Category: World News

LONDON — Six accomplished female writers have been selected as finalists for a significant British literary honor created to address gender disparities in the publishing world.

The Women’s Prize for Nonfiction announced its shortlist Wednesday, featuring works that explore themes from wartime survival to artistic healing. The winner will receive 30,000 pounds, equivalent to approximately $40,000.

Two of the nominated works focus on hotels serving as sanctuaries and danger zones during conflicts. Canadian journalist Lyse Doucet earned recognition for “The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan,” while British author Jane Rogoyska was selected for “Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War.”

The competition also includes Indian writer Arundhati Roy’s personal memoir “Mother Mary Comes to Me” and Turkish author Ece Temelkuran’s examination of displacement titled “Nation of Strangers: Rebuilding Home in the 21st Century.”

Rounding out the finalists are two British authors exploring artistic themes: Daisy Fancourt’s “Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health” and Judith Mackrell’s “Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The Lives and Loves of Gwen and Augustus John.”

Labour Party politician Thangam Debbonaire, serving as the judging panel’s chair, praised the selected works. “These books are an urgent antidote to mis- and dis-information, written with high standards of scholarship,” she stated. “They offer rich and original insights, in what often feels like a fragmented and uncertain world.”

The literary honor serves as a companion to the established Women’s Prize for Fiction, which has operated for 31 years. This nonfiction category welcomes female English-language authors worldwide across all nonfiction categories and launched in 2024.

The award’s creation responded to concerning industry statistics showing British men purchase more nonfiction books than women and dominate high-profile nonfiction publishing. Research from 2022 revealed that women authored just 26.5% of nonfiction books reviewed in British newspapers, while male authors consistently won major nonfiction literary prizes.

British physician Rachel Clarke claimed last year’s inaugural award for “The Story of a Heart,” examining the human elements of organ donation.

Both the fiction and nonfiction prize recipients will be revealed during a June 11 ceremony in London.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Medical examiners in Colombia continued their work Wednesday to confirm the identities of 69 military and police personnel who perished when their transport aircraft went down in the nation’s southwestern region, as officials launch a full investigation into what caused the fatal crash.

Outside Bogota’s forensic facility, Alfridis Julio anxiously awaited word about his 19-year-old son, soldier Kaleth Julio Severiche, whose name appeared on the casualty list from Monday’s tragedy in Putomayo province, though his body has yet to be positively identified. The young man had been heading home for family leave when disaster struck.

“My head is spinning. I don’t know what to do but wait,” Julio told The Associated Press.

The military Hercules C-130 transport went down moments after departing Puerto Leguízamo airport at 9:40 a.m. Monday morning. According to Colombia’s Aerospace Force, the aircraft crashed approximately one minute into flight, coming down about 1.8 kilometers from the departure runway.

Community members were first to reach the crash site, capturing video that showed thick black smoke and fire engulfing the wreckage. Several local residents assisted in evacuating survivors to nearby hospitals using motorcycles for transport.

After initial confusion about casualty numbers and passenger counts, the Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday that 67 military personnel and two police officers died in the incident. All remains were transported to the capital for forensic examination.

The aircraft, designated FAC 1016, came to Colombia through a 2020 U.S. cooperation program that provided three used Hercules planes to the South American nation.

Records show the aircraft underwent comprehensive maintenance in 2023, including engine inspections and replacement of critical systems components.

Colombia’s Air Force has launched a crash investigation, though officials have not announced when findings might be released.

Investigators plan to analyze information from the plane’s dual flight recorders, which contain vital data about the aircraft’s altitude, velocity, and cockpit communications during the final moments.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that her nation will maintain its partnership with Cuban medical professionals, even as other countries throughout the Americas have terminated similar arrangements due to increasing pressure from the United States.

“It’s a bilateral agreement that helps Mexico a lot,” Sheinbaum stated during her morning press conference when questioned about whether she would maintain the partnership or yield to Trump administration pressure.

The Mexican leader’s backing of the Cuban medical initiative occurs while President Donald Trump has imposed severe restrictions on Cuba, effectively blocking the island’s oil imports and working to isolate the Caribbean nation in an attempt to force governmental change. The United States has campaigned to terminate these medical missions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterizing them as “forced labor” and “a form of human trafficking.”

Several Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Honduras and Jamaica, have suddenly terminated these missions and returned Cuban medical professionals to their homeland.

Cuba’s strategy of sending doctors abroad — typically highly trained professionals skilled at providing healthcare with limited resources — serves as a diplomatic tool, though it has faced longstanding criticism from U.S. officials. Nevertheless, Cuban medical professionals have served crucial roles in underserved rural regions throughout Latin America, including the Amazon basin and portions of Central America that lack fundamental medical infrastructure.

During Wednesday’s briefing, Sheinbaum championed the initiative and emphasized that “we can’t forget” the assistance Cuban doctors provided during the COVID-19 crisis and in remote areas nationwide. The exact number of Cuban medical professionals currently serving in Mexico remains uncertain.

“It’s hard to get Mexican doctors and specialists to go out to many rural areas where we need medical specialists, and the Cubans are willing to work there,” she explained.

Sheinbaum’s support for the initiative seems to contradict Trump administration objectives, occurring while the Mexican president navigates a delicate relationship with Washington amid Trump’s threats of military intervention against Mexican drug cartels.

Mexico has historically been a strong ally of Cuba since the Cuban revolution. For many years, it has provided oil deliveries to Cuba to help prevent a more severe energy shortage on the island. However, Sheinbaum’s administration stopped these oil shipments after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba. As an alternative, Mexico’s government has provided humanitarian aid to Cuba and explored other forms of assistance.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is set to leave the hospital Friday and resume house arrest while serving a 27-year prison term for his role in a coup attempt, according to his physician.

Speaking to reporters in Brazil’s capital on Wednesday, Dr. Brasil Caiado confirmed that Bolsonaro’s medical condition has stabilized enough for him to return home, barring any unexpected developments.

The former leader, age 71, has remained hospitalized since March 13 while receiving treatment for pneumonia, adding to a series of medical issues that began when he suffered a stabbing attack in 2018 prior to winning the presidency.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted permission Tuesday for Bolsonaro to complete his sentence at his residence, citing health concerns following his hospital release. However, the justice noted he would reassess this arrangement within three months.

Under the court’s ruling, Bolsonaro must wear electronic monitoring equipment and cannot access mobile phones. Law enforcement will maintain surveillance of his home in a secured residential area, where demonstrations are prohibited. His contact will be limited strictly to medical professionals and immediate family.

Italy’s Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche stepped down from her position Wednesday after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly called for her departure amid ongoing legal troubles.

“Dear Giorgia, As you have officially requested, I hereby tender my resignation from the role of minister that you had wished to entrust to me, and which I believe I carried out to the best of my abilities,” Santanche stated in her resignation letter.

The departure follows Meloni’s efforts to distance herself from controversial officials after a damaging referendum loss on judicial reforms. On Tuesday, the prime minister successfully obtained resignations from two other scandal-plagued officials before turning her attention to Santanche, who has faced persistent allegations of financial misconduct.

Initially, Santanche, who belongs to Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, pushed back against the unprecedented public request from the government leader. Under Italy’s constitutional framework, prime ministers cannot directly dismiss cabinet members.

However, she ultimately agreed to step down, saying she was leaving “only in response to a request (from) the leader of my party” and rejected being made a scapegoat for the referendum loss “which was certainly not my fault.”

“Having said this, I have no difficulty saying ‘I obey’ and doing what you ask of me,” she continued.

Following the referendum setback, media reports indicated Meloni declared she would no longer shield compromised political allies.

Santanche, recognized for her bold public persona, has been entangled in extended legal battles while previously refusing opposition demands for her resignation.

She currently faces trial on false accounting charges related to the Visibilia publishing company she previously controlled. Additionally, prosecutors are pursuing her indictment for alleged benefit fraud at the same firm during the COVID-19 crisis.

Her legal troubles extend further back, with investigations into two alleged fraudulent bankruptcy cases involving a bio-food company where she served as chairwoman.

The resignation came as center-left opposition parties prepared a no-confidence vote scheduled for next week, which could have created significant political embarrassment for Meloni. News of Santanche’s departure prompted applause in the lower legislative chamber.

“I will not hide from you a certain bitterness over the outcome of my ministerial path, but in my life I have grown used to paying my own debts, and often those of others as well,” Santanche remarked.

A groundbreaking fashion exhibition has debuted at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, showcasing the innovative and surrealist creations of the Italian fashion house Schiaparelli, featuring everything from collaborative pieces with Salvador Dalí to stunning celebrity red carpet moments including Ariana Grande’s Oscar gown.

The comprehensive display chronicles 100 years of artistic innovation and craftsmanship at the prestigious couture brand, spanning from founder Elsa Schiaparelli’s pioneering work alongside prominent artists in 1930s Paris through to today’s creative director Daniel Roseberry, who continues drawing worldwide acclaim by creating sculptural masterpieces for celebrities including Margot Robbie.

Museum director Tristram Hunt announced Wednesday that “‘Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art’ will celebrate one of the most ingenious and daring designers in fashion history.”

Among the exhibition’s most notable pieces from the 400-item collection is Dalí’s iconic Lobster Telephone from 1938, presented alongside the matching “Lobster Dress” – an elegant white silk creation decorated with a striking red lobster that Schiaparelli developed with the renowned surrealist painter. This particular garment gained historical significance when worn by Wallis Simpson, the American woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up his throne.

Another remarkable Dalí partnership produced the “Skeleton dress,” featuring black fabric with three-dimensional quilted details that mirror human bone structure.

Exhibition curator Rosalind McKever explained to The Associated Press: “You cannot imagine how shocking this would have been in 1938 when it was first shown. It is a kind of punk look.”

The display also includes an elegant evening coat adorned with pink silk roses, created through Schiaparelli’s collaboration with French artist Jean Cocteau, who passed away in 1963.

McKever noted that Coco Chanel, a rival designer of the era, once referred to Schiaparelli as “that Italian artist who’s making clothes.” However, McKever added, “Schiaparelli would have taken that as a compliment because she was so integrated in this artistic community. She even said, ‘For me, dress designing is not a profession, but an art.’”

The fashion pioneer launched her initial Parisian venture in 1927, creating functional everyday clothing including trouser suits – a revolutionary option for women during that period – alongside more imaginative and playful pieces such as leopard fur footwear.

Her client roster grew to include legendary figures like Mae West and Marlene Dietrich, with the latter particularly favoring Schiaparelli’s precisely tailored pantsuit designs.

Though the original designer stepped back from the industry in the 1950s and passed away in 1973, contemporary designer Roseberry has embraced the responsibility of continuing Schiaparelli’s innovative spirit and haute couture theatricality for today’s fashion world.

Among the exhibition’s most striking contemporary pieces is a ruby-encrusted red gown that Grande wore during her “Wicked” medley performance at last year’s Academy Awards ceremony. The elaborate ballgown features an actual ruby slipper emerging from the dress’s back panel as homage to “The Wizard of Oz.”

Additional displays feature glittering showcases containing jewelry, buttons, and fragrance bottles, each crafted with artistic attention to detail.

The exhibition launched Saturday and will remain open through November 8.

TAPACHULA, Mexico — Roughly 500 migrants walked through southern Mexico on Wednesday, demanding faster processing of immigration documents and requesting permission to relocate to regions with better job opportunities.

The demonstration began Tuesday evening when the group departed from Tapachula, a city located close to the Guatemala border, aiming to draw attention to their circumstances and secure authorization to seek employment in other areas while their legal status remains under review.

The border city of Tapachula has historically functioned as a gathering point for migrant populations. Recent months have brought an increase in third-country nationals, especially Cubans who were deported during the Trump administration, though Mexican officials have not yet published official statistics on these new arrivals.

Although walking demonstrations occur regularly in this area, they no longer aim to reach the United States. Throughout the previous year, similar groups consisting of several hundred migrants have generally broken up within a few days without venturing beyond Mexico’s southern region.

“Without papers, there are no opportunities. We migrants feel like prisoners in Tapachula,” said Joandri Velázquez Zaragoza, a 40-year-old Cuban national who supports a wife and two children back home, where a worsening crisis is marked by widespread power outages and food shortages.

The evangelical pastor, who also works as a mason, reached Tapachula in August 2024. He initially pursued an asylum appointment in the United States through the CBP One mobile application but was denied. After the program ended with the Trump administration’s return to office, he applied for asylum in Mexico, but both his initial request and his appeal were turned down.

The demonstration proceeded under surveillance from the National Guard, the National Migration Institute, and local law enforcement, with no attempts made to halt their progress. Coinciding with the march’s start, Mexican officials announced a fresh agreement designed to enhance job opportunities for people traveling through southern states including Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco and Quintana Roo.

The Southern Border Monitoring Collective, an alliance of civil society organizations, issued a warning this week that travelers are being charged as much as 40,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $2,300) for documentation that should be provided at no cost. The group also criticized the growing militarization of Mexico’s southern border and the Northern Triangle, arguing that enhanced security protocols have escalated dangers and mistreatment of migrants.

Earlier this week on Monday, Mexican officials found 229 migrants confined inside a truck in Veracruz. The vehicle had been impounded at a police lot after being reported stolen, but authorities only discovered the people inside when the migrants started calling for assistance.

NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — In an overwhelming vote Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a measure labeling the enslavement of Africans as humanity’s most severe crime and demanding reparations to address past injustices.

The measure also demands the immediate return of cultural artifacts — such as art pieces, monuments, museum collections, historical documents and national records — back to their home countries at no cost.

The final tally in the 193-nation assembly was 123 in favor, 3 opposed, and 52 countries abstaining. The United States, Israel, and Argentina cast the only votes against the measure.

While General Assembly measures lack the legal force of Security Council decisions, they serve as significant indicators of global sentiment.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who played a central role in crafting the resolution, addressed the assembly prior to voting. “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” Mahama stated.

“The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting,” he continued. “Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of slavery.”

Britain’s acting UN representative James Kariuki acknowledged that the legacy of slavery and “its devastating consequences and long-lasting impacts” must never be forgotten.

He emphasized that Western countries remain dedicated to confronting persistent root causes today, including racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia and intolerance. Kariuki noted that “the scourge of modern slavery” — encompassing trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation and forced criminality — also requires attention.

The resolution “unequivocally condemns the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as the most inhumane and enduring injustice against humanity.”

Through this approval, the General Assembly recognizes the significance of confronting slavery’s historical wrongs “in a manner that promotes justice, human rights, dignity and healing.”

The measure urges UN member countries to participate in discussions “on reparatory justice, including a full and formal apology, measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, guarantees of non-repetition and changes to laws, programs and services to address racism and systemic discrimination.”

It also encourages voluntary donations to support education about the transatlantic slave trade and requests the African Union, Caribbean Community and Organization of American States to work with UN agencies and other countries “on reparatory justice and reconciliation.”

CARACAS, Venezuela — At a Saudi-sponsored investment conference in Miami on Wednesday, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez made a compelling case for long-term investment opportunities in her nation’s energy sector, highlighting recent reforms designed to attract foreign capital to the country’s oil industry.

Speaking virtually to the Miami conference from Venezuela, Rodríguez outlined an overhauled petroleum sector that now welcomes private investment, international dispute resolution, and external oversight—changes implemented in the roughly three months since U.S. forces apprehended her predecessor Nicolás Maduro and Washington began executing a staged recovery plan for the struggling nation. Notably absent from her remarks was any reference to Maduro, as she concentrated on convincing prospective investors that Venezuela now offers secure investment opportunities due to recent industry restructuring.

Rodríguez forecasted that the nation would experience double-digit economic expansion this year and through the next two years, establishing conditions “where investors know that, regardless of political changes or restrictive circumstances, there is security, that Venezuela has laws that allow for the safe return of their investments.”

“We are in a process of stabilization, implementing the reforms needed for a productive environment and to attract investments that will diversify the engines of the Venezuelan economy,” she stated during her presentation, which was delivered completely in Spanish.

The South American nation possesses the globe’s most extensive oil reserves and previously leveraged them to fuel what was formerly Latin America’s most robust economy. However, widespread corruption, poor management, and U.S. economic penalties caused output to drop dramatically from the 3.5 million barrels daily produced in 1999, when Maduro’s political mentor Hugo Chávez assumed leadership, to fewer than 400,000 barrels daily by 2020.

During 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department under the initial Trump presidency effectively banned Venezuela from international oil markets by imposing sanctions on the government-controlled Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., or PDVSA, as part of measures targeting Maduro’s administration for corrupt practices. This action compelled the government to market its remaining petroleum production at reduced prices—approximately 40% under market value—to purchasers including China. Venezuela even began accepting payment in Russian rubles, trade goods, or digital currencies.

The nation presently generates roughly one million barrels daily.

During Wednesday’s presentation, Rodríguez emphasized Venezuela’s minimal production expenses and flexibility in negotiations.

“When we consider a barrel of oil, its production cost, 64% of that barrel has room for negotiation with the investor regarding royalty reductions, income tax reductions, and most importantly, the dividends the investor receives,” she explained. “If there is a large investment, obviously the return will be higher on that 64%.”

Rodríguez assumed office following Maduro’s and his wife’s apprehension on January 3 in Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas, before being transported to New York to face drug trafficking allegations. Both individuals have entered not guilty pleas and are scheduled for a court appearance Thursday.

Upon taking leadership, Rodríguez, facing Trump administration pressure, rapidly restructured petroleum industry regulations. New legislation now permits private enterprises to control oil production and marketing, eliminating PDVSA’s exclusive authority over these operations and pricing decisions. The law also establishes independent arbitration for conflicts, replacing the previous requirement that disputes be resolved exclusively through Venezuelan courts, which remain under ruling party influence.

In response, the U.S. Treasury Department has relaxed sanctions. Last week, it issued comprehensive authorization permitting PDVSA to directly market Venezuelan oil to American companies and international markets, representing a dramatic policy reversal after years of largely prohibiting transactions with Venezuela’s government and energy sector.

Skeletal remains discovered beneath a church floor in the Netherlands could belong to the real-life French soldier who inspired one of literature’s most famous characters, according to archaeologists and church officials who announced the finding Wednesday.

The bones were uncovered in February when floor tiles at St Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht began sinking, revealing a burial site directly in front of the altar. The discovery has launched an intensive DNA investigation to determine if these are the long-lost remains of Charles de Batz de Castelmore d’Artagnan.

Archaeologist Wim Dijkman described the significance of the potential discovery to Reuters: “This has truly become a top-level investigation, in which we want to be absolutely certain — or as certain as possible — whether it is the famous musketeer, who was killed here near Maastricht.”

While many know d’Artagnan as the fictional hero of Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 masterpiece “The Three Musketeers,” the character was based on an actual 17th-century military officer. The historical d’Artagnan served under France’s “Sun King” Louis XIV and rose to become captain-lieutenant of the royal musketeers.

His life ended abruptly on June 25, 1673, when enemy fire struck him in the throat during France’s siege of the Dutch city of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War. The church where the remains were found sits close to where French forces had established their military camp during the siege.

Researchers are now comparing DNA extracted from the skeleton’s jawbone with genetic material from known descendants of the musketeer’s family line. The church had long been considered a likely burial location for the fallen soldier.

Several pieces of evidence support the theory that these bones belong to the famous musketeer. Investigators found a coin dated to 1660 and fragments of what appears to be a lead musket ball at the burial site.

Church Deacon Jos Valke pointed to historical records indicating d’Artagnan received burial in sacred ground, noting the location’s significance. “Well, under an altar – it couldn’t be much holier than that,” Valke explained.

The deacon acknowledged that while the evidence appears promising, definitive proof remains elusive. “When you add it all up, then, it seems plausible to us. But of course nothing is certain yet,” he stated.

The practical challenges of the era also support the theory that d’Artagnan was buried locally rather than transported back to France. Despite his heroic status, moving his body to Paris during the summer months would have presented significant logistical difficulties in an age before refrigeration.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Wednesday the appointment of seasoned diplomat Jean Arnault to serve as his special representative in efforts to resolve the escalating Middle East crisis.

Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres expressed grave concern about the expanding conflict, warning that the “world is staring down the barrel of a wider war.”

The UN chief revealed he has maintained regular communication with regional leaders and international partners, noting that multiple peace and dialogue initiatives are currently in progress.

Guterres emphasized the urgency of these diplomatic efforts, particularly highlighting how the extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is severely hampering the transport of oil, natural gas, and fertilizer during a crucial period for global agricultural planting.

“It is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder – and start climbing the diplomatic ladder,” Guterres declared during his New York address.

The Secretary-General confirmed that UN mediators have made their services available, with Arnault committed to doing “everything possible” to advance peace initiatives.

According to UN records, Arnault brings over three decades of international diplomatic experience specializing in peace negotiations and conflict mediation, having served in UN operations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

His latest role came in 2021 when Guterres appointed him as special envoy for Afghanistan and related regional matters.

The ongoing conflict’s impact extends beyond the immediate region, as interrupted fertilizer deliveries and rising energy costs threaten to trigger another wave of food price increases in vulnerable countries, potentially reversing years of recovery from previous global crises, according to UN and international experts.

A recent UN World Food Programme assessment cautioned that tens of millions additional people could experience severe food insecurity if the Iran conflict persists through June.

Guterres noted that Gulf nations serve as key sources of raw materials needed for nitrogen-based fertilizers that are essential for developing countries’ agricultural needs.

“Without fertilizers today, we might have hunger tomorrow,” the Secretary-General warned.

LONDON — Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared Wednesday that political parties across the nation will no longer be permitted to receive cryptocurrency contributions, warning that questionable financing presents a serious threat to democratic processes.

During his weekly appearance before Parliament, Starmer emphasized his administration’s commitment to safeguarding Britain’s political system from external manipulation. “We will act decisively to protect our democracy,” he stated, announcing “a moratorium on all political donations made through cryptocurrencies” during the Prime Minister’s Questions period.

The prohibition will significantly impact Reform UK, the hard-right organization headed by Nigel Farage, which stands among Britain’s rare political groups that welcomes digital currency contributions.

Additionally, the government established a yearly limit of 100,000 pounds ($134,000) for contributions from British citizens residing overseas. Electoral Commission data shows Reform received 12 million pounds over the previous year from Christopher Harborne, a British entrepreneur operating from Thailand.

Richard Tice, Reform UK’s deputy leader, accused the administration of attempting “to stop the incredible progress of Reform.”

Despite controlling merely eight seats out of 650 in the House of Commons, the party maintains a consistent lead over both Starmer’s Labour Party and the Conservative opposition in polling data.

Speaking to GB News, Tice argued that “cryptocurrencies are a perfectly legitimate way of investing, of earning within the law.”

While Britain maintains rigorous spending restrictions for political campaigns, parties may receive unlimited contributions provided donors are registered U.K. voters or domestically registered businesses.

Philip Rycroft, a former high-ranking government official, released a report Wednesday warning that anonymous digital currency donations might serve as a conduit for “foreign money into the political system in the U.K.”

The government commissioned Rycroft’s investigation into overseas financial interference last December following multiple notable incidents, including the imprisonment of ex-Reform UK representative Nathan Gill for accepting payments to deliver pro-Russian speeches in the European Parliament.

Rycroft noted that “the number of donations made in cryptoassets is currently unknown” and recommended a temporary prohibition on cryptocurrency contributions until regulatory frameworks align with technological advances.

While Parliament must approve Starmer’s proposed modifications, the government indicated the restrictions will take effect retroactively from Wednesday.

Starmer’s center-left administration has previously implemented additional measures designed to fortify democratic institutions, including stricter corporate contribution regulations for political organizations and reducing the minimum voting age to 16 from 18.

TORONTO — Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered sharp criticism Wednesday against Air Canada’s chief executive for offering condolences exclusively in English following Sunday’s fatal aviation accident in New York, calling the approach lacking in both empathy and sound judgment.

Michael Rousseau, who leads Air Canada, will be required to appear before Parliament’s committee on official languages following his release of a four-minute online sympathy message that contained just two French phrases — “bonjour” and “merci.”

The crash at LaGuardia Airport claimed the lives of two pilots, including Antoine Forest, a French-speaking resident of Quebec.

Forest and his colleague Mackenzie Gunther perished when their Air Canada Jazz aircraft struck a fire truck during landing procedures Sunday night at LaGuardia.

The airline operates from its main offices in Montreal, Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province. Rousseau has faced previous criticism for his limited French communication. His sympathy message was delivered entirely in English with French text displayed below.

“We proudly live in a bilingual country. There are two official languages here and Air Canada has a special responsibility whatever the situation to communicate whatever the situation in both official languages,” Carney said.

“I am extremely disappointed by the message released by the CEO of Air Canada. It shows a lack of compassion, and we will be closely following his comments before the official languages committee as well as the comments coming from the board of Air Canada.”

Language rights in Quebec have remained a sensitive issue dating back to the 1760s when British forces conquered the territory formerly known as New France. Approximately 80% of Quebec residents speak French as their primary language.

Air Canada representatives have not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

The Commissioner of Official Languages office has documented hundreds of formal complaints regarding Rousseau’s video statement.

“I don’t want to make political hay over what remains a tragedy with people still in hospital, but this isn’t the first time that he’s been told to speak French and he should know better,” said Marc Miller, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly noted that many of those affected by the tragedy and their relatives are French speakers, describing Rousseau’s approach as lacking in understanding. “It is a question of moral leadership,” Joly said.

According to Carney, Canadian authorities remain in ongoing coordination with U.S. officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the airport collision.

The United States announced Wednesday it will pay up to $3 million and provide potential relocation assistance to anyone who provides information about how Haiti’s two largest criminal organizations fund their operations.

Federal authorities are seeking details about the financial networks of the Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif crime syndicates, both of which have been classified as terrorist organizations by Washington. These powerful alliances unite hundreds of individual gangs operating throughout Haiti’s capital and extending into the country’s agricultural heartland and central regions.

This bounty represents a new strategy for U.S. officials, who previously focused rewards on capturing specific gang leaders rather than dismantling their funding sources.

Despite ongoing operations by Haitian law enforcement, supported by a United Nations-backed international force that arrived three years ago and assistance from a U.S. private military contractor, authorities have stepped up their campaign against armed criminal groups that now dominate most of the capital city. However, no major gang leader has been successfully captured.

Haiti’s criminal organizations have evolved significantly in recent years, becoming far less reliant on financial backing from the country’s wealthy elite as they have solidified their grip on the capital and expanded operations into countryside areas.

Law enforcement officials say these groups generate revenue through multiple illegal activities, including operating roadblocks and checkpoints, demanding protection money from businesses and residents, conducting thousands of kidnappings for ransom, and trafficking weapons, narcotics, and human organs. They also steal vehicles, seize buildings, and take crops from farmers.

The ongoing gang violence has forced more than 1.4 million Haitians from their homes, worsening an already severe food crisis throughout the nation. Since 2021, nearly 20,000 people have been violently killed in Haiti, with the death count rising each year.

United Nations investigators report that most gang-related killings involve firearms that are smuggled illegally into Haiti, with many weapons believed to enter through ports in Florida and Georgia.

MEXICO CITY, March 25 – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that her nation will continue its medical partnership with Cuba, despite mounting pressure from the United States that has led other countries to abandon similar arrangements.

Several Central American and Caribbean nations including Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica and Guyana have recently terminated their medical cooperation agreements with Cuba. The United States has criticized these programs as exploitative, though the participating nations have disputed this characterization, emphasizing that their rural communities depend heavily on healthcare services delivered by Cuban medical professionals.

The announcement highlights Mexico’s willingness to maintain its healthcare collaboration with Cuba even as regional partners distance themselves from the program under American diplomatic pressure.

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that her nation will maintain its backing for Michelle Bachelet’s campaign to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, despite Chile’s decision to withdraw support for its former president just one day earlier.

During her regular press briefing, Sheinbaum revealed she plans to have a telephone conversation soon with Bachelet, who previously served twice as Chile’s president. The nomination was originally put forth jointly by Mexico, Brazil, and Chile before right-wing President Jose Antonio Kast took office earlier this month.

“We believe that Bachelet is the ideal person to lead the United Nations, and we will continue to support her,” Sheinbaum declared during the news conference.

On Tuesday, Bachelet announced her intention to press forward with her candidacy, relying on continued backing from Mexico and Brazil. Brazil has not yet issued a statement regarding Chile’s withdrawal of support.

Sheinbaum praised Bachelet’s qualifications, stating: “She is a woman who seeks peace in the world, who has a vision for building rights, for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, for rebuilding the U.N. as an organization dedicated to resolving international conflicts, and establishing a bill of rights for all the people in the world.”

Chile announced Tuesday it would remain neutral and refrain from endorsing any candidate after pulling its support for Bachelet. President Kast has criticized his predecessor, left-wing leader Gabriel Boric, for initially backing Bachelet’s campaign.

Bachelet made history as Chile’s first woman president and is currently considered among the leading contenders to replace current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Her extensive UN experience includes serving as the organization’s high commissioner for human rights from 2018 to 2022 and as executive director of UN Women between 2010 and 2013.

The British Broadcasting Corporation announced Wednesday that Matt Brittin, a veteran Google executive, will serve as its new director-general during a turbulent period marked by legal challenges from President Donald Trump and uncertainty over the network’s funding future.

The 57-year-old Brittin brings nearly 20 years of experience from Google, where he most recently served as president overseeing operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Despite lacking traditional broadcasting experience, he will assume leadership of the century-old public broadcaster.

“Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast changing world,” Brittin stated, calling the 104-year-old institution “an extraordinary, uniquely British asset.”

Brittin will begin his role on May 18, succeeding Tim Davie, who stepped down in November following controversy over the broadcaster’s handling of Trump’s January 6, 2021 Capitol speech.

The legal dispute stems from a documentary that aired shortly before the 2024 presidential election, which combined three separate quotes from Trump’s speech to create what appeared to be a single statement encouraging supporters to march with him and “fight like hell.”

Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida federal court seeking $10 billion in damages, alleging the BBC presented a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction” of him in “a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence” the 2024 election.

While the BBC’s chairman has issued an apology to Trump, acknowledging the edit created “the impression of a direct call for violent action,” the broadcaster denies defaming the president and is fighting the lawsuit.

BBC attorneys have petitioned the Southern District of Florida court to dismiss the case, arguing it could create a “chilling effect” on aggressive journalism covering public figures and events. The network also contends the lawsuit lacks merit since the documentary never aired in Florida or anywhere else in the United States.

Beyond the Trump litigation, the BBC confronts its once-per-decade charter renewal process, which determines its public funding levels. The broadcaster currently operates on revenue from an annual license fee of 174.50 pounds ($230) that all UK households must pay to watch live television or BBC programming.

Opposition to the license fee system has intensified in the streaming era, with critics including commercial broadcasters arguing the traditional model is outdated as viewers abandon conventional television schedules and equipment.

The current center-left Labour government has pledged “sustainable and fair” BBC funding but hasn’t eliminated the possibility of replacing the license fee with alternative financing methods.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Brittin described the situation as “a moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity.”

“The BBC needs the pace and energy to be both where stories are, and where audiences are,” he explained. “To build on the reach, trust and creative strengths today, confront challenges with courage, and thrive as a public service fit for the future. I can’t wait to start this work.”

MOSCOW – Russia’s nuclear energy agency removed another 163 workers from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility on Wednesday, according to reports from Moscow-based media.

The head of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Alexei Likhachev, indicated that approximately 300 company employees are still working at the Bushehr site, though additional departures are planned.

The Russian government originally constructed the nuclear facility at Bushehr, and Rosatom has been working on expanding the site with new reactor units. However, construction activities have been halted since military conflicts involving the United States and Israel began with Iran last month.

BUDAPEST – A man who once hung a photograph of Viktor Orban on his childhood bedroom wall is now positioned to end the Hungarian leader’s grip on power after more than a decade and a half.

Peter Magyar was just nine years old when Hungary emerged from communist rule in 1990, and he decorated his family home in Budapest with pictures of prominent political leaders of the era. Among them was Orban, then a young attorney who had gained national recognition for boldly calling for Soviet forces to withdraw from Hungary in 1989.

“There was a surge of energy around the regime change that swept me up as a child,” Magyar shared during an appearance on the Fokuszcsoport podcast last year.

Today, surveys indicate Magyar’s center-right, pro-European Union Tisza party holds an advantage over Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party heading into Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary contest.

Magyar, whose surname translates to “Hungarian,” emerged as a political force two years ago following a scandal involving his former spouse, Judit Varga, who had served as Orban’s justice minister. Varga stepped down from all political positions after public outrage over a controversial pardon in a sexual abuse case.

Following the incident, Magyar separated himself from the ruling party and leveled accusations of corruption and propaganda against it, explaining that he had grown disenchanted with Fidesz.

Magyar’s political ascent has been remarkably swift. Within just four months of his first major interview on the YouTube channel Partizan, his newly formed party captured 30% of the vote in the June 2024 European elections, placing second behind Fidesz while overwhelming other opposition groups.

The upcoming election carries weight beyond Hungary’s borders, with potential ramifications for Europe and the continent’s populist far-right movements.

Since 2010, Orban has worked to establish what he terms an “illiberal democracy,” implementing restrictions on press freedom and non-governmental organizations while diminishing judicial independence.

The Hungarian leader has cultivated relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, while frequently clashing with the European Union. Brussels has frozen billions of euros in funding over concerns about Hungary’s democratic institutions.

Magyar has committed to restoring Hungary’s Western alignment and eliminating Russian energy dependence by 2035 while maintaining “pragmatic relations” with Moscow. He has also vowed to secure the release of suspended EU funding, which could help jumpstart Hungary’s sluggish economy.

However, Magyar is proceeding cautiously to avoid alienating more conservative voters.

While he doesn’t categorically oppose Ukraine’s potential EU membership like Orban does, Tisza’s platform doesn’t endorse expedited entry for Kyiv. Similar to Fidesz, Tisza rejects EU migrant quotas and would maintain the border barrier constructed under Orban to prevent illegal immigration.

Experts suggest that tensions between Budapest and the EU – intensified by Orban’s blocking of a 90 billion euro aid package for Ukraine – might diminish under Tisza leadership.

“Orban has lost faith in the current form and direction of European integration, and is pursuing a policy of vetoes and obstruction,” explained Botond Feledy, a geopolitical analyst at Red Snow Consulting.

“Tisza has no objection in principle to integration and would pitch its battles at a practical level.”

Magyar has adopted elements of Orban’s political strategy, conducting a grassroots campaign that has penetrated Fidesz’s traditional rural strongholds.

His events prominently display Hungarian flags, mirroring Orban’s approach to appealing to voters’ patriotic sentiments.

Gabor Toka, a senior research fellow at the Vera and Donald Blinken Open Society Archives, credits Magyar’s rapid ascent to his consistent messaging and effective social media strategy.

“Many people are also reassured by the story of someone who has irrevocably come into conflict with the system, and has no way back,” Toka noted, referencing Magyar’s split with Orban.

Current polling shows Tisza leading Fidesz by 8-12 percentage points among committed voters, though government-aligned pollsters report the ruling party ahead.

Born in 1981 to a family of attorneys, Magyar pursued legal studies himself. He wed Varga in 2006, and when her career brought her to Brussels, Magyar entered Hungary’s diplomatic service, focusing on EU legislation. Upon returning home, he worked at a state bank before leading a student loan organization.

Magyar and Varga, who finalized their divorce in 2023, share three children.

Magyar characterizes himself as a person of faith who enjoys preparing meals and playing soccer with friends and his sons.

When asked in December about how politics had changed him, Magyar referenced media descriptions of his temper, responding: “Now I count to 10.”

BUDAPEST, March 25 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who describes himself as a country boy and helped establish Hungary as a stronghold of right-wing populism, confronts his most challenging electoral battle in his 16-year tenure against a one-time ally seeking to remove him from power in the April 12 national vote.

The 62-year-old Orban has secured support from former U.S. President Donald Trump and several prominent European conservative figures, yet most polling data indicates his nationalist Fidesz party is trailing behind Peter Magyar’s center-right, pro-European Union Tisza party amid Hungary’s economic struggles.

Once a passionate anti-Communist activist during the Cold War era, Orban has become the EU’s most tenured current leader and maintains hero status among his supporters. However, domestic and international critics charge him with steering Hungary toward authoritarian governance.

Orban entered the world in 1963 in a rural community outside Budapest, pursued legal studies, spent time studying political philosophy at Oxford University, and even competed in semi-professional football before assuming the prime minister role initially in 1998 at the young age of 35.

Under Orban’s leadership, Hungary became a NATO member, though he was voted out in 2002. Following eight years as opposition leader, he achieved a decisive electoral triumph in 2010, which allowed him to restructure Hungary’s constitution and enact significant legislation designed to establish what he termed an “illiberal democracy.”

His concentration of executive authority, new restrictions on non-governmental organizations and press freedoms, plus the undermining of judicial independence have sparked confrontations with the European Union regarding democratic principles, resulting in the suspension of billions of euros in Hungarian funding.

When Europe faced its 2015 migration crisis, Orban positioned himself as the protector of Hungary’s national character and Christian values, rejecting EU requirements to accept asylum seekers, primarily Muslims from Middle Eastern and other regions. His administration has systematically worked to diminish LGBTQ+ protections.

His uncompromising stance on immigration and initiatives to boost Hungary’s declining birth rates have garnered approval from fellow conservative leaders, including Trump.

Orban, who also achieved overwhelming electoral victories in 2014, 2018, and 2022, has received backing this election cycle from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, and Alternative for Germany’s Alice Weidel.

Trump has also given his support to Orban, stating that U.S.-Hungary relations have achieved “new heights” through their leadership following years of tension under Democratic administrations in Washington.

“Core Fidesz supporters will be heartened by their prime minister rubbing shoulders with Trump,” analysts at think tank Eurasia Group said.

“But while there has been a flurry of trade deals in areas such as defence and energy, there appears to be no additional concrete political aid for the election (from Trump).”

Orban has preserved strong relationships with Russia, a crucial energy provider, and China, whose companies are constructing significant electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in the landlocked Central European nation.

He has attempted to characterize the election as a decision between “war or peace,” implying that Tisza seeks to involve Hungary in the conflict occurring in adjacent Ukraine, which the party vehemently rejects.

“For peace, Fidesz is the safe choice,” Orban said on the campaign trail in February. He has repeatedly clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and angered Hungary’s EU allies by obstructing a 90 billion euro assistance package for Kyiv.

However, polling data suggests Hungarian citizens are more focused on domestic matters like healthcare and the economy, which has remained stagnant for three years.

Hungary endured the EU’s most severe inflation spike after Russia’s February 2022 Ukraine invasion, which pushed food costs near EU average levels, while Hungarian salaries remain the third-lowest among the 27-member bloc.

Even with generous family-friendly policies, including affordable loans and tax advantages, Orban seems to have alienated younger voters as he has shifted further rightward.

With Zavecz Research polling showing only one in five voters under 40 supporting Fidesz, Orban appealed to parents at a campaign event to emphasize the election’s importance to their adult children.

“I know young people like to turn against their parents and this can cause political problems,” said Orban, a father of five and a grandfather.

Despite participating in numerous campaign rallies and maintaining constant interviews and social media activity, he offered a rare insight late last year into the campaign’s potential impact after so many years in leadership.

“When I was a soldier (doing military service), they told us a soldier cannot be cold, he can only perceive the cold,” he said. “I am the same. I am not tired. It is just that my strength is running out.”

A British government-commissioned investigation released Wednesday calls for strict limits on political donations from overseas contributors and a temporary ban on cryptocurrency gifts to political parties.

The independent assessment suggests these changes could significantly affect Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has become a major political force in Britain.

British officials launched this investigation following last year’s imprisonment of a former Reform UK politician who accepted payments to deliver pro-Russian statements and speeches.

Reform UK made history as Britain’s first political party to welcome bitcoin donations, and foreign contributors provided roughly two-thirds of the party’s total fundraising last year.

Under Farage’s leadership, the party has surged ahead of the ruling Labour Party in recent polling and outpaced competing parties in fundraising efforts. Farage, known for his Brexit advocacy and friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump, has transformed Reform into a significant political player.

The investigation, conducted by Philip Rycroft, a former high-ranking government administrator, proposes setting yearly donation limits for British citizens residing abroad at between 100,000 and 300,000 pounds ($402,390). Additionally, the review suggests suspending cryptocurrency donations until proper regulatory frameworks can be established.

“The threat of foreign financial interference in our politics is real, persistent and sustained,” Rycroft stated, noting that while current impacts on British democracy remain limited, the dangers will continue. “The government must act quickly to further limit the risk of foreign financial interference in our politics.”

Currently, British law places no restrictions on political party donations from individuals registered to vote in the UK or from British-registered companies and organizations, including labor unions.

According to Rycroft’s findings, Britain continues facing ongoing attempts by foreign nations, particularly Russia, China and Iran, to influence and weaken the country’s democratic processes.

However, the review identified an additional concern beyond these hostile state activities: a “potential new threat: an emerging willingness of foreign actors and private citizens, including from allies like the United States, to interfere in, and influence, politics abroad in pursuit of their own agenda.”

To address these challenges, the review also suggests establishing a specialized police unit dedicated to investigating foreign political interference allegations, lowering evidence requirements for related criminal charges, and considering stricter penalties for violations.

HONG KONG (AP) — Authorities in Hong Kong have reportedly detained the owner of an independent bookstore along with three employees on charges of distributing prohibited publications, including a biography of imprisoned pro-democracy leader Jimmy Lai, raising additional alarm about diminishing civil liberties in the territory.

In a related development Tuesday, government officials ordered the removal of three business entities connected to Lai’s former newspaper, Apple Daily, from Hong Kong’s corporate registry. According to an official statement, these companies have been dissolved and designated as “prohibited organizations,” with authorities cautioning that any association with them would breach national security legislation enacted in 2024.

Both Lai and the three recently deregistered entities — Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD internet Limited — received convictions in December for conspiring to collaborate with foreign entities to threaten national security. Additional convictions were handed down for conspiring to distribute seditious materials under separate sedition statutes.

Last month, Lai received a 20-year prison sentence while each of the three companies faced fines exceeding 3 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $384,000).

Opposition voices argue that these recent government actions related to Lai have created an even more restrictive atmosphere in the former British territory, which was guaranteed certain civil rights when sovereignty transferred to China in 1997.

Multiple local news organizations, including TVB broadcaster and the South China Morning Post, reported Tuesday that Pong Yat-ming, who operates an independent bookstore, and three workers from his establishment, Book Punch, were detained on suspicion of distributing seditious materials. These reports, citing unnamed sources, indicated that national security officers had conducted searches of the bookstore and that “The Troublemaker,” Lai’s biography, was among the questioned publications.

Law enforcement officials declined to verify the detentions, stating only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.” The bookstore has not yet provided a response.

When The Associated Press visited Wednesday, the bookstore remained shuttered, displaying a sign at its entrance that read: “Taking a day off due to an unexpected situation. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

Independent bookshops, commonly viewed as venues providing politically sensitive literature not readily available in public libraries or major retailers, have encountered numerous operational difficulties.

Pong faces separate charges related to his other bookstore operations. In January, he entered a not guilty plea to accusations of operating an unlicensed educational facility by permitting Spanish language instruction at his store.

Hunter Bookstore, another independent book retailer, previously reported frequent visits from officials regarding complaints about matters such as conducting unlicensed events.

On Wednesday, Hunter raised questions about how book retailers could distinguish which publications authorities consider seditious under national security laws. The store posted on social media expressing hope that officials would create an online registry, promising to cease selling any titles listed as seditious.

“Books and publishing are not independent enterprises. They are the cultural foundation of the entire society,” the store stated.

Officials justified Tuesday’s dissolution of the three Apple Daily-linked companies as essential for protecting national security.

The now-closed publication, established by Lai and recognized for its critical reporting on Hong Kong and Beijing administrations, ceased operations nearly five years ago after key management personnel were arrested under national security legislation Beijing implemented in 2020 to suppress widespread anti-government demonstrations in 2019.

The three dissolved companies served as the newspaper’s official publisher, printing operation, and website domain owner.

Several local media sources reported Wednesday that police had entered the vacant offices of Next Digital, Apple Daily’s parent organization.

Beyond Lai, six former Apple Daily employees who accepted guilty pleas in the case received prison sentences ranging from six years and nine months to 10 years.

Lai’s sentencing has prompted international condemnation, with numerous critics arguing that the national security case demonstrates the deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong. City officials maintain the case is unrelated to press freedom and assert that both security laws are essential for maintaining stability.

On Monday, local authorities modified implementation guidelines for the 2020 security law, indicating intensified national security enforcement efforts.

Customs officials now possess authority to confiscate any materials they reasonably believe contain seditious content.

The updated guidelines also permit police officers to demand passwords or other decryption methods from specific individuals during national security investigations. Those who refuse compliance could face up to one year imprisonment and fines of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $12,800) upon conviction.

Security Secretary Chris Tang informed legislators Tuesday that the new guidelines do not authorize police to randomly request mobile device passwords. He explained that officers must obtain court-issued warrants based on national security grounds before searching electronic equipment.

SAO PAULO, March 25 – A new survey from AtlasIntel and Bloomberg reveals that Brazil’s current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro would be locked in a statistical dead heat if they faced off in the country’s next presidential election. The Wednesday poll results show Bolsonaro holding just a one-point advantage over the incumbent.

In hypothetical first-round voting scenarios, the leftist Lula consistently captured around 46% support across five different matchup simulations. His right-wing opponent Flavio Bolsonaro showed strength ranging from 36% to 42% across four separate scenarios. These numbers represent gains for Bolsonaro compared to February polling, when he registered between 33% and 40% while Lula held steady at 43% to 47%.

The runoff simulation presents an even tighter contest, with Flavio Bolsonaro edging ahead at 47.6% compared to Lula’s 46.6%. However, this narrow margin falls completely within the survey’s one percentage point error range, making it essentially a tie. February’s polling had shown the two candidates in a virtual dead heat as well.

Financial markets have been closely monitoring these electoral polls ever since imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed his son Flavio in December, causing Brazil’s currency and stock markets to decline. The 80-year-old Lula, who successfully defeated the elder Bolsonaro in 2022, is positioning himself for what would be his fourth non-consecutive presidential term.

Brazil’s electoral system requires a candidate to secure more than 50% of valid votes to avoid a runoff election. Since 2002, every presidential race has required this second round of voting between the top two finishers. The AtlasIntel poll gathered responses from 5,028 Brazilian voters between March 18 and March 23, with results carrying a one percentage point margin of error.

Libyan maritime authorities have successfully removed a crippled Russian natural gas tanker that had been floating without a crew in Mediterranean waters for several weeks, according to officials from the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity.

The vessel, identified as the Russian-flagged Arctic Metagaz, had been transporting liquefied natural gas from Russia’s Arctic port of Murmansk when it sustained damage in early March. Russian transportation officials reported the ship was struck by Ukrainian naval drones, leaving it without operational crew.

The unmanned tanker eventually floated toward the coastline near Zuwara, a western Libyan port city, raising serious environmental concerns across the region.

Nine European Union nations, including Italy, France, and Spain, sent an urgent letter to the European Commission warning that the vessel represented “an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster.”

Video footage released Tuesday by the GNU’s Hakomitna media outlet captured a military frigate pulling the tanker through Mediterranean waters using heavy rope.

Coast guard operations commander Omar Mohamed Omar Al-Tuwair confirmed in the video that maritime forces had successfully moved the abandoned vessel away from Zuwara’s coastline.

“We assure our people throughout Libya in general, and the western coastal areas in particular, especially Zuwara and Sabratha, that the relevant authorities are making every effort to deal with the situation,” Al-Tuwair stated.

Officials have not revealed where the tanker will ultimately be taken for repairs or disposal.

Russian transportation ministry representatives claimed the drone attack originated from Libyan territory. Both Ukrainian and Libyan officials have remained silent regarding the incident’s details.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Anti-corruption authorities in South Africa have taken into custody 12 high-ranking law enforcement officials on charges of fraud and corruption, according to prosecutors who announced the arrests Wednesday.

The detained officials made their court appearance later that day in Pretoria, the nation’s capital city.

These detentions occur as investigations continue examining claims of widespread corruption among South Africa’s top police leadership. President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated these inquiries and also removed the police minister from office last year.

Parliamentary investigators are conducting a separate probe into accusations that high-level police officials maintained corrupt ties with suspected crime leaders and allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for special treatment.

According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority’s anti-corruption division, the dozen officers were detained in connection with a fraudulent agreement for providing health and wellness services to law enforcement personnel. Authorities also arrested a 13th individual who served as a company executive.

The police officials appeared in court Wednesday along with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who owns Medicare24, the business that received the disputed contract and who investigators suspect has connections to organized criminal activity.

Matlala is currently detained at a high-security facility facing separate attempted murder allegations.

Each of the arrested officers filed sworn statements requesting bail, and prosecutors told the Pretoria Magistrates Court they would not contest their release on bail.

Prosecutors revealed Wednesday that several of the arrested officials had served on the evaluation panel that reviewed and approved the contract, alleging they should have rejected the company’s proposal.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A Danish foreign minister and his centrist political party will likely determine the leadership of the Scandinavian nation’s upcoming government following Tuesday’s parliamentary vote that produced no decisive winner among any party or coalition.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, representing the center-left, may continue serving a third term despite lackluster election results. However, forming a new coalition will require successful negotiations with the influential Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Domestic economic concerns dominated the election campaign rather than tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland.

The existing government plans to step down Wednesday after losing its parliamentary majority. Party leaders will engage in discussions and meet with King Frederik X to determine the nation’s political direction.

Denmark’s unicameral legislature, known as the Folketing, serves four-year terms. Of the 179 total seats, Danish representatives occupy 175, while Greenland and the Faroe Islands each receive two seats for their semiautonomous territories.

Voter turnout reached nearly 84% among the more than 4.3 million eligible citizens in the country of 6 million residents.

Election results revealed that Frederiksen’s center-left Social Democrats experienced losses compared to their 2022 performance, along with their two governing coalition partners.

As anticipated, no individual party secured a parliamentary majority. Denmark’s proportional representation electoral system typically creates coalition governments formed by multiple parties from either the leftist “red bloc” or rightist “blue bloc” following extensive negotiations.

Frederiksen’s departing government marked the first administration in decades to bridge the traditional left-right political divide. While she expressed willingness to continue as prime minister for a third term, her Social Democrats maintained their position as the largest single party. However, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, representing the center-right Liberal party and Frederiksen’s primary challenger, indicated his party would not rejoin a Social Democrat-led government.

Danish political analyst Rune Stubager predicts Frederiksen will retain her prime ministerial role.

“Whether it will be in a new centrist coalition or a government based mostly on votes from the red bloc, that is up to the negotiations,” said Stubager, who co-directs the Danish National Election Study.

The 48-year-old Frederiksen has gained recognition for her robust support of Ukraine against Russian aggression and her strict immigration policies, maintaining Denmark’s established political approach to migration issues.

With neither left nor right political blocs achieving majority control, Løkke Rasmussen now wields kingmaker influence. His centrist Moderate party’s 14 parliamentary representatives in the 179-seat legislature can determine whether Frederiksen secures a third term leading this European Union and NATO member nation. A governing majority requires 90 seats.

Løkke Rasmussen urged political opponents from both sides to moderate their campaign positions and “come and play with us.”

Without Moderate party backing, neither bloc can establish a governing majority, positioning them as the election’s sole clear victors. Stubager noted they can demand compromises from other parties’ campaign pledges to achieve their objective of centrist governance.

“As far as I can see it, it’s not possible to form a government if all these tripwires are intact,” Stubager explained. “So somebody will have to go back on a promise in order for there to be a government.”

The Moderates’ electoral success partly stems from the Trump-Greenland controversy, according to Stubager. Despite poor polling numbers late last year, the party gained significant momentum through Løkke Rasmussen’s diplomatic efforts to ease U.S.-Denmark tensions, including a high-profile Washington visit.

“Donald Trump put up a stage on which Lars Løkke could perform, and he performed well in the eyes of most Danes,” Stubager observed.

Frederiksen also attempted to capitalize on the Greenland situation. Her polling numbers improved earlier this year, prompting her February election call several months ahead of schedule. She apparently believed her firm stance during the diplomatic standoff would appeal to voters.

The early election timing wasn’t necessarily a strategic mistake, as Social Democrat support had been weaker before the international crisis emerged.

In January, Frederiksen declared that American control over Greenland would effectively destroy NATO. However, the diplomatic crisis has since cooled considerably.

Trump withdrew his threats to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European nations opposing U.S. control of the Arctic territory. Subsequently, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland initiated technical discussions regarding an Arctic security agreement, with talks continuing.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Wednesday that his nation will progressively halt natural gas deliveries to Ukraine unless Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.

Ukraine relies heavily on Hungarian natural gas imports to meet its energy requirements as the country continues fighting a war with Russia that has now entered its fourth year.

Oil deliveries from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia through the pipeline have been suspended for almost two months following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that caused damage to the infrastructure running through Ukrainian land. Ukrainian officials say ongoing attacks put repair crews at risk.

Both Hungary’s and Slovakia’s populist leadership have blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking Russian oil shipments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier this month that he has reservations about permitting Russian oil to continue flowing through his nation.

Speaking in a social media video Wednesday, Orbán characterized the oil supply interruption as “Ukrainian blackmail,” stating: “As long as Ukraine does not supply oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary.”

The Hungarian leader indicated his country would redirect the gas to build up its own strategic reserves instead.

Ukrainian officials had not immediately responded to the announcement, and a Hungarian government representative did not reply to Associated Press requests for comment.

Data from Ukrainian energy consulting firm EXPRO shows that Hungary supplied approximately 45% of Ukraine’s total gas imports in the previous year, though this figure declined to 38% by January.

This latest action represents another in a sequence of retaliatory steps Hungary has implemented following the disruption of Russian oil deliveries.

Just last week, Orbán — who is commonly regarded as Russia’s strongest supporter within the European Union — prevented a 90-billion euro ($106 billion) EU financial package for Ukraine due to the oil interruptions and promised to block future pro-Ukraine measures until oil transportation resumes.

The Hungarian prime minister has previously stopped diesel exports to Ukraine and opposed new EU sanctions targeting Russia.

As Orbán prepares for next month’s elections where he confronts an unusually strong center-right challenger, he has intensified his anti-Ukraine rhetoric, labeling the country Hungary’s “enemy” and claiming Zelenskyy is attempting to create an energy crisis to influence the April 12 election.

He has also positioned military personnel at critical energy facilities throughout Hungary, alleging Ukrainian plans to cause disruptions without offering supporting evidence.

Both Hungary and Slovakia currently operate under a temporary EU exemption allowing Russian oil imports, which was granted when Moscow began its military campaign against Ukraine in February 2022.

KYIV, March 25 – Ukrainian military leaders are preparing to counter Russia’s latest springtime military campaign targeting fortified eastern cities, as diplomatic efforts toward peace remain at a standstill.

Russian forces are concentrating their assault on what military analysts call the “Fortress Belt” – a series of heavily defended urban areas in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region that Moscow has consistently demanded Ukraine surrender as part of any peace agreement.

Recent Russian military activity includes a battalion-sized attack northeast of Sloviansk, the belt’s northern stronghold, along with smaller operations near Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka at the southern perimeter, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War. These moves appear designed to establish favorable conditions for a larger offensive push.

The deteriorating security situation became evident Friday when Sloviansk officials ordered the evacuation of children as Russian troops moved to within 20 kilometers east of the city.

Despite being outnumbered by Russian forces, Ukraine’s enhanced tactical operations and expanding drone warfare capabilities could help limit Moscow’s territorial gains, according to Rob Lee, a senior fellow at Philadelphia’s Foreign Policy Research Institute.

“Russia still has enough manpower to keep advancing this year,” Lee stated. “How far they’re going to get is an open question.”

Ukrainian forces began spring operations after reclaiming some southeastern territory in a rare victory last month, aided by Elon Musk’s restrictions on Russian use of his Starlink internet service, which disrupted Moscow’s military communications.

Ukraine reports it has begun eliminating more enemy troops than Russia can recruit – a central component of new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s technology-focused, data-driven military strategy. Russia disputes Ukrainian casualty claims.

The escalating conflict coincides with Middle Eastern warfare that has shifted U.S. focus away from mediating peace discussions and boosted Russia’s treasury through rising oil prices.

The Middle East conflict is also depleting U.S. air-defense weapon supplies that Ukraine depends on to protect its cities, energy systems, and military installations.

Ukraine’s financial situation has become precarious after Hungary blocked a 90 billion euro EU loan this month, while the military continues struggling to recruit sufficient soldiers for frontline service.

MULTIPLE BATTLEFRONTS

Russia’s winter campaign resulted in the capture of nearly all of Pokrovsk, a former eastern logistics center, where Ukrainian officials reported Moscow advanced despite heavy casualties.

Yevhen Lasiychuk, commander of Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps supervising the area, reported no immediate evidence of Russia preparing a major new assault there.

However, he explained that any offensive targeting the Fortress Belt would likely coordinate attacks around Pokrovsk with sieges of nearby Kostiantynivka and Sloviansk to pressure multiple fronts simultaneously.

“They’ll try to break our battle formations, rupture them where there’s a weak point, and then exploit that,” Lasiychuk explained in a recent interview.

“The tactics haven’t changed – we understand them.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that Russia was exploiting warmer weather conditions to intensify offensive operations.

Ukraine’s General Staff reported Russian forces conducted over 600 assaults across multiple front sections during a four-day period last week, including 163 near Pokrovsk and 84 near Kostiantynivka.

Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s General Staff chief, declared last week that Moscow’s offensive was “underway in all directions” and targeted the cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostiantynivka.

Emil Kastehelmi from Finland’s Black Bird Group security analysis team noted that recent northern Donetsk attacks involved substantial armored vehicle deployment, despite their increased vulnerability to drone strikes.

This indicated Russia’s intention to breach front lines and accelerate territorial gains, he added.

“Generally, it hasn’t been successful,” Kastehelmi observed, noting that battlefield drone dominance had neutralized armored advances. “Russia will probably continue advancing a few hundred square kilometers per month, but the general dynamics, I don’t see them changing.”

The Institute for the Study of War predicted in a recent analysis that Russia would achieve only “some tactical gains” around the Fortress Belt in 2026, rather than a significant breakthrough.

In southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, Moscow’s forces are slowly advancing across lowlands approximately 70 kilometers east of the regional capital, where Kyiv faces the challenging task of defending vast open terrain, unlike the densely built eastern cities.

“Zaporizhzhia is the steppe … where there are no geographic obstacles that might hinder the enemy’s advance or allow us to hide easily,” explained Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, whose unit deployed around strategic Huliaipole this winter to help halt sudden Russian advances.

Russian troops are also attempting to advance through a narrow corridor just 20 kilometers south of heavily industrialized Zaporizhzhia city.

LIMITED GAINS AND EXTENDED STRIKES

Ukrainian territorial advances last month, totaling approximately 400 square kilometers according to government reports, were limited but delivered a significant message to Russia, said Vladyslav Urubkov, military department head at Come Back Alive, a prominent Ukrainian charity supporting army equipment.

Ukrainian officials reported that for the first time since summer 2024, Kyiv’s forces regained more territory last month than Russian forces captured. Russia claims to have captured 6,000 square kilometers total in 2025.

“It reminds them that they are not (an) absolute power and they have also weaknesses, and we see those weaknesses and we can use them,” Urubkov stated, citing what he described as low Russian troop morale and inadequate training.

He noted that Kyiv would need to concentrate larger, better-prepared forces to achieve more substantial breakthroughs elsewhere.

Lee, the FPRI analyst, said Ukraine’s counterattacks were primarily led by experienced units whose drone integration during assaults could provide broader lessons for exploiting Russian vulnerabilities.

Kyiv’s intelligence agencies, working with its Unmanned Systems Forces, have intensified long-distance strikes on strategic Russian targets including oil facilities and refineries, plus weapons and missile production sites.

Ukraine is also expanding mid-range drone strike capabilities, enabling battlefield units like those in Lasiychuk’s sector to target personnel and logistics at distances exceeding 50 kilometers.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s an ammunition depot or food storage – both are critical targets,” Lasiychuk noted. “A soldier won’t fight without food.”

He added that improved coordination among drone units in his corps has enabled forces to plan more effectively and allocate targets with greater efficiency.

American fuel suppliers have delivered roughly 30,000 barrels of petroleum products to Cuban private businesses so far this year, according to shipping records and documents reviewed by Reuters. The deliveries represent a Trump administration strategy to support private enterprise while pressuring Cuba’s government.

The United States has maintained an effective fuel embargo against Cuba since January, attempting to cut off oil supplies and force government concessions from the longtime adversary.

However, Washington has carved out an exemption for Cuba’s small but important private business sector.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that permitting these fuel shipments aligns with the Trump administration’s broader policy “entirely designed to put the private sector and individual private Cubans – not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military – in a privileged position.”

The fuel quantities imported by private companies since early February – totaling about 30,000 barrels or roughly 1.27 million gallons – represents just a small fraction of Cuba’s energy requirements. The island nation previously needed approximately 100,000 barrels daily to power electrical plants and meet transportation fuel demands.

However, shipping documentation indicates Rubio’s strategy is gaining momentum, with import volumes increasing each week.

Following Washington’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January, the U.S. has prevented Venezuelan oil deliveries to Cuba’s government while threatening sanctions against other nations supplying fuel to the island.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced last week that the country had received no fuel shipments for three months, though he didn’t mention private sector imports.

Container vessels carrying diverse goods for private importers, including fuel, have made 61 trips to Cuba in 2026, frequently traveling between Cuban ports and destinations in the United States, Europe, and Caribbean islands.

The majority of these ships have unloaded cargo at Mariel port near Havana, with two additional vessels en route from Spain and Jamaica expected by month’s end. This represents a slight decrease from 75 container ships during the same timeframe last year, based on LSEG vessel tracking information analyzed by Reuters.

Data shows some Cuba-bound ships originated from major energy centers where coal, crude oil, and refined products are loaded, though most arriving vessels are classified as multi-purpose carriers transporting various goods.

Shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly Louisiana’s Southwest Pass energy corridor, are increasing, though most American container ships to Cuba this year departed from Florida ports.

These new fuel flows have enabled some businesses to maintain operations despite the severe blockade affecting public transit, power generation, and tourism industries.

Three Cuban business owners told Reuters that fuel has started reaching private companies initially shut down by the embargo since early February when exports commenced.

Companies importing fuel include private bakeries, distributors serving small urban markets, and larger online retailers like Supermarket23, according to sources and reviewed documents.

Supermarket23 informed customers in February it was suspending orders due to fuel shortages. After importing fuel, the company resumed delivery operations, according to a source familiar with its activities.

The company didn’t respond to Reuters’ comment request.

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security issued February guidance authorizing exports of American gasoline and petroleum products to qualified Cuban private sector entities.

Cuba’s government announced it would permit private micro, small, and medium enterprises (MIPYMES) to import fuel for addressing the energy shortage.

Private companies are enforcing strict oversight to ensure compliance with U.S. program requirements, all three business sources confirmed.

Commercial resale is prohibited – fuel must be used exclusively by importing companies, another source noted.

Cuban officials have established safety regulations governing private sector fuel storage and distribution, a government source told Reuters.

Imported fuel arrives mainly in ISO tanks designed to safely hold and transport approximately 21,600 liters aboard container ships, according to reviewed documentation.

About 200 ISO tanks have been unloaded in Cuba, with diesel comprising the vast majority of imports and only 1% containing gasoline. Most shipments originated from the United States, shipping data confirms.

Gasoline’s higher flammability compared to diesel requires greater storage and handling precautions, limiting its practicality on an island with limited modern infrastructure.

Some businesses have positioned large white diesel ISO tanks next to existing facilities, while others have arranged to lease unused island infrastructure for storing larger fuel quantities while strictly limiting distribution to private sector companies only.

U.S. fuel exports to Cuban private firms come with explicit warnings.

“If we catch the private sector there playing games and diverting it to the regime or to the military company, if we find that they’re moving that stuff around in ways that violate the spirit and the scope of these permissions, those licenses will be canceled,” Rubio warned in February.

FRANKFURT, Germany — European Central Bank leadership expressed concerns Wednesday that companies might accelerate price increases following oil market disruptions from the Iran conflict, drawing on painful lessons from the inflation crisis that followed Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion.

ECB President Christine Lagarde warned during a Frankfurt conference that if petroleum and natural gas costs keep climbing, “the response of firms and workers may be faster than last time.”

“We have a more recent memory of high inflation, which could affect how quickly costs are passed on and compensation is sought,” Lagarde explained.

Despite the ECB’s success in controlling the 2022 inflation surge through elevated interest rates, “that experience has left a mark,” she noted. “An entire generation has now lived through its first episode of high inflation — and it may not be as slow to react a second time.”

Countries using the euro currency saw inflation reach 10.6% in October 2022 after Russia’s invasion cut off most natural gas supplies and temporarily drove oil costs higher. By February, inflation had dropped to 1.9%, according to Eurostat data.

Lagarde emphasized that monetary policy cannot reduce oil prices directly, noting that central banks usually ignore temporary energy spikes without adjusting interest rates. Rate increases only become necessary when higher energy costs begin affecting other goods and worker wages, creating a price spiral.

“If the energy shock is seen to be limited in size and short-lived, the classical prescription of looking through should apply,” she stated, explaining that by the time rate changes take effect after months of delays, inflationary spikes typically disappear.

Central banks generally increase rates to combat inflation, cooling price growth by making borrowing more expensive for mortgages and business expansion projects.

She suggested the current oil price jump might prove less inflationary than expected, since the energy cost spike remains smaller than Europe’s 2021-2022 experience.

However, if inflation appears headed persistently above the ECB’s 2% goal, “the response must be appropriately forceful or persistent.”

Lagarde said determining the appropriate response remains premature. “We will monitor developments closely and set monetary policy as appropriate.”

The ECB maintained its key interest rate at 2% during its March 19 policy meeting.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko touched down in North Korea’s capital Wednesday for scheduled diplomatic discussions with Kim Jong Un.

Upon landing at Pyongyang’s airport, Lukashenko received a welcome from Kim Tok Hun, a high-ranking North Korean official who received a vice premier appointment this week, the Belarusian state news outlet Belta reported. While North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency had previously announced that Lukashenko would conduct an official visit following Kim’s invitation, they had not yet verified his touchdown.

The Belarusian leader, who has maintained authoritarian control over his nation for more than 30 years, maintains strong ties with the Kremlin. He permitted Russia to utilize Belarusian soil as a launch point for Moscow’s comprehensive attack on Ukraine beginning in February 2022, and subsequently approved the placement of Russian tactical nuclear arms within Belarus.

Kim has similarly strengthened connections with Russia in recent times, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial weapon shipments to assist President Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian conflict, while pursuing a more aggressive international strategy focused on building relationships with nations opposing Washington.

Speaking before North Korea’s ceremonial parliament Monday, Kim blamed the United States for worldwide “state terrorism and aggression,” seemingly referencing Middle Eastern conflicts, and urged Pyongyang to take a more prominent position in a coalition against Washington as anti-American feelings intensify.

Belta indicated that discussions between the two leaders will focus on strengthening bilateral relationships between North Korea and Belarus. The agency noted that Lukashenko previously met with Kim in Beijing last September and received an invitation to visit North Korea. Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov traveled to North Korea in 2024, stating that both nations plan to finalize a friendship and cooperation agreement during this visit.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to submit her coalition government’s resignation Wednesday following a devastating electoral loss, though she may still find a way back to the top job through challenging negotiations in the weeks ahead.

Tuesday’s election delivered a crushing blow to Frederiksen’s Social Democratic Party, which secured only 38 parliamentary seats out of 179 total – a sharp drop from the 50 seats they held four years earlier. The party’s performance marked its poorest showing since 1903, as voters expressed frustration with immigration policies, rising living costs, and welfare concerns.

These pressing domestic challenges overshadowed public approval for Frederiksen’s firm response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing interest in purchasing Greenland, Denmark’s semi-autonomous territory, according to political observers.

Despite the electoral setback, the Social Democrats maintained their position as Denmark’s largest political party with 21.9% voter support, positioning Frederiksen as a strong contender for a third term as prime minister through what promises to be difficult coalition building.

Political analyst Noa Redington highlighted the unusual situation, stating: “That is the paradox of the election, that the huge loser, Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister, she is the favourite to become the next prime minister as well.”

The left-wing coalition secured 84 parliamentary seats compared to 77 for conservative parties, leaving both camps short of the 90 seats required for a governing majority.

This outcome makes the unaligned Moderates Party, led by Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, crucial power brokers with their 14 seats. The centrist group now holds the key to determining which side can form a government.

Wednesday’s schedule includes the customary post-election parliamentary debate, followed by individual meetings between party leaders and the king, who will receive recommendations for which candidate should attempt to form a new government first.

Frederiksen has governed since 2022 through a broad coalition including her Social Democrats, the center-right Liberal Party, and the Moderates. However, Liberal Party leader and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has indicated he no longer supports continuing the partnership with Frederiksen.

Speaking to supporters during a late-evening gathering, Frederiksen acknowledged the challenges ahead while expressing her determination. “I’m ready to take on the responsibility,” she declared. “It will be difficult.”

COPENHAGEN, March 25 – Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen formally stepped down Wednesday, presenting her government’s resignation to the monarch following a significant electoral loss for her three-party coalition, according to an official statement from the royal palace.

Political parties across Denmark are now preparing for what could be challenging and extended discussions to decide whether Frederiksen will retain leadership or if another party leader will take control of forming the next government.

A high-ranking Turkish official revealed Wednesday that his nation is serving as an intermediary, facilitating communication between Iran and the United States in an effort to promote peace negotiations and reduce regional tensions.

Harun Armagan, who serves as vice chair of foreign affairs for President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, confirmed to Reuters that Turkey “is playing a role passing messages” between the two nations to encourage direct dialogue and de-escalation efforts.

While Armagan declined to provide specific details about the nature of these communications, he indicated that similar messages are being shared with Gulf nations, which have become involved in the expanding regional conflict triggered by U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.

The diplomatic revelation comes as Iran’s military contradicted President Donald Trump’s recent claims that the United States was actively engaged in peace negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.

As a NATO member, Turkey had attempted to facilitate discussions between the U.S. and Iran before hostilities escalated nearly a month ago, and has consistently advocated for an immediate cessation of military actions. Erdogan has pledged to utilize all available resources to achieve regional peace.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has acknowledged that Ankara is providing “friendly” guidance to Tehran, urging restraint to prevent further conflict expansion, while maintaining contact with Washington officials to assess both sides’ positions.

According to a Turkish diplomatic source, Fidan engaged in conversations on Sunday with U.S. officials and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, among other parties, to explore potential pathways to end the hostilities.

Since the conflict began, NATO air defense systems have intercepted three Iranian missiles that were headed toward Turkish territory.

As the conflict with Iran enters its second month, the Trump administration is pursuing multiple strategies by developing a comprehensive peace proposal while simultaneously sending additional military forces to the region.

The White House has formulated a detailed 15-point strategy aimed at bringing the Iranian conflict to a close, according to reports. At the same time, officials have authorized the deployment of 2,000 paratroopers to the Middle East, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to maintaining both diplomatic and military pressure.

The parallel initiatives reflect the administration’s approach of keeping multiple pathways available as the war continues. The peace framework comes nearly four weeks after hostilities began, while the troop deployment signals continued military readiness in the volatile region.

The combination of diplomatic efforts and military reinforcement illustrates the complex balancing act facing policymakers as they navigate the ongoing crisis with Iran.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged the head of the International Energy Agency to prepare for another coordinated release of emergency oil reserves during their Wednesday meeting in Tokyo, as the nation braces for extended conflict in the Middle East.

The request follows Japan’s earlier commitment to participate in a historic release of strategic oil reserves coordinated by the IEA to compensate for disrupted Middle Eastern supplies. On Tuesday, Takaichi announced Japan would also tap into shared oil reserves co-owned with producing countries within Japanese territory.

Speaking from Australia earlier this week before a Group of Seven summit, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol revealed the agency is in discussions with Asian and European governments about potentially releasing additional reserves “if necessary” as the Iran conflict continues to disrupt regional oil flows.

“In preparation for the possibility that the situation becomes prolonged, I asked that preparations be made for an additional coordinated release,” Takaichi wrote on social media. “We will continue to work closely with the IEA.”

The massive 400-million-barrel release approved on March 11 represents just one-fifth of the total oil and petroleum product reserves held by consumer nations under IEA coordination, Birol explained during his Tokyo visit Wednesday.

“If and when necessary, we are ready to move forward, but I very much hope that it will not be necessary,” Birol stated following his discussion with Takaichi.

The shipping industry continues to face significant challenges, with 45 vessels connected to Japanese operations remaining stuck in the Gulf region as the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked, according to Hitoshi Nagasawa. Nagasawa serves as chairman of the Japan Shipowners’ Association and leads NYK Group, among the world’s largest shipping corporations.

ISINYA, Kenya (AP) — The ongoing Middle East conflict is devastating Kenya’s flower industry, with growers reporting devastating weekly losses reaching $1.4 million as shipping routes face major disruptions and customer demand plummets.

According to the Kenya Flower Council, which represents the country’s cut flower and ornamental plant producers and exporters, the industry has sustained more than $4.2 million in total losses during the past three weeks since the conflict escalated.

“We are seeing a reduction in movement, delays in movement of produce, and longer routes, while pricing is extremely high. Last week, we were at $5.80 per kilo, which is the highest we’ve had in the last 10 years,” KFC Chief Executive Officer Clement Tulezi told The Associated Press.

The horticulture sector represents a crucial economic pillar for Kenya, generating more than $800 million in annual revenue according to Central Bank of Kenya data.

Operations at Isinya Flower Farms, situated 56 kilometers south of Nairobi, have been severely impacted, with export volumes plummeting by more than 50 percent, according to Marketing Manager Anantha Kumar.

“Previously, we used to export 450,000 stems per day, and currently we are doing about 150,000 to 200,000 stems a day. So we are discarding almost 50%,” Kumar told The Associated Press.

Under normal circumstances, Middle Eastern markets represent approximately 30 percent of Isinya Flower Farms’ business and 15 percent of Kenya’s national flower exports, while European buyers constitute the primary market at 70 percent.

Despite the Middle East not being Kenya’s dominant flower export destination, the regional conflict has severely disrupted cargo transportation to Europe, driving up costs while simultaneously reducing export capacity.

“With the current freight rates, customers are not able to buy. And while the freight rates are high, it is also difficult to get the freight. Only a few freights are operating, as mainly the Middle Eastern carriers have stopped, and the European carriers are charging about $5 per kilo, which is two times the normal rate,” Kumar said.

Industry leaders, including those at Isinya Flower Farms, are warning that prolonged conflict could trigger sector-wide deterioration reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. This scenario threatens employment for up to 500,000 Kenyans who depend directly on the flower industry for their livelihoods.

The Kenya Flower Council is currently petitioning the national government to establish direct cargo flight services to Europe as a strategy to preserve European market access and provide relief to struggling flower producers.

LONDON — Authorities in London have taken two suspects into custody Wednesday following a destructive fire that targeted ambulances owned by a Jewish volunteer medical organization, an incident investigators are treating as motivated by antisemitic hatred.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that both suspects, ages 45 and 47, were apprehended in London on charges related to arson with intent to cause harm to human life. Both individuals are currently being held and questioned at a London police facility.

According to Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, these arrests represent “an important breakthrough in the investigation.” However, she pointed out that security footage from the scene indicates three individuals may have participated in the attack.

While authorities have not classified this as a terrorist incident, they are examining a responsibility claim made by an organization that may have connections to Iran.

The destructive fire occurred in the early hours of Monday in Golders Green, a London district home to many Jewish residents, and completely destroyed four emergency vehicles owned by Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer medical service. The intense flames caused oxygen tanks aboard the ambulances to detonate, damaging windows in a nearby residential building.

The attack has further damaged the community’s fragile sense of safety, which has already been weakened by ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts and what residents describe as increasing anti-Jewish sentiment.

British officials have previously accused Iran of employing criminal networks to carry out attacks across Europe, specifically targeting opposition media organizations and Jewish communities. According to Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency, authorities have prevented more than 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-supported plots in the twelve months leading up to October.

Investigators are examining a responsibility claim posted online by an organization identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which means the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.

Israeli officials have characterized this as a newly established group with suspected ties to pro-Iranian networks that has also taken credit for attacks on synagogues in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley stated that investigators are reviewing the claim but emphasized it is premature to connect the attack directly to the Iranian government.

Russia’s military intercepted 389 Ukrainian drones during what officials described as the most extensive nighttime assault since the conflict began more than four years ago, the Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.

The intercepted aircraft targeted 13 different Russian territories along with the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

The massive drone operation demonstrates Ukraine’s advancing abilities in creating and producing long-distance unmanned aircraft within its own borders.

This aerial assault followed Russia’s own major offensive just one day earlier, when Moscow launched nearly 1,000 drones and 34 missiles targeting Ukrainian civilian locations over a 24-hour period. The Russian bombardment extended beyond typical nighttime operations into daytime hours, marking one of the war’s most intensive air campaigns. Ukrainian officials reported at least 6 fatalities and approximately 50 wounded from the Russian strikes.

In the Leningrad region located north of Moscow, Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that 56 drones were neutralized, with a resulting fire at the Baltic Sea port facility of Ust-Luga.

Ukrainian military forces also conducted a missile attack against the Belgorod region along the Ukrainian border during the overnight hours, causing damage to power infrastructure, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The strike disrupted electrical service, water systems, and heating for residents in the area.

Russia’s Tuesday offensive involved launching 948 various types of drones against Ukrainian targets.

LONDON – Authorities in Britain have detained two suspects in connection with a fire attack that targeted four Jewish community emergency vehicles in northern London this week.

Law enforcement officials announced Wednesday that the suspects, ages 47 and 45, were taken into custody from locations in northwest and central London. Both individuals remain in police detention as the investigation continues.

The emergency vehicles were destroyed by fire during the early morning hours on Monday in what officials are treating as a hate crime. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the incident, describing it as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.” Authorities confirmed no one was injured in the blaze.

Investigators had previously indicated they were examining potential connections to Iran and stated their probe remains active. Security camera evidence suggests at least three individuals participated in the attack, according to police.

As a protective measure, law enforcement has maintained increased patrols in the affected northern London neighborhoods, officials said in their statement.

The incident occurs amid growing concerns across Britain regarding increased antisemitic incidents. Government officials have also raised alarms about threats from Iran, including potential surveillance and targeting of Jewish facilities. Iranian officials have rejected such claims.

BEIRUT – Lebanese government media reported Tuesday that an aerial bombardment struck the Christian community of Sahel Alma, located north of Beirut, marking the first time this particular region has been attacked during the intensifying conflict between Israel and the militant organization Hezbollah.

Officials indicated no immediate casualty reports emerged from Sahel Alma following the strike. Local residents in the vicinity informed Reuters that they witnessed multiple explosions and observed white smoke rising from the community.

BAGHDAD – A deadly aerial bombardment struck an Iraqi military installation in western Anbar province on Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers and injuring 13 others, according to security officials and Iraq’s defense ministry.

The attack occurred around 9:00 a.m. local time, targeting a medical clinic and an adjacent engineering unit connected to Iraq’s Shi’ite Popular Mobilization Forces, which was located near an army medical center. Emergency response teams continued searching through the damaged area for any additional victims.

Iraq’s defense ministry issued a strong denunciation of the bombardment, characterizing it as a “blatant and serious violation” of international laws and standards that forbid attacks against medical facilities and healthcare workers. Officials described the incident as a dangerous escalation and demanded accountability for those behind the attack.

The ministry stated it maintains the right to take action within appropriate legal parameters in response to the incident.

BEIJING – Chinese officials declared Wednesday that Mexico’s recent trade restrictions, including significant tariff increases, create unfair barriers to commerce and investment, giving Beijing grounds to implement retaliatory measures.

According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the tariff increases impact over $30 billion in Chinese goods shipped to Mexico and could result in approximately $9.4 billion in losses for China’s mechanical and electrical manufacturing sectors, based on the ministry’s investigation findings.

The automotive sector faces the steepest impact, with an estimated $9 billion in losses expected for China’s car and auto parts manufacturers. Mexico had become China’s largest vehicle export market in 2025, according to customs records and industry projections cited by the ministry.

In December, Mexico implemented dramatic tariff increases on imports from China and other nations without existing free trade partnerships with Mexico, raising duties as high as 35% on most products. Industry experts viewed this action as Mexico’s effort to appease the United States, where the president had imposed substantial tariffs on Chinese merchandise.

While Beijing has not yet unveiled specific retaliatory actions in response to the tariffs, commerce ministry officials have consistently stated that China reserves the right to implement protective measures for its economic interests.

The ministry noted that Mexico’s tariff policy would also damage Chinese exports in metals, chemicals, textiles, and light manufacturing sectors.

Additionally, various non-tariff trade policies Mexico has implemented in recent years, including complicated customs inspection procedures, may further limit Chinese companies’ ability to invest and conduct business in the Latin American nation, ministry officials indicated.

The Philippines has declared a national energy emergency and is collaborating with the United States to secure special permissions that would allow oil purchases from nations currently under American sanctions, according to the country’s ambassador to Washington.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed that Manila is in discussions with the State Department regarding these arrangements. “We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries,” Romualdez stated in a Reuters interview conducted through phone messages.

When questioned about potential oil imports from Venezuela and Iran, the ambassador responded that “all options are being considered.” Regarding the State Department’s reaction to these requests, Romualdez described the situation as “work in progress.”

The Southeast Asian nation announced its state of national energy emergency on Tuesday as a response to complications stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has created significant challenges in oil acquisition. The Philippines depends almost entirely on fuel imports to meet its energy needs.

Government officials reported that as of March 20, the country maintains approximately 45 days worth of fuel reserves. Authorities are currently working to acquire an additional one million barrels to strengthen their emergency stockpile.

During a televised statement on Wednesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reassured citizens that fuel supplies would continue beyond the 45-day window. “We are exploring other sources not affected by the war,” Marcos explained. “Things are beginning to open up…we can be confident that after the 45 days we will have a flow of oil.”

The Philippines sources nearly all of its crude oil from Middle Eastern countries, with Saudi Arabia serving as its primary supplier. This heavy reliance makes the nation particularly susceptible to price fluctuations and supply chain interruptions in the region.

President Marcos characterized the emergency declaration as a “precautionary tool” designed to prepare the government “for whatever comes next.” The measure, which remains active for one year, grants authorities special powers including the ability to purchase fuel and petroleum products while making advance payments to ensure reliable and adequate supplies.

“We should not panic,” Marcos emphasized, while promising that his administration is taking comprehensive action to address the energy situation.

Despite government assurances, transportation workers, daily commuters, and consumer advocacy groups have organized a two-day protest beginning Thursday. The demonstration targets rising fuel costs and what organizers describe as inadequate government response from the Marcos administration.

In response to energy supply constraints, Manila has temporarily increased electricity generation from coal-fired plants and authorized limited use of Euro II fuel, which is less expensive but produces higher emissions, to maintain adequate supply levels.

Shipping data from Kpler indicates that at least two Russian ESPO crude oil shipments are en route to the Philippines this month. Additionally, a cargo of Abu Dhabi Murban crude is scheduled to reach the country’s Bataan terminal on April 8.

These Russian oil deliveries would mark the Philippines’ first imports of Russian crude in five years, made possible by a 30-day waiver granted by the United States.

The U.S. also issued a 30-day sanctions waiver on Friday for Iranian oil purchases already in transit. This waiver covers oil loaded onto vessels on or before March 20 and discharged by April 19, including tankers currently under sanctions.

TAIPEI, March 25 – Taiwanese leadership is expressing concern that China may capitalize on America’s military focus in the Middle East to intensify pressure on the democratic island nation.

The island democracy, considered one of the world’s most volatile potential conflict zones, continues to face mounting military threats from Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory. China conducted its most recent military exercises around the island in December.

According to Taiwanese officials, Beijing has restarted major air force operations near Taiwan beginning March 14 and 15, following an unexpected reduction in such activities. Officials believe this timing coincides with U.S. military resources being shifted from East Asia to support Middle Eastern operations.

“This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” explained a high-ranking Taiwan security official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of intelligence discussions.

“What China is trying to create is a sense that when the U.S. shifts forces away and Indo-Pacific strength is redirected to the Middle East, tension and instability should be manufactured,” the official added.

When contacted by Reuters, neither China’s Taiwan Affairs Office nor its defense ministry provided responses.

Taiwan’s defense ministry referenced recent statements by Defense Minister Wellington Koo, who noted that China’s “intention to annex us by force has always existed.”

However, the Taiwan security source noted that U.S. military resource allocation across different regions has historically maintained balance, making it unlikely to create an opening for Chinese aggression.

A State Department representative in Washington assured Reuters that America’s military capability to address multiple global threats simultaneously remains “formidable,” emphasizing U.S. dedication to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chang Kuo-cheng, an international relations professor at Taipei Medical University, suggested that an extended conflict could drain American weapon supplies, shift focus from the Asia-Pacific region, and increase domestic opposition to war.

“All these factors may lead Xi Jinping to believe that, in exerting greater pressure on Taiwan or even using force against Taiwan, his position would be stronger than before this war began,” Chang explained.

He added that prolonged conflict provides China with additional insights into U.S. military strategies and potential response patterns for any future Chinese action against Taiwan.

Asian allies of the United States have similarly cautioned that the Iranian conflict might weaken defenses against Chinese aggression.

Taipei remains vigilant about Beijing’s use of the Middle East situation in its “cognitive warfare” propaganda campaigns against Taiwan. The government noted in an internal document reviewed by Reuters that AI-created online content following the conflict falsely claimed Taiwan faced a “devastating” energy crisis.

“They want people to think that one day, when Taiwan is again encircled by the Chinese military, the public will lose confidence in energy issues,” another Taiwan security official stated.

On Wednesday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office promoted enhanced infrastructure as a benefit of “reunification,” proposing a “rapid transit link” that would include a Beijing-Taipei expressway.

This followed Beijing’s offer of energy security in exchange for the island accepting Chinese rule, which Deputy Economy Minister Ho Chin-tsang dismissed last week as additional cognitive warfare.

Chinese government media outlets view the Iranian conflict as relevant to potential future confrontation with Taiwan, despite the island’s lack of formal diplomatic relations with the United States, which remains its primary weapons supplier.

Liu Kuangyu, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies within the government-affiliated Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggested Taiwan’s radar installations might suffer the same fate as similar U.S. equipment reportedly destroyed in Iranian strikes.

Liu claimed Taiwan’s radar systems would be “instantly reduced to scrap metal” during “saturation attacks” by the People’s Liberation Army, according to remarks made last week on the Riyue Tantian website operated by China Media Group, the parent organization of state television.

However, the United States has not verified such Iranian attacks.

China’s state broadcaster military channel has emphasized alleged poor performance of certain U.S. weapons systems, pointing to a fire aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier as evidence.

“From the outbreak of the war up to now, the real combat performance of U.S. weapons and equipment has differed markedly from the image widely perceived by the outside world,” the broadcaster stated on its WeChat platform March 16.

Todd Harrison, a defense analyst at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, noted that the conflict provides China with valuable opportunities to study U.S. military operations, particularly advanced military equipment like the F-35 fighter aircraft.

“They’re also going to be collecting (data) on how well our air and missile defence systems work and how we employ them,” Harrison explained.

Taiwan, which has proposed additional defense spending of $40 billion, is also closely monitoring prospects for a U.S.-China leadership summit in Beijing, now delayed from early April.

Shen Yu-chung, a deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responsible for China policy, said the government anticipated the discussions would address Taiwan but acknowledged having no means to influence them.

“However, we must … present a clear and consistent message to the outside world, that we are determined to rely on our own national defence to safeguard our sovereignty,” Shen stated.

Electrical service was disrupted for more than 212,000 Ukrainian residents Wednesday following Russian strikes on two power plants in the northern Chernihiv region, according to the area’s electricity distribution company.

The regional utility Chernihivoblenergo reported that approximately 150,000 customers in Chernihiv city and nearby areas lost electricity when Russian forces struck a power plant in the Chernihiv district.

A second assault on electrical infrastructure in the Nizhynskyi district left an additional 62,000 residents across three other districts without power, the company announced.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported intercepting or disabling 121 of the 147 drones that Russia deployed against the nation during overnight operations.

Energy infrastructure has remained a primary target for Russian forces throughout the ongoing conflict, resulting in widespread blackouts lasting multiple hours across Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have responded by striking Russian energy assets, including petroleum refineries, storage facilities and transportation hubs.

The Chernihiv area experienced severe power disruptions during winter months as Russia intensified its largest aerial bombardment campaign against Ukraine’s electrical system since the war began four years ago.

Power outages affected much of the region following another assault this past Saturday.

Morning strikes also temporarily cut electricity to nearly 21,000 people in Slavutych, a town located in the adjacent Kyiv region, according to the area’s governor posting on Telegram.

Essential infrastructure has been transferred to emergency power sources, the governor noted.

BEIJING – Chinese diplomatic officials are demanding that Japan pursue maximum legal penalties against a person who illegally entered China’s embassy facility in Tokyo while carrying a blade.

The incident occurred Tuesday when an individual breached the embassy compound while possessing a knife measuring approximately 7.1 inches in length, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a Wednesday briefing with reporters.

Japanese law enforcement took the suspect into custody following the security breach, Jian confirmed. He noted that Chinese embassy personnel are working alongside Tokyo police as the investigation continues.

Nations throughout Asia are reconsidering pandemic-era strategies including remote work arrangements and economic support programs as they grapple with severe fuel shortages stemming from the Iran conflict that began February 28.

The region faces particularly acute challenges since Asian countries purchase more than 80% of crude oil that flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has nearly completely blocked since hostilities commenced.

While no Asian nation has yet mandated remote work policies, several governments indicate such measures remain under consideration.

“I think it is a good idea,” South Korean Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan stated Tuesday when questioned about International Energy Agency recommendations for remote work arrangements.

The IEA, which coordinated a historic release of approximately 400 million barrels from strategic oil reserves to address the shortage, has proposed various measures to reduce oil demand including telecommuting and limiting air travel.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol reinforced these recommendations during a Sydney conference this week.

“There were real-life tests, such as after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European countries adopted these measures, and it was announced by the European governments. It helped them a lot to go through these difficult times without Russian energy … but keeping the lights on,” Birol explained.

South Korea launched a nationwide conservation initiative Tuesday encouraging citizens to reduce shower duration, charge devices during daylight hours, and operate vacuum cleaners on weekends.

“We will consult with relevant ministries and actively consider measures for work-from-home,” Energy Minister Kim announced during a press conference.

The Philippines, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern petroleum, reduced work schedules in certain government departments earlier this month. President Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed a national energy emergency, stating the conflict creates an “imminent danger” to the nation’s power supply.

Pakistan shuttered schools for a two-week period and expanded remote work options for office employees. Sri Lanka instituted weekly Wednesday holidays to extend fuel reserves.

Singapore, a major Asian financial center, encouraged residents and companies to adopt energy-efficient equipment, transition to electric vehicles, and increase air conditioning temperature settings.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directed government officials to cancel international travel, maintain air conditioning above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), eliminate formal dress requirements, use stairways rather than elevators, and work remotely.

Several countries have implemented financial relief programs as elevated fuel costs strain household finances.

Japan announced Tuesday it will allocate 800 billion yen ($5 billion) from emergency funds for subsidies designed to maintain gasoline prices around 170 yen per liter. This program could require up to 300 billion yen monthly.

New Zealand revealed Tuesday plans to provide temporary weekly payments of NZ$50 ($29.30) beginning in April for low-income households.

“We know these families will be hit particularly hard by the global fuel-price shock. We are delivering them timely relief,” New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis explained.

In Australia, hundreds of gas stations have depleted supplies due to panic purchasing and shortages, particularly affecting remote areas across the continent.

The government introduced parliamentary legislation to increase penalties for fuel price manipulation.

Multiple Asian countries have also tapped domestic petroleum and diesel stockpiles while temporarily relaxing fuel quality regulations to boost availability.

Unlike the pandemic response, central banks are not implementing interest rate cuts and are instead contemplating increases.

During COVID-19, economic demand plummeted as nations imposed health-related shutdowns, prompting massive stimulus responses from policymakers.

Australia’s Reserve Bank has already raised rates twice this year, identifying energy risks as a significant inflation threat and justification for increasing rates to a 10-month peak last week.

Financial markets anticipate rate increases in Japan, Britain, and Europe in upcoming months, with Asian economies potentially facing greater pressure as their currencies decline against the dollar.

“Central banks face a classic policy dilemma when oil prices surge – inflation rises but growth might weaken,” Jennifer McKeown, chief global economist at Capital Economics, noted last week.

“The right response depends crucially on why oil prices are rising, how persistent the shock is, and whether inflation expectations are at risk,” she continued.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Washington has delivered a comprehensive 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iranian officials through Pakistani intermediaries, according to sources, while simultaneously deploying paratroopers to reinforce Marine units already en route to the Middle East this Wednesday.

Iranian military leadership rejected the diplomatic overture and continued launching strikes against Israeli targets and Gulf region infrastructure, including an attack that ignited a blaze at Kuwait International Airport.

As the conflict approaches its one-month mark, mounting pressure on Washington to halt hostilities led to the submission of the proposal through Pakistani mediators, who have volunteered to facilitate renewed diplomatic discussions, according to an individual familiar with the proposal’s framework who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

Tehran’s continued strikes on regional energy facilities and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial shipping lane for approximately 20% of global oil transport—have caused petroleum prices to surge dramatically and destabilized international markets amid concerns of a worldwide energy shortage.

Approximately 1,000 personnel from the 82nd Airborne Division are scheduled for Middle East deployment within days, three sources with knowledge of the military planning confirmed to The Associated Press.

Pentagon officials are simultaneously positioning two Marine battalions that will contribute roughly 5,000 Marines and additional thousands of naval personnel to the region. These deployments are characterized as Trump positioning himself for “maximum flexibility” regarding future actions, sources indicated.

President Donald Trump has confirmed American representatives are conducting negotiations with Iran, though he has not specified the Iranian contacts. Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which oversees both conventional forces and the Revolutionary Guard, denied any ongoing discussions.

“Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?” questioned Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a headquarters spokesperson.

“Our first and last word has been the same from day one, and it will stay that way: Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you,” Zolfaghari declared in a televised statement. “Not now, not ever.”

Israeli leadership, which has encouraged Trump to maintain military pressure against Iran, expressed surprise at the ceasefire proposal submission, officials reported.

White House representatives did not respond to comment requests.

Israeli forces announced new extensive strikes Wednesday morning targeting Iranian government infrastructure, with witnesses confirming air attacks in Qazvin, a northwestern Iranian city.

Warning sirens activated early Wednesday morning throughout Israel as Iran conducted retaliatory strikes, which have occurred daily since the February 28 Israeli-American assault that initiated the current conflict.

Tehran maintained pressure on neighboring Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reporting the destruction of at least eight drones over the kingdom’s petroleum-rich Eastern Province, while alert sirens sounded in Bahrain.

Kuwaiti forces intercepted multiple drones, though one struck a fuel storage tank at Kuwait International Airport, igniting a fire that emergency responders worked to extinguish, the General Civil Aviation Authority reported.

Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, approached $120 per barrel during the conflict but traded below $100 Wednesday morning as ceasefire discussions helped stabilize prices. Current rates remain nearly 40% higher than pre-war levels.

Potential U.S.-Iran negotiations face enormous obstacles. Many of Washington’s evolving goals, especially regarding Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear development, remain challenging to accomplish.

Questions persist about which Iranian officials possess negotiating authority—or willingness to engage—as Israel has pledged to continue targeting the country’s leadership.

Iran maintains deep distrust of the United States, which has twice attacked during high-level diplomatic meetings under Trump’s administration, including the strikes that began the present conflict.

Zolfaghari stated that America lacks standing to negotiate.

“The strategic power you used to talk about has turned into a strategic failure,” he said. “The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could.”

During Tuesday’s White House remarks, the president confirmed the U.S. is “in negotiations right now” with participants including special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

“We have a number of people doing it,” Trump stated. “And the other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s office confirmed he has discussed the conflict this week with several international counterparts. However, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, disputed Trump’s assertions of direct negotiations.

Western allies attempting to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz for energy transportation are confronting a sobering lesson: their previous multi-billion dollar mission in the Red Sea, which began years ago, ultimately collapsed against Yemen’s Houthi forces.

The expensive Red Sea operation – which resulted in four vessels destroyed, over $1 billion spent on armaments, and a shipping lane that commercial vessels continue to avoid – now casts a shadow over the far more complicated Strait of Hormuz situation. This vital shipping channel carries approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, and Iran, a much stronger opponent than the Houthis, has now shut it down.

Iran’s blockade of the waterway and strikes on energy facilities across neighboring Gulf states have caused oil prices to skyrocket in what experts call the most severe disruption to global oil and gas distribution ever recorded. Without reopening this crucial passage, supply shortages will intensify, potentially driving up costs for energy, food, and countless other goods across the globe.

“There is no substitute for the Strait of Hormuz,” Kuwait Petroleum CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah declared during a heated video conference broadcast to the CERAWeek energy summit in Houston on Tuesday. “It is the world’s strait, under international law and practical reality.”

U.N. Security Council members engaged in negotiations Tuesday over resolutions aimed at protecting the strait, with certain countries like Bahrain pushing for aggressive language that would permit “all necessary means” to defend the waterway – potentially including military action.

Reuters spoke with 19 security and maritime specialists who outlined the numerous obstacles confronting the United States and its partners in securing the strait. Iran possesses significantly more sophisticated military capabilities than the Houthis, including stockpiles of inexpensive drones, floating explosives, and missiles, plus convenient access from its rugged mountainous shoreline to the confined waterway.

“Defending convoy operations in the Strait of Hormuz is significantly more challenging than in the Red Sea,” explained retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who participated in U.S. tanker protection missions through the Strait of Hormuz in 1988 during the Iran-Iraq conflict.

This presents a major challenge for U.S. President Donald Trump as he attempts to defend the Iran conflict to inflation-concerned American voters ahead of November midterm elections, with gasoline prices approaching $4 per gallon. Energy costs are not anticipated to drop significantly until the waterway reopens, according to analysts.

Trump has remained uncommitted regarding U.S. participation, initially stating the Navy would provide ship escorts as required, then recently suggesting other countries should spearhead the initiative. Iran has prevented most vessels from passing through the maritime bottleneck since combined U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran commenced February 28.

Iran is evaluating a plan to charge fees for ships wanting passage through the strait, an Iranian legislator informed state media last week.

The American effort to defend Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks began in December 2023, with European countries launching their own operation months later. Allied forces destroyed hundreds of drones and missiles, yet the Houthis managed to sink four ships between 2024 and 2025. Shipping companies now mostly bypass the passage, which previously handled 12% of global trade, choosing instead the much longer route around Africa’s Horn.

“It was a tactical and operational victory and a strategic draw, if not a strategic defeat,” noted Joshua Tallis, a naval expert at research organization CNA.

The threat zone surrounding the Strait of Hormuz spans up to five times larger than the Houthis’ strike zone around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait leading to the Red Sea. Unlike the Houthis, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps represents a professional military force with domestic weapons manufacturing and funding access.

Escorting ships through the strait would demand up to a dozen major warships like destroyers, supported by aircraft, drones and helicopters to address constraints from limited maneuvering space, military specialists indicated. Air support would be essential to defend against aerial drones and explosive-carrying manned or unmanned boats that can easily disappear among regular sea traffic.

“A destroyer can intercept missiles but cannot simultaneously sweep mines, counter drone-boat swarms from multiple bearings, and manage GPS disruption,” SSY analysts explained.

Experts believe Iran’s IRGC forces maintain missile and drone supplies concealed in structures and caverns throughout hundreds of miles of steep, mountainous coastline. In certain areas, the shore sits so close to shipping lanes that drones could reach vessels within five to 10 minutes, specialists warned.

“There are ballistic missiles, drones, floating mines and even if you were able to destroy those three capacities, there are suicide operations,” said Adel Bakawan, who directs the European Institute for Studies on the Middle East and North Africa.

Naval mines and heavily weaponized mini-submarines represent dangers the U.S. never faced in the Red Sea, according to Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy commander. He emphasized the enormous consequences of confronting these threats.

“If (the Americans) lose a destroyer in this … that changes the calculus of everything. That’s 300 people,” Sharpe warned, referring to potential U.S. sailor casualties.

No definitive proof exists that Iran has placed mines in the strait, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated earlier this month, following reports that Iran had positioned approximately a dozen mines in the waterway.

A strategy combining mine removal, military escorts and aerial patrols should eventually restore strait traffic flow, said Bryan Clark, an autonomous warfare specialist at the Hudson Institute.

“You might have to do that for months before you have finally eroded the IRGC threat,” Clark concluded.

MOSCOW, March 25 – Ukrainian drone strikes ignited a fire at one of Russia’s most important oil export terminals along the Baltic Sea, Russian authorities confirmed Wednesday.

The attack targeted Ust-Luga, a crucial energy hub that handles significant portions of Russia’s oil exports. According to Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the northern Leningrad region, the blaze erupted following widespread Ukrainian drone strikes throughout the area. Officials reported no injuries from the incident.

Ukraine has intensified its aerial assault campaign against Russian petroleum facilities and shipping routes in recent weeks, aiming to cripple Moscow’s energy-dependent war funding.

This marks the second major disruption to Russian oil operations in recent days. Both Ust-Luga and nearby Primorsk terminals on the Gulf of Finland had temporarily halted oil and crude shipments Sunday due to earlier drone attacks, though operations resumed Monday, according to Reuters.

The full scope of damage to the port facility remains unclear. Unconfirmed footage circulating on Russian social media platforms showed large flames shooting into the darkness. An anonymous source informed Reuters that authorities had cordoned off the terminal area and that storage tanks were burning.

Russian defense officials claimed their forces intercepted 389 Ukrainian drones during overnight operations across the country, including strikes targeting the Moscow region.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is currently engaged in negotiations with Iran, claiming Iranian officials have made concessions “worth a tremendous amount of money” without providing specific details.

“We’re in negotiations right now,” Trump stated to White House reporters. “It was a very nice thing they did.”

However, Iranian officials have not verified Trump’s statements. Iran’s official news agency quoted a military spokesperson who said the United States is “negotiating with itself.”

Despite the unconfirmed nature of these claims, global markets responded with oil prices declining and stock values increasing during Asian trading sessions, though the changes were modest.

The diplomatic developments come as tensions remain high in the region. Israeli forces conducted strikes on Tehran Wednesday, with semi-official Iranian sources reporting the attacks hit civilian neighborhoods. Iran continues to deny participating in direct discussions to halt or suspend military actions.

According to reporting by The New York Times, the U.S. government delivered a comprehensive 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the conflict. Israel’s Channel 12 television, citing three unnamed sources, reported that American officials are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire period to allow for discussions of the detailed plan.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Washington had indeed transmitted a proposal to Iranian leadership but declined to provide additional information.

Financial markets are proceeding cautiously for multiple reasons, including concerns that negotiations may lack substance or fail entirely, while economic consequences continue mounting daily.

European economic activity has nearly ground to a halt this month as inflation expectations have jumped and supply chain delays have increased, providing additional evidence that the region is experiencing measurable economic harm from the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Currencies across Asia have faced downward pressure as investors anticipate prolonged negative impacts on the region’s energy-dependent economies, particularly as Middle Eastern oil and gas facilities have suffered infrastructure damage.

Reuters reported Wednesday that South Korea’s National Pension Service plans to increase its strategic currency hedging over time to help stabilize the weakening won, according to sources familiar with discussions between the fund, government officials, and central bank representatives.

Gold prices showed some improvement alongside the diplomatic mood but remain headed for their steepest monthly decline since 2008, illustrating how limited safe investment options have become since the conflict began.

The precious metal, traditionally viewed as a secure investment during uncertainty, has declined due to investors taking profits from a dramatic two-year price surge.

Cash investments continue showing strength, with U.S. money market funds expanding by approximately $60 billion since late February to reach a new peak of $7.86 trillion.

Iranian military officials are rejecting American diplomatic overtures, with a top spokesman claiming Wednesday that the United States is essentially “negotiating with itself” in Middle East peace efforts.

The sharp rebuke from Tehran came one day after President Donald Trump indicated that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement to halt ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, American officials have prepared and transmitted a comprehensive 15-point proposal to Iranian leadership aimed at resolving regional tensions.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, who speaks for Iran’s unified military command known as Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, delivered a mocking response to U.S. leadership efforts.

“Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself?” Zolfaqari questioned American officials, adding, “People like us can never get along with people like you.”

The Iranian military representative further stated that American economic interests and energy costs from before the current conflicts would remain disrupted until Washington acknowledges that regional peace depends on Iranian military forces maintaining control.

A Cambodian man who was sent to an African kingdom through the United States’ controversial third-country deportation program has been freed from detention and is returning to his homeland, according to his attorney.

Pheap Rom was released Wednesday from a high-security detention facility in Eswatini, where he had been held since his October deportation from the United States. His American attorney, Tin Thanh Nguyen, confirmed to The Associated Press that Rom was scheduled to board a commercial aircraft to Johannesburg, South Africa, beginning his return journey to Cambodia.

Rom represents one of 19 individuals from various nations who have been transported to Eswatini across three separate deportation operations beginning in July. He becomes only the second person from this group to be sent back to his country of origin.

The deportation initiative reflects President Donald Trump’s strict immigration enforcement policies, with approximately 300 migrants being sent to nations with which they have no connection through this third-country arrangement. Legal advocates have condemned the program as violations of international law.

American officials have negotiated agreements with a minimum of seven African countries to accept these deportees. Documentation from the State Department reveals the United States provided Eswatini with $5.1 million in exchange for accepting as many as 160 individuals.

According to Nguyen, Rom had completed a 15-year incarceration period in America for an attempted murder conviction before his release in late 2024. The attorney stated that Rom’s five-month detention in Eswatini was unlawful since he faced no criminal accusations in that African nation.

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Despite being located over 1,000 kilometers away from the Iranian conflict zone, Muslim communities in Indian-controlled Kashmir have launched extensive fundraising campaigns to assist Iranians, gathering everything from precious metals and money to household goods and farm animals.

Local organizers and community elders have established donation stations throughout this predominantly Muslim area of the contested Himalayan territory, which remains divided between India and Pakistan while both nations claim complete sovereignty. Volunteer teams are conducting house-to-house visits to gather contributions.

Female residents are contributing their precious gold accessories, including bracelets and earrings. Numerous families have donated traditional copper cookware and farm animals, while young people have brought their personal savings — with some children carrying their piggy banks directly to donation centers.

More affluent community members are transferring money directly to the Iranian Embassy’s humanitarian fund in New Delhi, which was established at the beginning of this month.

“My heart is with Iran, and I am offering my only pair of gold earrings,” said Shazia Batool, a young girl. “Sending help is the least we can do.”

The donation campaign intensified on Saturday during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the festival that concludes the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Maqsood Ali, a volunteer, said that instead of focusing on just “feasts and family gatherings,” many turned the holiday into “something noble.”

Social media videos show Kashmiri residents explaining their view that assisting Iranians represents both a humanitarian obligation and religious responsibility. The Iranian Embassy acknowledged the support in a social media message, expressing gratitude to Kashmir’s population for their solidarity.

Following the commencement of the U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran on February 28, widespread demonstrations broke out across this region of Kashmir, where many residents, including the area’s Shiite minority population, maintain deep cultural and religious connections with Iran.

Washington has delivered a comprehensive 15-point peace proposal to Iranian leadership through Pakistani mediators, according to sources familiar with the diplomatic effort who were not permitted to discuss the matter publicly.

Pakistan has volunteered to facilitate renewed diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran, serving as the conduit for this latest ceasefire initiative, an individual briefed on the proposal’s details confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

At the same time, Pentagon officials are making preparations to send at least 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to Middle Eastern positions within days, three sources with knowledge of the military deployment told reporters under anonymity due to the classified nature of the operation.

Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran would confront enormous obstacles. Numerous American goals, especially regarding Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions, remain extremely challenging to accomplish, and uncertainty exists about which Iranian officials possess negotiating authority or willingness to participate.

While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s representatives confirmed he has held war-related discussions with multiple international colleagues this week, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, rejected Trump’s assertions of direct communications, and an Iranian military official stated that combat operations would continue.

Suggesting diplomatic advancement with Iran, President Donald Trump indicated the nation had provided an oil and gas-related “present,” following his previous statements to media that the Middle Eastern country desires a conflict-ending agreement.

An Iranian military representative ridiculed American ceasefire efforts Wednesday, claiming that U.S. officials were conducting negotiations only among themselves.

Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, representing the Iranian military’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, delivered his remarks in a pre-recorded broadcast shown on government television.

“The strategic power you used to talk about has turned into a strategic failure,” he stated. “The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could. Don’t dress up your defeat as an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end.”

He continued: “Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?”

Zolfaghari’s comments followed the Trump administration’s transmission of the 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran via Pakistan.

“Our first and last word has been the same from day one, and it will stay that way: Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you,” he declared. “Not now, not ever.”

“Stability in the region is guaranteed by the strong hand of our armed forces. Stability through strength,” Zolfaghari added.

“We state this clearly: Until it is our will, nothing will go back to the way it was. That will only come about when the very thought of acting against the Iranian nation is completely wiped from your corrupt minds.”

The peace initiative arrives as military commanders prepare to deploy at least 1,000 additional soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to join approximately 50,000 American personnel already stationed in the region.

The New York Times previously reported Tuesday that Iranian officials had received the 15-point proposal.

Defense Department leadership is simultaneously organizing the deployment of two Marine Expeditionary Units, which will contribute roughly 5,000 Marines and thousands of naval personnel to regional operations.

Israeli leadership, who have been encouraging Trump to maintain military pressure against Iran, were caught off guard by the American administration’s ceasefire proposal submission, the source revealed.

However, with ongoing U.S. preparations to increase military presence in the Middle East, officials are characterizing the move as Trump positioning himself for “max flexibility” regarding future decisions, the individual explained.

White House representatives did not provide responses to media inquiries for comment.

JAKARTA – Gaming platform Roblox announced Wednesday it will implement enhanced content restrictions and communication limits for Indonesian players under age 16, responding to the country’s new regulations targeting children’s social media access.

Matt Kaufman, who serves as Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, confirmed the upcoming changes in a written statement, though the company has not yet revealed specific details about what the new controls will include.

Indonesia’s new ministerial regulation, issued earlier this month, mandates that digital platforms must shut down accounts classified as “high risk” for users younger than 16. Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid announced these deactivations will begin March 28.

“This week, we announced that in order to address regional requirements in Indonesia, we will soon introduce additional controls on content and communication for players under the age of 16 years old in Indonesia,” Kaufman stated.

The Indonesian government has designated several major platforms as high-risk, including Roblox, Instagram, YouTube (owned by Google), and TikTok (owned by China’s ByteDance).

Social media platform X has already responded to the regulations by announcing that beginning March 28, Indonesian users must be at least 16 years old to maintain accounts. The platform explained on its website that Indonesia’s age requirements “prevents age-restricted social media platforms, including X, from letting people under 16 create or keep an account. It’s not our choice – it’s what Indonesian law requires.”

Indonesia joins a growing number of nations, including Australia, that have established restrictions on children’s social media access due to increasing worries about young users’ safety and mental health online.

Military strikes between Israel and Iran continued Wednesday even as President Donald Trump announced the United States is making headway in diplomatic efforts to bring the devastating Middle East conflict to an end.

Israeli forces launched a new round of attacks targeting infrastructure throughout Tehran, according to statements from the Israeli Defense Forces posted on Telegram. Iran’s semi-official SNN News Agency reported the strikes damaged residential neighborhoods in the capital city, with emergency crews working to search through debris.

The ongoing violence has also spread to neighboring countries, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia reporting they successfully defended against additional drone strikes Wednesday. Officials did not identify the source of the attacks. At Kuwait International Airport, drones struck a fuel storage tank, sparking a fire though no injuries were reported, according to the Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced they had conducted fresh strikes against Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as American military installations in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, Iranian state media outlets reported.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump revealed the U.S. was engaged in active “negotiations” aimed at ending the war, which has already claimed thousands of lives and triggered what experts call the most severe energy crisis in modern history, causing worldwide fuel shortages and market instability.

Financial markets responded positively Wednesday to news reports suggesting Washington is pursuing a month-long cessation of hostilities and has delivered a comprehensive 15-point proposal to Iranian leadership for consideration. Stock prices climbed while oil costs dropped on renewed optimism for restored petroleum exports from the Persian Gulf region.

At the White House, Trump informed reporters the U.S. was engaging with “the right people” in Iran to halt the fighting, claiming Iranian officials were eager to reach an agreement.

However, Iran’s influential parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf rejected such claims Monday, calling the reports “fake news.”

The New York Times disclosed Tuesday that Washington had transmitted a 15-point framework to Iran outlining steps to end the Middle Eastern war. Israel’s Channel 12, citing three unnamed sources, reported the U.S. was pushing for a month-long ceasefire during which the comprehensive proposal could be discussed.

A source with knowledge of the situation verified that the U.S. had indeed sent a plan to Iran but declined to provide additional specifics.

According to the Israeli news outlet, the proposal would require Iran to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, halt assistance to allied militant organizations such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and allow the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28 after declaring that diplomatic discussions aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear ambitions had not yielded sufficient results, despite mediator Oman’s assertion that meaningful progress had been achieved.

Following those strikes, Iran has targeted nations hosting American military bases, attacked energy facilities throughout the Gulf region, and essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iran has informed both the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that “non-hostile vessels” may pass through the Strait of Hormuz provided they coordinate with Iranian officials, according to documentation reviewed by Reuters Tuesday.

The practical shutdown of this waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas typically flows, has created an unprecedented energy supply crisis, driven fuel costs to record highs, and severely disrupted international air travel.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Tuesday his country’s willingness to facilitate discussions between the U.S. and Iran regarding ending the conflict, one day after Trump delayed threatened attacks on Iranian power facilities following what he described as “productive” diplomatic exchanges.

Pakistan maintains longstanding diplomatic ties with neighboring Iran’s Islamic Republic while simultaneously developing its relationship with the Trump administration.

Despite ongoing negotiation reports, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two informed sources told Reuters Tuesday, expanding an already substantial American military presence.

These additional forces will join the 50,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in the region, further accelerating Washington’s massive military buildup and raising concerns about a prolonged conflict.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo announced Wednesday that America is treating the island’s military needs with extreme priority as tensions with China continue to escalate.

Speaking to lawmakers in parliament, Koo emphasized that Washington recognizes the critical nature of Taiwan’s defense requirements and has taken concrete steps to address shipping delays that have plagued weapons orders.

The island nation has faced ongoing frustrations with postponed deliveries of military equipment from its primary ally and weapons provider, the United States. China’s increasing military aggression has made these delays particularly concerning for Taiwanese officials.

Among the most significant holdups is a 2019 purchase agreement for 66 advanced F-16V aircraft from Lockheed Martin. These upgraded fighters feature cutting-edge electronics, weaponry, and radar technology designed to counter China’s sophisticated military aircraft, including their stealth J-20 jets.

However, Koo reported that many ordered defense systems have already started arriving or are currently being delivered to Taiwan’s military forces.

“As for the portions that have experienced delays, the United States has already set up a special project team to accelerate the relevant weapons programmes and help us catch up to schedule as quickly as possible,” Koo explained to reporters.

“I have also repeatedly explained that the U.S. sense of urgency in helping us strengthen our self-defence capabilities as quickly as possible is in fact quite high,” he added.

Defense officials confirmed over the weekend that F-16V deliveries will commence this year, with manufacturing operating at maximum output levels.

The prioritization effort gained momentum after Michael Miller, who leads the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, revealed last week that he issued a 2023 directive placing Taiwan ahead of other nations seeking American military equipment. Miller stressed that supporting Taiwan’s security remains a paramount concern for Washington.

Federal law requires the United States to supply Taiwan with necessary defensive capabilities, though these arms transactions consistently create diplomatic tensions between Washington and Beijing. Chinese officials have repeatedly demanded an end to all weapons sales to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.

Workers at Australia’s national television network walked off the job Wednesday in their first work stoppage in two decades, forcing the broadcaster to replace live programming with content from overseas.

The 24-hour strike at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation started at 11 a.m. local time, with hundreds of employees participating in the labor action over wage disputes and workplace concerns.

Network officials had to substitute BBC programming for their regular live broadcasts, and planned to air reruns instead of their primary television and radio shows throughout the strike period.

The work stoppage followed several months of unsuccessful contract talks between workers and network executives. Employees this week turned down management’s latest proposal offering a 10% wage increase spread across three years, plus a one-time payment of 1,000 Australian dollars (about $700 US) for permanent and temporary workers.

About 1,500 of the network’s 4,500 employees belong to unions, with roughly 1,000 workers supporting the strike after negotiations broke down.

Union representatives from the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance criticized the wage proposal as insufficient to keep pace with rising costs and said it failed to provide adequate job protections. They also objected to excluding part-time workers from the bonus payment.

“ABC staff are taking this step because they want fair pay that keeps up with the cost of living, genuine job security, and working conditions that allow them to continue serving the Australian public with integrity,” said union Chief Executive Erin Madeley.

Network Managing Director Hugh Marks expressed disappointment about the timing of the strike.

“It is not a great time for our teams to be out. There is a lot of things happening in the world,” Marks said during a radio interview.

“We will be using BBC content where that’s appropriate and where that’s available to us. We will be maintaining services but they won’t be of the standard that I would like to be on air.”

Marks defended the network’s wage offer as “fair and reasonable,” arguing it exceeded inflation rates when the bonus payment was included in calculations.

WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump hints at potentially “winding down” military operations against Iran after three and a half weeks of conflict, several of his administration’s stated war goals remain unachieved or unclear.

The president has expanded his list of objectives from three initial aims to five current goals for the extensive aerial campaign that began February 28th. Despite administration claims that their objectives remain consistent and well-defined, the priority list has grown and evolved as the conflict has impacted global markets, strained international relationships, and raised concerns about planning and long-term strategy.

While U.S. and Israeli military strikes have substantially weakened Iran’s armed forces and eliminated numerous high-ranking officials, these battlefield victories don’t necessarily fulfill the president’s broader strategic vision.

Several of Trump’s goals present significant challenges, and if the United States withdraws while leaving objectives incomplete and Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard still in control, the president may encounter domestic political consequences and international questions about the operation’s achievements. The conflict has disrupted Middle Eastern stability and affected worldwide economic conditions.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the military action, stating the operation “has been a resounding success — Iran’s navy is destroyed, their defense industrial base is dismantled, and their dreams of possessing a nuclear weapon shatter more by the day.”

Here’s an examination of Trump’s stated objectives and their current status:

A primary goal outlined by the president involves Iran’s missile capabilities: “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”

Administration officials report significant damage to this capacity. However, during the fourth week of fighting, Iran continues firing missiles and drones, including multiple strikes against Israel early Tuesday, even as Trump announced ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported last week that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities are being “overwhelmingly destroyed” with ballistic missile strikes against American forces reduced by “down 90% since the start of the conflict.”

Trump referenced this 90% figure on Monday, stating, “They can’t launch them, and they don’t have very many of them, as most of them have been annihilated.” He added Tuesday that 82% of Iran’s missile launchers were “killed.”

Previously, the administration sometimes treated this as a separate goal, while other times incorporating it into the broader missile destruction objective. The Pentagon typically includes it within the first aim of eliminating Iran’s missile capacity.

U.S. Central Command reports targeting weapons manufacturing and missile production facilities in Iran. Despite this, Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbors and Israel persist.

American and Israeli forces quickly gained air dominance over Iran, flying missions with minimal opposition. U.S. Central Command announced Monday that over 140 Iranian naval vessels have been damaged or destroyed.

Following a U.S. submarine’s torpedoing of an Iranian warship in early March, two additional Iranian ships — the IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Lavan — sought refuge in Sri Lankan and Indian ports. American officials haven’t indicated whether these vessels have been subsequently captured or sunk.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard operates its own naval force using smaller craft for swarming tactics and mine deployment. The extent of this fleet’s remaining strength and any mine-laying activities remains uncertain. Iranian missiles continue disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s position on Iran’s nuclear program shifted dramatically over the past year. After claiming in June that the U.S. had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, his advisers later warned that Iran was approaching weapons capability within weeks, justifying current operations.

While the U.S. hasn’t announced new strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Israel has targeted nuclear-related facilities and eliminated a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist.

A crucial war question involves whether Trump will attempt to secure or destroy approximately 970 pounds of enriched uranium in Tehran’s possession that could potentially serve weapons purposes.

For the first time Monday, Trump indicated the U.S. would recover this uranium, believed stored deep within a mountain facility. However, he suggested this would occur through some agreement with Iran. Without Iranian cooperation, experts warn that seizing the material would require a dangerous mission involving substantial U.S. ground forces.

Trump introduced a fifth objective Friday via social media: “Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others. The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!”

The U.S. currently stations thousands of troops at regional bases and installations. It remains unclear how much additional protection Trump will provide Middle Eastern allies against threats, particularly since Iran retains attack capabilities against these nations. Trump’s commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open also remains uncertain, as he has wavered on America’s policing role there. Monday, he extended Iran’s deadline to reopen the strait or face power plant attacks.

Since the conflict began, Trump has discussed regime change, urging Iranian citizens to “take over your government” after Israeli strikes, supported by the U.S., killed Iran’s supreme leader and much of the senior leadership.

However, Trump and his administration have never formally declared regime change as an Iranian objective, despite clearly wanting to end the repressive theocracy’s 47-year rule. “The leaders are all very different than the ones that we started off with that created all those problems,” Trump said Tuesday.

He immediately added, “This is regime change, right?”

Currently, the U.S. claims to be negotiating with elements of the same Iranian government while seeking to quickly end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Hopes for Iranian popular uprising appear likely to remain unfulfilled.

Trump administration officials have provided limited updates on this objective, which the president describes as ensuring “the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces” and “ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

While the U.S. has targeted Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq, and Israel appears to be expanding operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the administration hasn’t detailed how it will permanently stop Tehran’s militant group support.

The White House stated that preventing Iranian proxy groups from further regional destabilization remains a key goal and that “proxies are hardly putting up a fight because our United States Military is so strong and lethal.”

President Donald Trump’s recent statements about ongoing negotiations with Iranian officials have sparked anxiety among many Iranians who fear the Islamic Republic could survive under new leadership rather than face complete overthrow.

Trump referenced discussions with a “senior Iranian official” that multiple news sources have identified as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, leading to widespread concern that Washington might settle for modified leadership instead of full regime change.

Iranian government officials have publicly rejected what they call a “deception operation” designed to position Ghalibaf as America’s chosen leader for the country. They’ve also cautioned that any ground invasion or seizure of Persian Gulf islands would trigger serious regional repercussions.

Trump has characterized these developments as equivalent to regime change in Iran, a description that troubles many Islamic Republic opponents who want complete governmental overthrow.

His Monday comments disturbed portions of the opposition, especially those who had supported Israeli and American military intervention as “humanitarian intervention,” following the lead of Reza Pahlavi. However, other opposition members view Trump’s remarks as motivation to strengthen domestic grassroots resistance movements, regardless of whether Israel and the United States choose negotiation or escalation with Tehran.

On Tuesday, Trump repeated that his administration is conducting negotiations with Iran, stating the Islamic Republic desires an agreement and expects to receive a “gift” for such a deal. He emphasized that America has already won this conflict and stressed that Washington is negotiating with “wise” Iranian leaders. Trump again described this situation as equivalent to Iranian “regime change.”

A Tehran-based international relations professor told The Media Line Tuesday evening that Washington clearly wants to avoid lengthy, grinding warfare, with Trump eager to claim political victory quickly. In this context, someone like Ghalibaf—who could maintain internal power structures while moving the system away from collapse caused by Western non-cooperation—might represent a “win-win” solution.

However, the analyst observed that Trump’s “carrot-and-stick” strategy likely won’t end here, since the Islamic Republic’s economic and military strength hasn’t been sufficiently weakened to create decisive political transformation.

Throughout this conflict, Trump has repeatedly indicated he has specific individuals in mind for Iran, drawing parallels to the Venezuela approach. Notably, American officials’ circulated lists of Iranian figures being sought didn’t include Ghalibaf—or more surprisingly, Esmail Qaani, the elusive Quds Force commander—suggesting the intended negotiating partner could be a high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps figure with political credentials, like the parliamentary speaker.

Trump’s description of his contact person, namely Ghalibaf, as “respected” contrasts sharply with his reputation among numerous Iranians. Critics view him as among the political establishment’s most controversial figures, citing widespread corruption allegations and his security service background.

His service as a senior IRGC commander and later police chief occurred during the brutal 1999 student protest suppression, events the article’s author witnessed personally at Tehran University dormitories during the crackdown by paramilitary forces, police, Basij units, IRGC personnel, and special security forces connected to the leadership.

Ghalibaf’s close relationship with Ali Khamenei—both have Mashhad origins—and his strong connections to Mojtaba Khamenei have long strengthened his position within the ruling establishment. Despite this support, financial misconduct allegations, particularly from his Tehran mayoral tenure, combined with his security record, have hurt his electoral success. He came last in the 2005 presidential race, finished second in 2013 with approximately 16.5% of votes, and withdrew in 2017 to support Ebrahim Raisi.

Following multiple presidential losses, he joined parliament, becoming speaker after low-participation elections. In the 2024 parliamentary election, he received only about 447,000 votes from roughly eight million eligible voters in the Greater Tehran district.

Ghalibaf’s career began with his early connection to Khamenei in Mashhad. After the Islamic Republic’s establishment, he rapidly rose within the IRGC, eventually leading Khatam al-Anbiya, the Guards’ influential engineering and economic division, which expanded throughout Iran and into regional and international markets. He later commanded the IRGC Air Force and received Airbus training in France. Named police chief in 2000, he subsequently entered politics, serving as Tehran’s mayor for twelve years before joining parliament.

With key IRGC commanders killed and Ali Larijani’s death—widely considered a pragmatic system strategist—some analysts believe conditions may now support Ghalibaf’s rise. As more “moderate” figures like Masoud Pezeshkian face increasing marginalization and the IRGC strengthens control, he could become a central power mediator.

Nevertheless, his support base remains narrow beyond the IRGC and portions of the clerical establishment. Among regime supporters, he’s often seen as less popular than Saeed Jalili, the Supreme Leader’s representative on the Supreme National Security Council, who conflicts with both Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf.

Claims of direct American contact with Ghalibaf remain unverified, while confirmed diplomatic engagement appears limited to Iran’s Foreign Ministry and indirect channels. Iranian officials, including Ghalibaf, have denied any planned meetings. The IRGC-linked Fars News Agency has characterized the rumors as efforts to increase internal divisions.

Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed that Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed willingness to facilitate high-level Washington-Tehran discussions. Iranian state media reiterated Tuesday that reports of potential Ghalibaf-US official meetings aim both to harm his reputation and enable his political removal, while serving broader deception strategies before possible escalation.

Simultaneously, the United States reportedly is deploying additional regional forces, including Marine units, and according to some sources, the Pentagon considers sending 82nd Airborne Division elements. Such forces could support operations securing the Strait of Hormuz or even capturing strategic islands like Kharg—scenarios representing dramatic conflict escalation.

The Media Line previously reported, citing sources and an alleged audio recording attributed to a Tehran Basij commander, that regime forces are preparing for possible ground combat extending into the capital.

While many capital homes have sustained damage and hundreds of thousands have been displaced, people increasingly worry about escalating warfare and potential disruption of water, electricity, and gas services. Even so, many residents say they don’t expect the war to conclude with the Islamic Republic surviving in power.

An Isfahan resident told The Media Line Tuesday that if reports of a Ghalibaf deal proved accurate, many Iranians would feel “deceived and abandoned—moving from one dictatorship to another.” He added that after thousands of civilian casualties and extensive infrastructure damage, any outcome short of fundamental political change, beyond leadership reshuffling within the system, would provide little concrete benefit to ordinary citizens.

Multiple missile attacks across Israel on Tuesday resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to several civilians, including young children, as projectiles struck populated areas throughout the country.

Emergency personnel reported that a woman in her 30s lost her life when a Hezbollah rocket hit the Mahanayim Junction area in northern Israel. Medical teams from Magen David Adom declared her deceased at the location while providing care to two additional victims who sustained minor shrapnel wounds.

Following the deadly attack, warning sirens continued to blare throughout northern regions. In Safed, two individuals received minor injuries from flying glass fragments when rockets impacted the vicinity.

Central Israel experienced its own missile attack when a projectile equipped with a fragmenting warhead hit Bnei Brak, evading interception systems according to preliminary assessments. Medical personnel reported that a 23-year-old man suffered moderate shrapnel injuries, while six additional people received treatment for minor wounds, including a baby and a seven-year-old child.

The Bnei Brak strike resulted in significant property damage, including a partially collapsed balcony, while the neighboring community of Rosh HaAyin saw a vehicle flipped over from the blast effects.

In southern Israel, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile near Nevatim injured a physician from Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba when fragments landed close to his residence.

Medical officials at Soroka Medical Center confirmed that Dr. Asra Abu Rafa, a staff doctor in his 30s, remained in moderate condition following the incident. Hospital representatives noted that his spouse and infant daughter were stable, while the facility also provided care for 17 individuals experiencing severe anxiety reactions from the assault.

Response teams remained active throughout northern, central, and southern Israeli territories as projectile attacks continued to target civilian areas.

Lebanon’s foreign ministry announced Tuesday that it has declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata and demanded his departure by Sunday, accusing Tehran of overstepping diplomatic boundaries through its military involvement with Hezbollah, according to reports from Alsharq al-Awsat.

Ministry officials called in Iran’s charge d’affaires in Beirut to deliver the formal notification regarding Ambassador Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani. The ministry stated: “the Lebanese state’s decision to withdraw approval of the accreditation of the appointed Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, and declare him persona non grata, demanding that he leave Lebanese territory no later than next Sunday.”

The diplomatic rift stems from Lebanese government claims that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been orchestrating Hezbollah’s military campaign against Israel, which Lebanese officials say violates proper diplomatic conduct between the nations.

Additionally, Lebanon has recalled its own ambassador from Tehran for discussions regarding what the foreign ministry characterized as Iran’s breach of diplomatic protocols and standard international practices.

Lebanese government officials have grown more critical of Hezbollah’s role in intensifying regional tensions, particularly pointing to the group’s rocket attacks on Israel launched March 2nd, which pulled Lebanon further into the broader conflict. These attacks occurred after Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed early in the fighting.

The Lebanese government has also implemented broader measures targeting Iranian citizens, previously directing Iranian nationals to depart the country.

Israeli forces have acknowledged conducting strikes in Lebanon specifically targeting IRGC operatives working alongside Hezbollah forces within Lebanese territory.

Emergency responders confirmed Tuesday that a woman in her thirties lost her life during rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah targeting northern Israel, while multiple other individuals sustained injuries from ongoing missile strikes throughout the nation.

Emergency medical personnel reported that the fatal casualty occurred when rockets struck the Mahanayim Junction area in Israel’s northern region. Magen David Adom emergency teams declared the woman deceased at the location and provided medical care to two other individuals who suffered minor shrapnel wounds.

Following the deadly attack, warning sirens continued to blare throughout northern areas, alerting residents to incoming projectiles. Two additional people received minor injuries from flying glass fragments when rockets hit Safed.

A separate attack in Israel’s southern territory wounded Dr. Asra Abu Rafa, a medical professional at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, when debris from intercepted Iranian missiles landed close to his residence in the Bedouin community of Alsira. The physician, who is in his thirties, had recently finished his hospital shift when the incident took place near Nevatim.

Medical officials at Soroka reported that Dr. Abu Rafa remains in moderate condition, while his spouse and baby daughter are both doing well. The medical facility also confirmed it was providing care for 17 additional patients experiencing acute anxiety reactions from the attacks.

These attacks occurred during an ongoing barrage of rockets and missiles aimed at various locations, with emergency personnel actively responding to strike zones and casualties throughout both northern and southern areas.

Medical personnel and emergency teams continued operating in impacted regions, delivering care to wounded individuals and evaluating additional locations hit during the bombardment.

The West African nation of Mauritania has implemented new restrictions on government vehicle usage as officials work to combat rising energy costs connected to ongoing Middle East conflicts.

The country has prohibited the use of all government-owned SUVs and placed limitations on other official vehicles in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and protect domestic energy supplies from global market fluctuations.

Economic Affairs and Development Minister Abdallah Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh-Sidia clarified that the restrictions exclude military and security vehicles, ambulances, and other emergency medical transportation. He noted that remaining government light vehicles will only be used for critical administrative purposes as part of broader efforts to minimize unnecessary fuel usage during uncertain global market conditions.

During the same news briefing, Energy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Ould Mohamed Malainine Ould Khaled issued warnings to fuel retailers about price manipulation, stating that gas stations found violating regulations would face consequences. These warnings appear designed to prevent panic-induced price hikes and maintain public trust as officials tighten oversight of fuel distribution systems.

Government spokesperson Houssein Ould Medou revealed that authorities have confiscated approximately 550 metric tons of fuel in recent weeks and temporarily suspended exports to some neighboring nations as a protective measure. He explained that the government has also increased efforts to establish strategic stockpiles of both fuel and food supplies in preparation for potential supply chain disruptions or additional price increases in global markets.

These actions mirror similar responses occurring across multiple regions worldwide. Since early March, when conflicts involving Iran escalated, governments and businesses from Asia to Africa have implemented emergency measures to address supply shortages, shipping interruptions, and inflation concerns. The ongoing conflict has driven energy prices upward globally, compelling many import-dependent nations to reevaluate fuel policies, preserve supplies, and prepare for potentially extended periods of instability.

For Mauritania specifically, these challenges are particularly significant because the country remains susceptible to fluctuations in international commodity prices despite efforts to develop its domestic energy capabilities. While Mauritania has worked to improve its long-term energy independence, it continues to face vulnerability to external market disruptions that can rapidly increase costs for transportation, food, and household expenses.

The government’s recent measures indicate officials are choosing to act preemptively rather than waiting for market conditions to deteriorate further. Through reducing public sector fuel consumption, preventing price speculation, and building reserve supplies, Mauritania aims to protect its domestic market from a crisis primarily caused by events occurring far from its borders.

TABRIZ, Iran (AP) — New Israeli military strikes targeted Iran during the fourth consecutive week of Middle East conflict, with no indication that hostilities are decreasing. A senior U.S. military official recommended that Iranian citizens continue seeking shelter as a safety precaution.

The strikes represent the latest escalation in the ongoing regional warfare that has persisted for nearly a month. Military tensions remain high across the region as the conflict continues to unfold.

This report includes photographic documentation compiled by Associated Press photo editors showing the impact of the recent attacks.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks Tuesday evening with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the continuing Middle East crisis, according to a spokesperson from Downing Street.

During the conversation, Starmer expressed Britain’s backing of Saudi Arabia amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and briefed the crown prince about additional UK defensive military equipment being sent to the region, the spokesperson reported.

“Iran’s ongoing attacks, including on critical national infrastructure, were appalling,” Starmer said.

The Prime Minister also addressed maritime security concerns, with Downing Street quoting Starmer as saying: “Following the UK-led joint statement last week, the UK was now working with partners on what a viable plan could look like to ensure the flow of goods through the key maritime route.”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN Security Council is considering a controversial resolution from Bahrain that would permit military intervention to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible for international shipping, though the measure is encountering resistance from several member nations, three diplomatic sources revealed.

The proposal, which The Associated Press reviewed on Tuesday, emerges as global leaders struggle to address Iran’s grip on the strategic waterway that has caused fuel costs to surge and poses risks to worldwide economic stability.

Under the draft resolution, nations or maritime coalitions would receive authorization to employ force to guarantee safe transit and “to repress, neutralize and deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” The measure also calls on Iran to “immediately cease all attacks against merchant and commercial vessels” and halt interference with navigation freedom in the critical passage affecting global trade, energy supplies, and economic conditions.

A diplomatic source indicated the proposal underwent revisions Tuesday following objections from multiple nations about invoking Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which empowers the Security Council to approve measures from economic sanctions to military force.

Bahrain serves as the Arab nation’s representative on the UN’s premier decision-making body and has joined other regional countries targeted by Iranian drone and missile strikes following US and Israeli attacks on Iran beginning February 28. While unclear whether the United States, currently holding the council’s rotating presidency, endorses the initiative, American envoy Mike Waltz has previously expressed preference for regional nations to lead such efforts.

Both China and Russia, permanent Security Council members with veto authority among the 15-nation body, reportedly oppose the current language, one diplomat confirmed.

A second council source revealed France submitted an alternative resolution Monday that avoids naming Iran specifically and would not invoke Chapter Seven provisions. The French proposal instead encourages all sides to avoid escalation and pursue diplomatic solutions. French UN representatives declined to comment on the matter.

The diplomatic sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential negotiations.

Given the disagreements, neither proposal appears likely to reach a vote this week. A previous Bahrain resolution condemning Iranian attacks on its soil gained overwhelming council backing two weeks earlier, with China and Russia choosing abstention.

Throughout the ongoing conflict, Iran has essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to international waters, while claiming to permit safe transit for vessels from non-hostile nations. Approximately twenty percent of global oil supplies travel through this passage, but vessel attacks have virtually halted tanker movements.

The United States initially pursued diplomatic solutions to the Strait of Hormuz crisis last week when President Donald Trump proposed forming an international naval coalition to patrol the waterway. However, America’s key allies rejected the plan, prompting Trump to declare the US could proceed independently.

On Friday, Trump suggested other nations would need to assume responsibility as America considers withdrawing from the conflict. Hours afterward, he indicated the waterway would somehow “open itself.”

BOGOTA, Colombia — Seven members of the Segunda Marquetalia rebel organization now face arrest warrants in connection with the assassination of Miguel Uribe, a conservative politician seeking Colombia’s presidency who was fatally wounded during a campaign event in the capital last June.

Colombian Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo announced Tuesday that investigators determined Uribe’s death was “the result of a structured criminal operation that involved an urban criminal gang that was hired” by Segunda Marquetalia to carry out the killing.

According to Camargo, the assassination plot was orchestrated by Kendry Téllez, a Segunda Marquetalia operative who previously served with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly called FARC, before that guerrilla organization signed a 2016 peace agreement with the government.

Authorities also charged Luciano Marín, better known as Iván Márquez, with conspiracy in the murder. Marín, a former FARC commander who rejected the peace process and established Segunda Marquetalia in 2018, was last seen publicly in 2024 during peace negotiations with President Gustavo Petro’s administration.

Those peace discussions ended in late 2024 after Segunda Marquetalia experienced internal divisions.

Colombian investigators had previously suggested the rebel organization’s involvement in Uribe’s death.

Officials announced a $1.3 million bounty for information leading to Marín’s arrest on Tuesday, along with smaller rewards for tips about the six other Segunda Marquetalia members facing murder charges.

The attack occurred on June 7, 2025, while Uribe addressed supporters at a Bogota park. A teenage gunman shot the candidate multiple times before attempting to escape, but Uribe’s security team apprehended the shooter immediately.

Uribe succumbed to his wounds two months following the shooting.

The assassination represented a significant setback for Petro’s crime reduction initiatives in Colombia, where narcotics traffickers and armed groups compete for territories left vacant after FARC’s departure under the 2016 peace accord.

Uribe’s murder, targeting a conservative politician who advocated for aggressive action against rebel factions, became Colombia’s first presidential candidate assassination in three decades.

Colombia’s presidential election is scheduled for May, with a potential runoff between the leading candidates set for June if no nominee secures a majority.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement this week regarding diplomatic progress with Iran has created additional uncertainty around a conflict with already ambiguous objectives. The fundamental question remains: Which negotiations is he referencing?

Tehran has refuted claims that any diplomatic discussions are underway, committing to continue fighting “until complete victory.” Meanwhile, Pakistan, Egypt and Gulf Arab countries are working discretely to facilitate dialogue, though these initiatives appear to be in early stages. Israel maintains its commitment to ongoing military operations.

The conflict seems to be intensifying rather than de-escalating. Tuesday witnessed missile exchanges targeting Iran, Israel and multiple Middle Eastern locations, while additional thousands of U.S. Marines were deployed toward the Gulf region.

Here’s an examination of confirmed information and uncertainties regarding potential diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities.

Following the war’s launch with Israel on February 28, Trump has provided inconsistent and frequently unclear objectives, with these contradictory statements evident in recent communications. His stated aims include weakening or eliminating Iran’s missile systems and its capacity to menace neighboring countries — targets offering some flexibility in declaring success. A more challenging objective involves preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, which Trump maintains must be included in any agreement.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial shipping lane for petroleum that Iran rendered nearly impassable at the conflict’s start — has become another key priority for both Trump and the international economy.

While Trump discusses engaging Iranian leadership, he has stepped back from advocating the Islamic Republic’s downfall. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues asserting the war’s purpose is supporting Iranians in overthrowing their theocratic government.

Trump stated that U.S. representative Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted discussions Sunday with an Iranian official, without identifying the individual.

Media reports suggested Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as a potential negotiating partner. However, Qalibaf promptly rejected claims of ongoing talks in a social media post.

According to three Pakistani officials, one Egyptian representative and a Gulf diplomat, the United States has agreed “in principle” to participate in discussions in Pakistan, while mediators continue working to persuade Iran. All sources requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to share these details publicly.

The Egyptian source indicated efforts focus on “trust-building” between America and Iran, seeking to establish a combat pause and a “mechanism” for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s government appears to have maintained relative unity despite weeks of intense bombing and the elimination of its supreme leader along with numerous high-ranking military officials.

However, the current leadership structure remains unclear. The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, hasn’t appeared publicly or spoken directly since assuming his father Ali Khamenei’s position following the latter’s death.

The Islamic Republic contains additional power centers, including military forces and the influential paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, plus political figures such as Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

It’s uncertain whether anyone participating in U.S. discussions would receive military or Guard support. Throughout the current conflict, Iran’s armed forces have launched attacks based on local commander decisions rather than political leadership directives, according to Araghchi.

Iran’s top military command spokesman, Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, declared Tuesday that combat “will continue until complete victory.” This message challenged Trump’s assertion that Iran was seeking peace while potentially warning Iranian leadership against compromising in negotiations.

Trump’s unexpected Monday announcement of diplomatic advancement coincided with the approaching deadline of his weekend ultimatum threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power facilities unless the country ended its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had threatened retaliation against power, water and petroleum infrastructure throughout the Gulf.

On Monday, Trump extended the deadline five days and expressed confidence there’s a “very good chance” for reaching an agreement this week. This development relieved global oil and stock markets.

Trump’s decision might indicate concern about the war’s potential long-term economic impact on America and globally, though his administration maintains that oil price increases will quickly reverse once hostilities end.

“Trump could be actively seeking an offramp,” analyzed the Soufan Center, a New York-based research organization.

Alternatively, the Soufan Center observed, Trump might be creating time for thousands of Marines traveling to the region to arrive.

The Marine deployment could serve as negotiating pressure on Iran. However, it has also sparked speculation about potential U.S. operations to capture Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, crucial to Iran’s petroleum network, or missions to remove enriched uranium from Iranian territory. Either scenario would represent significant escalation and prolonged warfare.

While Trump stated no plans for deploying ground troops into Iran, he hasn’t eliminated the possibility. Israel has indicated ground forces might join the conflict.

Nuclear discussions were already occurring when the United States and Israel launched their February 28 surprise assault, killing the elder Khamenei during the initial bombing campaign.

This deepened Iranian suspicion of American negotiators, particularly following Trump’s 2018 unilateral exit from a major nuclear agreement established with the United States three years prior. Iran and America conducted early 2025 negotiations, and when Trump’s two-month deadline expired, Israel attacked Iran in a surprise operation that the U.S. joined, creating a 12-day conflict targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military installations.

Trump announced Monday that any war-ending agreement will require the United States removing Iran’s enriched uranium, essential to its controversial nuclear program. Iran has previously refused this demand, maintaining its right to enrich uranium for peaceful applications.

A more modest negotiating goal could involve achieving a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Araghchi appeared to dismiss any partial agreement during a Wednesday Al Jazeera interview. “We don’t believe in ceasefire. We believe in the end of war … the end of war in all fronts,” Araghchi stated, stressing the need for regional conflict solutions.

Significantly, Israel isn’t participating in negotiation efforts.

Israel has portrayed itself as supporting Trump’s direction, and appears unlikely to continue Iranian strikes if America declared the war’s end. Nevertheless, it has pursued objectives beyond American goals. Its recent bombing of Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas facility intensified Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab nations, prompting Trump to direct Israel to cease such operations.

In a late Monday statement, Netanyahu recognized Trump’s diplomatic initiatives but indicated Israel would continue striking enemies temporarily.

Additionally, ending the Iran war doesn’t terminate Israel’s Lebanese bombing campaign. There, Israel has identified new opportunities to defeat Hezbollah after the militants launched rockets supporting Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to head the Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday, filling a crucial security position with a former Revolutionary Guard commander as the nation deals with ongoing military tensions involving Israel and the United States. Presidential communications deputy Mehdi Tabatabaei announced that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had endorsed the selection.

The new appointment follows the March 17 death of Ali Larijani, a prominent Iranian official who died in an airstrike close to Tehran. Larijani had been a central figure in Iran’s government for years, holding key positions including speaker of parliament, nuclear negotiator, and previously serving as secretary of the same security council. His death eliminated a major political influencer during a time of intense military and political pressure for the regime.

Prior to his new role, Zolghadr held the position of secretary for the Expediency Discernment Council, another important government institution, and previously worked in senior judicial positions. His background as a former Revolutionary Guards commander provides him with extensive connections within Iran’s security apparatus, as the country increasingly relies on military-connected officials during the ongoing crisis.

The Supreme National Security Council serves as Iran’s central hub for making decisions on defense matters, intelligence operations, and significant foreign policy issues. While the president leads this organization, its activities are closely coordinated with the supreme leader’s office. This appointment appears to be Tehran’s effort to strengthen its leadership structure following multiple high-ranking casualties since hostilities began on February 28.

Despite President Trump’s decision to delay his threatened strikes on Iranian energy and military installations over Strait of Hormuz access, tensions with Iran remain high as the country persists in firing missiles at both Israel and Gulf region nations.

Saudi media outlets reported yesterday that defense systems successfully stopped two ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward the capital city of Riyadh, part of a total seven-missile barrage targeting the kingdom. According to a Wall Street Journal source, Saudi Arabia joining American anti-Iran operations is now “only a matter of time,” representing a significant policy reversal for Gulf nations that previously avoided involvement in the Iranian conflict.

Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Saudi Arabia has granted U.S. forces permission to operate from King Fahd air base, abandoning its previous stance against allowing American use of Saudi territory or airspace for Iranian operations. This policy shift follows repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting critical Saudi infrastructure, including energy installations and the capital city.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly concentrating on reestablishing deterrence and approaching a final decision about joining the military campaign, with sources indicating Saudi participation in the conflict becomes more probable each day.

Following recent attacks, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan warned: “Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited. Any belief that Gulf countries are incapable of responding is a miscalculation.”

The United Arab Emirates has initiated action against Iranian-connected organizations on its soil, shuttering both the Iranian Hospital and Iranian Club in Dubai, according to the report. Officials explained that facilities linked to Iran’s government and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were closed for UAE law violations.

The UAE, historically serving as a major financial center for Iranian commerce, has also threatened to freeze billions in Iranian holdings, potentially cutting Tehran off from crucial foreign currency and commercial channels.

While Gulf leadership has publicly maintained they won’t participate in attacks or allow airspace usage, the report suggests their involvement may already be growing. Confirmed video evidence showed ground-launched missiles targeting Iran from Bahrain, while American officials confirmed Iranian strikes damaged five U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s aggressive campaign has encompassed over 2,000 attacks against the UAE and strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy complex, intensifying pressure on Gulf leadership to take action. Regional officials have reportedly encouraged President Trump to maintain military pressure on Iranian capabilities, as Tehran has suggested it may seek control over Strait of Hormuz shipping, potentially including toll collection.

Afghan Taliban authorities freed American academic Dennis Coyle on Tuesday, with officials characterizing the action as a humanitarian gesture connected to the Eid holiday, though experts believe it reflects calculated diplomacy amid increasing U.S. pressure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the development in a public statement, saying: “earlier this month, I met Molly, Amy, and Patti as they asked for help freeing their brother Dennis Coyle from detention in Afghanistan. Today, Dennis is on his way home. We thank the UAE and Qatar for their support. The release is a positive step towards ending the practice of hostage diplomacy.”

Taliban Foreign Ministry representatives stated that Coyle had been held for purported violations of national laws, but was freed after Afghanistan’s Supreme Court concluded his detention period was adequate.

Authorities indicated the choice was driven by humanitarian considerations and expressed optimism that it might foster better relations and productive dialogue with Washington.

The 64-year-old Colorado researcher, who had resided in Afghanistan for many years, was arrested in January 2025 when he was taken from his Kabul home.

Though Taliban leadership presented the release as compassionate action, the timing reflects intensifying diplomatic pressure from Washington regarding American citizens held in Afghanistan.

Over recent weeks, American officials have escalated their condemnation of Taliban leadership for what they characterize as unjustified imprisonments.

Senior counterterrorism official Sebastian Gorka has cautioned that America would not accept what he called “hostage diplomacy,” indicating a tougher stance on these situations.

This matter has become a significant source of tension in the already troubled relationship. Rubio has labeled Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” underscoring Washington’s alarm.

The State Department maintains its advisory against American travel to Afghanistan, warning of dangers including arbitrary imprisonment.

Sources confirm that Mahmood Habibi remains under Taliban control, keeping this concern prominent in diplomatic discussions.

While Taliban officials reject claims that foreign prisoners serve as bargaining chips, experts note a recurring trend where releases coincide with religious holidays or diplomatic activities, indicating attempts to create political favor without formal compromises.

This situation also comes after the previous release of George Glezmann, another American citizen who was imprisoned for a lengthy period, reinforcing worries about an ongoing pattern of arrests and negotiated freedoms.

Nevertheless, it underscores the delicate and conditional character of their interactions, where humanitarian actions remain closely linked to political maneuvering, and ongoing suspicion continues to shape their relationship.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has kicked out Iran’s ambassador, giving him until the end of the week to leave the country in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations.

The Tuesday announcement represents the strongest signal yet that relations between Lebanon and Iran are falling apart, while also highlighting internal Lebanese divisions over Tehran’s role and its partnership with the militant group Hezbollah.

This latest action follows Lebanon’s government taking multiple steps against Iran since the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted on March 2, a war that saw Israeli forces kill several Iranian Revolutionary Guard members in strikes across the war-torn nation.

The conflict began when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel just two days after joint U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah stated that avenging Khamenei’s death, who held significant influence as a global Shiite Muslim religious leader, motivated their assault on Israel.

During a weekend statement, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing Hezbollah’s activities within Lebanon, noting that missile launches toward Israel dragged the small country into a major conflict that his administration “was not willing to get involved in.”

“It is not the duty of the Lebanese to avenge Khamenei’s killing,” Salam declared, while also revealing that Iranian agents operating in Lebanon rely on fraudulent identification documents and passports for movement.

Salam additionally blamed the IRG for drone attacks launched from Lebanese territory targeting the Mediterranean island of Cyprus this month.

Following Hezbollah’s March 2 rocket attack that sparked the war—which has claimed 1,072 Lebanese lives and injured nearly 3,000—Salam’s administration immediately banned all military operations by the Iran-supported organization. He demanded the group surrender its arsenal to government control and terminated visa-free travel privileges for Iranian nationals.

During an emergency Cabinet session in early March, Salam emphasized that only the state holds authority over war and peace decisions, directing security forces to stop missile and drone launches from Lebanon while arresting those responsible.

The ambassador’s expulsion highlights the Mediterranean country’s longstanding split between Western-supported political coalitions and Iranian-backed factions led by Hezbollah.

Even prior to renewed Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, Lebanon had begun limiting Iran’s previously substantial influence. Iranian commercial aircraft have faced landing restrictions at Beirut’s airport for over a year due to concerns about weapon and cash deliveries to Hezbollah that might provoke Israeli attacks on the facility.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced on X that he directed ministry leadership to summon Iran’s chargé d’affaires to communicate the withdrawal of approval for Iran’s designated ambassador to Beirut.

Raggi stated that Iran’s incoming ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani would be labeled “persona non grata, and requested that he leaves Lebanese territory no later than 29 March 2026.”

Ministry officials later clarified that the action does not constitute a complete break in diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Hezbollah and its Lebanese allies strongly condemned the ministry’s decision, while prominent Shiite cleric Ali al-Khatib urged the government to reverse what he termed a “reckless and hasty” choice.

Lebanon’s Shiite mufti Ahmad Kabalan opposed the ambassador’s departure, stating “we will not allow the reckless authority to slaughter Lebanon politically.”

Hezbollah dismissed the decision as a “reckless and condemned step” that “serves neither Lebanon’s supreme national interests, nor its sovereignty or national unity; rather, it constitutes a blow against them.”

However, others applauded the move following years of Iranian operations in Lebanon.

Christian Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea, whose party holds parliament’s largest bloc, praised the government action “especially given the accumulation of damage caused by Iran in Lebanon over decades.”

Throughout the recent war, Israel has targeted Iranian-connected commanders in attacks throughout Lebanon’s capital and surrounding areas.

An Israeli strike on March 8 hit a Beirut hotel in the Raouche seaside tourist district, killing four Iranian nationals. Another Israeli attack Monday in Beirut’s southeastern Hazmiyeh suburbs eliminated Mohammed Ali Kourani, a Lebanese Revolutionary Guard Quds Force official. Kourani had previously survived a strike on a nearby hotel earlier this month.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has supported Hezbollah’s development since the early 1980s, helping it become Lebanon’s largest and most influential organization. Throughout the four decades since its establishment, Hezbollah has received billions in Iranian funding plus various weapon systems.

Following Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war, Hezbollah remained the sole group permitted to maintain its weapons, recognized as a resistance movement opposing Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territory.

Since Israel’s 2000 withdrawal ending an 18-year occupation, Hezbollah has engaged in three major wars with Israel. The 14-month conflict concluding in November 2024 significantly damaged the organization, eliminating many political and military leaders.

During Israel’s September 17, 2024 pager attack that injured thousands of primarily Hezbollah members, Iran’s then-ambassador Mojtaba Amani sustained wounds while carrying a pager device.

When Israeli forces killed Hezbollah leader and founder Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general died alongside him.

Despite recent setbacks, Hezbollah continues serving as Iran’s most dependable regional partner.

CHISINAU, Moldova — Lawmakers in Moldova approved emergency energy measures Tuesday after Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure severed a vital electrical connection between Moldova and Romania.

The nighttime bombardment caused the high-voltage Isaccea-Vulcanesti transmission line to disconnect, prompting Moldovan officials to ask residents to use electricity wisely during busy periods while technicians work on restoration.

The emergency declaration passed with strong support in Moldova’s legislature, receiving approval from 72 members of the 101-seat body. No lawmakers opposed the measure, while 18 chose not to vote.

“What is happening in the energy sector today is not an accident,” said Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. “Russia’s attacks on the civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine represent a war crime, but also an attack on us, here in the Republic of Moldova … Russia is the only one responsible for this.”

Beginning Wednesday, the 60-day emergency period will enable officials to “act faster: mobilize additional resources, protect critical infrastructure and, if necessary, take additional measures to limit the effects of the crisis,” Munteanu explained. “We remain vigilant and act for the safety of every citizen … This is not a measure of panic, it’s a measure of responsibility.”

Due to Moldova’s legacy electrical connections with Ukraine from the Soviet period, the nation has experienced intermittent power disruptions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu estimates repairs to the damaged transmission line will require five to seven days.

Throughout its comprehensive invasion, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including dams and river facilities. The neighboring conflict has significantly affected Moldova, a former Soviet nation seeking European Union membership.

Just last week, tens of thousands of Moldovans lost water access when another Russian attack on a Ukrainian hydroelectric facility caused oil contamination in a major river flowing through both nations.

Located approximately 15 kilometers upstream from Moldova’s northern Ukrainian border, the damaged Ukrainian facility provides water to roughly 80% of Moldova’s 2.5 million residents. In January, Moldova experienced widespread blackouts, including in capital city Chisinau, following a Ukrainian power line disruption that reduced voltage levels.

President Maia Sandu directly accused Moscow on Tuesday, stating that “Russia continues to deliberately undermine the security of the Republic of Moldova and endanger the lives of our citizens.”

“After the bombing of the Ukrainian hydroelectric power plant … tonight, a new brutal attack led to the disconnection of the Isaccea-Vulcanesti line, which in certain periods provides 60-70% of our electricity consumption,” she posted on Facebook. “All these are not accidents, but deliberate actions of Russia to weaken and leave Moldova in the dark.”

Russian officials have consistently rejected claims that they are attempting to destabilize Moldova.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — While the United States intensifies pressure for new leadership in Cuba, questions swirl around who might succeed current President Miguel Díaz-Canel before his term ends.

Díaz-Canel became the first non-Castro to lead Cuba since the 1959 revolution when Raúl Castro selected him as his successor in 2018. Though he has two years remaining in office, analysts and increasing numbers of Cubans question whether he will complete his term.

Political observers point to two Castro family members as possible successors.

The first is Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Raúl Castro’s 55-year-old great nephew, who has rapidly ascended to prominence after years in relative anonymity. In May 2024, he was named minister of Cuba’s powerful Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, followed by his appointment as deputy prime minister in October.

The second candidate is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro’s grandson, commonly called “Raulito” or “Little Raúl.” Unlike Pérez-Oliva, he has never held official government positions, instead working as his grandfather’s bodyguard and later leading Cuba’s version of the Secret Service.

Rodríguez Castro gained attention last month when he conducted a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts. Rubio declined to identify his Cuban counterpart at the time.

“The role Raulito is playing right now is the connection between Raúl Castro and whoever is on the U.S. side,” explained Sebastián Arcos, interim director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University. “He enjoys the absolute trust of Raúl Castro.”

However, Arcos and fellow experts suggest that even if a Castro family member assumes the presidency, significant changes are unlikely.

“Party leadership doesn’t mean anything in Cuba,” Arcos stated. “The party is just a hollow façade. The real power resides in the military, under Raúl Castro.”

The 94-year-old Castro continues serving as general, attending major events and wielding considerable influence in Cuba, which has experienced over six decades of authoritarian rule under first Fidel Castro, then his brother Raúl.

This dynamic shows no signs of changing.

“The most significant thing that we have to consider for the last 30 years in Cuba is the absolute reluctance of this regime to implement serious structural economic reforms,” Arcos noted. “Asking them for political reforms would be too much.”

Pérez-Oliva’s background includes electrical engineering studies before directing an import company and serving as business director in Cuba’s Mariel Special Development Zone. Official Cuban sources provide limited additional information about him.

His online presence is minimal, lacking even a Wikipedia entry. His private X account displays the message: “Committed to the Revolution and to the ideas of FIDEL.”

Only recently has Pérez-Oliva become visible publicly, accompanying Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez on trips to Russia and Vietnam this year. During a February appearance addressing massive blackouts in western Cuba, he offered unusually candid remarks while other officials blamed U.S. sanctions exclusively.

“We don’t want to justify ourselves with the blockade; there are a number of internal deficiencies,” he acknowledged during a state television interview.

A significant milestone occurred in December when Pérez-Oliva joined Cuba’s National Assembly Popular Power as a deputy — a prerequisite for presidential candidacy.

Carlos M. Rodríguez Arechavaleta, a Cuba specialist and professor at Iberoamerican University in Mexico City, characterized Pérez-Oliva as having technocratic qualities with commercial negotiation experience. “This could be a more ideological figure … a more technocratic, potentially reformist-oriented official,” he observed.

Arcos believes Díaz-Canel could “very well be replaced” by Pérez-Oliva.

“This man looks more proper, more polished. He has been through more important positions,” Arcos said. “This is a family business.”

Rodríguez Castro is the son of Raúl Castro’s eldest daughter and Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who controlled GAESA, the military’s business operations, until his unexpected death in July 2022.

In his younger years, Rodríguez Castro was prominent in Cuba’s music and social scenes. During public appearances, observers would nudge each other and whisper, ‘That’s El Cangrejo’ — meaning “The Crab,” a nickname referencing his birth with an additional finger.

After military school, he became Raúl Castro’s bodyguard, traveling internationally with him. He later advanced to head Cuba’s equivalent of the Secret Service, though with responsibilities including surveillance of the country’s leadership, according to Arcos.

On March 13, experts observed Rodríguez Castro’s presence at a government meeting where Díaz-Canel announced U.S.-Cuba discussions. He also attended the subsequent news conference.

This unusual public appearance in government affairs attracted scrutiny from ordinary Cubans.

“The Crab doesn’t have a position there, so I don’t know why he was there,” said 20-year-old Maday Beltrán Acosta. “People posted a lot of comments about it.”

Beltrán Acosta also expressed frustration with Rodríguez Castro’s social media posts featuring “abundant food.”

“The people are suffering while he enjoys life,” she said.

Despite this, Arcos doubts Rodríguez Castro could become Cuba’s next president publicly, as his surname would signal continuity rather than the change demanded by Trump and Rubio.

“He cannot be the transitional figure,” Arcos explained, “because his last name disqualifies him.”

While speculation continues about potential leadership changes before Díaz-Canel’s term expires, experts note his unpopularity among Cubans.

He authorized harsh responses to July 2021 anti-government demonstrations triggered by food shortages — the largest protests in decades.

During Díaz-Canel’s presidency, Cuba’s economic and energy problems have worsened significantly.

“The living conditions of the population are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis,” said Rodríguez Arechavaleta. “The social situation is already unsustainable.”

Arcos added: “He’s a man with a pot belly in a country where everybody is trying to find (something) to eat.”

Last week, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío rejected suggestions about potential political system changes or Díaz-Canel’s departure as part of ongoing U.S. discussions.

“The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country,” Fernández de Cossío told reporters.

Arcos said he cannot envision Raúl Castro surrendering power but believes Díaz-Canel could be replaced, describing him as “a gray apparatchik” within the party when he became president.

He suggested that Castro’s eventual death “would be the kind of shock that would crack the regime.”

“No one really knows who’s coming up to replace him,” Arcos said. “For the first time ever in Cuba, you have the possibility of several people struggling for power.”

Iranian forces fired successive waves of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets through the night and morning hours, wounding four individuals and inflicting property damage across central Israel. This escalation came despite President Trump’s declaration of a temporary five-day halt to planned American attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure while diplomatic discussions continue.

The most devastating strike occurred when a missile loaded with approximately 100 kilograms of explosive material hit a Tel Aviv street, severely damaging at least three structures and multiple vehicles in the vicinity. Emergency medical services initially reported six people with minor injuries across various locations, though Magen David Adom subsequently updated the count to four individuals, all in stable condition.

According to a Home Front Command spokesperson, the warhead created significant structural damage without causing severe casualties, as many civilians had sought refuge in designated safe areas.

These ongoing strikes came after President Trump revealed on Monday that America had engaged in dialogue with Iran over the past 48 hours, describing the exchanges as “very good and productive conversations.” He announced the postponement of “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” during the five-day window.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump characterized the talks as “in-depth, detailed, and constructive,” while emphasizing the pause remains conditional and “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

However, Iranian forces continued launching missiles toward multiple Israeli regions. Warning sirens blared across Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Rishon LeZion, and Netanya, along with alerts in Dimona and settlements throughout the Negev desert, Galilee region, and Golan Heights area.

Defense systems intercepted numerous projectiles or they impacted unpopulated zones, including areas near Beersheba and northern territories close to the Lebanese border, resulting in no casualties. Missile remnants also struck Rosh HaAyin, located east of Tel Aviv, causing property damage without injuries, while debris from previous attacks landed near a Palestinian community in the West Bank.

Israeli Defense Forces confirmed documenting a minimum of seven ballistic missile strikes since midnight.

Trump’s diplomatic announcement represented a notable change from his previous 48-hour deadline demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, during which he threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power facilities if compliance was not achieved.

Several Iranian media outlets denied any negotiations had taken place between Tehran and Washington. After the initial ultimatum, Iranian officials warned they would “irreversibly destroy” vital infrastructure throughout the Middle East, including water supply systems, should the United States proceed with threatened military action.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement Monday evening confirming his conversation with President Trump earlier that day, suggesting the American leader recognizes a possible chance to convert recent military achievements into a diplomatic resolution.

Authorities in western Mexico have arrested a 15-year-old student after he allegedly opened fire at his school, killing two female employees on Tuesday.

The shooting occurred at Makarenko School in Lazaro Cardenas, a port city in Michoacan state. According to the local Department of Public Safety, the teenage suspect used a high-powered assault rifle in the attack.

Officials discovered two victims with multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. Local authorities confirmed the arrest in a social media post on X.

A state government source told Reuters that “the victims appear to be a teacher and another person from the administrative staff.”

The state prosecutor’s office has not yet released specific details about the positions the two women held at the school. The accused shooter was reportedly a high school student who was preparing to enter college.

Reuters reached out to the school for comment but has not yet received a response.

Michoacan state has experienced ongoing violence and serves as a major center for criminal organizations competing for control of drug trafficking corridors. The region faces persistent problems with extortion, kidnapping, and other criminal enterprises.

While Mexico struggles with high levels of violence related to organized crime, shootings at schools remain uncommon occurrences.

Colombian prosecutors announced Tuesday they have issued arrest warrants for seven top commanders of the Segunda Marquetalia rebel organization in connection with last year’s killing of Senator Miguel Uribe, a prominent opposition figure and presidential candidate.

The warrants name several high-profile guerrilla commanders, including Ivan Luciano Marin Arango and Gener Garcia Molina, who go by the code names Ivan Marquez and Jhon 40. Prosecutors describe the senator’s death as a calculated assault designed to undermine Colombia’s democratic institutions.

Intelligence officials believe Marquez and other wanted suspects are currently hiding across the border in Venezuela.

The lawmaker, who came from an influential political dynasty and represented conservative opposition parties, was gunned down during a campaign rally in Colombia’s capital last June. The shooting occurred as Uribe addressed supporters ahead of this year’s electoral contests.

The brazen daylight attack represented the most serious episode of political bloodshed in almost twenty years, bringing back painful memories of the violent 1980s and 1990s when drug trafficking organizations murdered four different presidential contenders.

Chief Prosecutor Luz Adriana Camargo described the June shooting as a carefully planned criminal conspiracy that utilized hired street gangs. Investigation findings point to Kendry Tellez as the main organizer who allegedly arranged payment of 1 billion pesos (equivalent to $250,000) for the assassination during border region meetings.

“Dr. Uribe Turbay’s killing was driven by political and strategic motivations connected to his roles as both a legislator and electoral candidate,” Camargo stated, though she declined to elaborate on the specific political factors that may have prompted the attack.

Tuesday’s warrant announcement represents the culmination of an extensive investigation that has already resulted in nine prosecutions.

Court records show Simeon Perez received more than 22 years in prison for serving as an intermediary between rebel commanders and the urban assassination team. Two additional defendants were sentenced to 21-year terms for conducting surveillance and providing logistical support, while a 15-year-old minor identified as the actual gunman received sanctions under juvenile justice procedures.

The seven suspects named in the new warrants face multiple charges including aggravated murder and criminal conspiracy.

Segunda Marquetalia represents a breakaway wing of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. The organization’s leadership initially participated in a 2016 peace agreement but resumed armed activities three years afterward, claiming the government failed to honor its commitments.

The rebel faction entered into fresh peace negotiations in 2024 as part of President Gustavo Petro’s broader strategy to resolve Colombia’s six-decade internal armed conflict.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has granted former President Jair Bolsonaro permission to complete his 27-year prison term for coup conspiracy from his residence rather than behind bars, citing his deteriorating medical condition.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes made the ruling Tuesday after Bolsonaro has remained hospitalized since March 13 battling pneumonia, adding to a series of health complications that began when he survived a stabbing attack in 2018 during his presidential campaign.

The former leader spent several days in intensive care recently due to kidney complications and additional health concerns. While his medical team has not provided a discharge timeline from the Brasilia hospital, doctors report his condition is showing signs of improvement.

Bolsonaro’s family has petitioned the court for home confinement since his conviction last November. After initially being held at a federal police facility, he was moved to an expanded cell in January.

Brazil’s Attorney General Paulo Gonet endorsed the home detention arrangement on Monday, clearing the path for the court’s approval.

The far-right politician held office from 2019 through 2022. His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has announced plans to seek the presidency in October’s election, with polling data showing a tight race against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to established legal precedent, Brazil’s Supreme Court typically maintains house arrest arrangements unless a prisoner’s health significantly recovers or they breach conditions such as making public comments, using social media, or conducting media interviews.

COPENHAGEN – Exit polling from Denmark’s parliamentary elections on Tuesday revealed that left-leaning political parties, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, have edged ahead of conservative opponents, though no coalition appears to have secured the necessary seats to govern alone.

According to survey results from broadcaster DR working with Epinion, the progressive alliance captured 83 parliamentary seats compared to 79 for the conservative coalition in Denmark’s 179-member legislature. Meanwhile, polling conducted by TV2 in partnership with Megafon projected 86 seats for the left-wing parties against 75 for their right-wing counterparts.

The inconclusive results may position Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’s independent centrist Moderates as kingmakers in determining which political bloc will control the next government. Alternatively, the four parliamentary representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands could find themselves holding the decisive votes in coalition negotiations.

During a United Nations appearance on Tuesday, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered sharp criticism of American policies, accusing the United States of making it acceptable to wipe out Black history from educational and cultural institutions.

Speaking at a slavery reparations event at the UN, Mahama expressed concern that current U.S. leadership under President Donald Trump has been targeting cultural and historical sites across America – including museums, monuments, and national parks – in an effort to eliminate what Trump labels “anti-American” ideology.

Trump’s recent executive actions and declarations have resulted in the removal of slavery exhibits, the reinstallation of Confederate monuments, and other changes that civil rights groups argue could undo decades of social advancement.

“These policies are becoming a template for other governments as well as some private institutions,” Mahama stated during his UN remarks. “At the very least, they are slowly normalising the erasure.”

The Ghanaian leader pointed to specific examples in America, including the elimination of Black history courses from school programs, requirements for institutions to stop teaching about the realities of slavery, segregation and racism, and increasing bans on books covering these topics.

The White House has not yet provided a response to requests for comment on Mahama’s statements.

This isn’t the first time Mahama has challenged Trump’s positions. The Ghanaian president previously condemned Trump’s false assertions about white genocide and land confiscation in South Africa, describing those claims as offensive to all Africans. Last year, Mahama also announced an agreement to accept West Africans who face deportation from the United States.

Mahama’s New York visit centers on presenting a resolution to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that would officially recognize transatlantic slavery as the “gravest crime in the history of humankind” while demanding reparations.

Ghana has emerged as a primary champion for reparations, a movement that has built considerable support in recent years despite facing growing opposition from some quarters.

Multiple Western leaders have refused to even discuss the reparations topic, with opponents maintaining that current governments and organizations shouldn’t bear responsibility for historical injustices.

According to the draft resolution obtained by Reuters, the proposal encourages member nations to participate in reparations discussions, which could include formal apologies, returning stolen cultural artifacts, providing monetary compensation, and promising such crimes won’t happen again.

The African Union nations and Caribbean Community countries have endorsed the resolution, along with Brazil and other supporters.

However, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa revealed that both the European Union and United States have already indicated they will not support the resolution.

Neither the EU nor U.S. missions to the United Nations have responded to requests for comment regarding their positions.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Argentina’s capital Tuesday, commemorating five decades since the military coup that launched one of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin American history.

Human rights organizations estimate that approximately 30,000 individuals vanished during the regime’s systematic campaign targeting opposition voices, including leftist guerrilla fighters, union organizers and university students. Government records put the death toll closer to 8,000 victims.

Truth commissions and advocacy groups have determined that government security forces were responsible for the vast majority of violence during the seven-year military rule.

The nationwide demonstrations were organized by human rights advocates, labor organizations, student associations, social justice movements and political parties, rallying under the banner “Memory, Truth and Justice” to remember the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military government.

“Today is a special day,” said Elsa Britos, a 60-year-old domestic worker. “I joined the protest to fight, and to fight with hope.”

Current President Javier Milei, known for his far-right libertarian views, has argued that memorial events should equally recognize casualties from guerrilla attacks during that era. On Tuesday, Milei posted a statement attributed to Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov claiming that communism “is against human nature and can only be sustained through totalitarian repression.”

Reflecting this position, the presidential office released a video called “Day of Remembrance for Justice and the Full Truth,” showcasing two personal accounts: one from a woman who was stolen as an infant during the dictatorship and discovered her true identity in 2017, and another from the child of an Argentine military officer abducted by guerrilla forces.

The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, established in 1977 to search for children seized during the dictatorship, was among the organizations leading Tuesday’s march. Investigators believe roughly 500 newborns delivered in detention centers were unlawfully removed and placed with military families or their supporters. Approximately 140 of these individuals have been located and reunited with their biological families.

Following Argentina’s transition back to democratic governance in 1983, the government committed to pursuing legal action against those responsible for the atrocities but demonstrated less dedication to recovering victims’ bodies. These recovery efforts have been further complicated by military officials’ continued refusal to disclose information about burial locations.

Since Milei assumed the presidency in 2023, efforts to locate victims’ remains have faced additional obstacles. His cost-cutting measures have reduced the Human Rights Secretariat to a lower-level department, slashed its funding and eliminated staff positions. Archive research teams were terminated amid accusations of political prejudice and what the Milei administration characterized as harassment of former military officers.

Poland’s Finance Minister has announced his country is making the European Union’s defense funding initiative its top priority while simultaneously taking part in discussions about alternative military financing options.

Speaking during a visit to London on Tuesday, Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski explained that Poland views the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program as crucial for national defense against Russian aggression, offering affordable financing options.

“Right now, we are focused on the SAFE programme – it’s our priority,” Domanski stated during his London trip. “It’s close to 44 billion euros available for us immediately.”

When questioned about other military financing initiatives, including a collaborative effort between Britain, Finland and the Netherlands for joint defense funding and equipment purchasing, Domanski confirmed Poland’s involvement in technical discussions.

“We are also participating in the discussions,” he noted.

Nations worldwide are rushing to increase military spending and equipment acquisition as global security challenges escalate, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year and Middle Eastern conflicts continuing without resolution.

The British-Finnish-Dutch initiative, which Domanski called the Multilateral Defence Mechanism, represents one of multiple competing programs designed to attract private investment into national defense efforts.

Meanwhile, Canada has been spearheading efforts to establish a new international defense financial institution – the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB – as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to strengthen cooperation among NATO allies and partners.

“Originally comparing those two, I find this MDM much more interesting,” Domanski commented, though he chose not to provide additional details.

HOUSTON, March 24 – Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado addressed energy industry leaders in Houston this week, advocating for enhanced transparency and investment protections to revitalize her country’s struggling oil sector.

Speaking at the CERAWeek energy conference, Machado expressed optimism about growing international interest in Venezuelan petroleum resources while emphasizing the need for stronger legal frameworks and contract protections.

“I’m here to attract attention to Venezuela, not delay it,” Machado stated during an interview prior to delivering her conference presentation.

The opposition leader outlined an ambitious vision for Venezuela’s energy future, suggesting the nation could potentially reach daily oil production of 5 million barrels with proper investment and infrastructure development. This would represent a dramatic increase from current output levels of approximately 1 million barrels per day and would require an estimated $150 billion in capital investment.

Machado’s strategy includes significantly downsizing the state-controlled oil company PDVSA while transitioning operations to private sector management. Despite this privatization approach, she emphasized the importance of maintaining Venezuelan control over Citgo Petroleum, the Houston-based refinery currently owned by PDVSA.

“Losing Citgo would be damaging to Venezuela and an error for U.S. energy security,” she explained.

Regarding ongoing legal proceedings that could result in Citgo’s parent company being auctioned to satisfy creditor claims, Machado remained hopeful about preventing such an outcome.

“Until the last out, in the last inning, there’s a possibility,” she said, using a baseball metaphor to describe the ongoing court battle.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish government officials revealed Tuesday that the nation endured a staggering 250% increase in digital attacks throughout 2025, with cybersecurity threats continuing to escalate at an alarming rate.

Among the most concerning incidents was an unprecedented December breach targeting Poland’s power infrastructure, which experts believe marked the first destructive cyberattack on energy systems among NATO and EU member nations. Intelligence sources suspect the assault originated from Russia.

Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Paweł Olszewski disclosed Tuesday that Poland withstood 270,000 cyber incidents over the past year.

“We’ve been waging a war in cyberspace for many years now,” Olszewski stated. “The number of incidents and attacks has been increasing significantly and radically year after year.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration has significantly enhanced the country’s digital security measures following Russia’s comprehensive military offensive against Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022, responding to what officials view as heightened Russian cyber threats.

On the morning and afternoon of Dec. 29, synchronized digital assaults struck a heating and power facility serving nearly 500,000 residents, along with numerous renewable energy installations including wind and solar operations across Poland.

Polish security agencies believe a single “threat actor” orchestrated the cyberattacks, with numerous specialists indicating connections to Russian intelligence operations.

While electrical service remained uninterrupted, the destructive nature of the sabotage prompted CERT Polska, the nation’s Computer Emergency Response Team, to release a detailed technical analysis in late January and solicit assistance from the global cybersecurity community.

“The attack was a significant escalation,” CERT director Marcin Dudek explained to The Associated Press.

“We’ve had such incidents in the past, but they were of the ransomware type, where the motivation of the attacker is financial,” Dudek noted. “In this case, there was no financial motivation — the motivation was just destruction.”

Dudek emphasized that Poland has encountered few destructive cyber incidents previously, with none targeting energy infrastructure.

The CERT leader indicated he was unaware of similar destructive digital assaults on power systems within NATO or EU territories. While espionage cases and activist groups have caused minor disruptions, “advanced attacks” comparable to Poland’s December incident appear to be without precedent, he explained.

Dudek warned that if the assault had focused on larger energy facilities, it could have severely compromised Poland’s electrical grid stability.

Polish intelligence services have not yet publicly named a suspected perpetrator.

Dudek’s organization is authorized only to analyze attack methods and identify potential “threat actors” — cybersecurity terminology for individuals or groups conducting malicious operations.

The CERT investigation examined internet infrastructure utilized in the Polish breach, including web domains and IP addresses, discovering they had been previously employed by a Russian threat group called “Dragonfly,” also known as “Static Tundra” or “Berserk Bear.”

According to Dudek, Dragonfly has historically focused on energy sector targets, though not with destructive intent.

An FBI alert from August 2025 identified Dragonfly as a cybersecurity cluster linked to FSB Center 16, a critical division within Russia’s Federal Security Service.

Independent cybersecurity experts concur that evidence from the December attack points toward Russian involvement.

ESET, a major European Union cybersecurity firm, examined the malicious software used in the assault and determined the perpetrator was likely “Sandworm,” another suspected Russian group previously connected to destructive attacks in Ukraine.

U.S. authorities have previously linked Sandworm to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, known as GRU.

Anton Cherepanov, a senior malware analyst at ESET, told The Associated Press that “the use of data-wiping malware and its deployment” in the Polish incident “are both techniques commonly employed by Sandworm.”

“We are not aware of any other recently active threat actors that have used data-wiping malware in their operations against targets in European Union countries,” Cherepanov stated.

Regardless of whether Dragonfly or Sandworm was responsible, both groups have previous Russian affiliations. “Whether it’s these Russians or those Russians is a detail,” Cherepanov observed.

The Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Following a devastating military aircraft accident that claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticized his nation’s dependence on donated secondhand military equipment from the United States.

The tragedy unfolded Monday when a military transport aircraft went down moments after departure from Colombia’s Putumayo province. Defense officials confirmed that no fewer than 66 service members perished in the crash, while 57 others survived and were transported to Bogota and other locations for medical care.

Petro took to social media platform X to express his frustration with the donated Hercules CJ-130 aircraft involved in the accident. “An army cannot defend its own people with crappy gifts,” the president stated. “They give away whatever is useless to them — and the ‘gift’ ends up costing more than buying it new.”

The United States provided the Hercules CJ-130 to Colombia in 2020 through a cooperative arrangement that included two additional used Hercules aircraft. The plane had undergone comprehensive maintenance work in 2023, including engine inspections and replacement of critical components.

Aviation specialist and military analyst Erich Saumeth emphasized that investigators must now focus on determining what caused the four-engine aircraft to fail so quickly after departure. “I don’t think this plane crashed because of a lack of good parts,” Saumeth noted.

The crash occurred near Puerto Leguizamo, where the airport features a notably short 1.2-kilometer runway. The aircraft came down in a field within two kilometers of the airfield.

Former President Iván Duque, who held office when the aircraft was donated, responded to Petro’s comments on social media, advising him to “calm down and breathe.” Duque suggested investigators examine “how much weight the plane was carrying compared to the length of the runway.”

The current president has used this incident to advance his ongoing efforts to upgrade military equipment, claiming that modernization initiatives have faced “bureaucratic difficulties.” Petro indicated that accountability measures may be necessary, stating Monday: “If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they must be removed.”

Political opponents have countered by highlighting reduced military contract implementation and decreased flight hours for military aircraft under Petro’s leadership, attributing these issues to defense budget reductions.

BRASILIA, March 24 – Brazil’s federal audit court TCU has postponed making a decision on the controversial Banco Master case while waiting for results from multiple ongoing investigations, according to the presiding judge on Tuesday.

Reuters previously reported in February that the TCU’s internal review offered no guidance on how Brazil’s central bank handled the November shutdown of Banco Master, which occurred during a severe cash shortage and allegations of fraudulent loan sales.

Judge Jhonatan de Jesus declined to reveal details from the technical assessment but stated that issuing a court decision would be inappropriate “at the risk of reaching a decision with a lower degree of completeness than desirable.”

Jesus has mandated that results from active investigations by the central bank, the Office of the Comptroller General, and a Supreme Federal Court case be incorporated into the TCU’s proceedings.

“The existence of investigations being conducted in other spheres, using different fact-finding tools and with the potential to uncover new elements, reinforces the case for awaiting a more developed evidentiary record before this court reaches a final judgment,” Jesus stated.

The audit court’s participation has drawn significant attention after Jesus indicated he might implement “precautionary” actions to halt asset sales during Banco Master’s closure, given the permanent nature of such transactions while investigations determine whether proper procedures were followed.

Jesus had earlier demanded access to central bank records that supported the decision to close the financial institution.

Tuesday’s postponement allows Jesus to maintain the audit court’s influence over the liquidation proceedings.

This development follows recent disclosures showing that two high-ranking officials at Brazil’s central bank privately counseled troubled banker Daniel Vorcaro, who controlled Banco Master.

Federal police investigators determined that Vorcaro likely paid bribes to former central bank director Paulo Sergio Neves de Souza and Belline Santana, previously head of banking oversight, for insider information and document assistance, based on text messages accessed through court-approved surveillance of communication records.

Pakistan is stepping forward as a crucial intermediary in efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran, drawing on its carefully cultivated relationships with both nations and its history as a diplomatic bridge-builder.

Should these negotiations materialize, Pakistan could achieve international recognition comparable to its historic role in facilitating the secret diplomatic breakthrough that enabled President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 trip to China.

This diplomatic opportunity comes after more than a year of strategic relationship development with President Trump, involving sophisticated diplomatic efforts and cryptocurrency partnerships.

Pakistan holds a unique position, maintaining open communication channels with both Washington and Tehran while most other nations find such dual relationships impossible. The country would gain significantly from ending the Iran conflict, as it hosts the globe’s second-largest Shi’ite Muslim community after Iran and experienced widespread demonstrations following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.

Security experts and government officials identify Pakistan’s greatest concern as the potential for Iran’s prolonged conflict to spread across borders. The nation, already dealing with Afghan Taliban tensions, has also experienced fuel supply interruptions due to the Iranian war.

“Pakistan has unusual credibility as a mediator, maintaining workable ties with both Washington and Tehran, while a history of strained relations with each gives it just enough distance to be seen as a credible go-between,” Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute, told Reuters.

STRENGTHENING TRUMP CONNECTIONS

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has cultivated a strong partnership with Trump to overcome years of diplomatic mistrust. Following Munir’s January trip to Davos to meet with Trump, Pakistan joined Trump’s Board of Peace.

The country has also established a partnership with a Trump family-affiliated cryptocurrency venture to utilize its USD1 stablecoin for international transactions, while White House representative Steve Witkoff facilitated an agreement to renovate New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, which belongs to Pakistan’s state airline.

Since the Iran conflict’s beginning, Pakistan has engaged in diplomatic efforts, including delivering at least six communications between American and Iranian officials, according to five Pakistani government sources.

Prior to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Tuesday announcement confirming the peace talk proposal, Pakistani and foreign sources indicated that representatives from both countries might convene in Islamabad by week’s end. Pakistani sources suggested Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would participate.

Government statements reveal that during the past month, Sharif and Pakistan’s foreign minister conducted more than 30 discussions with Middle Eastern counterparts, including six conversations with Iranian leadership. Two occurred Monday, coinciding with U.S. confirmation of ongoing mediation efforts and a White House-verified phone call between Munir and Trump.

“Pakistan hosting U.S.-Iran talks represents a major upgrade in Islamabad’s strategic standing,” Kamran Bokhari, senior resident fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, told Reuters.

“After decades of being a troubled state, Pakistan appears to be re-emerging as a major American ally in West Asia,” he said.

IRANIAN RELATIONSHIPS

Bokhari noted that Pakistan represents Iran’s most cooperative neighbor while sustaining “the closest ties with its historic regional adversary Saudi Arabia and (being) trusted by Washington”.

Pakistan and Iran share a complex border along Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, where a multi-decade insurgency continues. The neighboring countries engaged in border conflicts during January 2024, though diplomatic relations have since recovered.

Iran may view Pakistan as more impartial than alternative mediators. “Unlike Gulf states like Qatar, Pakistan does not host U.S. military bases and is a military power in its own right,” said Weinstein.

Pakistan can also reference its established intermediary history – Iran’s unofficial diplomatic presence in America has operated through Pakistan’s Washington embassy since U.S.-Iran diplomatic ties severed in 1979.

Islamabad’s mutual defense treaty with Riyadh, established in September, obligates both nations to provide mutual assistance and influences strategic decisions.

As the American-Iranian conflict entered its second week and Tehran attacked Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated he had reminded Iran of the defense agreement while attempting Iranian mediation.

Pakistani security sources confirmed Islamabad’s treaty obligations but emphasized efforts to avoid conflict involvement through private diplomatic channels with Tehran.

HAVANA — A humanitarian relief vessel reached Cuba’s capital Tuesday, delivering crucial supplies including solar panels, bicycles, food, and medical equipment as the Caribbean nation confronts mounting economic and electrical power challenges.

The ship carried approximately 30 passengers and represents the first of three vessels scheduled to dock in Cuba while the country battles widespread electrical outages, deteriorating infrastructure, and energy supply restrictions from the United States.

“This type of economic warfare shouldn’t exist, this attitude of a pirate state that doesn’t respect international law,” activist Thiago Ávila told reporters as he disembarked from the ship, christened “Granma 2.0” in homage to the ship that ferried revolutionary leader Fidel Castro to the island in 1956.

“These ships are a drop in an ocean of need…at the same time, it’s a gesture of solidarity,” Ávila said.

The vessel left Puerto Progreso in Mérida, Mexico, last week, with two additional ships making their way toward Cuba.

“The help is important for us, so that it can be seen that the revolution is not alone,” Antonia Santamaría, a 72-year-old retiree, said as she watched the boat slowly approach the dock.

This maritime mission forms part of the “Our America Convoy to Cuba” initiative, which brought more than 650 supporters from 33 nations to the island over the weekend carrying tons of relief supplies. President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomed the international delegation.

Notable participants included British parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn, Colombian Sen. Clara López, Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls, and the popular Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap.

The energy restrictions implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January, designed to pressure political change on the island, have worsened a five-year economic downturn that began with COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and earlier American sanctions against the Caribbean nation.

Cuba currently experiences transportation difficulties, shortened work schedules, canceled flights, and most critically, power failures, including two complete island-wide blackouts in recent days.

Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s — have indicated readiness to “take” the island. Officials from both nations acknowledge ongoing discussions, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Argelio Abad Vigo revealed last week that the nation has spent three months without receiving diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas shipments — all essential for economic activity and power generation. Cuba domestically produces only 40% of its required fuel.

A Hong Kong-flagged ship reportedly transporting 200,000 barrels of diesel from Russia to Cuba has instead arrived in Venezuela, according to MarineTraffic, which monitors global vessel movements using public data.

International leaders and social organizations have cautioned that Cuba may be approaching a humanitarian emergency.

Nations including Mexico, China, Brazil, and Italy, along with American non-governmental organizations, have provided assistance.

Caricom, a Caribbean trade organization, announced Tuesday it would deliver aid including powdered milk, medical supplies, and water storage tanks to Cuba through Mexico, which has offered free maritime transport.

International assistance is typically distributed without charge by the government through Cuba’s food distribution network, unless donors specify particular recipients, such as medical supplies designated for hospitals.

Authorities in Hong Kong detained four bookstore employees on Tuesday for allegedly distributing materials deemed seditious, including a biographical work about imprisoned media mogul Jimmy Lai, according to local broadcaster TVB.

The detained individuals include Pong Yat-ming, who owns the Book Punch store, along with three employees. They face accusations of selling copies of “The Troublemaker,” a biographical account of Lai written by Mark Clifford, one of his former business associates, TVB reported.

Lai established the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and received a 20-year prison sentence in February following his conviction for conspiring with foreign entities and sedition in what authorities called the territory’s most significant national security prosecution.

When contacted about the reported detentions, a police representative declined to provide specific details but stated that law enforcement “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.”

A sign posted at the bookstore’s entrance stated: “Resting for a day due to emergency, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Reuters was unable to contact Pong immediately and could not confirm whether he or the staff members faced formal charges.

Clifford, who currently resides in New York and previously served as a director at Lai’s Next Digital media company, told Reuters he was unaware of the detentions. “If true, it’s a sad and ironic commentary that selling a book on a man who is in jail for his activities as a journalist, for promoting free expression, would be subject to sedition,” he said.

The local national security legislation, referred to as Article 23, establishes penalties of up to seven years imprisonment for sedition, with sentences extending to a decade when the offense involves collaboration with an “external force.”

Beijing implemented comprehensive national security laws in the territory during 2020, with Hong Kong and Chinese authorities stating the new regulations were necessary to restore order following months of pro-democracy demonstrations that disrupted the city in 2019.

As part of continued efforts to suppress dissent, the territorial government published new amendments Monday to the implementation guidelines for Beijing’s imposed legislation, granting customs officials authority to confiscate materials considered to have “seditious intention.”

The updated measures also authorize police officers with magistrate-approved warrants to compel individuals suspected of violating national security laws to surrender mobile phone or computer passwords, with refusal resulting in imprisonment and financial penalties.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus officials are demanding greater transparency from Britain regarding military operations after being left uninformed about a significant security incident at a British air base earlier this year.

An Iranian-manufactured Shahed drone hit a hangar at RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus’s southern coast just after midnight on March 2. While warning sirens sounded across the base alerting military personnel to seek shelter, British authorities failed to notify the Cypriot government about the incoming threat or potential danger to a nearby village housing 1,000 residents.

The incident has sparked President Nikos Christodoulides to demand a “frank and open discussion” with Britain about the future of the two military installations at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

“I’m not going to negotiate publicly, I’m not going to put my request publicly, but we need to open this discussion,” Christodoulides stated during the European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels on March 20. “The British bases in Cyprus is something that is a colonial consequence.”

The controversy began when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on March 1 that the United States would be permitted to use British facilities for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting Iran’s missile facilities. This statement alarmed Cypriot officials, who believed it contradicted previous British commitments not to use the island’s bases for such operations. British officials later clarified the referenced bases were located in England and the Indian Ocean, not Cyprus.

According to two senior Cypriot officials speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, British authorities provided no advance warning about the drone attack the following evening. The Ministry of Defence in London has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

The British warship HMS Dragon was dispatched Tuesday toward Cypriot waters to provide additional security against potential future attacks.

Prime Minister Starmer’s office released a statement saying he had contacted Christodoulides over the weekend to emphasize that “as close partners and friends, Cyprus’ security was of utmost importance to the U.K.” Starmer also confirmed that RAF Akrotiri would not be utilized for any American military strikes against Iran.

The two British installations span 99 square miles and were established when Cyprus achieved independence from British colonial rule in August 1960, following a four-year guerrilla campaign. The bases’ existence is written into Cyprus’s constitution, and they operate with their own police forces and court systems, making them technically British colonial territory according to former island attorney general Costas Clerides.

Nearly 66 years later, many Cypriots, including President Christodoulides, view these installations as unwelcome reminders of their colonial history. Approximately 10,000 Cypriot citizens reside within the bases’ boundaries and fall under their jurisdiction.

Previous calls to eliminate the bases have emerged, particularly when they’re used for regional military operations, though recent peaceful demonstrations have been smaller than in past decades.

Originally established to monitor Suez Canal shipping traffic and protect Middle Eastern oil supplies, the bases now serve broader strategic purposes. RAF Akrotiri continues housing the renowned U2 spy aircraft that conducts high-altitude surveillance missions across the Middle East. The facility served as a crucial logistics hub for the 2003 U.S. Iraq operation and more recently supported campaigns against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. The installations also include a mountaintop communications monitoring station that tracks Middle Eastern communications and beyond.

While previous Cypriot administrations have been told Britain would inform them of military actions launched from the bases, this understanding represents courtesy rather than legal requirement.

“We are playing a leading role, with the Republic of Cyprus, in coordinating the increasing capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean, to help that sovereign base to remain as protected as possible in the circumstances and in the face of the Iranian threat,” U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament Monday.

Christodoulides indicated last week that Cyprus has “a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases.” While declining to provide specifics, he said negotiations with Britain would occur after the Iran conflict concludes.

The Cypriot government has publicly stated that complete elimination of the bases isn’t currently under consideration. Any discussions would follow a gradual approach seeking greater operational transparency, including enhanced information sharing and intelligence cooperation, according to the anonymous Cypriot officials. They haven’t ruled out renegotiating the bases’ status similar to Britain’s recent agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Under that arrangement, Britain agreed to return Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius while paying approximately 101 million pounds ($135 million) annually to lease the base for at least 99 years. U.S. bombers now operate from the U.K. base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, to conduct strikes against Iran. On Sunday, Iran reported launching missiles at Diego Garcia.

MANILA, Philippines — Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine President, announced a national energy emergency on Tuesday as his government responds to threats stemming from ongoing Middle East conflicts, citing concerns about “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply.”

The emergency declaration, set to remain in effect for one year initially, establishes a contingency committee under Marcos’ leadership tasked with guaranteeing access to and proper distribution of fuel, food, medical supplies, farm products and essential commodities.

Government officials received orders to combat hoarding, price gouging and supply chain manipulation involving petroleum products. The Department of Migrant Workers was simultaneously directed to prepare for potential rescue operations and evacuations of Filipino citizens working throughout the Middle East.

The administration has begun distributing 5,000 pesos ($83) payments to numerous motorcycle taxi operators and public transportation workers across the country to offset rising gasoline and diesel costs. Selected cities are also offering complimentary bus transportation for students and employees.

Approximately 2.4 million Filipino citizens live and work throughout Middle Eastern countries, with roughly 31,000 residing in Israel and 800 in Iran. However, the majority have chosen to remain in the region and continue working, with only several hundred individuals accepting government assistance to return home since the regional hostilities commenced.

Philippine officials reported that Mary Ann de Vera, a Filipina caregiver, lost her life during an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 28 while assisting her elderly client to reach a bomb shelter.

Authorities in the Czech Republic announced Tuesday that three individuals have been taken into custody following a suspected arson attack that leveled a facility belonging to a firm that provides unmanned aircraft systems to Ukrainian forces.

Czech police are treating the warehouse fire as a potential act of terrorism, officials confirmed.

While two suspects were apprehended within Czech borders, the third individual was captured in Slovakia. Czech officials are now working to secure extradition of the suspect from their neighboring country.

The detained individuals are facing accusations of conducting a terrorist attack and being members of a terrorist organization.

According to police statements, the suspects hold both Czech and American citizenship, though authorities declined to provide additional details about their identities.

“We continue to work intensively to apprehend the remaining suspects, also in cooperation with foreign partners,” they said.

The blaze erupted at an industrial facility in Pardubice, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Prague, completely destroying the warehouse structure while fortunately causing no personal injuries, according to police reports.

LPP Holding acknowledged that one of their facilities had been damaged by fire and stated they are fully assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The firm specializes in creating products for both commercial and defense applications, including autonomous drone technologies currently being utilized by Ukraine’s military in their conflict against Russian forces.

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar indicated the incident could be connected to terrorist activities and confirmed that Czech investigators are coordinating with international partners.

Senior police official Martin Vondrášek stated that authorities believe the fire was deliberately set. Emergency responders successfully extinguished the flames, and police assured the public there was no ongoing threat to community safety.

LPP Holding had previously announced intentions to establish a facility in Pardubice for drone development and manufacturing, along with personnel training, in partnership with Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Following the attack, however, the company revealed that this joint venture had not materialized.

Defense contractors throughout the nation have subsequently enhanced their security protocols.

LPP Holding emphasized that no weapons were being manufactured at the targeted facility.

In contrast to the previous pro-Western administration, the current Czech government under populist leader Andrej Babiš has declined to provide financial assistance to Ukraine or back European Union loan guarantees for the country defending against Russian aggression. This positions the Czech Republic alongside Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico in opposing EU support for Ukraine.

Despite the government’s stance, public sentiment in favor of Ukraine remains strong among Czech citizens.

WASHINGTON — This Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head to France in an effort to convince reluctant Group of Seven partners to support America’s Iran military strategy, which has led to dramatic increases in global fuel costs, according to a Tuesday announcement from the State Department.

The G7 foreign ministers gathering near Versailles, just outside Paris, will provide Rubio an opportunity “to advance key U.S. interests” while addressing “shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation,” department officials stated.

“Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability,” the department announced in their statement, released as conflicting reports emerge about potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks to end the conflict.

On Monday, President Donald Trump claimed discussions between the U.S. and Iran have occurred, though Iranian officials have rejected this assertion. Multiple nations are reportedly exploring early-stage diplomatic solutions to the crisis, which has caused oil prices to surge dramatically following the shutdown of most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers.

The majority of G7 countries — including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — have shown lukewarm support at best for the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, choosing not to join the operation and prompting frustration from Trump, who insists America can handle the situation without international assistance.

Trump has publicly criticized several G7 members and NATO partners for failing to answer his requests for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though some nations have recently signaled potential support for appropriate measures to restore normal shipping operations through the critical waterway.

British financial regulators are standing by their decision to hire American data analytics company Palantir Technologies for an artificial intelligence project, despite facing tough questions from parliament members about data security and market dominance.

The Financial Conduct Authority awarded Palantir a 12-week deal to examine the agency’s internal information systems as part of efforts to fight financial crimes. Palantir Technologies was co-created by Peter Thiel, a billionaire investor who backed President Donald Trump early in his political career.

During a parliamentary Treasury committee hearing, lawmakers pressed FCA leadership, including CEO Nikhil Rathi, about whether the American company might gain access to confidential regulatory materials.

Conservative parliament member John Glen expressed additional worries about the company’s growing government presence. “The other concern is that they become ubiquitous across government,” Glen stated. “Is there anything that can be done to ensure they don’t become a monopoly?”

Palantir has already landed deals with Britain’s Defense Ministry and National Health Service, expanding its footprint across multiple government agencies.

Jessica Rusu, who serves as the FCA’s chief data, information and intelligence officer, explained that the selection process was conducted without revealing bidder identities until completion. She emphasized that Palantir would function solely as a data processor in this arrangement.

Rusu also noted that the U.S. CLOUD Act, which requires American tech companies to share data with U.S. officials under specific conditions, would not impact this particular FCA partnership.

The contract award appears contradictory to the FCA’s own previous warnings to financial institutions about the risks of depending too heavily on a limited number of major technology companies.

CEO Rathi recognized the broader strategic concerns about big tech’s role in government operations but defended the need for advanced tools to combat financial crimes effectively.

“We also want to be the most effective enforcer against financial crime and money laundering, and that requires us to use data intelligence more effectively and use best-in-class tools,” Rathi explained to lawmakers. “They won the procurement.”

A Palantir representative said the company takes pride in helping the FCA address financial crimes and stressed that it cannot profit from data processed during its British government work.

“The software can only be used – legally and contractually – to process data in strict accordance with the instructions of the customer,” the company spokesperson stated.

Palantir has seen significant revenue growth recently, particularly from U.S. government contracts. However, some of these agreements, including work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have sparked public backlash and forced CEO Alex Karp to publicly defend the company’s surveillance technologies.

The chief executive of surveillance technology company Intellexa announced Tuesday he will challenge his conviction in a major wiretapping scandal that shook Greece’s government in 2022.

Tal Dilian, who leads the surveillance firm, received a suspended prison sentence on February 26 when a Greek court found him and three others guilty of misdemeanor personal data violations.

“I remained silent during the trial, but I will not be a scapegoat,” Dilian stated to Reuters.

“I believe a conviction without evidence is not justice, it could be part of a cover-up and even a crime. I will present my case before national, regional, and international institutions, including requesting the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on judicial independence.”

The controversy, nicknamed “Predatorgate” by Greek media, began when a financial reporter and political figure claimed they were targeted by government surveillance using Predator malware, Intellexa’s primary spyware technology.

The scandal resulted in the dismissal of Greece’s intelligence chief and the prime minister’s top aide. Investigators discovered Predator software traces on numerous mobile devices.

Greece’s administration denied any misconduct and weathered a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2023 related to the surveillance allegations.

The country’s highest court prosecutor dropped charges against the intelligence service in 2024 but sent four individuals, including Dilian, to face misdemeanor prosecution.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated this month that judicial officials are handling the matter, emphasizing that the supreme court dismissed the case regarding government involvement.

In his statement, Dilian argued that trial evidence contradicted the prosecutor’s findings and failed to connect the defendants to the intelligence service’s alleged “interferences.”

Dilian has previously maintained that his surveillance products are sold exclusively to government entities, making those governments responsible for lawful usage of the technology.

PARIS – French authorities carried out search operations Friday targeting a French diplomatic official whose name surfaced in Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, according to the French financial prosecutor’s office announcement Tuesday.

The law enforcement action comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the diplomat after his identification in materials made public by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the convicted sex trafficker Epstein.

The prosecutor’s office confirmed the raids occurred as investigators continue examining the diplomat’s potential connections to the disgraced financier’s criminal network.