Author: Admin

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered strong statements Saturday demanding absolute military allegiance to the Communist Party while intensifying anti-corruption efforts, as reported by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

Speaking during the nation’s significant annual political gatherings, Xi declared that corruption has nowhere to escape. “There is no place for corruption to hide,” Xi stated. “The fight against corruption must move forward.”

Xi’s statements were delivered during the yearly sessions of China’s most important political institutions, where government leaders announced the country’s economic objectives for the coming year.

The anti-corruption message gained additional significance as two high-ranking Chinese leaders were notably missing from Wednesday’s opening ceremonies of the annual political meetings, apparently caught up in ongoing government purges targeting top Communist Party officials.

A military conflict involving Iran could result in consumers and businesses around the world enduring elevated fuel costs for an extended period, even if hostilities cease rapidly, according to energy market analysts.

The situation creates broader economic concerns and presents political challenges for President Trump as midterm elections approach, with American voters particularly sensitive to energy costs and skeptical of overseas military involvement.

“The market is shifting from pricing pure geopolitical risk to grappling with tangible operational disruption, as refinery shutdowns and export constraints begin to impair crude processing and regional supply flows,” JP Morgan analysts said in a research note on Friday.

Military actions have already interrupted approximately one-fifth of worldwide crude oil and natural gas production, as Tehran has targeted vessels navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway between Iranian territory and Oman, while simultaneously striking energy facilities throughout the region.

International oil costs have jumped 24% during the current week, reaching above $90 per barrel and heading toward their sharpest weekly increases since the pandemic began, pushing fuel expenses higher for consumers globally.

The near-total closure of the Strait has forced major regional oil exporters including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait to halt deliveries of approximately 140 million barrels of crude oil – equivalent to roughly 1.4 days of worldwide consumption – to international refineries.

Consequently, petroleum and gas storage facilities throughout the Middle East Gulf region are approaching capacity, compelling Iraqi oil fields to reduce production while Kuwait and the UAE will likely follow suit, according to industry analysts, traders and sources.

“At some point soon, everyone will also shut in if vessels do not come,” said a source with a state oil company in the region, who asked not to be named.

Oil production facilities across the Middle East that are forced to cease operations due to shipping interruptions may require considerable time to restore normal output levels, explained Amir Zaman, head of the Americas commercial team at Rystad Energy.

“The conflict could be ended, but it could take days or weeks or months, depending on the types of fields, age of the field, the type of shut in that they’ve had to do before you can get production back up to what it once was,” he said.

Iranian military forces are simultaneously attacking regional energy infrastructure including refineries and terminals, forcing operational shutdowns, with some facilities suffering significant damage from strikes and requiring extensive repairs.

Qatar announced force majeure on its substantial gas export operations Wednesday following Iranian drone strikes, and sources indicate it may require at least one month to restore normal production capacity. Qatar provides 20% of global liquefied natural gas supplies.

Saudi Aramco’s massive Ras Tanura refinery and crude export facility has also suspended operations due to attacks, though damage assessments have not been disclosed.

White House officials have defended military action against Iran, claiming the nation presented an immediate danger to the United States, though specific details have not been provided. Trump has also expressed concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons development efforts.

While a swift conclusion to hostilities would calm markets, returning to pre-conflict supply levels and pricing could require weeks or months depending on infrastructure damage and shipping recovery.

“Considering physical damage due to Iranian strikes, so far we have not seen anything that would be considered structural, although the risk remains as long as the war continues,” said Joel Hancock, energy analyst, Natixis CIB.

The primary concern for energy supplies involves when the Strait of Hormuz will become secure for shipping operations again. Trump has proposed naval protection for oil tankers and pledged U.S. insurance coverage for vessels operating in the region.

However, waterway security may prove difficult to achieve, as Iran possesses the capability to maintain drone attacks on shipping for months, according to intelligence and military sources.

The crisis may also prompt nations to increase their strategic petroleum reserves in coming weeks and months after fighting ends, having exposed the risks of limited inventories. This would boost oil demand and maintain higher prices.

Meanwhile, the interruption of energy shipments is creating ripple effects through supply chains and economies in import-dependent Asia, which obtains 60% of its crude oil from Middle Eastern sources.

In India, state-operated Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals announced force majeure on gasoline export shipments, sources reported this week, joining numerous regional refineries unable to meet sales obligations due to supply shortages.

At least two Chinese refineries have reduced operations. China, a major regional supplier, has requested refineries halt fuel exports. Thailand has similarly suspended fuel exports, while Vietnam has stopped crude oil shipments.

The disruption has benefited Russia, with prices for Russian crude increasing as the U.S. granted Indian refiners a 30-day exemption to purchase Russian oil as a substitute for lost Middle Eastern supplies. Washington had previously pressured India to reduce Russian oil purchases under tariff threats.

In Japan, the world’s second-largest LNG importer, baseload power futures for Tokyo beginning in April rose more than one-third this week on the EEX exchange in anticipation of higher fuel costs. In Seoul, motorists formed lines at gas stations expecting rising pump prices.

For European consumers, the gas supply crisis and increased prices represent a double burden. The region suffered most severely from gas supply disruptions caused by sanctions on Russian energy imports following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Europe shifted to LNG imports to replace Russian pipeline gas. Europe now must purchase 180 additional LNG shipments compared to last year to fill gas storage to required levels before next winter.

Supply risks to the United States are more limited, as the country has become the world’s largest oil and gas producer in recent years. However, U.S. crude and fuel prices move alongside international crude markets, affecting pump prices for gasoline and diesel despite abundant domestic supply.

U.S. average retail gasoline reached $3.32 per gallon nationally on Friday, increasing 34 cents from the previous week, according to AAA. Diesel prices hit $4.33 per gallon, up from $3.76 per gallon one week earlier.

Rising pump prices represent a significant risk for Trump and Republican colleagues heading into November midterm elections.

“Gasoline prices are psychologically powerful,” said Mark Malek, chief investment officer at Siebert Financial. “They are the inflation number that consumers see every single day.”

BEIJING, March 5 – Chinese government officials announced Thursday their intention to establish a society that encourages families to have children over the next five years, releasing details in an official government document that outlines responses to concerns about jobs, schooling, healthcare, wellness and earnings.

Government leaders plan to enhance population-related services and take active steps to address the country’s aging demographics, which includes “advancing quality employment opportunities for all, enhancing how income gets distributed, and strengthening social safety net programs.”

This declaration follows China’s fourth straight year of declining population numbers in 2025, with birth rates dropping to unprecedented lows according to January government statistics, while demographic specialists predict continued decreases ahead.

The nation’s population has contracted since 2022 while growing older at an accelerated pace, creating challenges for Beijing’s goals to increase consumer spending domestically and control government debt.

Officials will implement fresh policies to advance “quality growth in the silver economy” focusing on citizens 60 years and older, expanding senior care programs especially in countryside regions, according to the government document.

Leadership will also develop strategies to strengthen support measures for older adults covering retirement funding, health services and caregiving, the report stated.

Projections show that by 2035, citizens over 60 will reach 400 million people – approximately matching the combined populations of America and Italy – indicating that hundreds of millions will exit the labor force while pension funding faces existing pressure.

The country has already extended working ages, requiring men to remain employed until 63 instead of 60, while women must work until 58 rather than 55.

Officials will encourage “supportive views on marriage and having children,” the document stated, noting plans to expand housing assistance for families raising kids.

Programs for expectant mothers in pregnancy’s early phases along with reproductive healthcare will see improvements while officials work to better prevent and address birth complications.

Leadership will also enhance policies providing free early childhood education and expand availability of standard high school positions, with mandated government education funding exceeding 4% of the nation’s economic output, the report indicated.

Energy markets saw significant gains Thursday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran continue to disrupt global oil and gas supplies through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Brent crude climbed $1.67 to reach $83.07 per barrel, marking a 2.05% increase by early Thursday trading. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped $1.94 to $76.60, representing a 2.60% gain.

The conflict expanded Wednesday following a U.S. military strike on an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka. Senate Republicans also threw their support behind President Trump’s military operations against Iran, voting down a bipartisan measure that would have halted air strikes and required congressional approval for further military action against the country.

The ongoing hostilities have severely impacted regional energy production. Iraq, which ranks as OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, has been forced to reduce daily output by approximately 1.5 million barrels due to storage limitations and blocked export pathways, according to officials who spoke with Reuters.

Qatar, the Persian Gulf’s leading liquefied natural gas supplier, announced force majeure on gas shipments Wednesday. Industry sources indicate it could take a minimum of one month before production levels return to normal.

For five consecutive days, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has remained virtually paralyzed. This waterway serves as a crucial passage for nearly 20% of the world’s energy supplies.

Britain’s maritime operations center reported a significant blast witnessed by a tanker captain positioned 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer port. A small vessel was later observed departing the explosion site.

According to a J.P. Morgan analysis shared with clients, Iran has avoided targeting most essential energy infrastructure while maintaining extremely high shipping risks. The investment bank estimates roughly 329 oil tankers remain trapped in Gulf waters.

“Storage capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and prevailing energy prices are limiting factors on the length of the U.S. campaign,” the firm noted. This alliance includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

J.P. Morgan projects that most oil production facilities could resume operations within days, with complete capacity restoration typically occurring within two to three weeks.

“While operators must gradually rebuild reservoir pressure, particularly in Iraq, where water injection is critical, the primary constraint today is logistics rather than geology,” the analysis concluded.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Voters across Nepal headed to polling stations Thursday for the country’s inaugural nationwide election following last year’s deadly youth uprising that drove the ruling government from office.

Armed security personnel monitored streets and stood watch at voting locations throughout the mountainous country of approximately 30 million residents as citizens queued to vote. Vote tallying will commence Thursday evening, with final outcomes anticipated by weekend’s end.

Officials implemented a vehicle ban on roadways and outlawed political demonstrations and public assemblies. Campaign activities of any kind are forbidden on voting day.

The Election Commission reports that close to 19 million citizens qualify to participate in the election.

Citizens will choose 165 representatives directly for the House of Representatives, Parliament’s lower house. The additional 110 positions in the 275-seat legislature will be distributed via proportional representation, where political organizations select lawmakers according to their voting percentage.

Political observers view this as a triangular race, influenced by citizen dissatisfaction with rampant corruption and calls for increased governmental transparency.

The National Independent Party, established in 2022, leads polling predictions and presents a formidable opposition to two historically powerful organizations — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Balendra Shah, the emerging party’s candidate for prime minister, transitioned from rap music to politics, securing Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022 and becoming a prominent voice in the 2025 demonstrations that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

The 35-year-old Shah has capitalized on widespread dissatisfaction with established political organizations. During his campaign, he emphasized healthcare and educational improvements for Nepal’s impoverished population.

The student-driven demonstrations against governmental corruption and ineffective leadership began with social media restrictions before escalating into widespread resistance against authorities. Violence erupted when demonstrators stormed government facilities and law enforcement responded with gunfire, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Although Congress and Communist parties maintain dedicated supporter networks, Shah’s organization has attracted significantly larger campaign audiences, demonstrating its increasing popularity among young voters seeking political alternatives.

The incoming government will face substantial obstacles. Leadership must fulfill reform promises from last year’s demonstrations, address deeply rooted corruption, and skillfully navigate relationships with neighboring powers India and China.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un conducted a two-day examination of his military’s newest destroyer before its official launch and watched cruise missile testing from the vessel, promising to speed up nuclear weapon integration into his naval forces, according to state media reports released Thursday.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim made visits to the Nampo shipyard on the western coast Tuesday and Wednesday, where he also reviewed construction progress on a third destroyer matching his 5,000-ton vessel, the Choe Hyon, which debuted in April 2025.

The North Korean leader has praised the Choe Hyon’s development as a major step forward in his plan to extend his nuclear-equipped military’s operational reach and first-strike abilities. According to state media, the vessel can deploy multiple weapon systems, including air defense and anti-ship weapons, plus ballistic and cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Military analysts and South Korean defense officials believe the Choe Hyon was constructed with Russian technical support as the two nations strengthen military cooperation, though some question whether the ship is combat-ready.

The regime revealed a second destroyer of identical design in May of last year, but the vessel suffered damage during a failed launch ceremony at Chongjin port in the northeast, prompting an angry response from Kim, who labeled the incident “criminal.” North Korea announced the repaired destroyer, called Kang Kon, was successfully relaunched in June, but international observers doubt the ship’s full operational status.

Following Tuesday’s observation of the Choe Hyon’s ocean testing, Kim declared the vessel satisfied operational standards and described it as representing his nation’s growing naval strength. He demanded the construction of two warships annually for the coming five years, all matching or exceeding the Choe Hyon’s specifications.

Kim returned Wednesday to witness cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon. State media released images showing him observing from the coastline as multiple projectiles lifted off from the ship amid clouds of white smoke, describing the weapons as “strategic,” terminology North Korea uses for nuclear-capable systems.

Following years of emphasizing ballistic missile advancement, Kim has redirected attention toward naval development, including ongoing work on a nuclear-powered submarine. KCNA announced the third destroyer being built at Nampo shipyard should be finished by the ruling Workers’ Party’s founding celebration in October.

Naval enhancement was a central theme when Kim presented his five-year military objectives at last month’s Workers’ Party congress, including demands for intercontinental ballistic missiles that can launch from beneath the ocean.

Kim stated Tuesday that his campaign to equip his navy with nuclear arms was “making satisfactory” headway. He claimed these alleged improvements would “constitute a radical change in defending our maritime sovereignty, something that we have not achieved for half a century.”

KCNA provided no additional details about Kim’s statement. Some experts suggest North Korea might be preparing to officially announce a maritime border that could intrude into waters under South Korean control.

With inter-Korean relations deteriorating, Kim has consistently stated he rejects the Northern Limit Line, established by the U.S.-led U.N. Command following the 1950-53 Korean War. This imprecisely defined western maritime boundary has been the location of multiple fatal naval confrontations in recent years.

During the party congress, Kim reinforced plans to grow North Korea’s nuclear weapons stockpile, which currently includes various systems that threaten the United States and American allies across Asia, while confirming his aggressive stance toward South Korea.

However, he maintained openness to discussions with the Trump administration, repeating Pyongyang’s requirement that Washington abandon its demand for denuclearization as a prerequisite for restarting dormant negotiations.

In the devastated remains of what was once a modest hotel room, virtually nothing survived the destruction. The bed frame lies in pieces, its metal coils now twisted into dangerous fragments. Personal belongings from two destroyed luggage cases are strewn throughout the gray debris.

The walls have been completely obliterated, leaving nothing to shield the space from the harsh wind now flowing freely through the wreckage. Following the Israeli bombardment that rocked the foundation of the Comfort Hotel in Baabda—a Christian community near Beirut—only a small statue of the Virgin Mary stands untouched. Nobody has the courage to disturb it.

The religious icon belonged to the hotel clerk, who lived on the ground floor throughout the workweek. In recent days, she had been hosting approximately 10 refugees from different regions of Lebanon. She is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.

George Dagher, who works at the hotel, expressed his bewilderment to The Media Line, stating: “I still don’t understand what happened.” Speaking mechanically to reporters, he continued to voice his confusion. “This is the first time something like this has happened to us, and we are surprised,” he explained.

The Comfort Hotel had operated as a modest lodging establishment on the periphery of Lebanon’s capital for six decades without incident—until Tuesday morning’s pre-dawn hours, when Israeli aircraft targeted the structure, causing significant damage to its lower two stories. Israeli military operations persisted throughout Lebanon during the night and following day, with the most intense bombardment occurring in southern and eastern regions, as well as Beirut’s southern districts.

Casualty reports indicate at least 72 fatalities and approximately 437 injuries. The assault on the Comfort Hotel garnered special notice because it targeted a location where residents insist no obvious Hezbollah activity existed.

The town of Baabda has a largely Christian population and houses multiple diplomatic missions. The strike site sits just 700 meters away from Lebanon’s Presidential Palace, though the attack caused no deaths.

Joseph, another hotel worker, expressed his concerns to The Media Line, saying: “This will ultimately lead us to a civil war.” He was off duty Tuesday evening. His coworker, who was present during the strike, remains too traumatized to discuss the incident.

Dagher warned: “The spread of attacks throughout Lebanon will lead us to a situation of civil conflict.” Within two days, bombardments have reached areas of Lebanese territory not typically linked to Hezbollah operations. This expansion has intensified fear among citizens, with many expressing that nowhere feels secure.

All 15 individuals staying at the Comfort Hotel have since departed. Dagher noted: “They were all displaced people, children and the elderly.” The majority had already taken shelter there during the ongoing 2024 conflict.

He added: “We are very careful about who stays here, and we check their IDs,” explaining that they refused accommodation to young Shiite males, who might be Hezbollah affiliates and could endanger other residents.

Israeli forces broadened their Lebanese offensive overnight, moving beyond traditional Hezbollah strongholds like Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, where eight people died including two young girls. Prior to hitting Baabda, Israeli jets struck Aramoun in the Aley region and Saadiyat in Shouf—territories with significant Druze communities.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed six deaths from these two attacks, with eight additional people injured.

Israeli aerial campaigns have extended across multiple regions of the nation, while southern Lebanon has seen ground operations and official proclamations. Tuesday’s evacuation directive affecting over 50 villages and towns has enabled Israel to create what it calls a security perimeter in southern Lebanon while expanding its protective zone.

Israeli military officials reported two soldiers sustained injuries from an anti-tank weapon fired in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has taken credit for multiple assaults on Israeli forces within Lebanese borders following the intensification of Wednesday’s ground offensive.

Lebanese news outlets reported that Israeli troops seized the public hospital in Mais al-Jabal, Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon this morning.

Simultaneously, evacuation warnings broadcast by Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee have increased uncertainty for civilians determining safe destinations. He announced this afternoon: “Residents of southern Lebanon must immediately move north of the Litani River,” demanding the relocation of tens of thousands of people.

More than 80,000 Lebanese citizens have been forced from their residences and are seeking safety in hundreds of emergency shelters established in educational facilities and community centers. UNICEF reports that 18,000 children are among those internally displaced. Of the numerous casualties over the past three days, at least seven victims are minors.

Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF’s Lebanon representative, stated: “No child should be killed or suffer the physical and emotional consequences of violence for the rest of their life.” Israeli military sources estimate approximately 300,000 Lebanese civilians have evacuated southern villages following evacuation orders.

Israeli forces claim to have targeted more than 250 Hezbollah positions in Lebanon over two days, including 100 in the most recent 24-hour period. The Shiite organization acknowledged responsibility for 13 attacks against Israel on Tuesday and maintained rocket and drone strikes on Israeli urban centers including Tel Aviv and Haifa.

At noon, Hezbollah executed coordinated drone attacks against the Tel Hashomer facility 120 kilometers from the border, Haifa’s naval installation, and the Ramat David base using multiple suicide drones.

Israel experienced no casualties and limited property damage, as many projectiles were neutralized before reaching their targets. However, hundreds of Lebanese buildings sustained damage or complete destruction from the strikes, according to regional reports.

Following the Comfort Hotel attack, employees have begun efforts to restore some normalcy. The hotel entrance has been cleared of broken glass. A team of young workers is reinforcing the building’s structural integrity.

Dagher emphasized: “We’re not political people; we’re very far from Hezbollah,” while still attempting to comprehend their misfortune. From neighboring building terraces, residents wearily discard damaged items into the street below.

Across the road, another hotel is installing replacement windows and doors. The Lebanese population continues working without pausing to mourn.

The Comfort Hotel employee made an earnest appeal: “As the people of this country, we are tired of war after war in our land; truly, we want to rest.”

Nigerian military forces engaged in deadly combat with armed raiders in the northern region of Katsina state, resulting in 45 attacker deaths, state officials announced Saturday.

The confrontation stemmed from cattle theft attempts by armed groups who traveled from the adjacent Zamfara state into Alhazawa village within the Musawa area on March 5, according to the Katsina State Government’s official statement.

The raiders made a second attempt the next day, but this time encountered military personnel deployed at the army’s Forward Operating Base located in Dan Ali, close to Maidabino ward. The resulting battle led to the deaths of 45 attackers, state authorities reported.

The military engagement also claimed the lives of three Nigerian service members, including one captain and two enlisted soldiers, the government statement confirmed.

Two prominent hardline religious leaders in Iran are pushing for the rapid appointment of a new supreme leader as the country faces ongoing military strikes from the United States and Israel, according to Iranian media reports from Saturday.

The urgency expressed by these clerics indicates that portions of Iran’s religious establishment are hesitant about allowing a temporary three-person leadership council to remain in control, despite this arrangement being permitted under the nation’s constitution following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.

President Donald Trump has stated that America should play a part in selecting Iran’s next leader, but Iranian officials have dismissed this proposal.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, whose religious interpretations carry significant weight among followers, stated that a quick appointment is necessary to “help better organise the country’s affairs,” according to state media coverage.

Earlier this week, two high-ranking Shi’ite religious figures issued fatwas – formal religious rulings – demanding that Muslims worldwide seek retribution for Khamenei’s death. Makarem Shirazi declared it a religious obligation for Muslims “until the evil of these criminals is eradicated from the world.”

Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani has similarly pressed the Assembly of Experts, the religious council responsible for selecting the supreme leader, to speed up their decision-making process regarding Khamenei’s replacement, state media reported.

Under Iran’s constitutional framework, a temporary leadership group consisting of the president, a high-ranking cleric, and the judiciary chief has assumed the supreme leader’s duties while the Assembly of Experts deliberates.

Iran’s constitution mandates that a new supreme leader must be selected within three months, though ongoing warfare makes it uncertain how quickly the 88-member Assembly of Experts can gather. Sources indicate that some religious officials have been conducting preliminary discussions through online platforms.

Rescue teams recovered bodies from rushing floodwaters throughout Kenya’s capital on Saturday following deadly overnight flooding that claimed at least 10 lives and caused major disruptions at the region’s busiest airport, officials reported.

In Nairobi’s Grogan industrial area, 34-year-old security guard John Lomayan discovered the body of an elderly roadside egg vendor he knew, trapped under a vehicle that had been swept away when the Nairobi River overflowed.

“I saw him being carried by the water from up there,” Lomayan explained, pointing up the street. “We didn’t know where he had gone. It is only now that we see him under the car.”

A news reporter witnessed three victims being pulled from beneath vehicles. Law enforcement confirmed the death toll has reached 10 people.

Climate researchers indicate that rising global temperatures are intensifying both flooding and drought conditions throughout East Africa by concentrating precipitation into briefer, more powerful downpours. Research from the 2024 World Weather Attribution study determined that climate change has doubled the likelihood of catastrophic rainfall events in the area.

Kenya Airways reported that the heavy precipitation had caused flight cancellations and delays at Nairobi’s airport, with some aircraft being rerouted to Mombasa on the coast.

“So many cars, so much stuff, I don’t know. Everything was just (washed away). All of the water (came) … from that river,” said stunned local resident Cedric Mwanza, referring to the Nairobi River.

American diplomats recently confronted Syria’s communications leadership about the nation’s growing dependence on Chinese telecommunications infrastructure, highlighting escalating tensions between global superpowers over digital influence in the recovering Middle Eastern country.

On February 24, State Department representatives met with Syrian Communications Minister Abdul Salam Haykal in San Francisco, expressing alarm over potential national security and data privacy threats posed by Chinese telecom systems. US officials cautioned that acquiring essential infrastructure technology from Chinese corporations could leave sensitive information vulnerable, reinforcing Washington’s ongoing claims that Beijing can force its companies to assist intelligence operations. Chinese officials reject these allegations, characterizing them as competitive tactics.

While the disagreement appears technical in nature, it represents a larger struggle for control over the region’s digital backbone as Syria works to rebuild. Telecommunications purchasing decisions have evolved into indicators of geopolitical loyalty, affecting network design, funding arrangements, technical protocols, and future dependencies for a nation attempting to rejoin regional commerce following years of conflict.

Beijing’s ties with Damascus predate the current political transformation. Throughout Bashar Assad’s presidency, China provided diplomatic support at the UN Security Council, frequently collaborating with Russia while promoting sovereignty principles and opposing forced government changes.

As Syria enters a new political era, its continued engagement with Beijing raises an important question: why maintain relationships with a previous regime supporter? Experts suggest this reflects Chinese diplomatic strategy, which views “the state” as the consistent partner, collaborating with whatever leadership exists while safeguarding its interests.

Dr. Samer Al-Khatib, who teaches international relations at the University of Damascus, described the renewed cooperation as pragmatic rather than ideological. In his interview with The Media Line, he explained Syria’s goal to “diversify its political and economic umbrellas to avoid falling into unilateral dependency,” noting that Beijing benefits from being perceived as an economic ally without imposing direct political requirements.

Syria’s telecommunications landscape makes this debate particularly relevant. Industry analysts estimate that Chinese technology powers a substantial portion of Syria’s two mobile networks—a situation resulting from years of Western sanctions, limited procurement options, and the attractiveness of affordable, rapidly deployable equipment. Modernizing the telecommunications sector is considered crucial for economic recovery: poor coverage beyond major urban areas and sluggish internet connectivity discourage investment, restrict business activity, and hamper overall progress. For officials seeking swift modernization at reasonable costs, Chinese technology offers appealing price points and implementation speed.

However, these decisions carry implications beyond technical considerations. Supplier selection creates multi-year commitments involving financing, maintenance, system upgrades, and technical standards—while signaling how governments plan to navigate major power competition in critical digital sectors.

Reconstruction economics specialist Reem Al-Hassan emphasized to The Media Line that the matter is “governed by numbers before slogans.” She explained that telecommunications modernization demands substantial investment and deployment-ready technologies—areas where Chinese companies typically offer competitive pricing. Nevertheless, she cautioned against “long-term financial dependency,” advocating for diversified investment sources and risk distribution across multiple partners.

This creates an inherent challenge for Syria. American restrictions, including export limitations, have prevented US technology from entering Syrian markets significantly. This produces a contradiction: Washington issues warnings about Chinese dependence while providing few practical alternatives for Syria to adopt Western technologies comprehensively.

Cybersecurity specialist Tarek Nasser explained to The Media Line that Chinese technology concerns “goes beyond the issue of direct espionage, to the nature of control over digital supply chains.” He noted that excessive dependence on single telecommunications suppliers creates both technical and political risks, emphasizing that successful outcomes require effective oversight mechanisms and robust legal frameworks for data protection. This involves independent regulation, procurement reviews, vendor risk assessments, and enforceable privacy legislation.

The implications extend far beyond communication towers or advanced wireless networks. This situation represents a competition for Syria’s position in the region’s future economic structure—and determining who establishes standards for digital infrastructure connected to reconstruction efforts. Beijing has pursued expanded Middle Eastern presence through infrastructure and connectivity initiatives, while Washington has attempted to limit that expansion in sensitive digital areas, particularly those involving data and critical networks.

For Damascus, the challenge is both immediate and practical: securing large-scale investment to rebuild war damage, with telecommunications being fundamental to economic reintegration. The strategic question persists: can Syria benefit from Chinese technology without becoming a battleground in US-China rivalry, or does this competition’s structure make neutrality increasingly impossible?

Syria’s probable objective involves balance rather than alignment—leveraging Chinese engagement for rapid reconstruction and improved Western negotiating position, while keeping other partnerships available. Success will depend on Damascus’ ability to enforce oversight and data protection regulations while diversifying suppliers. It will also require Washington’s commitment to providing viable alternatives that go beyond cautioning against China’s involvement in the region’s digital transformation.

The passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has eliminated the nation’s most influential political figure, leaving a critical leadership void in a government structure designed around concentrated religious authority. This development has immediately raised questions about which faction will assume control of the country.

Within Iran’s governmental framework, the supreme leader maintains authority over elected bodies and exercises final control over major state institutions, particularly security forces. While the nation’s constitution designates the Assembly of Experts to choose the next supreme leader, political observers have questioned how this transition period will unfold.

However, Middle East researcher Beni Sabti from Tel Aviv’s Institute for National Security Studies believes real power now rests with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its connected organizations, including the Basij militia.

Sabti, an Iranian native born in 1972 who lived through the Islamic Revolution before fleeing to Israel in 1987, explained that Iran’s current power structure will be shaped by interconnected figures with strong Revolutionary Guard connections. “Most of these figures always come from the IRGC. They have some roots in the IRGC … and also the IRGC as a whole, as an entity, influences a lot,” he stated.

The expert emphasized that today’s Revolutionary Guard holds significantly more influence compared to when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989. “It was not like this when Khomeini died, because he kept them limited,” Sabti noted. “But Khamenei was in their alliance, and they were his allies, so they have a kind of symbiotic relationship.”

According to Sabti, the IRGC operates “behind the curtain, for sure.” Although the Assembly of Experts maintains constitutional responsibility for selecting a successor, he contends this process serves more as formal approval rather than genuine decision-making.

“These councils of experts … they are also very symbolic,” he observed. “Eighty-eight very old clerics, that they have to decide who can be the next leader. They waited for someone to tell them what to do.” Sabti argued the Assembly has historically followed the existing leader’s direction and remains structurally dependent on the system it supposedly oversees. “They have been receiving salaries for so many years from the leader, so they are kind of the slaves of the system.”

Sabti anticipates this pattern will continue. “They will wait for someone to tell them what to vote for. Maybe the council, or IRGC, all together.”

Regarding the current presidency, Sabti believes it carries minimal independent authority during this succession phase. “President Pezeshkian is a good puppet for now to do his job, and after that, they can kick him out and give him just a symbolic job, because he’s not a cleric. As you see, he doesn’t have any influence,” he said.

The researcher’s main thesis suggests the outcome depends less on constitutional processes and more on whether the Revolutionary Guard maintains unity. “Yes, there is a chance that there can be some divisions in the IRGC,” he acknowledged. He believes any internal fractures would largely depend on continued external pressure. “It depends on if US and Israel continue to try to destroy as much as possible of this regime,” he explained.

Under such pressure, Sabti suggested some factions might choose survival over ideological commitment. “Some of them can come out and say, OK, we don’t want to lose our heads, we don’t want to lose Iran as a country, so maybe we can have some compromises,” he elaborated.

He also mentioned possibilities of internal coups and confrontations, drawing parallels to Soviet-era instability. “They can make a coup or something, and there can be some clashes inside the IRGC,” he said.

Without Khamenei’s presence, Sabti warned that competing ambitions within the IRGC and other power centers might escalate as various actors reassess their positions. “What is the map of the interests of everyone? It can change now, because the leader is not there,” he said. “They have their new interests. So yes, there can be a huge clash inside IRGC or other systems.”

Beyond political maneuvering, Sabti described a significant divide between the government and portions of the population. “The people … they came out and they were very happy, many of them,” he said. He noted that authorities quickly moved to limit information access. “We see that the regime once again shut down the internet, and we don’t know much what is going on inside.”

He suggested leadership priorities center on maintaining power rather than public welfare. “They don’t care now about the people. The regime doesn’t care about whether there are supplies in the supermarkets, or the roads are open, or anything like that.” He highlighted what he called inadequate civilian protection measures. “You know that there are no sirens in Iran, and no shelters? This is amazing. They don’t care about the people. It’s just like the ’80s.”

Despite public frustration and what he described as celebrations, Sabti doubted spontaneous mass protests would occur without external encouragement and organization. “The people cannot act unless President Trump, again, says something or does something,” he said. He noted the regime maintains organized forces and structural advantages. “There are many Basij forces outside. They [the citizens] don’t have connection. Someone has to guide them.”

Looking forward, Sabti predicted instability will continue. “In the short term, they [the IRGC] will be more dangerous,” he said. He believes the next period will be influenced by additional attacks on command centers and leadership figures. “But again, in a few days, if enough headquarters, and IRGC generals, and other figures are eliminated, there can be something else there,” he added.

He warned that any timeline should be considered in weeks rather than days, given Iran’s scale and complex security structure. “When you talk about Iran, it’s such a huge country, so many divisions, so many units of IRGC and army,” he said.

When asked about potential tipping points, Sabti said rapid collapse seems unlikely. “I think not less than two weeks,” he said. “Even Saddam held for three weeks.”

Other experts note that any successor will still require religious legitimacy, even if security leadership influences the selection. The upcoming period, Sabti suggested, may be determined less by constitutional procedures and more by internal reassessment among security officials—particularly within the IRGC. The critical factor, he argued, is whether the IRGC remains united.

American military forces have eliminated over 20 Iranian naval vessels and damaged Tehran’s primary operational submarine during an ongoing military campaign designed to neutralize Iran’s maritime forces, according to U.S. officials who spoke Wednesday. The operation included a U.S. submarine using torpedoes to sink an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean waters near Sri Lanka.

The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was destroyed as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that Iranian naval forces have been effectively removed from crucial regional waterways. Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, announced in a video update shared on X earlier Wednesday that Iranian vessels were absent from the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman as of Tuesday.

American officials confirmed that U.S. forces have eliminated more than 20 Iranian ships during the campaign and have also damaged Tehran’s most capable submarine, creating a breach in its hull.

According to Cooper, American forces will maintain their focus on Iran’s naval resources through Operation Epic Fury. This military campaign seeks to eliminate Tehran’s capacity to menace commercial vessels and reduce its missile strike capabilities.

“We’re hunting Iran’s last remaining mobile ballistic missile launchers to eliminate, what I would characterize as their lingering launch capability,” Cooper stated.

Tehran operates dual naval forces: the Islamic Republic of Iran navy, which handles traditional maritime duties, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, which specializes in unconventional warfare tactics.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth verified that an American submarine used torpedoes to destroy the IRIS Dena in waters near Sri Lanka during the military operation.

“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters,” Hegseth announced during a Pentagon press conference. “Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.”

Hegseth characterized the attack as a “quiet death,” noting it marked the first occasion since World War II that American forces had destroyed an enemy vessel using torpedo weapons.

“Their navy, not a factor. Pick your adjective; it is no more.”

Sri Lankan naval authorities reported Wednesday that they had retrieved 87 bodies and saved 32 survivors following their response to an emergency signal from the vessel. According to Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, who addressed Parliament, approximately 180 crew members were aboard the ship when it sank.

Sri Lankan officials initiated search and rescue operations after receiving the distress transmission, according to AP reports. Maritime vessels and aircraft were sent to the location.

Naval spokesperson Buddhika Sampath confirmed that survivors received medical treatment at a hospital in Galle, a southern coastal city, while recovered bodies were being transported to shore.

White House officials announced that Iran’s government has been completely devastated as American and Israeli military forces continue extensive operations against the Middle Eastern nation.

Speaking to the press, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that “under President Trump’s leadership, the rogue Iranian terror regime has been utterly crushed. Forty-seven years of tolerance and allowing the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism to operate freely have come to an end.”

Leavitt continued her remarks by saying, “Iran’s murderous terror leaders are paying for their crimes against America, and they are paying in blood.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided updates on the American military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, indicating the mission is meeting its intended targets. “We are on track to achieve the goals of the operation, to destroy their missile launchers and factories and also their fleet so they will never be able to hide behind them to develop nuclear weapons,” Rubio explained.

American Central Command forces have destroyed or damaged 20 Iranian naval vessels throughout the ongoing campaign. CENTCOM leader Brad Cooper confirmed that long-range precision missiles were deployed against Iran for the first time during this operation, stating, “I couldn’t be more proud of our people in uniform.”

According to a Washington Post report citing three informed sources, the Pentagon’s stockpile of precision weaponry is being quickly exhausted after less than one week of strikes. The rapid consumption of sophisticated air defense systems may soon require the U.S. military to make strategic decisions about which incoming threats to intercept.

Israeli military leaders have also revealed the magnitude of their involvement, confirming that 5,000 munitions have been deployed in attacks against Iranian positions since operations commenced.

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Intelligence Division with Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder and other high-ranking officials, where he explained that Iranian leadership was surprised by the extensive nature of the military action. Katz noted that Tehran “could not assess the scope, breadth and depth of the intelligence down to the last target, and the operational capability to exploit the intelligence to strike, attack, destroy and demolish their capabilities.”

The State Department confirmed Wednesday that a government-chartered aircraft is transporting American citizens back to the United States from Middle Eastern countries, with plans underway for additional evacuation flights throughout the region.

Officials declined to specify how many passengers were on board the flight or reveal which nations they departed from, nor did they provide scheduling details about departure or arrival times.

According to State Department figures, over 17,500 Americans have successfully returned home from Middle Eastern nations since February 28, when American and Israeli military forces began conducting initial strikes against Iran. On Tuesday alone, approximately 8,500 citizens made it back to U.S. soil.

The department noted that numerous other American nationals have evacuated to European and Asian destinations rather than returning directly to the United States since hostilities began.

Earlier this week, State Department officials issued urgent advisories to Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries, recommending immediate evacuation using “available commercial transportation.” However, many citizens are encountering difficulties securing flights due to widespread airline disruptions stemming from the regional conflict.

The evacuation efforts have drawn harsh criticism from several members of Congress, who have accused State Department leadership of poor advance planning and delayed warning systems.

In response to the criticism, the department stated it was “facilitating charter flights” from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan specifically for American citizens requiring evacuation assistance.

ICHIKAWA, Japan — A young orphaned macaque named Punch is slowly becoming less reliant on the stuffed orangutan toy that helped him through his difficult early days after being rejected by his mother and the monkey community.

Photos of the tiny Punch carrying around his oversized plush companion captured hearts when they showed how the baby monkey would run to his toy for comfort whenever other primates pushed him away from their group.

Now the situation is changing for the better. Recently, observers have watched Punch climbing onto other monkeys’ backs, spending time with adult members of the troop, and even receiving grooming and embraces from his fellow primates.

“It was good to see him grow, and I’m reassured,” said Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old Punch fan from Osaka who came to the zoo because she was worried about the baby monkey. “He is adorable!”

After his mother left him following his birth — likely due to exhaustion — zoo staff bottle-fed Punch and provided him with the stuffed toy to help him develop the clinging instincts that baby macaques require for survival.

“Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” said Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper.

The baby monkey became an internet sensation after photos of him with his toy companion went viral last month, forcing the zoo to implement quiet zones and 10-minute viewing limits to prevent stress among the facility’s 50-plus other monkeys.

Zoo officials view Punch’s decreased reliance on his stuffed companion as positive progress.

“When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said.

While Punch continues to sleep alongside his toy each night, Mizushina explained that staff hope to eventually see him sleeping curled up with other monkeys instead.

Nearly three decades after their groundbreaking benefit album topped British music charts, War Child UK is returning with a star-studded sequel to support children caught in global conflicts.

The charity’s original ‘Help’ compilation became a chart-topping phenomenon in 1995, climbing to No. 1 in Britain and generating over 1.25 million pounds (approximately $1.938 million) to assist families affected by the Bosnian conflict. The album featured exclusive tracks from legendary Britpop acts like Oasis, Blur, and Radiohead, plus collaborations involving Paul McCartney and Paul Weller.

According to Rich Clarke, War Child UK’s music director, the organization has spent years attempting to replicate that remarkable achievement. This Friday marks the release of ‘Help(2)’ on retail and streaming services, showcasing never-before-heard material from contemporary stars including Arctic Monkeys, Olivia Rodrigo, and Wet Leg. Proceeds will benefit children impacted by ongoing conflicts across Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.

‘I think it’s a situation now where musicians feel not that they want to do something, but that they need to do something,’ Clarke said. ‘That’s a powerful driver. And sometimes, things happen when they’re meant to happen.’

Jarvis Cocker’s relationship with the charity dates to 1996, when his group Pulp donated their Mercury Prize earnings to War Child UK. When producer James Ford, who worked on Pulp’s recent comeback album ‘More,’ invited Cocker to participate in the new compilation, the singer eagerly accepted.

‘When the last one happened, it was something like 10% of the world’s kids were living in poor areas, and now it’s more like 20%,’ Cocker told The Associated Press. ‘And it’s a strange thing, you know, childhood sets you up for the rest of your life or it doesn’t.’

Pulp’s track ‘Begging for Change’ represents a 14-year creative journey for Cocker, who struggled to complete the song until finding purpose in the charitable mission. ‘Somehow, with it having the focus of trying to help some people and change their situation, I did manage to finish it,’ he said. ‘And I’m quite pleased with the result.’

The recording experience at London’s Abbey Road Studios proved uniquely meaningful, despite Cocker’s typical reluctance to be filmed while performing. Director Jonathan Glazer documented the sessions with assistance from young filmmakers, creating what Cocker called an appropriate perspective for a children’s charity project.

‘I thought it was a good idea,’ Cocker said. ‘I mean, if you’re going to do a thing for a charity that is supposed to help children in war zones, then it makes sense to capture it from a child’s point of view.’

Children even participated as a choir on Pulp’s contribution, serving as a constant reminder of the project’s humanitarian goals. ‘Charity shouldn’t have to exist if governments did what they were supposed to, if they looked after people and looked after the world,’ Cocker said. ‘But they do need to exist. They need to exist even more now.’

John Nolan from rock bands Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run views benefit compilations as a longstanding tradition within independent music circles. The format allows artists direct involvement in causes they support, he explained while discussing his own recent ACLU fundraising album ‘Music for Everyone, Vol. 2.’

‘It’s something that we can be a lot more hands-on with,’ said Nolan. ‘I think that’s also why a lot of more underground bands take on compilations for causes too, because it’s something you can be kind of DIY with.’

British group Black Country, New Road contributed their song ‘Strangers’ as an extension of their ongoing advocacy work, including previous fundraising efforts for Palestinian children. Violinist Georgia Ellery emphasized the importance of artistic activism in today’s climate.

‘With what was going on in the world a couple of years ago, I think it became important to us that we became more aware and started questioning things and how we wanted to move as artists,’ said Ellery.

Scottish band Young Fathers found participation in ‘Help(2)’ an obvious choice, according to member Graham Hastings. ‘When you see children in these refugee camps, for me it’s a sign of humanity failing for that to even occur,’ he said. ‘For us, the important thing is for people just to feel a general awareness about what’s happening and why it’s happening, and get active and get involved in the community.’

BEIRUT – Israeli military forces executed an uncommon helicopter assault in eastern Lebanon during overnight hours, according to local residents and Lebanese government media reports Saturday, while intensive Israeli bombardments in the region resulted in over a dozen fatalities.

The Middle Eastern nation found itself drawn further into regional warfare this past Monday after Iran-supported Hezbollah fired rockets and unmanned aircraft toward Israel, prompting Israel to respond with extensive bombing campaigns throughout Lebanon’s southern regions, eastern areas, and zones close to Beirut.

During nighttime operations, Israeli helicopters transported soldiers to an area near Nabi Chit in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese government media and local witnesses. Local residents and Hezbollah militants opened fire on the soldiers as they advanced on foot, according to these accounts.

The Israeli forces retreated and departed via helicopter while Israeli airstrikes hammered Nabi Chit and surrounding communities, government media and witnesses reported. Israel’s military had not provided an immediate response to Reuters’ inquiries about the operation.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 16 individuals were killed in Israeli attacks during the previous 24-hour period in Nabi Chit. A ministry representative informed Reuters that this count included casualties from strikes throughout Friday as well as during heavy overnight bombardments, with expectations that the number would continue climbing.

Two security officials confirmed to Reuters that three military personnel were among those killed.

Israeli bombardments have resulted in over 200 deaths throughout Lebanon, while evacuation orders have forced approximately 300,000 people from their homes, with only one-third currently housed in official government shelters.

Shawki al-Masri, a resident of a community neighboring Nabi Chit, characterized the overnight bombing campaign as “a night of hell.”

“We heard the helicopters over our house all night – they were so low we thought they would land on us,” he told Reuters.

“People in the town woke up and started shooting at them, then the warplanes started bombing. It was a very violent night and only calmed down when the sun came up,” he said.

In an overnight statement, Hezbollah reported that it had engaged Israeli soldiers who had been transported near Nabi Chit by four Israeli helicopters. The organization stated that the Israeli forces pulled back.

Although Israeli military units are conducting ground campaigns in southern Lebanon, advancing further into border village areas, helicopter-based operations remain uncommon. During a 2024 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli naval personnel abducted an individual from a Lebanese coastal community.

The United Nations issued a warning Saturday that the conflict was poised to become “even worse,” emphasizing that negotiations between Israel and Lebanon “must be pursued with urgency” to halt the fighting.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert stated that it was “clear that ongoing military actions will not deliver a lasting win to anyone.”

“Rather, they will only deepen instability and inflict further suffering,” she said.

KATHMANDU, March 7 – A sophisticated political operation run from the upper floors of a six-story building in western Kathmandu has positioned a 35-year-old former rapper to become Nepal’s next prime minister.

Balendra Shah, known by his stage name “Balen,” represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which currently leads vote tallies following Nepal’s first parliamentary election since youth demonstrations in September toppled the previous administration.

Election officials expect final results for 275 total parliamentary seats – 165 direct seats and 110 proportional representation positions – to be announced next week.

Should current voting patterns continue, Shah will have successfully capitalized on momentum from the September uprising through what may be the most advanced campaign operation the small Himalayan country has witnessed.

Reuters spoke with six RSP party leaders to understand Shah’s campaign strategy, which operated primarily from the party’s Balaju neighborhood headquarters and received substantial financial backing from overseas Nepali communities.

“We are overwhelmed by the support and love we received from people on the ground,” stated Bigyan Gautam, who served on RSP’s national campaign team.

Shah’s electoral success contrasts sharply with Bangladesh’s recent election, where a youth-oriented party failed to gain traction despite emerging from similar “Gen-Z” demonstrations that removed that nation’s longtime leader in 2024.

The RSP’s political operation centers around its Research, Strategy and Documentation Department, managed by an 11-person board supervising 300 party workers organized into three national units that support local candidate teams.

These nationwide groups developed electoral strategies, coordinated rallies, produced digital content, and monitored grassroots campaigning efforts throughout Nepal, according to three party officials.

Leading up to Thursday’s election, the party implemented a precisely timed media approach, with Shah delivering major addresses every eight days to allow a 660-person social media team sufficient time to amplify each event’s impact.

RSP also conducted road shows across five to seven districts daily, supported by brief daily appearances in one of Nepal’s seven provinces where Shah would engage directly with voters.

“If you keep giving speeches, people get confused,” explained one party official who requested anonymity. “We let opposition parties raise some issues, and then respond once. This way, our message stays clear.”

The centralized campaign structure and large-scale events received direct party funding through substantial contributions from Nepalis residing overseas, particularly those in the United States, two officials confirmed.

However, individual candidates handled organizing and financing their own local campaign activities, according to RSP Treasurer Lima Adhikari.

Before joining RSP last December prior to the elections, Shah served as Kathmandu’s mayor, a role he secured in 2022 by utilizing his fame as one of Nepal’s most popular rap artists with millions of social media followers.

At a January 19 rally in Nepal’s Madhesh province capital, Shah appeared alongside RSP founder and former television host Rabi Lamichhane, declaring to thousands of supporters: “A Madhesi boy is going to become prime minister.”

Despite the Madhesh region and surrounding Terai plains containing Nepal’s largest population centers, the country’s political leadership has historically come from Kathmandu and the mountainous regions.

Shah’s January address became a social media sensation, highlighting the early effectiveness of RSP’s strategy to make him the first plains-region leader to claim the prime minister’s office, three party officials noted.

“It was very clear to us that the nation was fed up with the old corrupt leaders and they were seeing hope in young leaders like Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane,” said Birendra Kumar Mehta, a central committee member. “The party saw this as an opportunity.”

Shah is running for parliament from Jhapa-5, a plains constituency that has traditionally been the political stronghold of K.P. Sharma Oli, who resigned as prime minister following the September protests.

In this rural Nepal district, Shah maintained his unconventional campaign approach, avoiding traditional media interviews while making unscheduled stops to speak with voters and organizing youth volunteer networks throughout the constituency.

His team, supported by the RSP’s Kathmandu operation, has also gathered voter concerns and complaints regarding development initiatives and government services.

“People from every part of Nepal will feel that the government is theirs and most importantly, that it is there for them,” said D.P. Aryal, RSP’s vice chairperson, noting that Shah’s government plans to recruit external experts to strengthen its capabilities. “Youth engagement and the maximum integration of technology will also be among our top priorities.”

The Middle Eastern conflict has intensified as Iran fired additional missiles toward Israeli territory and American military installations, marking the sixth consecutive day of warfare. Israeli defense forces reported detecting multiple incoming projectiles early Thursday morning and confirmed they were working to intercept the weapons.

Simultaneously, Israeli forces initiated fresh military operations targeting Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, the Iranian-supported militant organization. Lebanese health officials and state media reported that no fewer than eight individuals lost their lives from late Wednesday through early Thursday due to these strikes.

Iranian leadership has issued warnings about potential devastation to military and economic infrastructure across the Middle East, causing significant disruption to global financial markets. Oil prices have become a key indicator for market movements, with crude costs climbing again early Thursday morning.

Israeli defense officials announced Thursday morning that they had initiated a “large-scale wave of strikes against infrastructure” targeting Iran’s capital city of Tehran.

Oman’s foreign minister revealed Thursday that his nation was coordinating with international partners to arrange evacuation flights for foreign nationals unable to leave the region.

In a message posted to X, Badr al-Busaidi stated: “For everyone hoping to fly home from the Gulf, the Omani government is working with your governments and international airlines to organize flights to get you home. We mean everyone, whatever passport you hold. The citizens of all countries have the human right to safety and security. People matter. Let’s stop the war now.”

While Oman, positioned along the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern coastline, has experienced attacks near its shores and ports, Muscat International Airport has remained operational throughout the conflict.

Qatar Airways announced Thursday it would begin operating limited “relief flights” to assist passengers stranded by the ongoing Middle Eastern warfare.

The carrier announced via X that departure cities would include Muscat, with destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Madrid and Rome. An additional route connecting Riyadh to Frankfurt, Germany was also planned.

These flights are designed to “support passengers who are stranded due to the current situation across the region.”

Qatari airspace remains shut down due to Iranian missile activity throughout the region. Qatar Airways serves as a major connection point between Eastern and Western destinations.

Bali immigration officials have issued emergency residency extensions and eliminated overstay penalties for foreign visitors unable to depart due to Middle Eastern flight disruptions affecting the Indonesian resort destination.

Airport officials reported that approximately 6,000 travelers bound for Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi experienced flight cancellations over a four-day period at Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Iranian and Israeli diplomatic representatives held competing press briefings Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, exchanging harsh criticisms as their nations’ conflict continues escalating.

Iran’s Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi, speaking with translation assistance, urged Seoul — a major American ally — to more forcefully condemn what he characterized as unlawful aggression by American and Israeli military forces, who launched operations despite ongoing diplomatic talks.

Koozechi warned that “many coffins would return to the United States” should it choose to deploy ground troops, while justifying Iranian attacks on Gulf nations hosting American military facilities as necessary actions.

Israeli Ambassador Raphael Harpaz countered that combined American-Israeli military actions serve dual purposes: eliminating Iran’s nuclear development programs and missile facilities while supporting Iranian citizens against governmental oppression.

South Korea has backed American-led diplomatic initiatives to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities but has not formally supported the American-Israeli military campaign, instead advocating for renewed negotiations.

Saudi defense officials reported destroying an unmanned aircraft in the kingdom’s al-Jawf province, which shares a border with Jordan.

Israeli forces targeted a structure within the Beddawi Palestinian refugee settlement in Tripoli, a coastal Lebanese city, resulting in two fatalities according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

The attack occurred without advance notice and represents the conflict’s northernmost strike to date, injuring one additional person, health officials confirmed.

Israeli military officials have not disclosed the intended target of this operation.

Beddawi, situated roughly 85 kilometers north of Beirut and more than 180 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli frontier, was previously targeted during the 2024 Israeli-Hezbollah war.

Even after a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces conducted a July strike against a Hamas operative within the camp.

An Israeli drone attack during nighttime hours targeted a vehicle traveling on a southern Lebanese coastal road, killing three individuals, according to Lebanon’s official news service.

The targeted roadway links Tyre to Naqoura, a border community adjacent to Israel.

Israeli military officials warned residents Wednesday to relocate north of the Litani River, which functions as a crucial buffer zone with communities to its south positioned nearest the Israeli border.

Lebanese Health Ministry data indicates that Israeli strikes have claimed more than 70 lives across four days since the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict resumed, with over 430 individuals sustaining injuries.

The civilian casualty count remains unclear, though health officials confirmed Tuesday that seven children were among the deceased.

The strikes have also eliminated officials from both Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant organizations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented an ambitious roadmap for his nation’s future during Thursday’s parliamentary session in Beijing, as tensions with the United States continue to escalate over technology and global influence.

The National People’s Congress approved the country’s latest Five-Year Plan, which establishes targets for economic expansion, government spending, industrial development, and military capabilities as Xi seeks to advance China’s position as a global technological leader.

Key elements of the parliamentary blueprint include:

ECONOMIC TARGETS AND SPENDING

Chinese leaders are targeting economic expansion between 4.5% and 5% annually, slightly lower than the previous year’s 5% growth rate, creating opportunities for economic restructuring efforts.

The government will maintain stimulus measures to energize an economy still recovering from pandemic impacts, establishing a budget shortfall equal to 4.0% of the nation’s total economic output, matching last year’s level.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AMID US TENSIONS

As competition with America intensifies, Beijing is fast-tracking initiatives to reduce dependence on foreign technology. The nation also intends to strengthen its dominance in rare earth minerals, essential components for electric cars, aviation engines, and military equipment.

MILITARY EXPANSION

China will enhance military preparedness and speed up development of “advanced combat capabilities,” Premier Li Qiang announced, increasing defense expenditures by 7% in 2026.

Defense analysts are monitoring Beijing’s push to upgrade its armed forces by 2035 and expand military influence as regional conflicts over Taiwan and other global tensions continue to rise.

BANKING SYSTEM SUPPORT

The government will provide 300 billion yuan ($43.59 billion) to state-controlled banks this year and expand reforms of government-owned financial institutions to strengthen the banking sector during ongoing real estate challenges and deflationary pressures.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES

Officials pledged to create a “childbirth-friendly society” within five years, tackling issues related to jobs, schooling, and healthcare as the country faces an aging population and declining birth rates that threaten economic objectives.

AGRICULTURAL SECURITY

Grain production capacity will increase to approximately 725 million metric tons between 2026-2030 to achieve long-term food independence goals, addressing the country’s significant dependence on imported agricultural products like soybeans, with America serving as its second-largest supplier.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS

The administration plans to speed up reductions in carbon intensity during the upcoming five-year period, shifting focus from overall energy efficiency to specifically targeting carbon emissions reduction.

Military activity from China around Taiwan has dropped dramatically in recent weeks, with no aircraft detected in the past seven days, according to new data from Taiwan’s defense ministry.

Taiwan has recorded 460 Chinese military aircraft – including fighter jets and drones – entering its air defense identification zone this year, representing a 46.5% decrease compared to the same period last year, based on information compiled by the Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation research group.

February saw 190 Chinese aircraft detections, marking the lowest monthly count since Taiwan began releasing detailed daily reports in 2022 regarding what officials describe as Beijing’s ongoing pressure campaign.

Two Taiwanese officials suggest Chinese President Xi Jinping may be reducing these visible pressure tactics to improve conditions before his expected meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month.

A senior Taiwan security official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the topic, told reporters that Beijing might be attempting to project a peaceful image. “Beijing might be trying to create a false impression: I am peaceful, I am moving toward peace, so you should stop selling weapons to Taiwan,” the official stated.

China’s defense ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment.

The current six-day pause in Chinese military flights near Taiwan, which began February 27, represents an unusual break in operations that coincided with Iran’s conflict, according to STA researcher Tristan Tang.

Previous interruptions in Chinese military activity were typically brief and connected to weather events like typhoons or Chinese holidays.

Military corruption investigations within China’s forces could provide another explanation for the reduced activity.

Su Tzu-yun, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research, indicated the anti-corruption campaign might be the “primary reason” behind the lull, as Chinese military units undergo command structure changes that could be affecting operational readiness.

A Taiwan defense official, also requesting anonymity, suggested Beijing may be using this quiet period to analyze findings from recent large-scale military exercises.

Despite the reduction in air activity, China’s naval and coast guard operations continue at normal levels, Taiwan’s defense ministry reports, indicating Beijing has specifically scaled back the more politically provocative aerial operations.

Another senior Taiwan security official cautioned against reading too much into the temporary change. “Just because they’re not coming now doesn’t mean they won’t come back in the future, and we can’t rule out that they may be preparing for an even larger operation,” the official said.

“We should not project any change in Beijing’s intentions based solely on a few days of activity,” the official added.

NEW DELHI, March 6 – India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced Saturday that his nation permitted an Iranian naval vessel to dock at one of its ports as a humanitarian measure, coinciding with a U.S. submarine attack on another Iranian ship near Sri Lanka.

The Iranian vessel Lavan arrived at Kochi port in southern India on Wednesday, according to an Indian government source who spoke with Reuters. This occurred on the same day American forces struck the Iranian navy frigate Dena, following an emergency docking request from Tehran.

President Donald Trump has stated that eliminating Iran’s naval capabilities represents a key objective in the military campaign he and Israel initiated against the Islamic Republic one week prior.

Speaking at the annual Raisina Dialogue conference, Jaishankar explained that the Lavan – described by the U.S. Naval Institute as an amphibious landing craft – along with two additional vessels had been participating in a naval review when they became trapped by unfolding events.

“I think we really approached it from the point of view of humanity, of other than whatever the legal issues were,” Jaishankar stated. “I think we did the right thing.”

The American assault on the Dena occurred in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 19 nautical miles from shore but beyond the country’s territorial waters, resulting in at least 87 fatalities.

According to the government source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, India received the emergency docking request on February 28 – the same day hostilities with Iran commenced. The source noted that the request carried urgency because the vessel had encountered mechanical problems.

Naval facilities in Kochi are currently housing all 183 crew members from the Lavan, the source confirmed.

The attacked frigate Dena had been returning from naval exercises hosted by India, based on information from the drill’s official website and statements from Sri Lankan officials.

Sri Lankan authorities reported Friday that they are guiding another Iranian naval ship, the Booshehr, toward an eastern coast harbor while relocating most of its personnel to a naval installation near Colombo.

PERPIGNAN, France – Along the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border, far-right mayor Louis Aliot is campaigning for another term in this weathered French city with a straightforward promise: enhanced law enforcement, expanded surveillance, and restored public safety.

Since taking control of city hall in 2020, the National Rally (RN) mayor has centered his administration around security initiatives. His party now showcases Perpignan, home to 122,000 residents and the largest municipality under RN control, as a model for governance they want to expand across France during this month’s municipal elections.

Despite facing an embezzlement conviction that could remove him from office pending his appeal, Aliot maintains his lead in polling. He describes Perpignan as an experimental ground for RN leadership and a demonstration of the party’s capabilities ahead of France’s 2027 presidential race.

“When the National Rally is in office, well, we govern, we run cities and we run them well,” he stated during an interview.

Electoral victories in additional municipalities would provide Marine Le Pen’s organization with momentum entering next year’s presidential campaign. Surveys indicate strong RN performance in Toulon, Nice and Marseille, though the two-round electoral system complicates predictions.

The party’s emphasis on law enforcement appeals to numerous Perpignan voters, where impoverished districts rank among France’s most disadvantaged areas just blocks away from the historic Catalan-influenced city center.

With elections scheduled for March 15 and 23, RN leader Jordan Bardella and far-left opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon – both potential presidential candidates – conducted competing weekend campaigns, transforming the city into a political proving ground.

“Faced with the violence engulfing our country year after year, we intend to make public order an absolute priority,” Bardella declared to his supporters.

Aliot has pledged to add 50 additional officers and install 200 surveillance cameras, focusing on suburban areas where middle-class residents have relocated from inner neighborhoods housing significant North African and Roma communities.

The municipality has already grown its police force from 161 officers in 2020 to 199 currently, achieving 1.6 municipal officers per 1,000 residents – the highest ratio among French cities exceeding 100,000 population and nearly triple Paris’s 0.6 rate, based on Interior Ministry statistics analyzed by Reuters.

Intensified law enforcement has dramatically increased drug trafficking prosecutions, with Perpignan now ranking seventh among more than 50 major French cities, climbing from 18th place in 2020. Police-initiated trafficking cases have more than doubled, while minor possession fines have increased fourfold.

This security emphasis carries financial consequences. Municipal debt reaches 1,600 euros per resident, significantly exceeding the 1,200 euro average for comparable cities, according to Finance Ministry records.

Property tax rates surpass those in 71% of similar municipalities, while 98% of peer cities maintain lower business tax rates.

Nevertheless, business publication Challenges recently ranked Perpignan as France’s third best-managed city, providing Aliot’s supporters with talking points to attract security-focused voters beyond the RN’s traditional base.

An early December Ifop survey shows Aliot leading with 44% support in the first round, benefiting from divided opposition spread among five competitors.

A veteran far-right politician, Aliot has played a key role in Le Pen’s efforts to moderate the anti-immigration party’s image for mainstream appeal. Polling data suggests either Le Pen or her protégé Bardella could win next year’s presidential first round and compete in a close runoff election.

Local resident opinions remain divided. At a downtown market, retiree Marie Nivet praised cleaner streets and visible police presence while seeking stronger anti-drug measures.

She expressed uncertainty about supporting Aliot due to his pending appeal regarding EU fund misuse charges that also threaten Le Pen’s political future.

Aliot indicated he would challenge any adverse ruling in France’s supreme court, noting that team members could assume leadership if necessary.

The legal questions didn’t concern Laure Guérin, a retired private school administrator, who plans to support Aliot based on the RN’s law-and-order approach.

Other residents showed more reservation. Christian Pyguillem, a retired property manager, acknowledged Aliot’s improvements in street cleanliness and security but argued that persistent neighborhood poverty requires comprehensive urban renewal beyond any mayor’s previous attempts.

“We’ll give him another six years, but it’s a vote motivated by the local situation, I don’t agree with their other ideas,” he explained.

Opposition candidates criticized the security strategy as ineffective and blamed deteriorating city finances. Center-right contender Bruno Nougayrède accused Aliot of prioritizing national politics over local responsibilities and emphasizing publicity over tangible results.

“These five years have been marked by complete inaction for the people of Perpignan,” Nougayrède told Reuters. “A lot of resources went into PR, but the city itself has not changed.”

Far-left candidate Mickaël Idrac labeled Aliot’s tenure “catastrophic,” criticizing “frenzied” spending on police equipment and surveillance technology while condemning what he characterized as polarizing language.

Aliot responded that voters would evaluate his performance based on their personal safety experiences. He positions the RN as the party committed to maintaining order following decades of inaction by both left and right-wing predecessors.

“If the left had defended the poor, we wouldn’t be here today. If the right had defended order, we wouldn’t be here today,” Aliot concluded.

An intensifying Middle East conflict is causing major disruptions to global air freight operations, leaving everything from fresh food to aircraft components stranded as shipping capacity drops dramatically worldwide.

The ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran have forced the suspension of both passenger and cargo flights throughout the region, including major international shipping centers in Doha and Dubai.

Aviation consulting firm Aevean reports that worldwide air freight capacity fell 22% during the four-day period from February 28 through March 3, compared to a similar timeframe last month prior to Chinese New Year celebrations.

“It is an absolute halt of the supply chain to the Middle East,” stated Abdol Moaberry, chief executive of GA Telesis, a Florida-based company specializing in aircraft components and maintenance services. His company cannot transport parts to the affected region or retrieve components requiring repairs.

According to the International Air Transport Association, air freight handles roughly one-third of international commerce by monetary value. This includes everything from Apple devices to climate-sensitive medications, fresh produce, and automotive components transported in passenger aircraft cargo holds and dedicated freight planes.

Middle Eastern airlines control approximately 13% of global air cargo capacity, according to Aevean data. The disruption particularly affects routes connecting Asia and Europe.

Brian Bourke, chief commercial officer at SEKO Logistics, explained that Europe and Asia-Pacific regions face greater consequences due to their dependence on Middle Eastern shipping hubs.

“Companies in the U.S. should be paying attention,” Bourke noted. “But it’s not as immediate as if you’re in Europe or Asia or Australia.”

Air freight capacity along the Asia-Middle East-Europe corridor has dropped 39% since hostilities began, though direct shipping between China and Europe has grown 26%, Aevean reported.

Joshua Ng from Alton Aviation Consultancy suggests Chinese carriers may gain competitive advantages since they can utilize Russian airspace while many competitors face restrictions, resulting in shorter routes and reduced operational expenses.

Freightos consultancy data shows shipping rates from Southeast Asia to Europe have increased more than 6% to $3.82 per kilogram since Friday, with South Asian rates climbing 3% to Europe and 5% to the United States.

“Whenever operational disruptions increase costs or reduce capacity, air cargo rates tend to experience upward pressure,” Ng explained. “In the near term, shippers may begin to see higher spot rates on the Asia–Europe corridor, particularly if the disruption persists and capacity constraints continue.”

Stefan Paul, chief executive of Swiss logistics company Kuehne+Nagel, warned Tuesday that “certain backlogs arising in Southeast Asia and in China for the European and the U.S. marketplace” could develop by early next week.

Aircraft parts typically require air transport, and extended disruptions may delay Middle Eastern carriers’ attempts to resume normal operations. Kuehne+Nagel data indicates aerospace shipments to and from the region represented 6.7% of global aerospace freight in 2025.

“Even if the aircraft is not flying because of the war, the aircraft still has to be airworthy for when the skies open up,” explained Amyr Qureshi, senior vice president at Aventure Aviation.

Aventure serves approximately 70 airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways, maintaining essential components like engine valves and avionics at its Atlanta distribution facility.

Qureshi reported urgent calls from numerous carriers seeking parts, as individual components can sometimes determine whether aircraft remain grounded for maintenance. “If the part doesn’t arrive on time the airplane sits in the hangar more,” he said, calling it a “domino effect.”

On a positive note, Qureshi mentioned that components scheduled for shipment from Dubai airport to Atlanta for repairs were collected by a freight forwarder Wednesday.

“There is a gradual improvement,” he observed. “But these things are so unpredictable… tomorrow everything comes to a standstill.”

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s communications ministry delivered a sharp rebuke to Meta Platforms Inc on Thursday, citing the company’s inadequate efforts to remove harmful content from its social media platforms.

The formal reprimand followed an unexpected visit by Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid to Meta’s Jakarta headquarters on Wednesday. During the visit, officials expressed frustration with the company’s poor track record in addressing problematic material.

According to ministry officials, Meta has demonstrated insufficient compliance with Indonesian laws designed to combat harmful online content. The company’s platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – have failed to adequately address issues ranging from false information and online gambling to defamatory posts and hate speech.

The statistics paint a concerning picture: Meta took action on merely 28.47% of content that Indonesian authorities had flagged as problematic, particularly material related to gambling and misinformation.

“Disinformation, defamation, and hate content threaten lives in Indonesia, yet Meta has allowed them to persist,” Minister Hafid stated.

Indonesian officials are demanding that Meta enhance its content monitoring capabilities and speed up the process of removing illegal and dangerous material from its platforms.

This latest confrontation follows previous government action from last year, when ministry officials summoned Meta executives along with representatives from other major social media companies, ordering them to improve their content oversight practices.

Meta has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the warning.

KYIV, Ukraine — Seven people lost their lives and 10 others sustained injuries, including three children, when a Russian missile struck a five-story apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault and urged the international community to take action. The president reported that Russia launched a massive overnight bombardment using 29 missiles and 480 drones, focusing on power infrastructure in Kyiv and other central areas, with damage documented in at least seven additional locations nationwide.

Initial reports indicate Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 19 missiles and 453 drones, while 9 missiles and 26 attack drones found their targets across 22 different sites.

Rescue teams in northeastern Kharkiv continued searching through debris for potential survivors.

The Kyiv region experienced damage from falling debris across three districts, local officials reported. In southern Odesa, authorities deployed 80 firefighters to combat extensive blazes at infrastructure sites following multiple drone strikes. Ukraine’s national railway company Ukrzaliznytsia announced that infrastructure damage necessitated route modifications in the country’s center-west region.

“There must be a response from partners to these savage strikes against life,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “Russia has not abandoned its attempts to destroy Ukraine’s residential and critical infrastructure, and therefore support must continue. We count on active work with the European Union to guarantee greater protection for our people. I am grateful to everyone who helps strengthen our protection.”

Since launching its invasion more than four years ago, Russia has deployed tens of thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones against Ukraine. Moscow has established large-scale domestic manufacturing of these weapons and has bombarded Ukraine with hundreds of drones in single attacks — exceeding the total used during some complete months in 2024.

Iran has deployed similar drone technology against Middle Eastern nations following joint U.S.-Israeli military operations.

Zelenskyy revealed that the United States had requested Ukrainian assistance in defending against Iranian drones in the Middle East, and he had authorized the provision of equipment and Ukrainian specialists.

The Middle Eastern conflict has shifted international focus from Europe’s largest war since World War II and caused the delay of new U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that were scheduled for this week.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Saturday that the nation’s temporary leadership council has decided to halt military strikes against neighboring countries, with the exception of retaliatory action if Iran faces attacks from those nations first.

The declaration was made while Iran continues conducting military operations throughout the region as a response to strikes carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces against the Islamic Republic.

Officials in Azerbaijan announced Friday they successfully disrupted multiple terrorist operations allegedly orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including schemes to strike a critical oil pipeline and Jewish community locations.

According to Azerbaijan’s State Security Service, as reported by the government-run Azertag news agency, the planned attacks targeted the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Israel’s embassy in the country, a synagogue serving the Ashkenazi community, and a prominent figure from Azerbaijan’s Mountain Jews, an ancient Jewish population.

Iranian officials have yet to respond to these allegations.

The threatened BTC pipeline carries oil through Georgia and Turkey to European markets and provides approximately one-third of Israel’s petroleum imports. Any successful attack on this infrastructure could significantly increase global energy costs as Middle Eastern conflicts continue into their second week.

This announcement follows Azerbaijan’s Thursday pledge to respond to what it described as an Iranian drone attack on its Nakhchivan territory, which reportedly wounded four individuals and damaged airport facilities. Tehran has categorically rejected claims it launched the drone strike.

Azerbaijani investigators determined that two Iranian nationals and one Azerbaijani citizen worked together to smuggle more than seven kilograms of C-4 explosives into the country under IRGC direction. International arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects.

On Friday, Azerbaijan withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Iran due to security concerns, further straining relations between the nations that have been complicated by Baku’s partnerships with Israel and Turkey.

BEIRUT – As Israeli airstrikes hammered southern Beirut neighborhoods early Monday morning, a pregnant Sudanese refugee named Ridina Muhammad had to make a desperate escape with her family, walking through darkened streets until they reached safety at a local church.

Muhammad, 32 and eight months pregnant, trekked for hours alongside her husband and three children before finding transportation to St. Joseph Tabaris Parish, one of the few places willing to shelter refugees and migrants during the current conflict.

The family joins approximately 300,000 people forced from their homes throughout Lebanon this week due to intense Israeli bombardments, which came as retaliation for rocket and drone attacks launched by Hezbollah into Israeli territory.

While government facilities house only 100,000 of those displaced, with others staying with family or sleeping outdoors, refugees and migrants report being denied access to official shelters – the same treatment they experienced during previous conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.

Muhammad’s seven-year-old daughter lost the ability to speak following the 2024 war, and now the family faces even greater hardships with their home destroyed and Muhammad’s delivery date approaching at month’s end.

“I don’t know if there’s a doctor or not, but I’m really scared about it because I haven’t prepared any clothes for the baby, nor arranged a hospital, and I don’t know where to go,” Muhammad explained to reporters while her younger child rested against her swollen belly.

Despite registering with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), Muhammad says she has received no assistance during this crisis.

“Us, as refugees, why did we register with the U.N., if they are not helping us in the most difficult times?” she questioned.

UNHCR Lebanon representative Dalal Harb acknowledged the agency’s mobilization efforts but noted the enormous challenge of reaching everyone given the rapid scale of displacement. She revealed that UNHCR’s Lebanon operations currently receive only 14% of needed funding.

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), which previously assisted the church in hosting displaced individuals in 2024, has resumed its support role.

According to Michael Petro, JRS Emergency Shelter Director, the church reached capacity within 24 hours of the strikes beginning, now housing 140 people from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and other nations.

“There are many, many more people coming than there were in 2024, and we have fewer and fewer places to put them,” Petro noted.

Petro revealed that weeks before the current escalation, he was assured government shelters would welcome migrants if warfare resumed. However, when strikes commenced and even Lebanese citizens struggled to find refuge, that policy appeared to shift.

“We’re hearing from hotlines up to government officials and ministries that migrants are not welcome,” Petro stated.

Lebanon’s Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayyed did not respond to requests for comment, though she announced Thursday that Beirut shelters had reached full capacity.

When the bombardment started, 41-year-old Sudanese resident Othman Yahyeh Dawood loaded his two young sons onto his motorcycle and traveled 75 kilometers from the southern town of Nabatieh to St. Joseph’s, where they had previously found shelter in 2024.

“I know the area is safe and there are people who will welcome us,” Dawood said.

“We don’t know where to go; there’s war there (in the south), war here (in Beirut), war in Sudan, and nowhere else to go,” he added.

During Thursday’s annual parliamentary session in Beijing, Chinese officials presented their 15th five-year economic strategy, establishing the nation’s priorities across multiple sectors that will receive government backing and financial support.

The comprehensive plan addresses several key areas that could significantly impact global commodity markets:

RARE EARTH MINERALS AND METALS

For the first time in any five-year plan, Beijing specifically highlighted its dominance in rare earth minerals, committing to preserve its global leadership position while modernizing the sector. Officials also indicated they would strengthen their export control mechanisms, which have previously created supply shortages of essential minerals in international markets.

The nation’s commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure is expected to drive increased demand for copper and aluminum through extensive electrical grid development projects, many of which have already been announced. Despite China’s heavy dependence on imported materials like copper and iron ore, Beijing pledged to boost domestic mining and exploration efforts, though specific examples were not provided.

INDUSTRIAL OVERCAPACITY CONCERNS

Chinese leadership renewed their commitment to address excess production capacity in heavy industries including steel manufacturing, petrochemicals, and copper processing. While no specific reduction targets or output cuts were announced, the government did establish energy efficiency goals designed to accelerate restructuring within these carbon-heavy sectors.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY POLICIES

The plan sets a goal to reduce carbon intensity – measuring carbon emissions relative to economic output – by 17 percent, which represents a slight decrease from last year’s 18 percent target. Over the previous five-year period, carbon intensity actually dropped by only 12 percent. This approach allows total emissions to continue rising alongside economic growth.

Beijing aims to reach peak coal consumption within the next five years but removed previous commitments to phase down coal usage entirely. This change suggests coal consumption may stabilize rather than decline. The government did commit to generating 25 percent of all energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

OIL AND NATURAL GAS STRATEGY

China plans to maintain consistent domestic oil production at 200 million tons per year while continuing to increase natural gas output and expand strategic petroleum reserves. The plan includes advancing preliminary work on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project with Russia, which Moscow considers nearly finalized despite ongoing pricing disputes that have caused significant delays.

The country will also continue expanding its coal-to-liquids industry, which converts coal into oil, gas, and petrochemical products.

AGRICULTURAL OBJECTIVES

By 2030, China seeks to boost annual grain production to 725 million metric tons, relying on advanced technology and improved crop yields as available farmland becomes increasingly limited. Officials reiterated their focus on securing reliable overseas food supply chains for the substantial quantities of agricultural products the nation continues to import.

The plan calls for addressing overcapacity issues in the pork industry while providing support for dairy and beef sectors, both of which have recently received tariff protection.

MOSCOW – The Russian government leveled serious accusations against Washington and Tel Aviv on Thursday, claiming both nations are deliberately attempting to involve Arab Gulf countries in an expanded Middle East war through provocative actions against Iran.

According to Moscow’s allegations, Gulf Arab nations – which maintain strong diplomatic ties with the United States and some with Russia as well – have faced Iranian drone and missile bombardments following weekend airstrikes conducted by American and Israeli forces against Iran on Saturday.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin reached out to four Arab Gulf nation leaders by telephone on Monday, proposing that Moscow could leverage its diplomatic relationship with Iran to communicate the region’s concerns about Tehran’s attacks on petroleum facilities throughout the area.

In an official statement released Thursday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry directly blamed America and Israel for intentionally attempting to pull Arab Gulf nations into a larger regional war.

“They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against targets in some Arab countries, which led to human and material losses, which the Russian side deeply regrets,” the ministry said.

“In doing so, they (Washington and Tel Aviv) are trying to drag the Arabs into a war for someone else’s interests,” the statement continued.

MOGADISHU – In a significant political development Wednesday, Somalia’s legislative body approved constitutional amendments that will postpone the nation’s upcoming elections and lengthen the terms of both parliamentary members and the country’s president.

The East African nation has struggled with ongoing instability and tribal conflicts since autocratic leader Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991, leaving the country without effective central governance for decades.

Despite efforts by African Union peacekeeping forces to combat the terrorist organization al Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda, the militant group continues to maintain control over large rural territories and regularly launches attacks against major cities and towns.

Last August, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud negotiated an agreement with certain opposition figures that would have allowed direct legislative elections in 2026, though the presidential selection would remain in parliament’s hands. Legislation passed in 2024 had restored direct voting rights for citizens prior to the scheduled election.

During Wednesday’s session, 222 members of the combined parliament and senate – representing two-thirds of the total 329 legislators – approved the constitutional modifications through voice vote. The changes extend both legislative and presidential terms to five years, up from the previous four-year limit.

“Today is a historic day for it is the official completion of the constitution which had dragged for a long period,” the president told a press conference on Wednesday.

However, opposition party leadership, including multiple former presidents and past prime ministers, have denounced the constitutional amendment and continue to demand that elections move forward in May according to the original timeline.

A crude oil tanker sustained what appears to be hull damage following an explosion that occurred while the ship was moored near an Iraqi port facility, according to the vessel’s operating company.

The incident involving the Sonangol Namibe, which operates under a Bahamas flag, took place early Thursday morning near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port when an unidentified small craft came alongside the tanker around 1:20 a.m. local time.

According to a statement from Sonangol Marine Services, the company representing the vessel, the small watercraft moved toward the left side of the oil tanker before the explosion occurred.

“The small boat approached the port side of the tanker and a short time later a loud bang was heard,” Sonangol Marine Services said in a statement.

The company reported that the tanker’s crew has observed water escaping from a ballast tank on the port side, indicating possible damage to the ship’s exterior structure. However, officials emphasized that the vessel continues to maintain stability and remains safely positioned in the water.

“The crew reports that a port ballast tank is losing water which suggests some form of hull breach but the ship remains stable and safely afloat,” the company stated.

MOSCOW, March 7 – Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his sympathies to Iran’s leadership following civilian deaths from what the Kremlin characterized as “armed Israeli-American aggression against Iran” while demanding an immediate end to the fighting.

During a Friday evening telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin conveyed his deep sympathies regarding the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei’s family members, Iranian government and military officials, and “numerous civilians,” according to Kremlin officials.

“Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled stance in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the rejection of force as a method to solve any issues surrounding Iran or arising in the Middle East, and a swift return to the path of diplomatic resolution,” the Kremlin said.

The Russian president indicated he maintains ongoing communication with leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

“Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia’s solidarity with the Iranian people as they defend their sovereignty and the independence of their country. He also provided a detailed update on the developments during the latest active phase of the conflict,” the Kremlin said.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Drivers found themselves trapped for hours on Saturday as flooding overwhelmed the streets of Kenya’s capital following intense overnight downpours.

Military personnel were called in to support emergency rescue operations, while the local toll road company eliminated charges for drivers using elevated highways.

The deluge started Friday and persisted through the night, completely submerging cars and forcing drivers in certain locations to walk through waist-deep floodwaters to find safety on higher ground.

Social media platforms filled with footage showing waterlogged residences throughout the city.

Military rescue teams were dispatched during the night to bolster emergency services as Kenya Red Cross response crews faced difficulties reaching stranded individuals.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary-General Ahmed Idris explained that search and rescue operations were working around the clock to help those trapped.

“We are severely limited by the traffic and the situation on what used to be roads. We are doing our best to reach those in need,” he wrote on X.

Local citizens attributed the severe flooding to blocked storm drains, arguing that municipal leaders should have prepared by maintaining proper drainage systems before the current wet season began.

Resident Aisha Bajaber expressed frustration on X, writing, “The whole city is flooded yet again. How long will officials keep ignoring the lack of drainage?”

The country has experienced continuous rainfall since the end of February, marking the beginning of the extended rainy period.

Past wet seasons have brought devastating floods, landslides, and mudslides that have claimed hundreds of lives and forced thousands from their homes.

Regional tensions in the Middle East reached new heights Saturday as Iran unleashed fresh waves of ballistic missiles and drone attacks, with Gulf nations reporting successful interceptions of multiple projectiles.

Saudi Arabian forces neutralized four drones targeting the nation’s significant Shaybah oil facility early Saturday morning, marking the second assault on the location within just hours. Residents of Dubai reported hearing multiple explosions during morning hours, with United Arab Emirates officials confirming “a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception.”

Israeli fighter aircraft conducted extensive bombing campaigns against targets in both Beirut and Tehran as the conflict continued to escalate. Saturday’s casualty figures showed devastating losses, with officials reporting at least 1,230 fatalities in Iran, over 200 deaths in Lebanon, approximately a dozen killed in Israel, and six American service members confirmed dead.

Intelligence sources revealed Russia’s apparent entry into the conflict, with two U.S. intelligence officials confirming Moscow had shared information with Iran that could assist Tehran in targeting American naval vessels, aircraft, and military installations throughout the region.

The expanding warfare showed no signs of abating as President Trump’s administration greenlit a fresh $151 million weapons package for Israel. This decision followed Trump’s declaration that negotiations with Iran would only occur after its “unconditional surrender.”

The conflict’s economic ripple effects reached Pakistan, where officials announced a substantial fuel price increase of 55 rupees per liter (approximately $0.20) overnight. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attributed the hike to surging global oil costs stemming from Middle Eastern hostilities, noting Pakistan’s heavy dependence on petroleum imports from Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf states.

Israeli defense forces identified Tehran’s Imam Hussein University as a primary target, stating the facility served as a training center for Revolutionary Guard personnel and housed “multiple military assets” utilized by the Guard. Military officials reported deploying more than 80 combat aircraft in Saturday’s latest assault wave, which struck an underground facility storing ballistic missiles and housing command operations where “senior officials of the Iranian regime” were stationed.

Additional targets encompassed launch facilities across Iran’s central and western regions, according to military statements.

Tehran’s morning hours were punctuated by explosions as fresh airstrikes pounded Iran’s capital city. The bombardment appeared concentrated on downtown Tehran and government facilities in the area.

Dubai International Airport, recognized as the globe’s busiest hub for international flights, experienced disruptions when travelers were evacuated into underground train tunnels following missile alert warnings. Mobile phone emergency notifications alerted Dubai residents Saturday morning about “potential missile threats,” with Emirati officials instructing citizens to find immediate shelter as air defense systems activated.

When questioned about the escalating situation during a White House meeting focused on student-athlete compensation in college athletics, President Trump sharply criticized the reporter’s inquiry. “I have a lot of respect for you, you’ve always been very nice to me,” Trump addressed Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. “What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We’re talking about something else.”

Israeli citizens rushed to protective shelters throughout the country early Saturday after loud explosions signaled incoming Iranian missile attacks on additional targets. Emergency services reported no immediate casualty information was available.

Ukrainian officials confirmed Saturday that a deadly missile attack launched by Russian forces has claimed seven lives in the city of Kharkiv, with two children among the casualties.

Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported through the Telegram platform that the missile impact caused significant damage to a five-story apartment complex located within one of Kharkiv’s residential districts. Emergency response teams have been deployed to the scene and are currently working to remove debris from the damaged structure.

The attack represents the latest in ongoing hostilities affecting civilian areas throughout Ukraine’s second-largest city.

BEIJING, March 7 – Leaders from China’s economically vital Jiangsu province unveiled ambitious strategies to boost artificial intelligence development and modernize industrial operations Saturday, responding to President Xi Jinping’s directive for the region to spearhead technological innovation.

As China’s second-largest provincial economy and a critical manufacturing hub for exports, Jiangsu plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economic landscape.

The province produced approximately 14 trillion yuan ($2 trillion) in economic output during 2025, creating an economy comparable to nations like Spain and serving as a cornerstone of Beijing’s efforts to maintain growth and industrial strength while facing mounting geopolitical pressures from Western countries.

Provincial Governor Liu Xiaotao, leading Jiangsu’s delegation at China’s National People’s Congress, announced Saturday that the region hosts over 1,500 companies focused on artificial intelligence and holds the nation’s second-highest computing power ranking, featuring 66 major AI systems and 283 algorithms officially registered with government regulators.

Transportation official Wu Yonghong revealed plans to expand “AI plus” transportation programs, creating approximately 50 demonstration projects that utilize artificial intelligence to enhance infrastructure oversight and shipping operations.

Yangzhou Mayor Zheng Haitao reported that artificial intelligence applications are already transforming local manufacturing, with 186 automated production systems established across industries including auto parts and environmental technology sectors.

Zheng explained that Yangzhou is implementing financial incentives, such as computing cost assistance and specialized talent recruitment programs, designed to draw businesses and establish a comprehensive artificial intelligence network.

President Xi, who serves as a representative in the Jiangsu delegation and frequently participates in their discussions, addressed provincial legislators Thursday, calling on the region to pioneer the nation’s development of “new quality productive forces” – Beijing’s terminology for technology-based economic advancement.

Xi’s remarks gained additional emphasis Thursday through China’s 15th five-year development strategy, which referenced artificial intelligence more than 50 times and featured a comprehensive “AI plus” framework designed to integrate the technology throughout Chinese economic and social systems.

China’s National People’s Congress brings together approximately 3,000 representatives from provincial and regional groups, including government officials, business leaders, scholars, and laborers, who debate and approve laws and policy directions during the yearly legislative gathering in Beijing.

Turkish defense officials announced Thursday they are monitoring the Iranian Kurdish militant organization known as PJAK, expressing concerns about the group’s impact on regional security and stability.

The announcement follows Tuesday reports that Iranian Kurdish organizations have been in discussions with U.S. officials regarding potential operations against Iranian security forces in Iran’s western regions, according to sources who spoke with Reuters.

Turkey, which maintains NATO membership and shares a border with Iran, is currently pursuing peace negotiations with the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an Iraq-based militant organization. Turkish leadership also supports incorporating Syrian Kurdish fighters into Syria’s official government structure, making them unlikely to endorse any cooperation between Washington and Iranian Kurdish militants.

“The activities of groups that fuel ethnic separatism, such as the terrorist organization PJAK, negatively affect not only Iran’s security but also the overall peace and stability of the region,” Turkey’s defense ministry stated during their weekly press conference in Ankara.

Turkish officials confirmed that government agencies are maintaining close surveillance of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), a banned militant organization with connections to the PKK. Both Turkey and its Western allies, including the United States and European Union nations, have classified the PKK as a terrorist organization.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that upcoming U.S.-facilitated peace negotiations with Russia have been delayed due to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.

At the same time, America and Middle Eastern allies are requesting Ukraine’s help in defending against Iranian Shahed drones. According to Zelenskyy, Russia has launched tens of thousands of these same Shahed drones at Ukraine since beginning its invasion more than four years ago. Iran has deployed identical drone technology in response to combined U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities.

The Middle Eastern conflict, now entering its sixth day, has shifted global focus from what analysts call Europe’s largest war since World War II. Western officials and experts report the Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, with no indication that year-long American-led peace initiatives will end hostilities soon.

“Right now, because of the situation around Iran, there are not yet the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting,” Zelenskyy stated Wednesday evening. “But as soon as the security situation and the overall political context allow us to resume that trilateral diplomatic work, it will be done.”

Multiple nations, including America, have contacted Ukraine seeking assistance with Iranian drone defense, Zelenskyy revealed. He disclosed recent conversations with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait regarding potential cooperation.

Ukraine will only provide such assistance if it doesn’t compromise its own defensive capabilities and enhances Kyiv’s diplomatic position in ending Russia’s invasion, he explained.

“We help to defend from war those who help us, Ukraine, bring a just end to the war” with Russia, Zelenskyy stated.

Ukrainian forces have recently repelled Russian troops at several locations along the approximately 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) battle line, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

The Washington-based research organization reported this week that targeted Ukrainian counteroffensives reclaimed more territory than Ukrainian forces surrendered during February’s final two weeks, estimating recovered land at roughly 257 square kilometers (100 square miles) since January 1.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Initial vote tallies from Saturday reveal that a political movement headed by a former rapper is dominating Nepal’s parliamentary elections, marking the nation’s first vote since a youth-driven uprising last year.

The National Independent Party, known locally as Rastriya Swatantra, has secured 27 out of 165 direct election seats while maintaining the lead in 90 additional districts, according to data from Nepal’s Election Commission.

The party’s candidate for prime minister is Balendra Shah, a politician who previously worked as a rapper before capturing Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022 and becoming a prominent voice in the 2025 movement that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli from power.

Shah, age 35, centered his campaign messaging around improving healthcare and educational opportunities for Nepal’s impoverished population, capitalizing on widespread public dissatisfaction with established political organizations.

In a direct matchup against Oli in a southeastern region, Shah currently holds a commanding advantage over the ex-prime minister while vote tabulation proceeds.

The remaining six decided races were captured by the Nepal Congress party alongside two communist political organizations.

Citizens are choosing 165 representatives for direct election to the House of Representatives, Parliament’s lower house. An additional 110 positions in the 275-seat legislature will be distributed using proportional representation, where parties receive seats corresponding to their vote percentages.

Vote tallying continued across most districts Saturday, with complete results anticipated over the coming two days. Election officials are using helicopters to retrieve ballot containers from isolated mountain communities in the country’s northern regions.

Political observers view this election as a three-party competition, driven by citizen anger over extensive corruption and calls for increased governmental transparency.

Though the National Independent Party only formed in 2022, it has attracted massive voter support in this election, establishing itself as the leading contender while mounting a serious challenge to two historically powerful parties: the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

The 2025 demonstrations opposing corruption and inadequate leadership began with restrictions on social media usage before expanding into widespread government opposition. The violent clashes resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators targeted government facilities and law enforcement responded with gunfire.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian forces launched heavy attacks against Gulf Arab nations in the early hours of Saturday, while Israel and the United States maintained their ongoing aerial bombardment of the Islamic Republic.

The conflict appears far from over. President Donald Trump’s administration greenlit a fresh $151 million weapons package for Israel following Trump’s declaration that he would refuse negotiations with Iran unless it agrees to “unconditional surrender.” American officials have cautioned that an upcoming bombing offensive will surpass anything seen during this week-long battle.

Iran’s representative to the United Nations declared the nation would “take all necessary measures” for its defense.

Video footage from the Associated Press captured explosions and billowing smoke across western Tehran as Israel announced it had launched a comprehensive strike operation. During the same early morning hours, loud explosions echoed through Jerusalem while Iranian missiles sent Israeli civilians rushing to protective shelters nationwide.

Israeli emergency response teams reported no immediate casualties.

Demonstrating how the conflict continues to spread, warning sirens blared throughout Bahrain as Iranian forces attacked the island nation. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported successfully intercepting drones approaching its massive Shaybah oil facility and destroying a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, where American military personnel are stationed.

American and Israeli forces have pounded Iran with continuous strikes, focusing on military infrastructure, government leadership, and nuclear facilities. The conflict’s objectives and timeline have changed multiple times, with the United States occasionally indicating its goal is removing Iran’s current government or supporting new internal leadership.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Qatar’s energy minister Saad al-Kaabi cautioned that the war might “bring down the economies of the world,” forecasting a complete halt to Gulf energy shipments that could drive oil prices to $150 per barrel.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil prices climbed above $90 per barrel on Friday, marking the highest level in over two years.

Intelligence sources indicate Russia has shared information with Iran that could assist Tehran in targeting American naval vessels, aircraft, and other regional military assets, according to two officials with knowledge of U.S. intelligence findings.

These sources, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization for public comment, emphasized that intelligence has not revealed Russian direction of Iran’s use of this information.

Nevertheless, this represents the first evidence of Moscow’s involvement in the conflict.

Trump posted on social media Friday: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Following surrender “and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s),” he continued, America and its allies would assist in rebuilding Iran, making it “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”

These statements will likely generate additional questions regarding the war’s ultimate objectives. The fighting has claimed at least 1,230 Iranian lives, over 200 Lebanese deaths, and approximately twelve Israeli casualties, based on official counts from these nations. Six American service members have died.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media that “some countries” had initiated mediation attempts, without providing details.

Iranian state broadcasting reported Friday that a leadership council had begun deliberations on convening the nation’s Assembly of Experts, responsible for choosing the next supreme leader.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a Friday television appearance that the war’s “biggest bombing campaign” remains ahead.

Israeli officials report extensively bombing a vast underground bunker complex that Iranian leadership intended to occupy during the hostilities over the past week.

Fresh evidence has emerged indicating that a fatal February 28 explosion at a school in Minab, an Iranian city approximately 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) southeast of Tehran, likely resulted from American airstrikes. This evidence encompasses satellite imagery, expert evaluation, a U.S. official’s account, and public data from American and Israeli military sources.

Iranian state media reported that more than 165 people died in the explosion, with children comprising the majority of victims.

Iran has accused Israel and the United States of responsibility for the blast. Neither nation has acknowledged involvement, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed American investigation into the incident.

The Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah reported that its forces engaged with an Israeli unit that landed Friday night in Lebanon’s eastern mountains. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed at least three fatalities.

Israel has not confirmed this engagement, and its military has not responded to requests for comment.

Israeli forces have conducted repeated airstrikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs, areas with significant Hezbollah presence that also house hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports at least 217 deaths from Israeli strikes since Monday, with 798 people wounded.

Evacuation traffic clogged roads throughout the Lebanese capital as smoke rose from the city’s southern neighborhoods. Two medical facilities evacuated their patients and personnel.

“What can we do? We prayed here under the tree. During the night, we slept in the car because there is no place to stay,” said Jihan Shehadeh, among tens of thousands of displaced residents.

PRAGUE — Members of the Czech Parliament’s lower chamber were scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to remove Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s legal protections from prosecution in a $2 million fraud case connected to European Union funding.

If approved, the decision would enable Prague’s Municipal Court to proceed with the case and render a final judgment. The court had previously cleared Babiš on two occasions, but a higher court overturned those decisions, stating they failed to properly evaluate the evidence and directing the lower court to find him guilty in a new trial.

Babiš has maintained his innocence and declared the case “is clearly politically motivated.” Prosecutors initially sought a suspended sentence and financial penalty for the billionaire populist leader, who started his third term as prime minister in December.

The allegations focus on a property called the Stork’s Nest, which obtained EU funding after being moved from Babiš’s Agrofert business empire to his family members’ control. Subsequently, Agrofert regained control of the property.

The EU funding was designated for smaller businesses, which would have made Agrofert ineligible to receive it. The company eventually repaid the subsidy money.

Jana Nagyová, Babiš’s former business partner who authorized the subsidy application, will also face a new trial. She currently serves in the European Parliament, which has already removed her immunity protections.

Babiš regained leadership after his ANO (YES) party secured a decisive victory in October elections, creating a governing alliance with two smaller parties: the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the conservative Motorists party.

The new coalition plans to reduce the country’s support for Ukraine and oppose certain European Union initiatives.

Commercial airline pilots across the globe are confronting unprecedented safety challenges as expanding military conflicts introduce missiles and unmanned aircraft into civilian airspace, creating dangerous conditions that aviation professionals say they weren’t prepared to handle.

The recent escalation of Middle Eastern warfare has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and attack drones into airspace above some of the planet’s busiest aviation hubs. Iran’s retaliatory strikes against the United States and allied nations have targeted airports, forcing the cancellation of numerous flights from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, while only limited rescue operations have managed to evacuate thousands of stranded travelers.

Aviation industry professionals interviewed by Reuters – including eight pilots and multiple aviation security experts – describe how multiple simultaneous conflicts spanning from Ukraine to Afghanistan and Israel have created mounting pressure on flight crews, who must now navigate increasingly restricted airspace while contending with military drone activity extending well beyond active combat zones. This situation has intensified mental health challenges for pilots committed to protecting themselves and their passengers.

“We are not military pilots. We are not trained to deal with these kinds of threats in the air,” stated Tanja Harter, a pilot with Middle East experience who serves as president of the European Cockpit Association.

Harter explained that the current situation represents the most recent in a series of security challenges facing the aviation sector over recent years, potentially causing “fear and anxiety” among pilots. While airlines have established peer support programs to address these concerns, she noted that as a pilot, she would prefer not to “share airspace with missiles.”

Industry specialists report that airspace security has deteriorated significantly over the past two and a half years as conflicts have expanded, driven by a combination of GPS manipulation – where aircraft positioning systems are deliberately compromised – and increased presence of missiles and drones.

Recent incidents highlight these dangers: An Air France evacuation flight intended to transport stranded French citizens from the United Arab Emirates was forced to return due to missile activity on Thursday, while a Lufthansa pilot diverted from Riyadh to Cairo on Friday citing regional security concerns.

Aviation professionals working in Middle Eastern regions have developed extensive experience managing emergency situations, according to Lebanon’s civil aviation leadership. The current conflict escalation has rapidly tested these abilities, with March 5 video footage showing aircraft departing Beirut’s airport while smoke rose over the Lebanese capital’s buildings.

“Middle East pilots have always faced crises, so from the start we trained how to deal with contingencies, emergencies and everything else,” explained Captain Mohammed Aziz, who directs Lebanon’s civil aviation authority.

“No one can give you a guarantee that they won’t bomb the airport or will bomb the airport,” he added.

A Middle East Airlines pilot with ten years of experience described how Beirut routes have grown increasingly complicated. Previously, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft weapons in Lebanon typically reached 15,000 feet, prompting pilots to fly at higher altitudes for safety, while aircraft frequently carried additional fuel for potential diversions.

However, most missile strikes occur at sufficient distance to avoid direct risk, and pilots often remain too occupied with flight operations to dwell on external threats.

“You’re actually busy enough on the plane trying to make sure you have clearance to land, that everything is in order, so you don’t have time to process your emotions over what’s happening outside the plane,” the pilot explained.

The dangers extend beyond Middle Eastern regions. Following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, unmanned aircraft have become primary weapons for both sides. European airports from Stockholm to Munich have experienced drone-related disruptions, though suspected connections to the conflict remain unconfirmed.

Captain Christian von D’Ahe, who has piloted commercial aircraft for 15 years and leads Denmark’s Air Line Pilots Association, expressed concern about this developing threat.

“Drones are not easily detected,” von D’Ahe observed. “We can see them in the air, and they’re very small. So sooner or later, something will happen.”

Drone impacts on aircraft engines could result in complete power failure, while wing damage could severely compromise a plane’s maneuverability capabilities.

Most registered aircraft transmit identification signals through transponders that communicate with radar systems, but drones lack this technology, leaving pilots without warning. Standard airport radar systems struggle to detect drones, while specialized detection equipment is typically controlled by law enforcement or military agencies.

Dedrone, a counter-drone technology manufacturer, reported over 1.2 million drone violations occurred in the United States during 2023, with increases expected in future years.

Airports can deploy radar systems, frequency sensors, and jamming equipment to counter drones, with some systems capable of redirecting them off course. However, safety regulations prevent airports from shooting down drones.

Tim Friebe, a German air traffic controller and vice president of the Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination, characterized drones as a “threat that is growing,” while noting airports often have few response options available.

“For now we have reports, pilot reports, or sometimes controllers spot drones. The problem is there’s not much you can do except shutting down the airport,” he stated.

Drone incidents forced closures at major international airports including Munich and London’s Gatwick last year, prompting operators to enhance their foreign object and drone detection capabilities, according to multiple industry officials.

Moritz Burger, a commercial pilot operating from Germany, recalled observing what appeared to be a balloon with attached structure while approaching a European airport for landing.

“I was looking out of the window and suddenly there appeared an object that passed by just below our aircraft. We could see it for maybe one, maximum two seconds,” he described, noting the incident was startling and provided no opportunity for evasive maneuvers.

“When you encounter such a near-miss or some passing object, there is not enough time to react. So it is unrealistic to expect that pilots could fly around such an object. There’s pretty much nothing we can do,” Burger concluded.