward, concerned about potential additional airstrikes.

Additional information about the incident remained limited, and Israeli officials had not issued any public response at the time.

Lebanon became involved in the expanding conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran this past Monday when Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant organization, launched rocket and drone attacks against Israeli territory. Israel retaliated with extensive bombing campaigns targeting locations throughout southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as areas surrounding Beirut.

On Wednesday, America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, focusing on Middle Eastern security concerns and Iran’s role in regional instability, according to the State Department.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott released a statement detailing the diplomatic exchange. “The Secretary expressed gratitude to the Foreign Minister for Saudi Arabia’s response to the attack on U.S. Embassy Riyadh,” Pigott stated.

The conversation also covered broader regional security issues. “They also discussed the continued threats the Iranian regime poses to regional stability, as well as other developments in the region,” Pigott added in his statement.

QUITO – Ecuador’s foreign ministry announced Wednesday that it has ordered Cuban Ambassador Basilio Gutierrez and his entire diplomatic team to leave the country, designating them as unwelcome persons under international law.

The ministry gave the Cuban officials 48 hours to depart Ecuador, though government officials have not revealed the reasons behind President Daniel Noboa’s administration making this diplomatic move. The decision was made under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, according to the announcement.

Officials have not clarified whether this action represents a complete severing of diplomatic ties between Ecuador and Cuba’s government in Havana.

Security forces from Ecuador’s police and military were observed maintaining a presence around the Cuban embassy building in Quito following the announcement, witnesses reported.

When contacted for a response, a spokesperson at the Cuban embassy declined to provide any statement regarding the expulsion order.

A military officer within Iran’s security apparatus has declared that the current government’s downfall is unavoidable, according to a new report from The Media Line.

The officer stated that personnel from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij militia, and other security units currently patrolling the streets have grown weary and are losing hope.

This assessment comes after a series of American and Israeli attacks targeted IRGC command facilities over the past week, along with the death of a key Islamic Republic leader who had served as a crucial connection between the IRGC and Iran’s political and financial networks.

These developments suggest that the IRGC, which wields significant influence over Iran’s economy in addition to its military role, could be nearing a breaking point.

A Tehran-based expert with knowledge of IRGC operations explained to The Media Line that the organization’s ability to retaliate has weakened significantly in recent days. Despite making repeated threats about deploying sophisticated missile systems and taking other indirect actions, the IRGC has failed to deliver substantial damage to American and Israeli military installations.

More critically, according to the expert, the IRGC seems to be gradually losing control over domestic affairs and struggling to handle wartime circumstances effectively.

JERUSALEM — A Palestinian man was fatally shot by an Israeli reservist in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, marking the third Palestinian death in the region within a week as tensions continue to escalate throughout the territory.

The victim, identified as 28-year-old Amir Muhammad Shanaran, was killed while his brother Khaled sustained critical injuries when the reservist opened fire in the southern Hebron Hills area, Israeli human rights organization Btselem reported.

This latest fatality follows Monday’s deadly incident in the northern West Bank village of Qaryout, where Israeli settlers fatally shot two Palestinian brothers. That attack also left three additional people wounded by gunfire.

Israeli military officials confirmed they responded to reports of a violent confrontation between settlers and Palestinians on Saturday. Following a preliminary investigation, military sources stated that a reservist discharged his weapon, wounding two Palestinians, with one succumbing to his injuries. The incident remains under military investigation.

Critics, including Palestinian officials and human rights organizations, maintain that Israeli authorities consistently fail to pursue legal action against settlers or ensure accountability for acts of violence.

Saturday’s shooting occurred in Masafer Yatta, an area consisting of multiple Bedouin communities that gained international attention through the Academy Award-winning documentary “No Other Land.” The film documents residents’ efforts to prevent Israeli military demolition of their villages while highlighting settler violence against Palestinian communities.

The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry issued a statement Saturday condemning Israel for “exploiting the atmosphere of war” and taking advantage of reduced international focus on West Bank issues to escalate intimidation tactics, violence, and forced displacement of residents.

President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the United States doesn’t require British military assistance to prevail in its conflict with Iran, despite Britain’s consideration of deploying aircraft carriers to the Middle East region.

The president’s remarks on Truth Social represent the most recent friction between the traditional allies, as Trump has consistently criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he views as damaging their nations’ long-standing partnership.

Trump’s frustration stems from Britain’s initial refusal to allow American forces to utilize British military installations for strikes against Iran.

“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.

“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!” the president added.

Trump’s statement followed Saturday’s announcement from Britain’s Ministry of Defence regarding preparations for potentially deploying the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, though British officials emphasized that no final deployment decision has been made.

Prime Minister Starmer has stood by his initial decision to deny American access to British bases, explaining that he required assurance that any military operations would be both legally justified and properly planned.

Starmer subsequently authorized U.S. forces to use British facilities for what he characterized as defensive operations targeting Iranian missile storage facilities and launch sites.

The diplomatic rift has deepened this year, with Starmer condemning Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland and calling the president’s assertions about European forces avoiding combat roles in Afghanistan “frankly appalling.”

In his Truth Social message, Trump indicated he would not forget Britain’s hesitation to provide immediate support during the Iran crisis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Saturday that he conducted a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on Middle Eastern developments and the Iranian situation, while renewing his nation’s proposal to assist with Iranian drone threats.

During the discussion, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s unique expertise, stating on Telegram: “Ukraine has been fighting against (Iranian-designed) ‘Shaheds’ for years, and everyone acknowledges that no other country in the world has such experience.”

The Ukrainian leader added: “We are ready to help and expect that our people will also receive the necessary support.”

This latest diplomatic outreach follows Zelensky’s earlier conversations this week with government officials from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Ukraine has endured consistent strikes from Shahed drones throughout its ongoing four-year conflict with Russia, giving the country extensive knowledge of these weapons systems. Zelensky has previously indicated that Ukraine would assist the United States by supplying technical experts to help combat these drone attacks.

Several Gulf nations experienced explosions and property damage Saturday evening when Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones across the region, intensifying conflicts connected to the wider war involving Israel and the United States.

Residents in Bahrain heard multiple powerful explosions throughout the capital city of Manama and surrounding areas. Officials confirmed the Iranian assault ignited a blaze and damaged residential structures and neighboring buildings. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry released a statement saying, “Civil defense is taking steps to control the fire.”

News crews across the Gulf region documented blasts in various locations. CNN personnel stationed in Qatar reported hearing multiple loud explosions, while correspondents in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, witnessed no fewer than three separate detonations.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, an Iranian ballistic missile targeted Prince Sultan Air Base but landed in an unpopulated zone.

The UAE’s National Security Council announced that protective systems had been deployed against approaching dangers. Through a post on X, the council stated, “Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat,” while advising citizens to “remain in a safe location.”

UAE defense officials confirmed their nation faced assault from Iranian-launched drones and missiles.

For the first time since hostilities began, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed spoke publicly about the crisis, declaring that “the United Arab Emirates is in good condition, the military has performed a praiseworthy role.” He continued: “We are in a time of war and I pledge to fulfill our duty to defend our country and our people. I promise everyone that the United Arab Emirates will emerge stronger.”

A high-ranking UAE official stated Iran’s assault on nearby Gulf nations “create a huge trust gap that will persist for decades ahead.” The official noted that “any new arrangement reached in negotiations with Iran will no longer be limited to the nuclear issue — missiles are now at the center stage.”

These declarations from the UAE and fellow Gulf nations followed Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, releasing an earlier statement expressing remorse for the Gulf State attacks and vowing to end them.

“I should apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” Pezeshkian stated, attributing the attacks to insufficient oversight of military operations.

“From now on, they should not attack neighboring countries or fire missiles at them unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”

Iranian officials have maintained their Gulf state operations targeted American military installations and US-connected infrastructure as payback for last week’s US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Despite strong verbal backing from Beijing and Moscow, Middle East experts believe Iran should not expect military assistance from China or Russia in its ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States.

Both nations have expressed solidarity with Tehran since hostilities began Saturday, with China condemning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and issuing multiple statements of friendship. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has declared that halting American and Israeli aggression represents the only path to regional stability.

However, academic specialists suggest this support remains purely rhetorical.

Hebrew University’s Dr. Simon Wolfgang Fuchs characterized the response by saying, “I think we could describe what Russia and China offered as sort of their ‘thoughts and prayers.’ Russia offered its condolences. China was maybe a bit more forceful in condemning the killing of Khamenei.”

Bar-Ilan University’s Prof. Yoram Evron from the Department of Asian Studies believes China is evaluating battlefield conditions and refuses to “tying itself to a sinking ship” or a “collapsing regime.” He noted that “This is not part of China’s DNA.”

Evron emphasized that while China and Iran maintain a longstanding partnership, they lack true alliance bonds. Consequently, China appears unwilling to sacrifice its interests supporting a government acting “illogically” and “engaged in self-destruction.”

Historical precedent supports this assessment. During the summer’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel-US forces, Beijing maintained distance, offering general opposition to military action against Iran but little else. Even potential UN Security Council resolutions would face American vetoes, Evron observed.

“In principle, China has not gotten involved in military conflicts in the Middle East,” Evron stated. “It hasn’t done so so far, and it is probably not going to start doing it right now. Also, China, despite its support of the Iranian regime, has so far avoided any direct conflict with the US over Iran. Any time that the US was determined to block Iran, China didn’t put its interests in danger to help Iran.”

Beijing is also monitoring the conflict for intelligence purposes, studying military technologies and considering developments for its own forces while avoiding exposure of its capabilities through direct involvement.

Diplomatic factors further complicate matters. President Donald Trump’s scheduled March 31 visit to China, announced by the White House, makes Beijing reluctant to jeopardize the trip as both nations work to extend their fragile trade agreement.

China also stayed quiet during earlier Iranian protests this year, likely downplaying domestic coverage to prevent encouraging similar unrest at home, Fuchs noted.

Evron predicted Beijing would likely establish diplomatic ties with whatever government eventually replaces Iran’s current leadership.

“No regime can live without China as an oil customer,” Evron stated.

While China imports approximately 12% of its oil from Iran, according to Fuchs, this represents roughly 87% of Iran’s crude exports, creating an asymmetric dependency favoring China.

Despite international sanctions, China has continued Iranian oil purchases, providing crucial regime support. Beijing may have also offered diplomatic backing and possibly supplied dual-use technologies, materials, and potentially military products smuggled into Iran, Evron noted.

However, he cautioned against accepting all reports at face value.

“I assume that many of the news reports about Chinese assistance were largely Iranian leakage, which I’m not sure were very accurate,” he explained. “Iran might have used China to give the impression that it is not totally isolated, but I don’t know to what extent China actually provided it with any military-related materials.”

Energy markets also influence the Russia-Iran relationship. Moscow could potentially benefit from current hostilities if Iranian export disruptions drive buyers toward Russian oil.

The US Treasury issued a 30-day waiver Thursday permitting India to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea “to enable oil to keep flowing into the global market,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced via social media.

Russia has gained from Iranian military technology, particularly drones extensively used in the Ukraine war, explained Bar-Ilan University political science lecturer Dr. Ze’ev Khanin. He told The Media Line that this relationship lacks complete reciprocity, as Iran has not received promised advanced fighter aircraft or air defense systems from Russia.

“Russia and Iran officially declared themselves as strategic partners about a year ago and signed an accord around diplomatic, economic, humanitarian, and security affairs,” Khanin said.

Under this cooperation framework, Russia has provided Iran with some air defense systems, military aircraft, and tanks, while receiving unmanned vehicles and drones for Ukraine operations. Nevertheless, Khanin emphasized partnership limitations.

“This doesn’t mean either country will fight for the other,” he stated.

Recent events validate this assessment. When Israel-US-Iran tensions escalated earlier this year, Russia avoided military intervention and likely will continue this approach, Khanin said.

“They might exchange some sort of intelligence information, but not more than that,” Khanin explained.

The conflict extends beyond the three primary actors, involving multiple regional players, particularly Gulf states where Russia maintains significant strategic and economic interests. Moscow has worked to preserve relationships across the region, including with Gulf nations and Israel.

These interests mandate Russian caution. If Gulf states increase cooperation with Western powers during the conflict, Russia risks losing regional influence.

Russia also depends on Iran for sanctions circumvention. According to Khanin, Iran has developed extensive networks of companies and intermediaries in Dubai, Turkey, and Southeast Asia over decades. These networks help Iran bypass international sanctions while enabling Russia to acquire goods unavailable through official channels.

“If Iran at the moment loses this network, that will be a very bad piece of news also for Russia,” Khanin said.

While China and Russia may maintain political solidarity with Iran, experts conclude they are unlikely to provide battlefield support.

President Donald Trump declared through a Truth Social message that Iranian leadership faces additional targeting, stating “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” This announcement came despite Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s earlier apology to regional neighbors regarding Tehran’s military strikes. Gulf nations continue reporting successful interceptions of ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft originating from Iranian territory.

Trump Rules Out Kurdish Military Involvement

During discussions with journalists on Air Force One, the President confirmed his decision to exclude Kurdish forces from military operations against Iran.

According to Trump, Kurdish fighters in the area have expressed willingness to help overthrow Iran’s government, but their participation would add unnecessary complexity to the situation.

“The war is complicated enough without having– getting the Kurds involved,” Trump stated.

Saudi Forces Down Drone Near Capital

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry announced late Saturday that military forces successfully intercepted and eliminated an unmanned aircraft east of Riyadh, the kingdom’s capital city.

Iranian Official Denies Leadership Split

Senior Iranian security figure Ali Larijani addressed the nation through state-controlled media, declaring unity among the country’s leaders. “Our leaders are united on this issue and have no disagreements with one another. We have no divisions among ourselves in fighting Israel and the United States,” Larijani proclaimed.

His statement followed President Pezeshkian’s public apology for strikes against “neighboring countries,” though other Iranian authorities indicated no changes to military strategy would occur.

The Islamic Republic continues operating without a supreme leader in place.

Progress Reported on Supreme Leader Selection

Larijani revealed that Iran’s three-person interim leadership council has asked for “arrangements be made to convene the Assembly of Experts to choose the next supreme leader of the country.” No timeline was provided for this process.

Iranian Personnel Evacuated from Lebanon

Family members of Iranian diplomatic staff departed Saturday alongside educators and students from an Iranian educational institution, plus additional Iranian residents of Lebanon, according to Iran’s foreign ministry statement.

The ministry explained the evacuation occurred “due to the current security situation in Lebanon as a result of the brutal attacks launched by the Zionist entity against the country, and out of concern for the safety and security of our citizens residing in Lebanon.”

Consular assistance will continue for Iranians who remain in the country.

Earlier this week, Israeli military forces warned “representatives of the Iranian terrorist regime still in Lebanon to leave immediately before they are targeted.” On Friday, an Israeli military strike occurred close to Iran’s embassy in Beirut.

Iraq’s Leader Condemns Embassy Attack

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani characterized Saturday’s assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as a “terrorist act” executed by “rogue groups” and ordered military and security forces to track down those responsible.

Iraqi security sources reported earlier that a projectile struck the helicopter landing area within the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad. No injuries were documented. Embassy representatives declined comment, and the U.S. State Department has not responded to media inquiries.

Baghdad’s heavily secured Green Zone, home to government facilities and foreign missions, has experienced previous attacks, but this marked the first reported direct hit since Israel and the U.S. began striking Tehran one week ago, sparking broader Middle Eastern warfare.

Iranian forces and affiliated Iraqi militia groups have conducted numerous strikes against U.S. military installations and other American facilities in Iraq since hostilities began. They have also targeted bases belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition organizations operating in northern Iraq.

Turkish Foreign Minister Reports U.S. Denial of Kurdish Plan

Hakan Fidan revealed his conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who dismissed reports of plans for Iranian Kurdish forces stationed in northern Iraq to launch attacks against Iran as “not their intention.”

During an Istanbul press conference, Fidan said Rubio made these remarks during a recent telephone discussion. The Turkish minister instead accused Israel of employing Kurdish organizations as “a proxy” throughout the region.

Fidan warned that approaches “aim to create ethnic rivalry or an ethnic conflict in Iran would be something we oppose because it would be the most dangerous scenario,” noting Turkey has engaged Kurdish leadership to prevent such a “historic mistake.”

He declined to discuss Turkey’s mediation efforts between Iran and the U.S., saying only that Turkey has participated in “intense diplomatic traffic” to develop a “formula to end this war.”

Tehran Oil Facility Ablaze After Strike

Enormous flames illuminated Tehran’s skyline Saturday evening following Iranian state media reports that an oil storage complex was hit in the most recent wave of attacks. Associated Press footage captured the glowing horizon, then towering flames and thick smoke clouds.

This represents one of the first instances where a civilian industrial site has been targeted during the conflict. Israel’s military has not immediately identified specific targets from the latest strike, though they confirmed Israel conducted another round of attacks in Tehran. Iranian state media responded by threatening to strike oil refineries in Haifa, northern Israel.

Israeli warplanes launched extensive overnight strikes Friday against Iranian military targets in Tehran and central Iran, marking an escalation in the two-week military campaign involving Israeli and U.S. forces, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The operation included a major assault on Mehrabad Airport in Iran’s capital, where Israeli forces destroyed 16 aircraft belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force. Military officials said these planes were being used to transport weapons to Hezbollah forces.

An IDF spokesperson described the airport as “a central hub for arming and financing the regime’s terror proxies in the Middle East.”

During the same night, Israeli fighter aircraft launched additional strikes across multiple Iranian military locations, releasing approximately 230 bombs throughout the mission. The IDF reported that one target was a subterranean facility where ballistic missiles were stored and produced, with hundreds of Iranian military personnel stationed there.

Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israeli territory, forcing citizens nationwide to seek shelter as warning sirens sounded across the country.

Data from Ynet indicates that Iran has fired over 200 missiles at Israel since hostilities began. Initial attacks included approximately 80 missiles on day one and around 60 on day two, before decreasing to under 20 missiles daily. Lebanon has contributed roughly 200 additional projectiles to the attacks.

The report also noted that 42 drones were launched from Iran toward Israel, with another 43 originating from Lebanon. These attacks on Israeli territory have displaced approximately 3,100 residents from their homes.

President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that no agreement would be reached with Tehran unless Iran accepts “unconditional surrender.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. military is sending specialized anti-drone systems to the Middle East to counter Iranian drone attacks. These systems were previously field-tested during the Ukraine conflict and, as American officials described, received their “baptism of fire” in that theater.

Lebanon is witnessing another mass exodus as tens of thousands of civilians abandon their homes following Hezbollah’s decision to fire rockets into northern Israel, triggering deadly retaliatory strikes.

The Iranian-backed militia’s rocket attack caused no casualties in Israel, but the response was swift and devastating. Israeli bombardments across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern districts left 31 people dead and dozens wounded, forcing families to relive a nightmare many experienced just over a year ago.

During the early morning hours, desperate families packed whatever belongings they could carry and began fleeing northward. The scenes evoked painful memories of the fall 2024 Israeli offensive that killed thousands over two months and destroyed countless homes across eastern and southern Lebanon.

“What idiots, dragging us into this again; I can’t find another word to describe them,” a young Lebanese woman told The Media Line after a sleepless night of bombardment. “Now, we have to watch their people fleeing the streets and dying.”

Military experts have characterized Hezbollah’s choice to join the broader regional conflict as dangerously irresponsible. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has announced that Lebanon will ban Hezbollah’s military operations.

Israeli forces issued evacuation orders Monday morning for 53 communities across southern Lebanon. With limited options available, most displaced families headed toward Beirut, where city streets once again became temporary shelters. Educational facilities that housed refugees just over a year ago are reopening their doors to the displaced, though media access to these locations remains restricted.

Jude, who requested anonymity, described her family’s harrowing experience. Originally from a border village they haven’t seen in two and a half years due to occupation and destruction, they had been staying in Nabatiyeh, roughly 13 kilometers from the Israeli border.

“We are from a village on the Lebanese border, but we haven’t been able to return for two and a half years because our lands have been occupied and our homes destroyed,” she explained. “There is only a strip of land between us and the Israeli enemy.”

Their journey to Beirut stretched nine grueling hours – a trip that typically takes less than 90 minutes. Standing in Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square with tears streaming down her face, Jude expressed her desperation: “We can no longer bear what has happened to us, what they have done to us, and we don’t know where we are going or what God has in store for us.”

The family of six has reached their breaking point after multiple displacements. “We’ve been through so much, and we’re still in war after war, and there’s no rest,” Jude said while sitting in the shade with three daughters as her husband and son slept in their car.

Housing costs have skyrocketed amid the crisis. “There’s nowhere else to go, and when something happens, everyone gets greedy and rents go up,” she noted. “The cheapest room costs $1,700, and it’s an empty room, with nothing in it.”

The psychological toll has been severe. “Since the war, we’ve been dominated by bitterness, the heat, and fear, and we’re in a very bad mental state,” Jude shared, adding that she “used to go to the psychiatric hospital a lot because of this situation.”

What makes this round of violence particularly frustrating for many Lebanese is that Hezbollah, rather than Israel, initiated the escalation. However, most civilians remain hesitant to openly criticize the militant group.

Lama Alam, a 40-year-old mother of five originally from Aleppo, Syria, who has lived in Beirut’s southern suburbs for 14 years, grew visibly uncomfortable when asked about Hezbollah’s role. “I don’t know anything about that,” she responded.

Alam described her family’s narrow escape: “God knows how we escaped last night, because just before we left, a shell hit us; some died, others survived, but we’re not sure who.” Her six-month-old baby cried in the intense sun as they sat on blankets with about 20 other people, including her sister and sister-in-law.

The family paid 1.5 million Lebanese pounds (approximately $15) for multiple taxis to make the brief journey to safety. During the 2024 conflict, Syrian refugees like Alam’s family were often denied entry to school shelters under unofficial Lebanese government policies.

“We are tired of the war; we have been forced to abandon our homes several times,” Alam said. “We don’t know if we’ll be here for several days, or months, or even years! We want to stay in our homes; we shouldn’t have to suffer this humiliation.” She emphasized that returning to Syria was not a viable option.

Fresh strikes continued hitting Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon throughout Monday morning, with casualty reports still unclear. Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared that the military was operating both defensively and offensively.

“We must prepare for many days of combat,” Zamir stated. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price for firing on Israel.”

Katz specifically targeted Hezbollah’s leadership, posting on X: “Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary general, who decided to fire under pressure from Iran, is now a clear target for elimination.”

As fighting continues, Lebanese civilians who played no role in starting this conflict find themselves once again paying the heaviest price for decisions made by others.

Warning shots fired into the air have become the urgent signal for residents to evacuate Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israeli forces issued sweeping evacuation orders affecting more than 700,000 people on Thursday. The unprecedented directive targeted four suburban municipalities in the Dahieh area, creating widespread panic and gridlock throughout Lebanon’s capital.

Ahmed, a 30-year resident of the southern suburbs originally from southern Lebanon, described the chaotic scene as he attempted to flee the area. “This is complete madness,” he said, navigating through traffic, motorcycles, and desperate crowds trying to escape. Speaking to The Media Line, Ahmed explained how the warning gunfire had already saved his parents’ lives the day before. “When Israel announced at seven in the morning that it would bomb a building on their street, the warning shots allowed them to evacuate, and they haven’t returned,” he said.

The evacuation order represents an escalation in the conflict that began Monday, with fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah intensifying over recent days. Lebanese sources report that Israeli troops have seized control of five strategic border positions, allegedly violating the ceasefire agreement that went into effect in November 2024.

The human toll continues to mount, with 102 fatalities and 638 injuries reported since hostilities resumed. Wednesday’s evacuation order for all communities south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon displaced approximately 250,000 people. The Thursday directive for Beirut’s suburbs, issued with a 2:30 p.m. deadline, forced an additional 700,000 residents to abandon their homes immediately.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee provided specific evacuation routes through social media, directing residents of Bourj el-Barajneh and Hadath to “head east towards Mount Lebanon on the Beirut-Damascus highway.” He instructed those from Hreik and Chiyah to “head north towards Tripoli on the Beirut-Tripoli highway, and east towards Mount Lebanon on the Matn Expressway,” warning that “any movement south could endanger their lives.”

Ahmed’s friend Rifat, examining the evacuation map, criticized the scope of the orders. “What they’re doing is unspeakable,” he told The Media Line. “It looks like a real estate scheme.”

The massive displacement has created a humanitarian crisis, with government-operated schools at capacity and many families unable to afford alternative housing. Some displaced persons have been forced to sleep in vehicles, while others who spent up to 14 hours attempting to flee southern Lebanon have returned home after failing to locate shelter.

The situation has grown more dire as Israeli strikes have reportedly hit buildings housing displaced civilians in areas outside Hezbollah’s influence. This has led many residents to conclude that no location offers safety, with some choosing to remain in their homes as an act of defiance.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reached out to French President Emmanuel Macron, requesting intervention “to prevent attacks on the southern suburbs, following threats from the Israeli army.” Macron responded on social media, stating: “For Lebanon, we must act; we must do everything possible to prevent this country, so close to France, from being dragged back into war.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, speaking from the Israeli border, declared: “Very soon, Dahieh will resemble Khan Yunis.”

As evening approached, crowds gathered on hills overlooking the threatened areas, including Ahmed and Rifat who positioned themselves in Baabda to document events. “This is also part of Lebanon, these threatened people are also Lebanese, so [political leaders] should do something,” Rifat declared while filming the aftermath of Israeli bombardments.

The southern suburbs remained largely dark as night fell, with minimal lighting visible and smoke still rising from recent attacks. Young Lebanese photographers waited with cameras ready to document further destruction, their shutters clicking only when a commercial aircraft departed through the haze, carrying fellow citizens away from the conflict zone.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched a series of intensified strikes against Kurdish opposition camps in Iraq as tensions escalate between Tehran and a newly-formed coalition of Kurdish political groups.

The military offensive has targeted facilities belonging to six Kurdish organizations that recently united against Iran’s government, including a Wednesday night assault on a Komala camp and Monday drone strikes against the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran’s base in Koya, Iraq.

According to Kurdish news outlet Rudaw, the targeted facilities house families of opposition fighters. The Kurdistan Freedom Party reported that one of its Peshmerga soldiers died in an IRGC missile strike on their headquarters.

Tasnim News Agency, which has ties to the Revolutionary Guard, confirmed Tuesday that Iranian forces launched 30 drones in what they called a “targeted intelligence operation” against Kurdish groups allegedly “planning infiltration and action against the country.” The agency claimed the positions were “powerfully destroyed.”

Later reports from the same outlet alleged strikes on a U.S. military installation in Erbil, though no other news organizations have verified this claim. These developments coincide with ongoing military exchanges between Iran and both the United States and Israel over recent days.

Shiwa Hassanpour, a student and human rights advocate in Erbil, described the continuing impact on civilians. She told The Media Line that missile fragments struck her home during one attack. “The IRGC attacks on the Kurdistan Region intensified significantly on Wednesday night,” she said, noting that “many areas of Erbil suffered damage, and some people were injured.” Much of the civilian harm results from intercepted missiles and drones crashing into populated areas, she explained.

Kurdish political organizations have disputed media reports suggesting they plan immediate military action inside Iran. Two sources in the Kurdistan Region told The Media Line that an Axios report claiming Kurdish forces were preparing border incursions and engaging with CIA and Mossad officials was inaccurate, stating that their fighters remain at established bases.

However, major news organizations including Associated Press and Reuters have reported discussions between Kurdish groups and U.S. officials about potential operations against Iran’s government amid the current regional conflict.

President Donald Trump reportedly held phone conversations Sunday with key Iraqi Kurdistan leaders Masoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Bafel Talabani of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, discussing the ongoing confrontation with Iran. According to Axios, these calls resulted from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s efforts to strengthen U.S.-Kurdistan coordination.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is weighing support for Kurdish opposition forces, while CNN confirmed the president spoke with Mustafa Hijri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, one of the most prominent Kurdish political organizations.

Current security agreements between Iran and Iraq require Kurdish opposition groups to maintain camps away from the border under strict limitations, prohibiting military operations against Tehran from Iraqi territory. These accords mandate disarmament of the groups, though complete weapons surrender has faced resistance from Kurdish organizations.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied Wednesday that the U.S. is providing arms to Iranian Kurds, though media reports indicate increased Israeli outreach to Kurdish parties recently. Thursday evening, President Trump told Reuters he welcomed and supported Kurdish operations against Iran’s regime.

Many Iranian Kurdish organizations have maintained positive relationships with Israel for years. The Kurdistan Free Life Party, one of the six groups in the new alliance, has stated openly that cooperation with Israel would be welcome if it advances Iranian freedom.

Peyman Viyan, one of two leaders of the Kurdistan Free Life Party and the only female leader among Iranian Kurdish groups, said in one interview that “at present we have no contact with the United States and Israel,” but told Israel’s Channel 12 that Iranian liberation could come through Iranian-Israeli cooperation.

Abdullah Mohtadi, secretary-general of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, recently met with U.S. Congress members during a Washington visit. Kurdish organizations, which command substantial numbers of armed Peshmerga fighters, appear to have gained prominence in U.S. and Israeli strategy during the current conflict with Iran.

Komala, described as a leftist party with moderate positions, announced Wednesday it was joining the coalition of five other Kurdish organizations opposing Iran’s government. The six groups – Kurdistan Democratic Party, Komala, Komala of the Toilers, Kurdistan Free Life Party, Kurdistan Freedom Party, and Khabat – now represent thousands of Peshmerga fighters in the Kurdistan Region and maintain active support networks inside Iranian Kurdistan.

Nearly all Iranian Kurdish political movements seek autonomy for Iranian Kurdistan and broader Iranian freedom. Recently, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, a prominent opposition figure, used strong language against the Kurdish coalition’s joint actions and threatened “suppression by the army,” generating widespread criticism. On Tuesday, he issued a video message walking back his previous statements, saying he supports ending discrimination against Iran’s ethnic minorities, including Kurds.

Kurdish opponents of Iran’s government have engaged in repeated clashes with the Revolutionary Guard in recent weeks, with Tehran responding through missile strikes on their facilities. Since Sunday, Iran has significantly escalated missile and drone launches against Iranian Kurdish party bases and camps in Iraq, with additional drone strikes reported Thursday.

Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, said Thursday he wants the area kept out of the broader conflict.

Earlier this week, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, without specifically naming the Revolutionary Guard, condemned ongoing missile and drone strikes as “terrorist attacks” and called on Iraq’s federal government to intervene.

Thursday saw Kurdistan Region media outlets denouncing Iran’s attacks on Erbil and surrounding areas, as well as strikes on camps housing Iranian Kurdish party families, warning that the operations endanger civilian lives.

AJMAN, United Arab Emirates — As Middle Eastern conflict disrupts air travel throughout the Gulf region, an Indian businessman residing in the United Arab Emirates has converted his agricultural property into a sanctuary for displaced travelers. The makeshift shelter features sleeping tents and bedding for guests, who contribute by cooking communal meals, sharing refreshments, engaging in cricket matches, and participating in yoga sessions across the property’s open areas.

Dr. Dhiraj Jain, who leads 1XL Holdings, established this temporary refuge following widespread flight cancellations that left hundreds of people unable to depart from Dubai. Among those seeking shelter, Umang Soin discovered the farm option when his flights were grounded and noted that Jain coordinated transport services to relocate guests from their hotels to the property.

PARIS (AP) — Attendees at Saturday’s Hermès fashion presentation in Paris experienced the autumn collection through multiple senses, with the fragrance hitting them before the visual spectacle began.

The fashion house converted the Garde Républicaine headquarters — home to Paris’ ceremonial mounted police unit — into an indoor woodland environment, covering surfaces with thick, moisture-laden moss that released an earthy, soil-like aroma throughout the venue.

During a Paris Fashion Week schedule that still awaits presentations from Chanel and Louis Vuitton, Hermès demonstrated that true luxury makes its impact through subtlety rather than volume.

The brand simply altered the entire atmosphere of the space.

Fashion models appeared through glowing round portals cut into the venue walls, resembling silhouettes emerging from a bright full moon, then proceeded along an elevated, curved runway suspended over the plant life below.

The presentation achieved dramatic impact without resorting to cheap tricks.

The staging accomplished exactly what creative director Nadège Vanhée intended: creating a sense of disorientation for viewers.

Vanhée, who has overseen Hermès women’s fashion since 2014, named her fall-winter lineup “Entre chien et loup” — a French phrase describing twilight, that uncertain time when distinguishing between a dog and wolf becomes impossible.

Her program notes referenced Hecate, the flame-carrying deity of shadows, although the actual garments emphasized strength and athleticism rather than ancient mythology — featuring sharp lines, form-fitting silhouettes, and movement-friendly construction.

Leather materials took center stage throughout the collection. Flowing outerwear featured oversized Tuscan sheepskin collars.

Front-zippered mini dresses in deep navy opened to display contrasting blouses underneath.

A vibrant orange ostrich-hide jumpsuit, cinched with a belt, combined motorcycle aesthetics with Hermès sophistication.

The brand’s horse-riding heritage appeared through jodhpur pants and low-heeled equestrian boots, while shiny lambskin bicycle shorts matched with pilot-style jackets moved these traditional elements toward edgier, metropolitan styling.

The color scheme defied conventional expectations.

Vanhée appeared to suggest that nighttime encompasses far more than simple black tones.

Her chosen hues ranged from bright sulfur yellow through deep oxblood red, woodland green to shimmering burgundy — finishes that reflected and transformed under lighting like living materials.

Zipper details appeared throughout the collection, cutting diagonally across jacket fronts or extending the complete length of dresses — serving practical purposes while adding visual interest, implying each piece could be modified, restructured, or renewed.

Double-breasted suit jackets and slim-cut trousers provided structured foundation elements for the collection, while padded silk pieces featuring cloud-pattern prints introduced occasional softer touches.

The complete collection made its statement through understated power.

Saudi Arabia has delivered a clear warning to Iran, demanding an end to attacks on the kingdom while threatening military retaliation if strikes against Saudi territory and energy facilities persist, according to four sources with knowledge of the communications.

The diplomatic warning was delivered before Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a public apology on Saturday to Gulf nations for Tehran’s recent military actions, which appeared designed to calm regional tensions after Iranian strikes damaged civilian areas.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan communicated Riyadh’s stance directly to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a phone conversation two days prior, the sources revealed.

According to the sources, Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia’s willingness to support diplomatic mediation efforts focused on reducing tensions and reaching a negotiated resolution. He stressed that neither Saudi Arabia nor other Gulf nations had permitted the United States to utilize their airspace or territory for launching attacks against Iran.

However, the Saudi minister also made clear that continued Iranian assaults on Saudi soil or energy infrastructure would compel the kingdom to authorize U.S. military forces to operate from Saudi bases, the sources indicated. Prince Faisal warned that Saudi Arabia would strike back if attacks on the nation’s vital energy installations persisted.

The kingdom has maintained ongoing diplomatic communication with Tehran through its ambassador since U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran commenced on February 28, following the breakdown of negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, sources said.

Neither the Saudi nor Iranian foreign ministries provided responses to requests for comment.

Over the past week, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have all experienced intensive drone and missile bombardment from Iranian forces.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the opening day of the conflict. In response, Tehran launched attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab nations that host U.S. military installations, while Israel has targeted Lebanon’s Iran-supported Hezbollah militant organization.

During a Saturday interview, Araqchi confirmed ongoing communication with his Saudi counterpart and other Saudi leadership, stating that Riyadh had guaranteed Tehran it remained fully dedicated to preventing the use of its territory, waters or airspace for operations against Iran.

Pezeshkian announced that Iran’s interim leadership council had authorized halting attacks on neighboring nations, with the exception of cases where Iran faces assault from those countries.

“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” he stated.

The significance of Pezeshkian’s statements remains uncertain, as additional reports emerged Saturday of continued strikes targeting Gulf states.

Suggesting potential disagreements within Iran’s leadership structure, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which serves as the unified command center for Iranian military forces, released a statement declaring that U.S. and Israeli bases and interests throughout the region would continue as targets.

The command emphasized that Iran’s military respected neighboring states’ sovereignty and interests, claiming no direct action had been taken against them. However, it designated U.S. and Israeli military installations and assets on land, sea and in the air across the region as primary targets that would face “powerful and heavy” attacks from Iranian forces.

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that Iran had “apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack.”

Two Iranian sources verified that a phone conversation occurred in which Riyadh instructed Tehran to cease attacks on Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf nations. Iran reportedly restated its position that the strikes targeted U.S. interests and military installations hosted on Gulf territory, rather than the Gulf countries directly.

One Iranian source revealed that Tehran had demanded the closure of U.S. bases in the region and called for certain Gulf states to cease sharing intelligence with Washington that Iran suspects is being utilized for attacks against it.

Another Iranian source indicated that some military commanders were advocating for continued strikes, claiming the U.S. was utilizing Gulf state bases and airspace to conduct operations against Iran.

Iran had recently improved relations with its Gulf neighbors, including former regional rival Saudi Arabia. This diplomatic progress collapsed amid the barrage of drones and missiles launched by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards over the past week.

Multiple rockets were launched toward the United States Embassy compound in Baghdad on Saturday evening, with warning sirens blaring across the area, according to security officials and eyewitnesses.

This marks the first assault on the embassy facility in more than two years. The most recent previous incident occurred in late 2023, when approximately seven mortar shells struck the compound during a series of coordinated attacks by Iranian-backed militia groups against American facilities in Iraq and Syria, stemming from Washington’s backing of Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions in the vicinity of the embassy located in central Baghdad at approximately 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), followed by emergency sirens instructing residents to seek shelter.

According to a high-ranking Iraqi security official speaking to Reuters, the compound’s C-RAM defense system successfully intercepted one of the incoming rockets, with none of the projectiles breaching the embassy perimeter. The official confirmed no American personnel were harmed in the incident.

This assault suggests that Iranian-backed Iraqi militia organizations — who have pledged to seek revenge for the death of Iran’s supreme leader — have expanded their scope of operations beyond targeting US military installations in Iraqi Kurdistan and American energy facilities to now encompass the US Embassy.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has directed security personnel to locate and apprehend those responsible for launching the projectiles. In an official statement from his office, al-Sudani described the perpetrators as “rogue groups operating outside the law that do not represent the will of the Iraqi people.”

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An Argentine military police officer who endured more than a year of imprisonment in Venezuela is calling on world leaders to help free two dozen foreign prisoners who remain locked up in the notorious Rodeo I facility.

Nahuel Gallo, who walked free this past Sunday following 448 days of captivity in a detention center near Caracas, spoke at a press conference Wednesday in Buenos Aires, declaring that his own liberation feels incomplete while 24 other international detainees remain behind bars.

“My mind is still in prison,” Gallo stated during the media event, which included appearances by several top Argentine officials. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno expressed gratitude to allied nations such as the United States, Italy and Israel for their assistance in securing Gallo’s freedom.

The military officer was taken into custody on December 8, 2024, while on personal leave to see family members. Gallo, who had been serving in Argentina’s central Mendoza province, faced espionage allegations, according to statements from Argentina’s Foreign Ministry.

At the time of his arrest, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab claimed Gallo “had attempted to enter Venezuelan territory irregularly” and was “concealing his true criminal plan under the guise of a romantic visit.”

Saab further alleged connections between the officer and “international far-right groups.”

Argentine officials countered these claims, stating that Gallo had made the trip to see his Venezuelan partner and their child together.

Earlier on Wednesday, before the press briefing took place, an Argentine federal judge called upon Gallo to provide testimony in proceedings examining potential crimes against humanity linked to former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

“Gallo could contribute his knowledge of the events under investigation, which were reported to have been carried out by the Venezuelan state apparatus,” read the court summons from Argentine Judge Sebastián Ramos, which The Associated Press obtained.

During his public appearance, Gallo made no reference to the legal summons and did not indicate his intentions regarding potential testimony. He instead asked reporters for time and understanding, explaining that he remains unprepared to share the full extent of his experiences.

“I still can’t talk about the atrocities they committed,” Gallo said.

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The Ecuadorian government has given Cuba’s ambassador, Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez, along with his entire diplomatic team, a 48-hour deadline to exit the South American nation after declaring them unwelcome on Wednesday.

In an official statement, Ecuador’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the action was taken under international diplomatic protocols but offered no reasoning for expelling the Cuban diplomats. Under the Vienna Convention, nations can remove diplomatic personnel without providing justification.

Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Cuba’s embassy in Quito for comment were unsuccessful.

This diplomatic move follows President Daniel Noboa’s executive order from Tuesday that terminated the duties of Ecuador’s ambassador to Cuba, José María Borja, again without providing any explanation.

On the same day, Ecuador and the United States revealed they had launched combined military efforts targeting organized criminal networks operating within Ecuador.

These actions occur as President Donald Trump escalates pressure on Cuba, particularly following a U.S. military intervention that removed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.

Trump has subsequently imposed limitations on petroleum exports to Cuba and declared the Cuban government was “ready to fall.” Ecuador has positioned itself as a key partner for the Trump administration in regional efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized criminal activities.

At least 31 people suffered injuries when a blast rocked a nightclub in Trujillo, Peru during the early morning hours of Saturday, according to regional authorities.

Officials from Peru’s La Libertad region confirmed that local hospitals are currently providing care to victims of the explosion, while investigators work to determine what triggered the incident.

According to La Republica newspaper, which cited regional health officials, four individuals remain in critical condition following the blast. Health authorities also confirmed that several minors were among those wounded in the incident.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown. The incident comes amid rising violence linked to organized criminal activity throughout Peru, and local news outlets report that Trujillo has seen previous smaller-scale attacks targeting nightclub venues.

The blast occurred while Peruvian musical act Amor Rebelde was performing, causing club-goers to flee in panic seeking safety.

Band members from Amor Rebelde escaped injury and later issued a Facebook statement addressing what they described as “unfortunate events” that took place at the venue where they were performing.

Footage broadcast on Peruvian television captured the chaotic aftermath, showing the moments following a thunderous explosion that could be heard on the recording.

WASHINGTON – When Iranian missiles began striking targets across the United Arab Emirates last Saturday, State Department officials found themselves rushing to complete critical paperwork – securing authorization for at least three American embassies to remove non-essential staff.

Documents requesting State Department leadership approval for evacuations at U.S. diplomatic missions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar – all already under attack from Tehran on Saturday – weren’t submitted for clearance and authorized until hours after America and Israel began military operations against Iran, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters. In some instances, approvals didn’t come until the next day, according to two knowledgeable sources and six internal State Department communications reviewed by Reuters.

Public notifications that America was beginning to withdraw non-essential personnel from Gulf Arab nations started Monday, three days after hostilities commenced. The U.S. embassy in Riyadh received authorized departure approval on Tuesday, four full days into the conflict and the same day Iranian drones struck the facility, causing a fire that damaged embassy property.

This timeline represents an uncommon delay. Usually, America initiates evacuations for planned military actions well ahead of operations beginning.

During America’s 2003 Iraq invasion, regional staff and U.S. citizens had weeks to prepare, with at least two evacuations starting more than a week before combat operations launched. Prior to last week’s strikes, only Israel and Lebanon had received orders for non-essential personnel departures.

The Iranian operation – America’s largest Middle East military action since 2003 – has created enormous pressure on U.S. officials and other nations with citizens in the region. However, lawmakers, former diplomats and process sources indicated America was unusually delayed in implementing contingency measures for both personnel and thousands of stranded Americans.

State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said hundreds of people participated in efforts to help Americans return home.

“We are working 24/7 and have contingency plans ready to go and implement when needed, including the ability to immediately activate the task force, which was done here,” Pigott told Reuters in a statement.

SOCIAL MEDIA NOTIFICATIONS

Sources familiar with the situation said one factor behind the inconsistent approach was Trump administration officials limiting contingency planning to a small group before the war began.

In one instance, officials helping Americans return home learned from a senior Trump official’s social media post that Washington was now providing charter flights to U.S. citizens, according to two people aware of the situation.

“No directive came from anywhere,” one person said.

Pigott stated that announcements regarding the Department’s crisis-specific task force and charter flights were coordinated with appropriate officials.

In another case, the alert for Americans to leave the region didn’t come through standard State Department procedures but again through social media.

Top State Department consular affairs official Mora Namdar posted on X Monday, encouraging Americans across 14 Middle Eastern countries to depart and announcing the U.S. was working to arrange charter flights for citizens.

However, because this message was created outside normal procedures, State Department staff were caught off guard and had to revise the department’s official travel advisory system that American businesses and others depend on for overseas personnel guidance, according to two people familiar with the circumstances.

As of Saturday, the U.S. State Department reported completing “over a dozen charter flights and has safely evacuated thousands of Americans” from the Middle East. It didn’t specify exact departure locations for charter flights.

One flight leaving Dubai for Washington on Friday carried 182 embassy personnel and family members, plus 51 private U.S. citizens, representing only the second charter departure from that country, according to a March 6 communication reviewed by Reuters. Additional flights were scheduled afterward.

When asked to verify if specific plans were completed before the war to help evacuate American citizens from the 14 countries, a State Department official briefing reporters earlier this week provided a general response.

“I wouldn’t say that specifically. What I would say is, we always have contingency plans, and we’re always ready to assist Americans. That’s what I would say to that question,” the official said, speaking anonymously.

The Department said Friday it had helped 13,000 Americans who contacted them seeking departure assistance.

As the Department hurried to execute plans helping Americans, novelist and filmmaker Mohana Rajakumar in Doha called the hotline that senior U.S. officials said stranded citizens should use for help. The recorded message told her not to depend on government assistance for departure, even as the U.S. government repeatedly states that American citizen safety and security worldwide is its highest priority.

“I can tell you every WhatsApp group that I’m in with Americans, nobody feels that way,” Rajakumar told Reuters from Doha. “Everyone is asking why didn’t they tell us to leave given they knew they were going to do this? Why didn’t we have the option to leave?”

Officials said the recorded message was subsequently updated.

Internal divisions within Iran’s government are becoming increasingly visible as the nation faces what its leaders consider a fight for survival, with heated disagreements between hardline and moderate factions erupting over President Masoud Pezeshkian’s commitment to avoid attacking Gulf nations.

The fractures among Iran’s ruling class had been kept under wraps during Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s authoritarian reign, but his death last week has allowed these tensions to surface publicly as American and Israeli military strikes intensify pressure on Tehran.

The continuous military assault poses a deadly threat to the Islamic Republic and has led its most devoted supporters, the Revolutionary Guards, to take on a larger strategic role despite targeted killings that have eliminated numerous high-ranking officers.

Sources with connections to Iran’s leadership, speaking from within the nation, informed Reuters that tensions are becoming apparent among surviving top officials following multiple deaths from the U.S.-Israeli attacks. These sources requested anonymity given the delicate nature of the situation.

Demonstrating the mounting pressure on the government, religious leaders are fast-tracking the selection of a new supreme leader, with a decision potentially coming Sunday — although it remains uncertain whether Khamenei’s replacement will possess sufficient power to resolve internal conflicts.

Although his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, appears to be a leading candidate with support from the Guards and his father’s influential administration, he lacks experience, ranks below most of Iran’s top ayatollahs, and has created friction with moderate elements in the government.

Alternative candidates might find it difficult to maintain the unwavering loyalty of the Guards necessary to preserve order within the system.

“Wartime tends to clarify power structures, and in this case the decisive voice is not that of the civilian leadership but of the IRGC,” explained Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CRITICIZE PRESIDENT’S POSITION

Pezeshkian’s public regret to Gulf nations regarding a week-long bombardment of their lands — along with his promise to limit such operations — immediately drew criticism from hardliners within the Revolutionary Guards and religious establishment, compelling him to partially reverse his position.

Demonstrating one of the most direct attacks on Pezeshkian — and evidence of internal conflict, hardline religious leader and legislator Hamid Rasai publicly addressed the president on social media, stating: “your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.”

When the president later reiterated his previous statement on social media, he omitted the apology that had infuriated the Guards and other hardliners — representing a humiliating backtrack.

While all top officials within the government remain committed to protecting the Islamic Republic and its revolutionary religious system from American and Israeli attacks, obvious disagreements exist regarding their tactical methods.

Iran’s leadership has occasionally emphasized differences between hardliners and moderates as a negotiating tool with Western nations, but the conflict over Pezeshkian’s Saturday statement revealed authentic divisions, according to two high-level sources.

A hardliner with ties to Khamenei’s administration, which continues as a key power center, told Reuters that Pezeshkian’s remarks had frustrated many top Guard commanders.

Another high-ranking Iranian source, a moderate former government official, stated that no one could replace Khamenei, characterizing the deceased leader as a skilled strategist who had guided Iran through numerous challenging times.

As worry grows within Iran’s leadership circles, prominent ayatollahs have begun publicly calling for the religious council responsible for choosing a supreme leader to speed up its deliberations.

“It should expedite the process so that it leads to the disappointment of the enemy and the preservation of the unity and solidarity of the nation,” Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani declared in a statement published by the semi-official Fars News Agency.

TENSIONS VISIBLE EVEN IN HIGHEST GOVERNMENT BODY

Under Iran’s distinctive political structure, an elected president, administration and legislature answer to a religiously appointed ayatollah who holds ultimate power as supreme leader and directly supervises the Revolutionary Guards and other influential state institutions.

During his 36-year tenure, Khamenei frequently pitted hardline and moderate groups within the ruling apparatus against one another while maintaining final authority, permitting them to express disagreements as long as they accepted his decisions.

Following his death, authority officially transferred to a constitutionally required temporary council including Pezeshkian, the religious head of the court system and another cleric from a hardline organization known as the Guardian Council.

Without Khamenei’s presence, tensions are emerging even within that close-knit group, with the judiciary leader, prominent hardliner Ayatollah Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, stating that certain regional countries had permitted their land to be used for attacks.

“Heavy strikes on those targets will continue,” he declared, opposing Pezeshkian’s more diplomatic approach.

Nevertheless, although Khamenei did occasionally permit moderate or reformist positions to prevail in disagreements with hardliners, they were typically overruled when the system appeared to face danger.

Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez expressed her nation’s commitment to resolving disputes with the United States through diplomatic channels on Saturday, following the recent agreement between both countries to restore formal relations.

In a message posted on social media platform X and directed toward President Donald Trump, Rodriguez stated: “We reiterate our willingness to build long-term relations based on mutual respect, equality, and international law, with a view to promoting a work agenda that strengthens cooperation for the benefit of both countries.”

The diplomatic outreach follows Thursday’s announcement by the U.S. State Department confirming that both nations would officially restore their diplomatic connections.

Relations between the two countries were cut off in 2019 when the initial Trump administration declined to acknowledge Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s rightful president following a contested election. Instead, the U.S. backed an opposition politician as the legitimate leader.

The situation shifted dramatically in January when American forces apprehended Maduro after months of escalating tensions, leading to significant political changes in Venezuela and Rodriguez’s installation as interim president.

Since Rodriguez’s government took power and indicated its desire to rebuild connections with Washington, both nations have been working step by step to restore their bilateral relationship.