Category: World News

A tragic event at a soccer stadium in Peru on Friday claimed one life and left 47 people wounded just before a highly anticipated football derby was set to begin.

According to reports from AFP, a government minister confirmed the casualty figures from the stadium tragedy, though specific details about what led to the deadly incident have not been released.

The event unfolded as fans were preparing for the football derby match, but authorities have not yet provided information about the exact circumstances that resulted in the death and injuries.

Australian government officials are encouraging citizens to move forward with their Easter holiday travel despite widespread fuel shortages affecting hundreds of service stations across the country on Saturday, April 4th. The disruptions are linked to ongoing Middle East conflicts that have impacted the nation’s fuel supply chain.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen addressed the public through television broadcasts, stating: “Easter is a very special time of faith and family. We encourage people to feel free to stick to your plans, go and see your family, go take a break – but get no more fuel than you need.”

The fuel crisis has hit a nation that relies on imports for roughly 90% of its petroleum needs. Local shortages have emerged during the Middle East conflict, which entered its sixth week on Saturday. Some travelers have already canceled their holiday plans during what is traditionally one of the country’s peak travel periods.

Current fuel reserves stand at 39 days for gasoline, 29 days for diesel, and 30 days for aviation fuel, according to Bowen’s assessment.

“The total number of service stations without diesel in Australia, which is where the main pressure has been, is 312 out of the around 8,000 service stations,” Bowen explained, noting that rural locations face the greatest impact due to longer resupply times.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an uncommon national address this week, warning citizens that economic impacts from the Middle East warfare would persist for months ahead. He also recommended using public transportation when possible.

WASHINGTON — Beijing is intensifying its diplomatic initiatives regarding the Iran conflict, collaborating with Pakistan on a five-point peace framework while building support among Gulf nations and rejecting a United Nations proposal that would authorize military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The diplomatic push represents Beijing’s latest attempt to establish itself as a major player on the world stage, though analysts suggest the effort may be more symbolic than meaningful, particularly given Washington’s apparent lack of interest in China’s involvement.

“The war with Iran is the priority of all countries in and outside the region,” said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. “It is an opportunity China will not miss to demonstrate its leadership and diplomatic initiative.”

Danny Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat, characterized Beijing’s diplomatic efforts as “performative” and drew parallels to China’s 12-point Ukraine peace plan from 2023, which was “filled with platitudes but never acted on.”

“Its narrative is that while Washington is reckless, aggressive and heedless of the cost to others, China is a principled and responsible champion of peace,” said Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “What we are seeing from China is messaging, not mediation.”

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, stated that China has been working “tirelessly for peace” since the conflict began.

The Trump administration shows minimal enthusiasm for Chinese mediation efforts, according to U.S. officials.

Washington has grown skeptical of third-party mediation attempts and has little desire to enhance China’s global standing or provide an opportunity for Beijing to claim diplomatic victories in the Middle East, said three U.S. officials who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss potential diplomatic strategies publicly.

One official characterized the administration’s stance on the Chinese-Pakistani initiative as “agnostic,” neither supporting nor opposing it, though all three emphasized this position could shift if President Donald Trump provides direction before his scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beijing may have motivation to see the conflict end before Trump’s planned visit to China in mid-May. Trump postponed the originally scheduled late March trip, citing war-related demands.

“There is no guarantee that Trump may not delay the trip to China again if the war rages on,” Sun said.

The conflict intensified significantly Friday when Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft, marking the first such incident since hostilities began five weeks ago. Trump told NBC News this development would not affect negotiations with Iran, speaking just days after announcing in a national address that the U.S. has “beaten and completely decimated Iran.”

Currently, China faces less disruption from Strait of Hormuz complications than other nations, having diversified its energy portfolio and reduced fossil fuel dependence.

Iran supplies approximately 13% of China’s oil imports, and Beijing is coordinating with Tehran to ensure safe passage for Chinese-flagged ships through the strategic waterway, where Iran’s blockade has caused energy prices to spike. China also maintains substantial strategic petroleum reserves.

Though China has positioned itself to weather immediate disruptions, experts believe Beijing is concerned about an extended conflict and has genuine interest in ending hostilities.

“An escalation of the conflict will start to harm Chinese interests,” Russel said. “Because China’s growth model is so export-heavy, prolonged energy shocks and shipping disruption will mean costlier inputs and weaker global demand that damage its vulnerable economy.”

Beyond avoiding a prolonged war, China “welcomes the opportunity to suggest that it is helping mitigate a crisis of America’s making, especially as the Trump administration’s lack of a considered strategy for containing the fallout becomes more apparent,” said Ali Wyne, a senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group.

Following the conflict’s outbreak, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conducted discussions with officials from Russia, Oman, Iran, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He assured Iran of China’s valued friendship, called on Israel to halt military operations and indicated China’s willingness to facilitate peace efforts.

Recently, Wang welcomed his Pakistani counterpart to Beijing to develop their five-point framework, which calls for ending hostilities and reopening the strait.

Liu reported that Wang has conducted over 20 phone conversations with regional foreign ministers, while a special envoy has traveled throughout the region to promote peace and reduce tensions.

Wang sought backing for China’s initiative from European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, describing it as representing “broad, international consensus,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang told Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that stopping the fighting was the most pressing issue.

This week, Wang also spoke with Bahrain’s foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, to explain China’s opposition to Bahrain’s U.N. proposal authorizing military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Wang argued that U.N. Security Council actions should help reduce tensions “rather than endorse illegal acts of war, still less add fuel to the fire.”

China and Russia contended that the U.S. or other nations could exploit a U.N.-authorized mechanism to escalate the deadly conflict, according to a U.N. diplomat who spoke anonymously to discuss diplomatic conversations.

Both nations appear to have less urgent need for the strait’s complete reopening. While China has managed to pay for some ship passages, Russia benefits from elevated oil prices for its primary export.

To avoid a veto, Bahrain substantially modified its proposal to authorize defensive — rather than offensive — action to ensure safe vessel transit through the strait. The vote was postponed until next week.

China maintains that resolving the strait situation requires a ceasefire. However, its collaborative plan with Pakistan has received mostly silence from the U.S.

One U.S. official noted the plan is challenging to evaluate because it functions less as a concrete peace roadmap and more as a general appeal for respecting international law and emphasizing diplomacy and the U.N.’s importance.

India is strengthening its foothold across Africa through a dual strategy combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term economic partnerships. Recent weeks have seen New Delhi deliver rice shipments to Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Mozambique, while Indian policy experts advocate for enhanced engagement in Africa’s vital minerals industry, citing concerns over energy security and supply chain vulnerabilities that require stronger continental alliances.

The humanitarian initiative has moved swiftly and substantially. According to Business Insider Africa, India delivered 1,000 metric tons of rice to Burkina Faso, another 1,000 metric tons to drought-stricken Malawi, and 500 metric tons to flood-impacted Mozambique, accompanied by additional relief materials. Speaking about the Burkina Faso delivery, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated: “India has sent a consignment of 1000 metric tons of rice to Burkina Faso as humanitarian assistance. This is aimed at supporting food security for vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons. The gesture reflects India’s continued commitment as a reliable developmental and HADR partner to Global South countries.”

These humanitarian efforts address urgent crises affecting multiple African nations. Burkina Faso currently confronts one of the continent’s most serious humanitarian disasters, with millions requiring aid amid ongoing violence from Islamist militant groups and political instability following the 2022 military takeover. Meanwhile, Malawi battles food insecurity caused by El Niño-related drought conditions, and Mozambique continues recovering from devastating flood damage.

Beyond immediate relief efforts, India envisions broader engagement opportunities. A March 31 research document from the Center for Social and Economic Progress highlighted that Africa contains over 30% of worldwide critical and transition mineral reserves, recommending India move beyond traditional extraction methods or basic financing toward collaborative arrangements emphasizing technology sharing, skills development, and mutual benefit creation. The study identifies Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania as priority nations for future cooperation.

This blend of humanitarian outreach and resource-focused diplomacy indicates India seeks expanded African influence while China and the United States intensively compete for regional partnerships, infrastructure projects, and supply chain access. The approach appears both compassionate and pragmatic: providing rice for immediate needs while positioning for future mineral access.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rolled out stringent new penalties targeting nationals who journey to forbidden destinations, implementing financial sanctions as high as 30,000 Saudi riyals alongside potential movement restrictions extending up to two years, according to regulations approved by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.

These enhanced enforcement measures will become active on March 31, 2026, representing the Interior Ministry’s strategy to control movement to specified dangerous nations during a period of heightened regional instability. Government officials stated that the catalog of prohibited locations will be established by the ministry following appropriate administrative processes.

The new framework establishes escalating punishments for multiple infractions. Financial penalties may increase twofold, while movement restrictions can stretch to five years for individuals who continue visiting banned nations.

The policies additionally target violations involving travel paperwork requirements. Submitting fraudulent details during travel document applications may trigger penalties reaching 5,000 Saudi riyals plus potential movement limitations.

More severe infractions, such as altering travel paperwork, misappropriating documents, or facilitating unauthorized usage by others, may result in financial sanctions reaching 100,000 Saudi riyals and movement bans extending five years. Government representatives stated these situations will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution.

Authorities noted that limitations may target particular nations classified as dangerous, including areas experiencing active warfare. Movement near the Yemeni frontier faces special restrictions; all journeys are discouraged within 30 kilometers, while non-critical travel is advised against within the 30-80 kilometer range due to ongoing military operations.

The framework acknowledges that exemptions might be granted under specific circumstances, including for persons 60 years or older or individuals maintaining immediate family connections to residents of restricted nations, where reduced sanctions could be applied.

In related developments, officials announced that foreign nationals and visitors holding expired documentation may utilize the Absher digital platform to extend their presence or depart the kingdom without penalties through April 18, 2026.

In the wake of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, a London-based artist of Iranian heritage known as Naz has created a viral music video marking what many consider a turning point for Iran and the Middle East.

The TikTok creator appeared in a satirical music video just days following Khamenei’s killing, with the song serving as one of the first cultural responses to the dictator’s demise. Within its initial day online, the Instagram post accumulated hundreds of thousands of views.

The musical piece, titled “Hey Arr Arr” and performed by Hamed Fard with Naz dancing, emerged as regime forces fired upon Iranian citizens who were celebrating in the streets following news of Khamenei’s death.

Through social media platforms, Naz utilized music as a vehicle to amplify the voices of Iranians who, despite facing government violence, expressed joy over the end of the authoritarian leader’s reign. The video represents the intersection of art, resistance, and social media in documenting this historic moment for the Iranian people.

The United States Embassy in Albania has issued a security warning stating that Iran could potentially target American citizens, organizations with US connections, and Iranian opposition members as Middle East conflicts persist.

Albanian security agencies have elevated their alert status, with all protective systems described as “active and functional.” Embassy officials specifically warned that public locations such as tourist destinations, shopping centers, hotels, dining establishments, and nightlife venues may face increased risk. They encouraged heightened awareness and prompt reporting of any unusual activities.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj continues to receive regular briefings about possible security threats, his office announced in a Thursday statement.

“The president is informed about every situation and scenario, as well as all measures taken under security protocols,” the presidency stated, noting that collaboration with international allies remains at “extremely high levels.” Officials confirmed that Begaj maintains daily communication with the National Security Council.

These security concerns arise amid growing regional tensions, particularly after Bulgarian officials revealed that Iran delivered a diplomatic message last month warning Sofia against allowing American military aircraft to utilize Bulgarian airports for operations directed at Iran. This communication came after reports emerged of US military planes being observed in Bulgaria’s capital.

Former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski characterized the message as typical diplomatic correspondence during crisis periods, though she acknowledged its significance given current circumstances. “This is normal diplomatic practice in times of crisis. It is not a threat, but a warning,” she told NOVA television during an interview.

Neynski explained that Bulgaria provided assurances to Tehran that it remains uninvolved in military operations, confirming that no combat missions fly through Bulgarian airspace and no military refueling occurs within its borders. She noted that officials delayed disclosing the diplomatic communication to prevent public alarm during the country’s election period, when national security matters are especially delicate.

Syrian military forces have found two underground passages used for illegal trafficking operations along the border with Lebanon, according to Damascus officials.

The tunnels were located during comprehensive security sweeps conducted by army units near Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali village in Homs province’s western region, Syrian government sources informed The Media Line.

Lt. Col. Shadi Hassan from Syria’s Ministry of Defense explained to The Media Line that authorities have now sealed the tunnels and implemented proper security measures after determining they were being used for illegal border crossings.

This latest find occurred just 24 hours after another similar tunnel was found in the same vicinity. According to Hassan, the discoveries point to an organized system of unauthorized border crossings being utilized for various illegal activities, including contraband trafficking and the transportation of armed individuals.

Evidence suggests these underground routes represent part of a broader pattern of criminal activity occurring along the Syria-Lebanon frontier. The region’s challenging landscape and overlapping geographical features create ideal conditions for such illegal operations to flourish.

Damascus officials stress that finding and shutting down these passages represents part of continuous border security initiatives aimed at stopping smuggling activities. They note that previous unauthorized crossing points have been eliminated after being used to illegally transport both merchandise and people.

Security experts view these actions as components of a wider plan to enhance border monitoring, especially given increasing worries that these pathways might be used for activities extending beyond typical contraband operations into security and military concerns.

The tunnel discoveries occur during a period of heightened regional tensions, particularly along Lebanon’s southern border areas where sporadic fighting and military escalation have generated growing international alarm.

Security analysts indicate that Syria has strengthened its frontier monitoring procedures due to concerns that regional conflicts might spread into Syrian territory through armed infiltration or weapons and supply smuggling.

These developments also coincide with reports of continued security cooperation between Damascus and Beirut in fighting smuggling operations and armed organizations, motivated by common border security challenges facing both nations.

Beyond immediate security concerns related to the tunnel findings, political factors also come into play, especially considering repeated allegations of non-governmental groups’ participation in managing cross-border trafficking operations.

Retired Brig. Gen. Ahmad Mansour explained to The Media Line that these passages might demonstrate overlapping interests between smuggling organizations and militant groups, which further complicates regional security and creates additional difficulties for law enforcement in both countries.

Mansour noted that the continuing discovery of such tunnels could lead to wider conversations about future border management strategies and the importance of regional cooperation in stopping illegal activities that threaten regional stability.

Following these revelations, Syrian authorities appear committed to expanding operations along their western frontier to prevent the construction of additional tunnels and unauthorized crossing points.

Regional observers suggest that the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend heavily on continued collaboration with Lebanese counterparts, along with addressing the underlying economic and security issues that fuel border area smuggling.

The discovery of these additional underground passages underscores the unstable security conditions along the Syria-Lebanon frontier. This situation presents a major challenge for both governments, particularly considering the potential for additional escalation.

Recent U.S. intelligence evaluations reveal that Iran continues to possess substantial missile capabilities following more than a month of coordinated strikes by Israeli and American forces, with approximately half of its missile launchers remaining operational, according to three sources with knowledge of the intelligence reports who spoke with CNN on Friday.

The intelligence assessments, gathered in recent days, indicate that Iran maintains the ability to conduct regional attacks. One source described Iran’s remaining capabilities, stating: “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region.”

The remaining operational launchers likely include missile systems that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) concealed in underground facilities to protect them from aerial bombardment. Intelligence reports also revealed that a substantial portion of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missile systems remain undamaged, primarily because U.S. military operations have concentrated on Iran’s naval forces rather than the missile installations positioned along the coastline that could target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

These intelligence findings differ significantly from recent public comments made by President Donald Trump, who stated during Wednesday evening’s national address that Iran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.”

Based on the most recent intelligence analysis, President Trump’s projection that the conflict could conclude within two to three weeks appears overly optimistic. “We can keep f**king them up, I don’t doubt it, but you’re out of your mind if you think this will be done in two weeks,” one intelligence source told CNN. During the early stages of the conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that 75% of Iran’s missile launchers had been eliminated within the first week of operations.

Nevertheless, a Reuters investigation conducted three weeks later indicated that U.S. intelligence could only verify the destruction of roughly one-third of Iran’s missile stockpile. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed CNN’s reporting, describing it as “completely wrong.”

“The United States military has delivered a crippling series of blows to the Iranian regime,” Parnell said.

“We are far ahead of schedule on accomplishing our military objectives: destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, annihilate their Navy, destroy their terrorist proxies, and ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Violence escalated in the Middle East during the Passover holiday as Hezbollah militants fired 130 rockets at Israel over Wednesday and Thursday, leaving four civilians with minor injuries while Israeli forces responded with operations in Lebanon that wounded two soldiers.

Emergency medical services reported casualties from two separate rocket strikes on Thursday. A direct hit on a building in Kiryat Shmona left a 34-year-old and an 85-year-old with minor injuries, according to Magen David Adom.

Another rocket impact in the northern community of Bi’ina caused light injuries to two men, ages 30 and 40. Additional rockets targeted the coastal city of Nahariya, with Israeli news outlets confirming that a kindergarten was among the structures hit. Emergency teams located two additional impact zones, though air defense systems successfully intercepted most of the incoming projectiles.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem regarding the continued aggression during the Jewish holiday. Following a security briefing with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military officials at the underground command facility beneath the Kiyra compound, Katz declared that Qassem would face a “very heavy price” and would end up “at the bottom of hell” with other eliminated members of Iran’s proxy network.

Israeli military officials confirmed that two soldiers received light wounds during combat operations in southern Lebanon. The injuries occurred during what the IDF described as a “targeted ground operation” by the 162nd Division aimed at strengthening Israel’s forward defensive positions, during which Israeli troops eliminated a Hezbollah fighter in close combat.

In a related development, Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthis took credit for launching a ballistic missile they claimed was aimed at “vital Israeli enemy targets” in the Tel Aviv region. However, Israeli defense forces reported the Yemen-launched missile actually activated warning sirens in Jerusalem before being successfully intercepted, with no casualties reported.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa revealed that diplomatic negotiations with Israel collapsed during the final stages, describing Israel’s stance toward Syria as consistently hostile.

Speaking at a Chatham House forum in London, al-Sharaa disclosed that Damascus had attempted to establish constructive dialogue with Israeli officials to find common ground, but recent events derailed any potential breakthrough.

On the topic of growing Middle East tensions, al-Sharaa declared that Syria will remain neutral in any US-Israeli conflict with Iran unless Syria faces direct attack and all diplomatic avenues are exhausted. Political analysts view this stance as Syria’s strategy to avoid getting pulled into a broader regional conflict.

The Syrian leader also distanced himself from al-Qaeda’s extremist views, stating his fundamental disagreements with their policies and ideology drove him to pursue an alternative path. He emphasized that Syria’s new government is adopting different strategies to prevent repeating historical errors, indicating efforts to reshape the nation’s political trajectory during this transition phase.

Al-Sharaa drew parallels between Syrian and Palestinian experiences, describing a common struggle where Syrians have faced hardships comparable to those endured by Gaza residents, underscoring the interconnected nature of regional humanitarian and political challenges.

These statements emerged during al-Sharaa’s ongoing European diplomatic tour. He traveled to Britain following meetings with high-ranking German officials, as part of Syria’s broader initiative to enhance political relationships and strengthen connections with European governments.

Iranian state television has broadcast footage of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters crossing into Khuzestan province, triggering widespread anger among Iranian citizens who believe these foreign military units are being deployed to suppress domestic opposition and protect the current government.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude on Tuesday through a social media post, thanking the “Muslim people of Iraq” for supporting Iran during what he characterized as an “unjust” conflict. He wrote, “I warmly shake the hands of the people, officials, and fighters of Iraq in Mesopotamia.”

Local residents in Khuzestan report that approximately 1,000 armed PMF members have crossed the border under the pretense of delivering humanitarian assistance, though they arrived with military vehicles and equipment while displaying official Iraqi flags. Sources suggest additional forces may have entered covertly.

The deployment violates Iran’s own constitutional provisions under Article 146, which prohibits foreign military forces from operating on Iranian territory. Similar criticism arose previously when Russian forces used Iranian military facilities.

A Khorramshahr resident spoke to The Media Line on Wednesday, describing widespread community distress over the PMF arrival, with some locals comparing it to the Iraqi occupation of their city during the Iran-Iraq War four decades ago. During that conflict, Iraqi forces held Khorramshahr for nearly two years.

The PMF deployment extends beyond Khorramshahr to include Abadan and Ahvaz, with forces positioned to assist Iranian military units during potential civil unrest or a possible American ground invasion of Khuzestan province.

Reports indicate PMF units previously entered Iran in January, working alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in violent suppression of civilian demonstrators. Protesters reported seeing non-Persian speaking armed personnel in Tehran firing on demonstrators. Social media footage allegedly shows PMF fighters departing Iran following the brutal crackdown that human rights organizations say resulted in approximately 10,000 deaths over several days beginning January 8.

The PMF also participated in crushing the Woman, Life, Freedom protests during fall 2022 in Tehran and other Iranian cities, working alongside proxy groups including Hezbollah. Witnesses reported these foreign forces operating throughout Tehran as prolonged nationwide demonstrations led by women had weakened Iran’s domestic security apparatus.

Iran has increasingly relied on various mercenary organizations to suppress major public demonstrations, including the Afghan Shiite Fatemiyoun Division and Pakistani Shiite Zainabiyoun Brigade, both of which maintain permanent bases inside Iran. Unlike these groups, PMF fighters typically do not establish permanent Iranian facilities.

PMF elements maintain an unofficial presence at the Ghayour military compound in Ahvaz, which serves as a training facility for Arabic-speaking forces, primarily Iraqis and Lebanese. Other Iranian proxy organizations also operate from this location, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and smaller groups like Saraya Awliya al-Dam.

While the PMF attempts to portray itself as a grassroots organization supported by Iraqi Shiites and remains officially part of Iraq’s military structure despite recent tensions, other groups function primarily as Iran’s operational forces in Iraq, conducting terrorist activities, sabotage operations against Kurdish populations, kidnappings, assassinations, and attacks on U.S. military installations.

PMF leadership also receives training at IRGC military academies, while core members travel regularly to Qom for ideological and political education.

Iran is utilizing the PMF’s extensive urban warfare experience to prepare for potential internal conflicts, assist in city control during a possible U.S. ground assault, and reinforce its own weakened military forces, which are reportedly now recruiting Basij militia members as young as 12 for urban area control.

Middle Eastern security analyst Shukriyga Bradost explained to The Media Line that the PMF’s open entry into Iran reflects the group’s necessity to maintain the Islamic Republic’s stability. “The fall of this regime would effectively mean the end of the PMF and other Shiite groups tied to the Islamic Republic regime,” she stated.

According to Bradost, PMF forces are being positioned for potential use against U.S. ground operations. “If there is a collapse within the regime’s military ranks, they could use the PMF against the United States, because since 2009 this group has had both experience fighting the Americans and also cooperating with them in Iraq, and therefore has greater familiarity with U.S. military forces,” she explained.

The Virginia Tech analyst and international security researcher suggested that U.S. and Israeli forces may have avoided striking PMF units before their Iranian entry because using these forces against protesters could intensify tensions between Iranian security forces and demonstrators, potentially leading to military confrontation or civil war.

Intelligence reports indicate PMF fighters have been stationed near Abadan’s oil refinery in strategically sensitive locations. These forces reportedly entered Khuzestan through both the Basra border and Shalamcheh crossing, traveling in fully equipped Toyota Hilux vehicles while carrying Iraqi flags and receiving official welcomes from Iranian government representatives.

Meanwhile, several PMF brigades in Iraq that had attacked Iranian Kurdish forces and threatened U.S. positions have come under American military strikes, resulting in reported casualties among their members.

Iraqi officials, concerned about potential U.S. retaliation for PMF deployment into Iran, believe Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government has implicitly opposed the entry of PMF fighters into Iran. According to Arab media reports, Baghdad has emphasized that only the commander-in-chief may authorize Iraqi armed forces movements.

Despite his close ties to Iran, Sudani has previously expressed concern about Iraq becoming a battlefield in an Iranian-American conflict. Other Iraqi officials and politicians have similarly warned against Iraq’s involvement in a war between Iran and the United States.

Recent Arab media reports indicate that Kata’ib Hezbollah, considered part of the PMF, also entered Khuzestan without Iraqi government coordination. Al-Araby al-Jadeed reported that several armed groups allied with Iran’s government, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, have defied Iraqi military and security directives requiring them to avoid border areas and parts of Baghdad, while the Iraqi government has remained silent on these violations.

Former Baghdad Post editor-in-chief Sufyan al-Samarrai wrote on social media that, contrary to Iranian government claims, the PMF convoy did not consist of food aid but secretly transported “important equipment, concealed light weapons, and missiles mounted on PMF pickup trucks, in preparation for street warfare in Iranian cities.”

On Tuesday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein acknowledged in an Al Arabiya interview that Iraq had been unwillingly drawn into the conflict between Iran and the United States.

This development occurs as the PMF’s political influence in Iraq has become increasingly fragmented in recent years, particularly following Ali Khamenei’s death. A faction now identifying more closely with Iraqi Shiite religious authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr than with serving as Iran’s proxy force is distancing itself from Tehran’s agenda.

Both Sadr and Sistani are increasingly separating themselves from Iran’s Islamic Republic. Sistani did not issue a specific statement recognizing Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s leader, with his office merely expressing wishes for success to the former leader’s “successor.”

Sadr limited his response to a brief social media message following Ali Khamenei’s death, indicating a deepening divide between significant portions of Iraq’s Shiite religious establishment and Iran’s Islamic Republic, naturally placing the PMF in the center of this crisis.

Earlier, amid these disagreements, some PMF elements, including the Abbas Combat Division, separated and joined Iraq’s Ministry of Defense directly. The force is now split between a pro-velayat faction serving Iran’s Islamic Republic and a marjaiya faction loyal to Sistani. Another group, Saraya al-Salam, identifies itself as following Sadr’s orders.

The PMF appears to be losing Iraqi support, even among Shiites, with far more people turning away than in previous years. A recent IIACSS research group poll found that trust in the pro-velayat faction across Iraqi society dropped to approximately 28%, partly due to its service to Iran’s Islamic Republic within Iraq.

Iranian and Iraqi social media users have posted opposition to PMF presence on various platforms. Tishreen movement supporters, using the hashtag “Iraq is not (Iran’s) backyard,” have sharply criticized the economic consequences of PMF forces entering Iran.

Iranian users have expressed surprise that Israel or the United States did not attack the PMF, and, concerned about the likely reasons behind the Iraqi proxy group’s entry into Iran, have been discussing various scenarios.

One user named Mahtab wrote: “The country’s infrastructure has been destroyed, but the regime is still standing, and the PMF enters the country without coming under air attack. Isn’t that strange?”

British authorities announced Friday that three individuals have been formally charged in connection with a fire attack that targeted Jewish community emergency vehicles in north London last month.

According to prosecutors, the trio faces charges of arson with intent to damage property and reckless endangerment of life stemming from the March incident involving the ambulances.

While the Metropolitan Police have not officially categorized the case as terrorism, counter-terrorism specialists are heading up the investigation given the specific circumstances surrounding the attack on the Jewish community vehicles.

WASHINGTON – Fresh intelligence assessments from U.S. agencies indicate that Iran has no intention of releasing its control over the Strait of Hormuz anytime soon, as Tehran views its dominance of the critical oil shipping channel as its primary bargaining chip against America, three informed sources revealed.

These intelligence findings suggest Iran may continue restricting passage through the waterway to maintain elevated energy costs, potentially forcing President Donald Trump to seek a rapid resolution to the ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly five weeks and remains deeply unpopular among American voters.

The assessments also reveal that the military campaign, originally designed to eliminate Iran’s military capabilities, may paradoxically be strengthening Tehran’s regional influence by demonstrating its capacity to threaten this essential shipping route.

President Trump has attempted to minimize the challenges involved in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil shipments pass. Last Friday, he seemed to indicate he might deploy American military forces to clear the passage.

“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

However, military experts have consistently cautioned that using military force against Iran, which maintains control over one side of the strait, could result in significant casualties and potentially drag America into an extended ground conflict.

“In the attempt to try to prevent Iran from developing a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. handed Iran a weapon of mass disruption,” stated Ali Vaez, who leads the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, an organization focused on conflict prevention.

According to Vaez, Tehran recognizes that its capacity to influence global energy markets through its control of the strait “is much more potent than even a nuclear weapon.”

Trump’s position regarding potential American military action to reopen the strait has been inconsistent. While he has established ending Iran’s blockade as a requirement for any ceasefire agreement, he has also urged Gulf nations dependent on oil exports and NATO partners to spearhead efforts to restore passage.

A White House representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Trump remains “confident that the strait will be open very soon” and has made clear that Iran will not be permitted to control waterway traffic following the conflict’s conclusion.

However, the official acknowledged that Trump has also emphasized that other nations “have far more at stake in preventing this outcome” compared to the United States.

The CIA has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

Iran’s outmatched Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has employed multiple strategies to make commercial shipping through the waterway too hazardous or uninsurable since Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated their military campaign on February 28.

Through attacks on civilian ships, deployment of sea mines, and demands for transit payments, Iran has successfully halted traffic through the strait, causing global oil prices to reach multi-year peaks and creating fuel shortages in nations dependent on Gulf petroleum and natural gas.

Increasing energy expenses threaten to drive up inflation across America, creating political challenges for Trump as he confronts poor polling numbers while his Republican Party prepares for November’s midterm congressional elections.

According to the three sources, Iran shows no signs of relinquishing this strategic advantage in the near future, as warned in recent intelligence reports. The sources declined to specify which agencies produced these evaluations.

“It is certainly the case that now that Iran has tasted its power and leverage over the strait, it won’t soon give it up,” explained one source. All three requested anonymity when discussing the classified intelligence reports.

Military specialists emphasize that any operation to forcibly reopen the waterway would involve substantial risks.

The strait runs between Iran and Oman, measuring 21 miles across at its most narrow section, though the actual shipping channels are only 2 miles wide in each direction, creating vulnerable targets for both vessels and military personnel.

Even if American forces successfully captured Iran’s southern coastline and offshore islands, the IRGC could continue attacking them and maintaining waterway control using drones and missiles launched from Iran’s interior, according to defense experts.

“All it takes to disrupt traffic and deter vessels from passing through is one or two drones,” Vaez noted.

Several analysts believe that even after the conflict ends, Iran will be reluctant to surrender its ability to control strait traffic because the nation will require reconstruction funding, and collecting commercial shipping fees would provide one method of generating revenue.

Tehran “is going to look to maintain the leverage that they have rediscovered by disrupting traffic” through the strait, former CIA Director Bill Burns commented during a Foreign Affairs magazine podcast released Thursday.

Burns explained that Iran will attempt to use its waterway control capabilities to secure “long-term deterrence and security guarantees” in any peace agreement with America while gaining “some direct material benefits” such as charging passage fees to finance post-war rebuilding efforts.

“That,” he concluded, “sets up a really difficult negotiation right now.”

GUANABO, Cuba (AP) — Emotional scenes played out at Cuban detention facilities Friday as loved ones welcomed back inmates who had just been released, following the government’s Thursday announcement that 2,010 prisoners would be freed in what officials described as compassionate acts before Holy Week begins.

The release represents a significant number of inmates being returned to their communities as Cuba marks the religious observance period.

Two key Russian oil export facilities along the Baltic Sea coast have been shut down for shipment operations for the second consecutive week following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes, according to industry sources who spoke Friday.

The Ust-Luga and Primorsk terminals have suffered infrastructure damage from ongoing attacks that intensified during the final two weeks of March, with Ust-Luga hit by at least five separate drone strikes within a 10-day period.

Industry insiders indicate that the export bottlenecks, combined with operational problems at major refineries, may result in reduced Russian oil production levels.

According to traders, refineries have been blocked from shipping diesel fuel through Primorsk since March 22, cutting off the primary export pathway for facilities across European Russia and Siberia.

One industry source explained the situation: “Diesel fuel has not been accepted in Primorsk since Sunday (March 22). They have promised to resume accepting delivers to the system.”

The shipping disruptions are forcing refineries to explore costlier rail transportation options to reach other export points, traders report.

Facilities that typically route fuel oil shipments through Ust-Luga have spent the past week and a half exploring alternatives, including the Vysotsk terminal located further north along the Gulf of Finland, or the Taman facility on the Black Sea coastline.

However, traders note that Vysotsk has limited processing capabilities, while shipping to Taman would require securing significantly more railway cars for transport.

Finnish maritime authorities confirmed to Reuters this week that vessel traffic from both Primorsk and Ust-Luga has dropped dramatically to just “individual vessels” compared to the typical weekly average of 40 to 50 ships.

Cuban authorities commenced the release of inmates from detention facilities Friday, just hours after the island nation’s communist leadership announced a comprehensive prisoner amnesty amid heightened tensions with Washington.

The government plans to free more than 2,000 individuals in what state media described Thursday as a “sovereign and humanitarian” action, marking the most extensive such release in a decade.

Washington officials confirmed they are carefully observing whether individuals they classify as political detainees will be included in the releases.

“It is unclear how many, if any, political prisoners will be released,” the spokesperson said. “We continue to call for the immediate release of the hundreds of other brave Cuban patriots who remain unjustly detained.”

The issue of political detainees has remained a significant obstacle in diplomatic discussions between the two nations. If Cuba were to free all or most political prisoners, it would represent a substantial compromise in current negotiations.

Throughout Friday morning, a continuous flow of men and women emerged from La Lima detention center in Guanabacoa, located on Havana’s outskirts. Reuters interviewed several individuals who received pardons for various offenses including stealing and corruption, though none had participated in anti-government demonstrations.

“Long-live freedom,” shouted one man, convicted of theft, as he embraced his sister, waiting for him outside the prison gates. Others departed more quietly, some in tears, holding a single white slip of paper that stated the reason for their discharge was a “pardon.”

Abel Tamayo, who received a corruption conviction in 2024 and gained freedom Friday, described the amnesty as evidence of the Cuban leadership’s willingness to embrace reform.

“This shows they are open to everything, open to dialogue, open to national unity,” Tamayo told Reuters. “There are many people who are imprisoned who may well be bad people, but there are also many who are good people.”

Cuban officials have consistently denied making policy decisions in response to American demands.

Thursday evening’s official announcement made no reference to either the United States or the Vatican, which participated in previous amnesty efforts.

Human rights organizations, including some that receive American funding, claim Cuba detains hundreds of political prisoners, though exact numbers vary, and have pledged to closely examine the release proceedings.

Cuban authorities maintain they hold no political prisoners. Government officials argue those jailed following anti-government demonstrations were convicted of legitimate offenses including disturbing the peace, resisting law enforcement, theft, and property damage.

The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, a Madrid-based organization that has received U.S. funding, reported that by midday Friday it had not documented the release of any individuals they classify as “prisoners of conscience.”

The island nation typically does not make public the identities of prisoners freed during such amnesties, making verification by advocacy groups more difficult.

Multiple sources informed Reuters that detention facilities throughout the Havana area and other Cuban regions had started releasing inmates.

During late 2015, Cuban leadership pardoned 3,522 prisoners to mark Pope Francis’ island visit during improved U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations under former President Barack Obama.

In March, Cuba released 51 prisoners through an arrangement with the Vatican.

Rights organizations noted that some, though not all, of those freed last month were individuals they regarded as political prisoners.

HAVANA — Outside a detention center near Cuba’s capital, 43-year-old Katia Arias felt overwhelming hope Friday morning as she joined other families waiting for one of the largest prisoner releases the Cuban government has conducted in recent years.

Her son, 20-year-old Emilio Alejandro Leyva, emerged from the facility alongside dozens of other inmates, carrying his belongings and release papers after serving time for robbery charges. Mother and son embraced for the first time in years.

“It has been so difficult, but today God has given me so much joy,” said Arias, 43, breaking down in tears. “Today, I feel so happy. This is how all mothers who will have their children released today should feel.”

Families experienced waves of emotion following Thursday’s announcement that Cuban officials would free 2,010 inmates in what they described as “humanitarian gestures” before Holy Week. Officials have not confirmed how many walked free on Friday.

The prisoner release occurs while Cuba faces intense pressure and severe oil restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which has publicly called for government change and the freedom of detained protesters.

Questions remain about whether Friday’s releases included any of the 1,214 individuals that activist organizations claim are jailed for political activities in Cuba. Cuban officials reject claims they hold political prisoners.

At La Lima prison in Havana’s rural outskirts Friday, inmates reported being awakened at 6 a.m. to hear their names announced. Within hours, they were reuniting with family members gathered outside the facility’s blue entrance gates.

Most prisoners who spoke with The Associated Press Friday had not been incarcerated on political charges, though it remains unknown how many released individuals were protesters — typically charged with public disturbance, disrespect, or terrorism. The activist group Prisoners Defended has documented more than one thousand people detained for political reasons, many stemming from the 2021 widespread demonstrations that resulted in mass government arrests.

Recent months have seen scattered protests as the island faces deepening crisis. In March, demonstrators set fire to the communist party building in central Cuba, resulting in five arrests.

Limited information about Friday’s releases sparked frustration among human rights and opposition organizations, who viewed the releases positively but insufficient for meaningful reform.

“The government presents it as a humanitarian gesture toward prisoners, not as the release of political prisoners,” said Manuel Cuesta Morúa, leader of the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba, the island’s main opposition platform. “By doing so, it mixes things up to avoid giving the impression that it recognizes political imprisonment in Cuba.”

The organization has called for official amnesty legislation and notes that previously released individuals often face house arrest or restrictions on free speech.

In a March release of 51 people, prison monitoring groups identified political motivations in 22 cases.

The advocacy organization Justicia 11J stated Friday that partial releases cannot represent progress “as long as the criminalization of the exercise of fundamental rights persists.”

“Although every release represents immediate relief, especially for families, in a context marked by the severity of conditions in the country’s prisons … we warn that this gesture does not constitute a change in the repressive policy of the Cuban state,” the organization said.

These releases coincide with escalating U.S.-Cuban tensions. Trump administration policies have strangled the island through oil restrictions, pushing the already struggling nation toward collapse, devastating hospitals and increasing nationwide power outages.

Cubans received temporary relief this week when President Trump announced the government permitted a Russian vessel carrying nine to ten days’ worth of fuel to reach the island. Whether Cuban or Russian officials made concessions for the shipment remains unclear. Another Russian tanker is en route.

Cuba routinely releases prisoners during significant periods.

In January 2025, Cuban authorities freed 553 inmates as part of Vatican negotiations, one day after the Biden administration announced plans to remove the island’s state sponsor of terrorism designation.

Cuban officials stated Friday’s release represents the fifth since 2011, with more than 11,000 people freed overall.

Despite continuing uncertainty, hopeful scenes unfolded outside La Lima prison Friday as families embraced and a father kissed his pink-wrapped infant’s head.

Twenty-year-old Damián Fariñas, who completed most of his two-year robbery sentence, met three excited friends waiting on the street.

“This is freedom, a pardon, owing nothing to anyone. I’m heading out into the world,” he said.

Another U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft went down Friday in the Persian Gulf area, with the lone pilot successfully rescued afterward, according to a New York Times report citing two American officials.

The incident marks the second military aircraft crash in the region, though details about the circumstances surrounding the emergency remain limited.

Military rescue operations were able to safely recover the pilot following the aircraft’s emergency landing.

A devastating earthquake claimed eight lives and injured one child in Afghanistan’s capital city on Friday after a residential building crumbled during the seismic event, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Authority.

The magnitude 5.9 tremor originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain region, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Seismic monitoring showed the earthquake occurred approximately 110 miles below the surface.

The powerful shaking was experienced far beyond Afghanistan’s borders, with residents in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, Afghanistan’s Kabul, and India’s New Delhi all reporting significant ground movement, according to international news witnesses.

The mountainous terrain of Afghanistan makes the nation particularly vulnerable to various natural catastrophes, with seismic activity being the most lethal. On average, earthquakes in the region claim approximately 560 lives annually.

This latest tragedy follows another devastating quake that struck the country last November, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake resulted in at least 27 fatalities and leveled hundreds of residential structures.

Israeli military forces launched airstrikes against Lebanon’s capital city on Friday evening, with officials stating they were targeting militant infrastructure as tensions continue escalating across the Middle East region.

The attacks occurred around sunset on Friday, with news reporters in the area hearing three powerful explosions that reverberated throughout Beirut. Many residents were observing Good Friday at the time of the strikes, despite the ongoing military hostilities affecting the religiously diverse nation.

Prior to the bombardment, Israeli military officials had issued evacuation warnings to civilians living in seven neighborhoods within Beirut’s southern suburbs, alerting them of planned military operations. Local Lebanese news sources confirmed the strikes targeted these southern suburban areas, though immediate casualty reports were not available.

Israeli military representatives stated they were “striking terror infrastructure in Beirut” but declined to provide additional operational details about the mission.

The conflict has expanded significantly since Israeli forces moved into southern Lebanon, with military leaders vowing to establish control over the region extending to the Litani River. This proposed security buffer zone is intended to protect Israeli communities in the north from attacks by Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters.

The current military campaign began after Hezbollah launched attacks into Israeli territory on March 2, acting in support of Iran following joint US-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets. Since then, the conflict has broadened to include Iranian strikes against Israeli positions, American military bases, and Gulf region nations.

More than one million Lebanese civilians have evacuated their homes due to the fighting, with Israeli evacuation orders now covering approximately 15 percent of Lebanese territory. Casualty figures show over 1,300 people have died in Israeli military strikes, while roughly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population has been forced to relocate.

Despite the widespread displacement, tens of thousands of Lebanese residents have chosen to remain in southern Lebanon communities, including approximately 9,000 Lebanese Christians living in border towns who have told international media they are determined to stay despite advancing military operations.

On Friday, American diplomatic officials in Beirut issued security warnings stating that “Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon.” This alert followed Iranian threats to retaliate against American universities in the region after Iranian educational institutions were damaged in recent attacks.

The American University of Beirut responded to these security concerns by moving to online instruction earlier this week. The US embassy also renewed its advisory for American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

The violence has also affected international peacekeeping forces, with three United Nations peacekeepers injured Friday in an explosion at a UN position near the Lebanese border. Two of the injured peacekeepers sustained serious injuries, though the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. This incident follows the deaths of three other UN peacekeepers earlier this week.

Lebanese military forces have withdrawn from southern border areas to avoid direct confrontations with advancing Israeli troops, leaving civilian populations in contested zones.

WASHINGTON – A U.S. official confirmed to Reuters Friday that one American crew member has been successfully recovered following the crash of an F-15 fighter aircraft in Iranian territory.

The military aircraft was carrying two American personnel when it went down in Iran. The official who spoke to Reuters declined to identify which organization or forces conducted the rescue mission and provided no additional information regarding the operation’s specifics.

No details were released about the condition of the rescued American or the status of the second crew member aboard the downed aircraft.

Multiple ships from Japan, France, and Oman have successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz since Thursday, according to shipping data, as Iran continues its policy of permitting vessels from nations it considers allies to pass through the critical waterway.

Iran had previously blocked the strait following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran in late February that escalated regional tensions. The waterway serves as a passage for approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Tehran later announced it would allow ships without connections to the United States or Israel to continue their journeys.

Global oil and commodity markets are closely monitoring signs that shipping traffic is returning to normal levels. While some tankers and cargo vessels have managed to break through the blockade in recent weeks, such activity has typically been followed by periods of complete shutdown.

A cargo vessel belonging to French shipping company CMA CGM made the transit on Thursday, the same day French President Emmanuel Macron stated that diplomatic solutions, rather than military action, represented the only viable path to reopening the strait.

Before entering waters controlled by Iran, the French ship modified its Automatic Identification System to display “Owner France” as its destination, clearly indicating its nationality to Iranian officials.

The ships appeared to disable their AIS tracking systems while making the crossing, as their signals vanished from vessel monitoring systems.

Three ships operated by Oman Shipping Management – two large crude oil tankers and one LNG vessel – also departed the Gulf region on Thursday, based on data from MarineTraffic and LSEG.

Oman, which had facilitated discussions between Iran and the United States prior to the military strikes, has condemned the timing of the attacks while negotiations were still underway.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines confirmed Friday that its partially-owned LNG tanker, Sohar LNG, had crossed the strait, marking the first Japanese-connected vessel and first LNG carrier to complete the journey since hostilities began.

A company representative refused to disclose to Reuters the exact timing of the passage or whether special negotiations were necessary.

As of early Friday, approximately 45 vessels owned or operated by Japanese companies remained stuck in the area, according to Japan’s transportation ministry.

Another Mitsui-owned LPG tanker, Green Sanvi, departed the Gulf through Iranian territorial waters earlier Friday, shipping records indicated.

The vessel, flying an Indian flag, displayed its destination as “India ship India crew.”

Additionally, the Panama-flagged Danisa, a large gas carrier, exited the Gulf using the same route while heading toward China, the data revealed.

The Trump administration is currently negotiating with the Democratic Republic of Congo about establishing a deportation agreement that would allow the United States to send migrants to the African nation, according to multiple government sources in Kinshasa who spoke with Reuters.

Two Congolese government officials confirmed the ongoing discussions, which were also verified by three United Nations sources and two diplomatic officials who have been briefed on the matter by American representatives.

These negotiations highlight Washington’s increasing dependence on third-country deportation arrangements to accelerate the removal process for migrants who entered the United States illegally or overstayed their authorized presence.

Such deportation agreements are typically negotiated behind closed doors, with minimal public information released about their scope or specific conditions.

The Congo discussions are happening alongside Trump administration efforts to broker a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda, as well as secure American access to Congo’s valuable mineral resources.

The United States has previously established similar deportation partnerships with several African nations, including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Eswatini. Legal scholars and human rights organizations have condemned these arrangements, questioning their legal foundation and raising concerns about how deportees are treated when sent to countries where they are not citizens.

In some cases, migrants have been forcibly removed despite having received court-ordered protection in the United States that was specifically designed to prevent their deportation.

According to the Congolese sources, the current negotiations have not yet produced a finalized agreement, and several important aspects remain unresolved. Officials have not disclosed when deportation flights might begin, how many migrants could be affected, or which nationalities would be involved.

It remains unknown what compensation or benefits Congo might receive for agreeing to accept these deportees.

A source from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration who is familiar with the negotiations indicated that the plan could include migrants from South American countries, potentially including Venezuelan nationals.

When asked for comment, a State Department representative stated that Washington had “no comment on the details of our diplomatic communications with other governments.”

A spokesperson for Congo’s presidential office did not respond to requests for comment.

BEIJING — Chinese foreign ministry officials announced Friday that diplomatic negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership are showing steady progress, following the resumption of talks after weeks of deadly border violence that claimed hundreds of lives.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that “The consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced.” Beijing is serving as an intermediary between the two nations, with diplomatic representatives reconvening discussions Wednesday in Urumqi, located in western China.

Mao noted that all three nations “have also reached consensus and arrangements on a specific operational mode, including media coverage,” though she declined to elaborate on specific details.

“Since the recent escalation of the Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict, China has been mediating and promoting talks in its own way, maintaining close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at various levels, and creating conditions and providing platforms for dialogue,” the spokesperson explained.

She emphasized that both nations “attach importance to and welcome China’s mediation efforts, and are willing to sit down again for talks, which is a positive development.”

The diplomatic progress comes amid continued violence, as Pakistani authorities have documented an increase in militant attacks over recent years, with many attributed to the Pakistani Taliban organization.

Despite the renewed negotiations, violence persisted Thursday evening when a suicide attacker drove an explosive-filled vehicle into a police facility in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district, resulting in at least five deaths and multiple injuries, according to police reports.

Pakistani officials frequently claim that Afghanistan provides sanctuary for militants conducting cross-border attacks, particularly members of the Pakistani Taliban, known as TTP.

This organization operates separately from but maintains ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, which assumed control of the country in 2021 after U.S.-led forces departed. Afghan officials reject allegations of supporting the militant group.

Cross-border hostilities intensified in February when Afghanistan’s Taliban administration reported that Pakistan conducted military strikes in Kabul and other locations, resulting primarily in civilian casualties. Pakistani officials stated they targeted TTP strongholds but also declared being in “open war” with Afghanistan.

MOSCOW – The Kremlin announced Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a telephone conversation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

According to the Kremlin’s statement, the two world leaders centered their discussion on current developments and conditions throughout the Middle East region.

The announcement provided no additional details about the specific topics covered during the diplomatic phone call between the Russian and Turkish presidents.

The Treasury Department has lifted economic sanctions against a former Russian finance minister who successfully petitioned for removal from the restricted list, according to federal officials.

Mikhail Zadornov, a banking executive and former government official, was taken off the sanctions roster on Friday, the Treasury Department confirmed on its official website.

Federal officials emphasized that lifting restrictions on Zadornov does not signal any broader shift in Washington’s approach to Russian sanctions policy.

Zadornov had been subject to U.S. economic penalties since 2022 when he was added to the sanctions list following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. He went through standard procedures with the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to request his removal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Treasury officials declined to provide specific details about Zadornov’s case but noted that the department regularly processes requests for sanctions removal through established channels.

“Like the imposition of sanctions, removal of sanctions on persons, or delisting, is a tool to realize U.S. foreign policy goals,” a federal official explained, emphasizing that sanctions aim “to bring about a positive change in behavior” that serves American national interests rather than simply to punish.

Zadornov brings decades of experience in Russian government and banking. He held the finance minister position from 1997 through 1999 and previously chaired Parliament’s budget committee across multiple Russian administrations.

Following his government service, he transitioned to banking leadership, taking charge of VTB24, the consumer banking division of VTB, Russia’s second-largest financial institution.

Most recently, Zadornov led Otkritie Bank as chief executive from 2018 until 2022, overseeing the institution’s rehabilitation following a bailout by Russia’s Central Bank. VTB acquired Otkritie Bank at the close of 2022.

ROME, April 3 – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni departed for Saudi Arabia on Friday as part of an unexpected diplomatic journey that will take her to three Gulf nations, according to government officials.

The unscheduled tour will also bring Meloni to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with officials indicating the mission serves dual purposes: demonstrating Italy’s solidarity with these countries as they face Iranian aggression on their soil, while simultaneously strengthening Italy’s energy independence through enhanced partnerships with Gulf oil and gas producers.

This marks the first diplomatic mission to the Gulf region by any European Union leader since hostilities began at the conclusion of February, initiated by the United States and Israel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making an urgent appeal to his country’s parliament to approve crucial legislation next week that could prevent a severe financial crisis and secure continued support for the war effort against Russia.

The president’s push comes as Ukraine faces a staggering $52 billion funding gap this year – representing roughly 25% of the nation’s entire economic output. Economic experts warn that delayed reforms and sluggish legislative action in recent months have caused Ukraine to miss critical deadlines for unlocking billions in international assistance.

“I have a list of key draft laws that are critical for securing funding,” Zelenskyy stated in comments made public Friday. The proposed legislation covers a wide range of reforms, from judicial system improvements to changes in energy sector operations.

“I believe that members of parliament from all parties must understand the importance of these bills for Ukraine’s budget,” the president emphasized, despite growing tensions with lawmakers even within his own parliamentary majority.

David Arakhamia, who leads the governing Servant of the People parliamentary group, announced that legislators will convene Monday to review the proposed bills with senior cabinet officials. Parliamentary votes are scheduled for April 7 and 8.

Ukraine’s reliance on international financial backing remains crucial as it battles a larger and better-armed adversary. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion began, Kyiv has secured approximately $174 billion in economic assistance from Western allies.

However, this year’s funding efforts have hit significant obstacles, particularly after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – who maintains friendly relations with Moscow – prevented approval of a 90 billion euro loan package for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia stands to gain financially from rising global oil prices triggered by conflict in Iran.

Economic analysts from multiple Ukrainian research institutions report that the country has fallen dangerously behind in meeting requirements for the European Union’s Ukraine Facility program, missing deadlines on 14 key benchmarks and jeopardizing more than $3.9 billion in potential financing.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos wrote to Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker on March 30, stating that legislative progress would demonstrate Kyiv’s genuine dedication to implementing reforms, according to correspondence reviewed by Reuters.

Parliament has also failed to enact four pieces of legislation necessary to unlock $3.35 billion in World Bank funding, according to the RRR4U consortium, which represents four economic research organizations.

“If the commitments are met, the shortfall will be fully covered,” the consortium explained. “If not, the financial chain will break: the deficit exceeds $30 billion, and funds will only last until May. Or in the best-case scenario, if parliamentarians finally start voting on the Ukraine Facility legislation, they will last until mid-summer.”

As the conflict enters its fifth year, war weariness and corruption controversies have intensified, straining the relationship between Zelenskyy’s administration and the legislative branch.

Parliamentary members have voiced frustration over inadequate consultation on major policy decisions, while opposition parties are demanding greater participation in government operations.

DUBAI – Following more than a month of targeted killings, Iranian leadership has shifted strategies to demonstrate their continued authority by having top officials appear publicly alongside crowds supporting the Islamic Republic in Tehran’s streets.

In recent appearances, Iran’s president and foreign minister have each mingled with groups numbering in the hundreds throughout central Tehran. State television broadcast footage Tuesday showing both officials taking photographs with citizens, engaging in conversations with the public, and greeting supporters who had assembled in public spaces.

Sources and experts indicate these public displays represent a deliberate strategy by Iran’s religious leadership to demonstrate strength and control over both the crucial Strait of Hormuz and their population, despite ongoing U.S.-Israeli operations designed to “obliterate” their regime.

A source with connections to the hardline government explained that these public appearances aim to demonstrate the Islamic Republic remains “unshaken by strikes and that it remains in control and vigilant” throughout the continuing conflict.

The U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran commenced February 28 with the assassination of longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple senior military officials in a series of attacks that have continued targeting high-ranking figures.

The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has remained out of public view since assuming leadership March 8 following his father’s death. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was reportedly removed from Israel’s target list during diplomatic efforts last month, including Pakistani mediation attempts to facilitate Tehran-Washington negotiations to end hostilities.

Peace negotiations have apparently stalled as Tehran calls U.S. proposals “unrealistic.” In this context, recent public appearances by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Araqchi seem intended to display resistance, though not necessarily widespread popular backing.

A high-level Iranian official stated that leaders’ public visibility shows “the establishment is not intimidated by Israel’s targeted killing of top Iranian figures.”

When questioned about whether Iran’s foreign minister or president appeared on any assassination lists, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani declined Friday to “speak about specific personnel.”

EVENING DEMONSTRATIONS TO DISPLAY STRENGTH

Despite significant damage, Tehran appears strengthened by withstanding weeks of intensive U.S.-Israeli bombardment, launching attacks on Gulf nations hosting American forces and proving its capacity to effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

Wednesday saw U.S. President Donald Trump promise more aggressive military action against Iran while providing no timeline for concluding the conflict. Tehran responded by threatening the United States and Israel with “more crushing, broader and more destructive” retaliation.

With encouragement from religious authorities, Islamic Republic supporters gather nightly in public squares to demonstrate allegiance even as bombing continues nationwide.

Experts suggest the government seeks to increase the “political and reputational” consequences of the strikes during a period when civilian deaths are deeply troubling to Iranians.

Omid Memarian, a senior Iran expert at DAWN, a Washington-based research organization, explained that deploying officials into public gatherings represents a multi-faceted approach, including efforts to maintain core supporter morale during intense pressure.

“The system relies heavily on this base; if its supporters withdraw from public space, its ability to project control and authority weakens significantly,” Memarian stated.

In interviews with state media, some crowd members express absolute loyalty to Iranian leadership; others oppose their country’s bombing regardless of political views; and some have connections to the system, including government workers, students and others whose income depends on it.

Hadi Ghaemi, director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said the government uses these loyal gatherings as human protection to increase the price of potential assassination attempts.

“By being in the middle of large crowds they have protections that would make Israeli-American attacks against them very bloody and generate sympathy worldwide,” he explained.

POTENTIAL OPPOSITION AVOIDS NIGHTTIME STREETS

The Islamic Republic originated from a 1979 revolution supported by millions of Iranians. However, decades of governance characterized by corruption, oppression and poor administration have eroded that backing, alienating many citizens.

Though there have been few signs of anti-government demonstrations like those that began in January and ended after violent suppression, the establishment has implemented severe tactics including arrests, executions and massive security deployments to prevent any signs of opposition.

Human rights organizations have cautioned about “rushed executions” during wartime after Iran executed at least seven political prisoners during the conflict.

“Many potential protesters are frightened by the continuing presence of armed men and violent crowds in the streets and largely stay at home once darkness falls,” Ghaemi noted.

Former President Donald Trump declared Friday that America has the capability to reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz if given additional time, amid mounting pressure to resolve the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL,& MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The conflict, which began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in late February, has now entered its fifth week and continues to destabilize the region while creating turmoil in global financial markets. This has intensified calls for Trump’s administration to bring the hostilities to a swift conclusion.

Iran has successfully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel through which approximately 20% of global oil supplies pass, as payback for the initial U.S.-Israeli military operations. Restoring access to this vital waterway has become an urgent priority for nations worldwide as fuel costs continue climbing.

During a Wednesday evening address, Trump reiterated his warnings about targeting Iran’s civilian energy infrastructure while providing no definitive timeline for concluding the military action. His remarks prompted fresh threats of retaliation from Iranian officials and sent stock markets tumbling.

KISKUNHALAS, Hungary — Opposition leader Péter Magyar describes next week’s critical Hungarian election as a decisive moment that will determine whether the nation continues moving toward Eastern authoritarian regimes or returns to its position among Europe’s democratic nations.

The former Orbán associate represents the strongest challenge to the nationalist prime minister’s authority since Orbán assumed power in 2010.

Speaking exclusively with The Associated Press, Magyar criticized the European Union’s most tenured leader for implementing a complete policy reversal in recent years, jeopardizing Hungary’s Western alignment while strengthening ties with Moscow.

Despite this shift, Magyar noted that “Hungarians still see that Hungary’s peace and development are guaranteed by membership of the European Union and NATO.” He emphasized, “I think this really will be a referendum on our country’s place in the world.”

The comments came after Magyar addressed supporters at a campaign event for his center-right Tisza party in Kiskunhalas, a community of approximately 25,000 residents in Hungary’s southern plains region. The appearance was part of an intensive campaign schedule that has taken him to hundreds of locations across the nation, with visits to as many as six communities daily before the April 12 vote.

Orbán has established himself as a persistent source of friction within the EU through his regular blocking of significant policy decisions. His campaign strategy focuses on warning voters about various external threats he claims endanger Hungarian citizens — including the Ukrainian conflict, alleged conspiracies involving EU officials and financial powers working against Hungary, and ongoing immigration concerns.

Magyar, who holds leads in most polling data, has concentrated on domestic concerns that impact citizens’ daily experiences, including the deteriorating state healthcare system, failing public transit infrastructure, and what he characterizes as widespread government corruption.

During campaign appearances, he consistently accuses Orbán and his nationalist-populist Fidesz party of transforming Hungary into the “poorest and most corrupt” EU member nation — while presenting an alternative vision of a “peaceful, humane and functioning” society that remains achievable.

Beyond domestic policy issues, Magyar has increasingly emphasized how Orbán’s confrontational approach with the EU and growing alignment with Russia pose significant risks to Hungary’s future prospects.

“I think that Tisza will have an overwhelming electoral victory, because even Fidesz voters do not want our country to be a Russian puppet state, a colony, an assembly plant, instead of belonging to Europe,” he stated.

The rapid emergence of Magyar and his political movement surprised many Hungarian observers. For nearly fifteen years, various fragmented opposition groups had attempted unsuccessfully to seriously challenge Orbán’s political dominance.

While opposition lawmakers frequently criticized Orbán during parliamentary proceedings, they typically failed to connect with his rural support base. Following repeated electoral defeats, many opposition supporters became politically disengaged.

Magyar, a 45-year-old attorney and former Fidesz member, was previously married to an Orbán supporter who held the position of Hungary’s justice minister. Following diplomatic service in Brussels, he returned to Hungary and accepted roles within government institutions, developing extensive knowledge of Orbán’s administrative structure.

However, following a 2024 political controversy involving a presidential pardon for someone connected to child sexual abuse, Magyar publicly separated from Orbán’s party, alleging systematic corruption and institutional capture.

He subsequently established the center-right Tisza party — taking its name from Hungary’s second-largest waterway — which achieved 30% support in European Parliament elections just four months after Magyar entered electoral politics.

As Tisza gained momentum, supporters adopted the rallying cry “The Tisza is flooding,” which became synonymous with the party’s growth.

While Magyar frames his electoral mission as dismantling Orbán’s authoritarian structure, he has committed to maintaining certain policies he considers beneficial, including border barriers to prevent migration and popular utility cost reduction programs.

Nevertheless, his party — which belongs to the European Parliament’s largest center-right coalition — differs significantly from far-right political movements across Europe and elsewhere that regard Orbán as an exemplary model of nationalist populism.

Demonstrating U.S. President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement’s support for Orbán, Vice President JD Vance plans to visit Budapest on Tuesday to endorse his reelection campaign.

Numerous EU leaders are monitoring Hungary’s election with hopes that Orbán will be defeated.

His frequent use of veto power — most recently blocking a substantial 90-billion euro ($104-billion) EU loan package for Ukraine — often serves to satisfy his euroskeptic supporters, Magyar explained, “vetoing just to veto so he can say at home that he is vetoing.”

The prime minister’s behavior has prompted renewed discussions within the EU about reforming foundational treaties by reducing decisions requiring unanimous approval — a strategy to prevent paralysis caused by uncooperative member nations.

Magyar indicated that under a Tisza administration, European leaders could anticipate a “constructive position,” though one that remains “critical and willing to debate. We want to be there at the table.”

Despite Orbán’s misuse of EU unanimity requirements, the veto authority represents a “valid option,” he continued, noting: “I think the European leaders have no problem with this, they have a problem with the unnecessary troublemaker role.”

“The task of a Hungarian prime minister at any given time is to represent Hungarian interests, and if necessary, to represent them forcefully,” he declared. “Whatever it costs.”

Orbán has frustrated and angered virtually all other EU leaders through his accommodating stance toward Russia and close relationship with President Vladimir Putin. Some EU officials and domestic critics have accused him of abandoning his commitments to the bloc in favor of Moscow.

While nearly all EU nations eliminated Russian fossil fuel imports following the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia continued and even expanded their purchases — drawing criticism from countries that accused them of financing the conflict.

Though Magyar has condemned Hungary’s movement toward Moscow and reports of Russian intelligence interference in the election to benefit Orbán, he indicated his potential government would adopt a “pragmatic” approach toward Russia.

“Pragmatism means that we have no say in Russia’s internal affairs, and they don’t have any say in our affairs,” he explained. “We are both sovereign countries, and we respect each other, but we don’t have to like each other.”

Magyar has criticized Orbán’s administration for failing to diversify energy sources and supports developing new agreements and infrastructure to import oil and gas from alternative suppliers into landlocked Hungary.

However, he noted, “this does not mean that we must stop using Russian oil tomorrow. It means that the European Union’s resources must be used well.”

A humanitarian facility operated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was targeted in a drone attack in Iran’s Bushehr province early Friday morning, according to an organization spokesperson speaking from Geneva.

The attack damaged a storage facility containing humanitarian supplies and emergency response equipment, destroying two aid containers, two buses, and multiple emergency vehicles, the spokesperson confirmed. Officials did not identify who was responsible for the strike, and the source of the attack remains unclear.

The Red Cross federation operates as the sole humanitarian organization providing assistance throughout Iran, deploying approximately 100,000 emergency responders across the country. Since military strikes involving U.S. and Israeli forces began on February 28, three humanitarian workers have lost their lives.

An Iranian delegation leader from the organization warned Thursday that medical supply needs are increasing dramatically throughout the region, with current stockpiles potentially running dangerously low in the coming days.

BEIJING, April 3 – A high-ranking member of China’s ruling Communist Party is facing investigation by the country’s anti-corruption agency over allegations of “serious violation of law and discipline,” according to official announcements made Friday.

Ma Xingrui, who holds a position on the powerful 24-member Politburo, represents the most recent senior official to be targeted in China’s ongoing campaign against government corruption.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced that Ma is currently subject to both disciplinary review and supervisory investigation. Ma also holds the role of deputy leader within the central rural work leading group.

Officials provided no specific information about the nature of the allegations against Ma.

This investigation comes just months after authorities launched a similar probe into Zhang Youxia, another Politburo member and the country’s highest-ranking military officer, in January. The Communist Party expelled He Weidong for corruption charges last year, bringing the Politburo membership down to 23. Both Ma and Zhang technically retain their positions while investigations continue.

Ma was last seen publicly during the Communist Party Central Committee’s Fourth Plenum gathering in late October. Since that time, he has been notably absent from state television coverage of major political events, including last month’s annual parliamentary session.

Authorities removed Ma from his role as Xinjiang party chief in July.

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Leo conducted a telephone conversation with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during which the pontiff called for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran.

According to Vatican officials, the Pope encouraged Herzog to “reopen all paths of dialogue” as a means to bring the Iran war to an end.

The pontiff, who has become an outspoken opponent of the regional warfare, additionally pressed Herzog on the importance of safeguarding civilian populations and ensuring adherence to international and humanitarian law standards, Vatican representatives stated.

Cambodia’s legislative body approved groundbreaking anti-fraud legislation on Friday, marking the nation’s first law specifically designed to combat scam operations that have stolen billions from victims worldwide.

Justice Minister Keut Rith explained that the legislation aims to strengthen ongoing enforcement efforts throughout Cambodia while preventing these fraudulent operations from resuming after authorities shut them down.

“This law is strict like the fishing net, strict to ensure we don’t have the online scams anymore in Cambodia, strict in order to serve the interest of the Cambodian nation and people,” Rith explained to media representatives. He noted that these criminal enterprises have negatively affected Cambodia’s economy, tourism sector, and foreign investment.

The legislation now awaits Cambodia’s monarch’s final approval before taking effect.

Under the new statute, individuals found guilty of operating online fraud schemes face prison terms ranging from two to five years, along with monetary penalties reaching $125,000.

More severe consequences await those running organized criminal operations or targeting multiple victims, with potential sentences extending to 10 years behind bars and financial penalties up to $250,000. The law also establishes punishments for money laundering activities, collecting victim information, and recruiting individuals for fraudulent operations.

Previously, Cambodia lacked specific anti-scam legislation, forcing prosecutors to pursue charges under existing laws covering exploitation recruitment, serious fraud, and financial crimes.

This legislative action follows widespread criticism from human rights organizations and sanctions imposed by various nations worldwide, as Cambodia has been identified as a major hub for cybercrime operations.

On Thursday, Britain imposed sanctions on operators of what officials described as Cambodia’s largest fraud operation and a digital cryptocurrency platform used for trading stolen personal information. British authorities characterized this as part of a rapidly expanding network of Southeast Asian scam centers where workers are held in secured facilities and forced to commit online fraud.

Cambodian officials previously minimized the presence of these fraudulent compounds, and earlier enforcement efforts failed to significantly reduce their operations. Government representatives say the current campaign is more comprehensive, focusing on shutting down hundreds of locations and arresting high-level operators.

This week, Cambodia announced the extradition of Li Xiong, a former executive at a Cambodian financial corporation accused of laundering money for criminal organizations, to China.

In January, authorities arrested Chinese-Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi in Cambodia before extraditing him to China, representing a dramatic downfall for the young entrepreneur accused of operating a violent online scam and money laundering network.

ATHENS, Greece — European Union investigators looking into suspected agricultural subsidy fraud prompted the resignation of three Greek cabinet members on Friday.

Kostas Tsiaras, who served as Agriculture Minister, submitted his resignation alongside Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis and Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos. Each official maintained their innocence while stating their departures would help advance the ongoing probe.

European prosecutors are working to strip parliamentary immunity from 11 legislators connected to the case, which has sparked widespread public outrage across Greece and created uncertainty within agricultural communities.

The center-right administration moved swiftly to reorganize leadership, naming Margaritis Schinas, a former Vice President of the European Commission, to head the agriculture ministry.

Laura Codruta Kovesi, Europe’s top prosecutor, is directing the investigation and traveled to Athens for discussions with government leaders during the previous year.

The suspected fraud involves a Greek government agency that allegedly allowed improper use of European Union funding through fraudulent applications claiming false land ownership and livestock numbers.

This marks the second group of officials to leave their positions due to the controversy, following the departure of five high-ranking administrators in the previous year.

Greek agricultural communities are experiencing significant pressure, with widespread demonstrations erupting over delayed subsidy distributions connected to the ongoing investigation. Earlier this year, thousands of farmers brought tractors to Athens and other regions across central Greece in protest.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Citizens across Pakistan confronted historic fuel cost increases on Friday, with gasoline and diesel rates climbing as much as 54% due to Middle Eastern conflicts that have driven worldwide oil prices higher.

The dramatic price surge places additional financial strain on a financially struggling country already battling severe inflation, with economic experts cautioning that the increases will drive up grocery bills and overall living expenses.

According to Petroleum Minister Pervez Malik, who spoke Thursday evening, the price hikes were “unavoidable.” He explained that officials had no choice but to raise gasoline costs by 137 rupees (49 cents) per liter, coming after a 20% jump the previous month.

Overnight, diesel rates jumped by 184.49 rupees (67 cents) per liter, representing approximately a 54.9% increase.

Malik described the price adjustments as “necessary and unavoidable” to match international market conditions, noting that officials are planning fuel subsidies for motorcycle users, though the specific program details remain under development. Motorcycles vastly outnumber automobiles in Pakistan, making up nearly 78% of all road vehicles, since they represent one of the most economical transportation options.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced Friday that Islamabad’s public transportation system will operate at no charge for 30 days starting Saturday, following prime ministerial orders, with his department absorbing fuel expenses.

In recent weeks, Pakistan has relied on alternative shipping paths for oil imports due to Strait of Hormuz blockages.

These record-breaking price increases followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement that regional conflicts have damaged Pakistan’s vulnerable economy. He indicated that government officials are working through diplomatic channels to reduce tensions and promote negotiations among conflicting parties.

Pakistan has extended an offer to facilitate peace negotiations, although no specific dates have been set for potential meetings in Islamabad.

For ordinary citizens, however, the effects of current regional conflicts and recent fuel price spikes were felt immediately, with families and daily commuters preparing for increased transportation and household expenses.

“It’s not just gas,” commented Mohammad Zain Alvi, a commuter waiting for public transport in Islamabad. “Life was already very difficult for us, and now everything will become more expensive.”

Throughout major urban areas Friday, gas stations experienced unusually low activity and roads showed noticeably reduced traffic as many residents remained home, either unable or reluctant to pay the increased costs. At various stations, customers remained silent after learning about the new pricing.

“We have nothing to do with the war,” stated Azhar Ali, a lower-level government worker who rides an aging motorcycle between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “Why are we being made to pay for it? This will affect everything — transport, food, our entire lives.”

In Peshawar, located in the northwest, motorcycle operator Sher Khan expressed uncertainty about continuing his work following the fuel price surge. He provides food delivery services in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial capital.

“I earn so little for each ride, and now most of it will go into fuel,” he explained to The Associated Press.

Karachi-based economist Jabran Sarfraz indicated that consumers would bear the immediate financial burden, cautioning that elevated fuel costs would increase prices for essential goods and disproportionately impact lower-income households. He noted that the duration of these effects would depend on how rapidly international prices stabilize.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces carried out extensive missile and drone attacks on Friday targeting areas surrounding the nation’s capital, resulting in one death and eight injuries, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to express willingness for an Easter ceasefire. The Orthodox Easter holiday will be observed on April 12 in both nations.

A separate Russian bombing killed another individual Friday when it hit an apartment building in Ukraine’s northern region, local officials confirmed.

“The Kyiv region is once again under a massive Russian missile and drone attack,” Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the regional military administration, wrote in a Friday morning Telegram message.

Kalashnyk reported that the attacks targeted three communities near Kyiv — Bucha, Fastiv and Obukhiv — causing one fatality and injuring at least eight people. The strikes also hit a veterinary facility, killing approximately 20 animals, he noted.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on X that “almost half a thousand drones and cruise missiles” targeted Ukraine during the nighttime hours.

“This is how Moscow responds to Ukraine’s Easter ceasefire proposals — with brutal attacks,” Sybiha wrote.

On Thursday, President Zelenskyy indicated Kyiv remains willing to consider a temporary halt in fighting during Easter, which occurs next week under the Julian calendar used by Orthodox churches in both countries.

Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy explained that the ceasefire offer had been transmitted to Moscow via American diplomatic channels. He noted that the Kremlin’s position on the proposal remains unknown.

While Zelenskyy has previously proposed Easter ceasefires, Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov stated earlier this week that Moscow seeks a permanent peace agreement rather than a temporary pause in hostilities.

Last Easter, President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 30-hour cessation of fighting, though both nations later claimed the other violated the agreement.

In Ukraine’s northern Sumy region near the Russian frontier, one person was killed Friday when a Russian guided bomb hit residential buildings in Shostka, according to regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov. Three additional people required hospitalization, including a 29-year-old woman in serious condition.

Russian defense officials reported intercepting 192 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russia and occupied Crimean territory on Friday morning.

Two individuals were hospitalized Friday following Ukrainian drone strikes on the Leningrad region, located more than 1,100 kilometers from the border, regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko announced. The drones also ignited a fire at an “unoccupied” structure in the Morozov industrial area, he added.

The Morozov facility operates a government-owned factory producing explosives and ammunition components, including solid fuel for Topol-M missile systems. Western nations imposed sanctions on the plant following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.

Twelve people, including a minimum of three Russian military personnel, sustained injuries in a late Thursday Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod region, which shares a border with Ukraine, local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated. He separately reported seven people wounded when a drone struck a business facility in the area.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed Friday that four drones were destroyed during nighttime hours while approaching the capital. He made no mention of injuries or property damage.

The Trump administration is dramatically restructuring how America distributes essential medical supplies to combat HIV and malaria in developing nations, according to multiple sources and internal government communications, potentially creating dangerous disruptions in life-saving healthcare services.

Since 2016, the United States has operated medical supply distribution through the Global Health Supply Chain Program managed by private contractor Chemonics. This initiative has shipped over $5 billion worth of HIV and malaria treatments to 90 nations, primarily across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The program faced initial disruption when President Trump implemented a freeze on international aid during his first day in office this past January, leaving millions of dollars in medical supplies stuck at ports and storage facilities. These included critical HIV medications and insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Operations partially resumed after the administration granted exemptions for life-saving products.

However, the program’s long-term future remains uncertain as the current administration reshapes foreign assistance, dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), reducing funding, and transitioning from contractor management to direct agreements with recipient nations.

According to five sources, the accelerated timeline for these changes may result in medication shortages or service interruptions in certain countries, with potentially severe consequences.

An internal State Department message sent Tuesday to U.S. personnel in 17 African nations and Haiti directed them to discontinue the supply program operations by May 30. The communication indicated that the Chemonics contract would terminate September 30, aligning with all USAID agreements, though the official contract expiration is November.

The internal email, which Reuters obtained and two sources confirmed, warned of “immediate risks to service continuity if (the) transition is rushed or incomplete.”

Rather than providing a detailed transition strategy, the message instructed each U.S. country office to develop their own handover plans and report any risks or requests for additional time to Washington.

A State Department representative stated they had “not provided any technical direction to Chemonics to cease operations by May 30 or any other date.” Chemonics declined to provide comment.

Six sources indicated the U.S. government is in discussions with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria regarding use of their supply platform for future procurement and distribution of global health donations.

The Geneva-based Global Fund currently oversees approximately $2 billion annually in health product purchases for these three infectious diseases, working alongside partner organizations in recipient countries. The organization also operates an online procurement system utilized by partners.

Two sources revealed that previous discussions between the organization and U.S. officials had centered on a November 2027 transition timeline. They described the new accelerated schedule as impractical, noting that ordering medical supplies for remote locations typically requires up to one year, not the weeks currently being considered.

The Global Fund declined to comment. The State Department did not address specific questions about discussions with the Fund, but stated it would utilize available pooling mechanisms to purchase supplies at reduced costs from private manufacturers.

Last year, the Trump administration announced its global health initiatives would emphasize funding front-line medical supplies, healthcare workers and technicians, while working directly with individual countries.

The America First Global Health Strategy, released in September, identified contractors as contributing to “significant inefficiency and waste” that the administration seeks to eliminate from the system.

However, the rapid pace of changes to U.S. aid delivery has already created worldwide problems, including shortages of childhood malaria medications and gaps in HIV prevention services.

The State Department spokesperson characterized the current system as “a bloated piece of an obsolete development model” that “does not put the American taxpayers first and instead helps to line the pockets of large U.S.-based development firms.”

They noted the U.S. government has established 28 bilateral health agreements with recipient governments and plans to primarily utilize private logistics companies for supply distribution.

In recent months, Washington has committed to providing direct funding to governments including Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, accompanied by promises of increased national spending.

However, specifics are still being finalized. The Kenya agreement faces legal challenges from Kenyan activists concerning data privacy issues, while negotiations with Zambia’s government have experienced delays.

ROME – Gianmarco Mazzi took the oath of office Friday as Italy’s new minister of tourism, marking another personnel change in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration following her recent setback in a judicial reform referendum.

Mazzi, who previously served as culture undersecretary and has experience as a television and entertainment industry executive, steps into the role after Daniela Santanche stepped down from the position last week. Santanche departed under pressure from Meloni while facing criminal proceedings related to accounting irregularities at a media company she formerly controlled.

The Prime Minister announced Mazzi’s appointment on her X social media platform, stating that his experience in cultural and entertainment industries would benefit Italy. She shared images from the oath ceremony conducted by President Sergio Mattarella.

Following her referendum loss last week, Meloni has been working to regain political momentum by removing officials embroiled in controversies from her administration. The tourism ministry change comes alongside the departure of two high-ranking justice ministry officials.

BEIJING, April 3 – Chinese internet authorities unveiled proposed guidelines Friday targeting the oversight of virtual human technology, mandating transparent identification and blocking services that might deceive minors or create dependency issues.

The draft framework from China’s Cyberspace Administration would mandate visible “digital human” identification on all virtual character content and forbid digital humans from offering “virtual intimate relationships” to anyone under 18, based on regulations released for public feedback through May 6.

The proposed guidelines would additionally prohibit creating digital humans using someone else’s personal data without authorization, or employing virtual characters to circumvent identity confirmation processes, demonstrating Beijing’s strategy to retain oversight amid artificial intelligence developments.

Virtual humans are further restricted from spreading material that threatens national security, encourages government overthrow, supports territorial separation, or damages national cohesion, the draft framework stated.

Platform operators should prevent and block material that contains sexual implications, shows violence or brutality, or promotes ethnic or regional bias, the document outlined. Companies are also urged to implement intervention measures and offer expert support when users display self-destructive behaviors.

China outlined its intentions to rapidly integrate AI across its economy in its latest five-year strategy document released last month. This initiative accompanies stricter oversight in the expanding sector to guarantee safety and compatibility with the nation’s socialist principles.

The updated regulations seek to address oversight gaps in the virtual human field, establishing definitive boundaries for the sector’s sustainable growth, according to commentary posted on the internet regulator’s platform.

“The oversight of digital virtual humans is no longer merely an issue of industry norms; rather, it has become a strategic scientific problem that concerns the security of the cyberspace, public interests, and the high-quality development of the digital economy,” the analysis stated.

MOSCOW, April 3 – A Russian Su-30 military aircraft went down Friday while conducting routine training operations in Crimea, according to reports from TASS state news agency citing Russia’s defense ministry.

Defense officials confirmed both pilots successfully ejected from the aircraft and were rescued by ground teams. The ministry stated neither crew member sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident.

According to the defense ministry, the aircraft was conducting an unarmed training mission when it went down. Ground-based search and rescue operations quickly located and evacuated both pilots from the crash site.

Officials have not yet determined what caused the military aircraft to crash during the training exercise.

Medical aid workers report that Sudan’s paramilitary militia carried out a fatal drone bombardment Thursday that claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals at a medical facility in the nation’s south-central region.

The international aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces conducted dual drone assaults on Al-Jabalain Hospital located in White Nile province, with missiles striking both a surgical suite and the facility’s maternity section.

Thursday’s bombardment represents the most recent escalation in mounting aerial warfare between Sudan’s military and the RSF, resulting in 10 fatalities that included seven healthcare workers, while wounding a minimum of 19 individuals. MSF confirmed that injured victims were transported for treatment to a medical center in Kosti, located approximately 50 miles away.

These assaults continue a devastating pattern of healthcare system targeting throughout Sudan’s brutal civil war that erupted in April 2023 between government forces and the RSF. The World Health Organization documented in March that healthcare facilities have endured more than 200 attacks since fighting commenced. Just last month, a hospital bombing in Sudan’s western Darfur area resulted in 70 deaths, including no fewer than 13 children.

United Nations data indicates the conflict spanning nearly three years has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, though humanitarian organizations believe actual casualty figures may be significantly higher.

“The attack is even more appalling as it occurred during a children’s immunization campaign,” MSF stated regarding the al-Jabalain hospital bombing.

Emergency Lawyers, a domestic advocacy organization, announced Thursday that the attacks also struck a medical supply warehouse in Rabak, which serves as White Nile province’s capital.

The Emergency Lawyers described the “recurring pattern” of aerial bombardments by both warring factions since March across South Kordofan, Blue Nile, East, Central and South Darfur provinces has forced additional population displacement.

Friday brought condemnation from Khalid Aleisir, Sudan’s minister of culture, information, antiquities and tourism, who denounced the attack and demanded the RSF be classified as a terrorist organization with its members facing prosecution.

“We also hold regional backers directly responsible for perpetuating this violent campaign through military and logistical support, including advanced weaponry and unmanned aerial systems, which have escalated violence and targeted civilians,” Aleisir posted on social media platform X.

The Sudan Doctors Network, a domestic organization tracking war-related violence, characterized the attack as a “deliberate assault on health facilities and unarmed civilians” that further damages the nation’s already crumbling healthcare infrastructure.

“MSF is outraged by these repeated attacks on health care, which have escalated dangerously in recent weeks,” stated Esperanza Santos, MSF’s emergency response coordinator for Sudan. “Health facilities, medical staff, and patients must always be protected. We call on RSF and SAF to immediately stop this spiral of violence against medical facilities.”

According to analysts and humanitarian personnel, increasing drone bombardments throughout Sudan’s Kordofan region have inflicted mounting civilian casualties while disrupting relief efforts.

Global food costs surged to their peak level since September of last year during March, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization warned Friday that ongoing Middle East tensions could push prices even higher.

The UN agency’s Chief Economist Maximo Torero noted that increases have remained relatively moderate so far, stating: “Price rises since the conflict began have been modest, driven mainly by higher oil prices and cushioned by ample global cereal supplies.”

However, Torero cautioned that prolonged conflict lasting more than 40 days with sustained high input costs could force farmers to make difficult decisions, including cutting back on fertilizer use, reducing planted acreage, or switching to crops requiring less intensive cultivation.

“Those choices will hit future yields and shape our food supply and commodity prices for the rest of this year and all of the next,” Torero explained.

The organization’s Food Price Index, which tracks price movements in a collection of internationally traded food products, jumped 2.4% compared to February’s adjusted figures. Current levels sit 1% higher than the same period last year, though they remain nearly 20% below the March 2022 surge that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Grain costs specifically increased 1.5% month-over-month, with wheat prices leading the charge with a 4.3% spike. This rise stems from deteriorating crop conditions in the United States and anticipated reduced planting in Australia due to expensive fertilizer.

Corn prices saw modest gains as abundant worldwide supplies helped counteract fertilizer cost worries, while increased ethanol demand linked to higher energy costs provided additional support.

Rice bucked the trend, dropping 3.0% as harvest timing and weaker purchasing demand from importing nations took effect.

Vegetable oil costs climbed 5.1%, marking the third straight month of increases. Palm, soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed oils all posted higher prices, reflecting elevated global energy costs and stronger anticipated biofuel demand. Palm oil specifically hit its highest price point since mid-2022.

Sugar experienced the steepest jump at 7.2% in March, reaching levels not seen since October 2025. Rising crude oil costs sparked expectations that Brazil, the world’s top sugar producer, would redirect more sugarcane toward ethanol production.

Meat prices edged up 1.0% overall, driven by increased pork costs in the European Union and higher beef prices in Brazil, though poultry prices declined slightly.

In related findings, the FAO marginally increased its projection for worldwide grain production in 2025 to a record 3.036 billion metric tons, representing a 5.8% year-over-year increase.

A recent Yale University study has accused Russia’s largest energy corporations, Rosneft and Gazprom, of playing key roles in operating facilities where over 2,000 Ukrainian children were held, according to research published last week.

The investigation by Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab claims these state-owned companies provided financial backing and transportation assistance for camps located in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory and within Russia itself during 2022-2025.

According to the study, the research represents the first “definitive public proof of these companies’ critical involvement in Russia’s systematic campaign of child deportation and indoctrination.” The findings indicate approximately 2,158 children were brought to these facilities, where they received pro-Russian instruction.

Yale researchers compiled their conclusions through examination of public declarations, authenticated social media content, and corporate documentation. Reuters was unable to verify the study’s claims independently.

Both Russian diplomatic officials and Ukrainian government representatives declined to provide statements when contacted.

When asked about the report’s allegations, Gazprom responded: “Gazprom owns several health resorts in Russia and Russian children spend summer vacations there.”

Moscow has repeatedly rejected accusations of forced child removal, maintaining that minors were relocated for humanitarian protection. Russian officials have characterized previous Yale investigations as anti-Russian propaganda.

Legal representatives for Rosneft disputed the findings in correspondence with Reuters, stating the study “failed to find any evidence of participation in illegal activity by the company.”

“In essence, the report purports to attribute participation in war crimes to Rosneft without any evidence. Rosneft categorically denies directing, controlling, or participating in any of the alleged conduct,” the lawyers wrote.

The Yale report details how at least 1,072 children from Russian-occupied Ukrainian areas received camp vouchers through Gazprom subsidiary organizations and associated trade unions during 2022 and 2023.

Additionally, the study claims Rosneft’s Interregional Trade Union sponsored 100 Ukrainian children to attend three facilities in 2022. The trade union did not respond to comment requests.

Rosneft’s legal team emphasized that the trade union operates as an independent entity under Russian law, arguing Yale provided no proof that Rosneft “directed, controlled, authorised or even knew” about the union’s alleged activities.

However, Michael McFaul, a Stanford international affairs professor and former U.S. ambassador to Russia (2012-2014), rejected claims of union independence.

“Rosneft is an arm of the Russian government … Tragically, Putin’s dictatorship no longer allows independent trade unions,” said McFaul, who previously served as Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs on the National Security Council from 2009 to 2012.

The research emerges as the United States recently announced temporary sanctions relief on Russian crude oil and petroleum product sales in March, responding to price increases following conflict in Iran.

A bipartisan group of 12 Congressional members has referenced Yale’s findings in demanding renewed sanctions against Gazprom and Rosneft, which were also included in the sanctions waiver.

Ohio Representative Greg Landsman drafted correspondence citing “the recent revelation of their direct involvement in Russia’s abduction of over 35,000 children from Ukraine is cause for significant alarm.”

The letter, scheduled for delivery to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, requests sanctions against 35 additional entities identified by Yale. It notes the 30-day Russian oil sales waiver will generate approximately $12 billion in revenue for the two Russian corporations.

International law considers forced deportation and transfer of children from occupied territories to occupying powers or other nations a war crime, regardless of justification. Ukraine has classified these actions as crimes against humanity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova face war crimes accusations for illegal Ukrainian child transfers.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for both Putin and Lvova-Belova regarding their alleged involvement in wartime atrocities following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion.

ICC Prosecutor’s Office representatives did not directly address Yale’s report assertions but confirmed continued receipt of child deportation reports and authority to expand cases with new suspects “should the evidence meet the required standards.”

Russia has dismissed the court’s accusations.

“As far as the ICC’s accusations are concerned, we don’t understand what we are accused of,” Lvova-Belova stated during an April 2023 news conference. “Give us the facts and we will look into it. So far, it all looks like a farce without specifics and is incomprehensible.”

This latest Yale research follows September findings that Russia had expanded its network of facilities for military instruction, drone production, and forced re-education of Ukrainian children to at least 210 locations.

According to Yale, Ukrainian children were transported to a minimum of six camps in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea, including three facilities owned by Gazprom subsidiaries as recently as 2025.

ATHENS – Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to reorganize his cabinet as authorities expand their investigation into a massive farm subsidy fraud scheme involving European Union funds, according to a government official who spoke Friday.

The controversy has shaken the administration since the previous year, when European prosecutors brought charges against numerous Greek livestock farmers accused of falsifying land ownership documents to illegally obtain millions of euros in EU agricultural subsidies. The scheme allegedly involved assistance from government workers and members of the conservative political party.

The scandal has already forced several ministers to step down and resulted in the European Union levying significant financial penalties against Greece for poor oversight of subsidies through its OPEKEPE payment organization.

Expanding the scope of the inquiry, Europe’s top prosecutor requested Wednesday that Greece remove legal protections from no fewer than 11 parliamentary members, including current ministers, to allow investigation into their suspected participation in the fraudulent operation.

“The government spokesman will announce changes to the cabinet at 1230 (0930 GMT),” the PM’s office said.

The current investigation focuses on suspected violations against EU financial interests during 2021, encompassing charges of encouraging breach of trust, digital fraud, and providing false documentation to secure illegal financial gains.

The OPEKEPE organization manages over 2 billion euros ($2.31 billion) in yearly European Union agricultural assistance.

KYIV, April 3 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday that battlefield conditions for his country have reached their most favorable point in nearly a year, following his military’s success in preventing a planned Russian attack last month.

“The offensive they were planning for March was thwarted by the actions of our armed forces. That is why the Russians will now simply step up their assault operations,” Zelensky stated in comments issued by his administration on Friday.

The Ukrainian president also disclosed that he extended an invitation to American negotiators to travel to Kyiv during a virtual meeting held earlier this week, noting he received “positive signals” regarding his invitation.

“Overall, the front line is holding … The situation is complex, but the best it has been in the last 10 months,” Zelensky declared, referencing intelligence reports from both Ukrainian and British sources.

The military leader of Burkina Faso has made striking statements rejecting democratic governance, declaring during a televised interview that citizens should abandon any expectations of returning to democratic rule.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, who assumed control of the West African nation through a military takeover in September 2022, made these remarks during a Thursday evening roundtable discussion with reporters broadcast on government television.

“People need to forget about the issue of democracy,” Traore stated. “We have to tell the truth: democracy isn’t for us.”

The military commander went further, citing Libya as an example where external forces attempted to “impose democracy,” before concluding that “democracy kills.”

Initially, Traore’s administration had pledged to conduct national elections in 2024. However, one year following the military takeover, he announced that voting would be postponed indefinitely until security conditions improve sufficiently for all citizens to participate safely.

The country has been battling extremist groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State for over ten years, creating widespread instability across the region.

In January, Traore’s government took the dramatic step of disbanding all political organizations, following an earlier suspension of political activities. Prior to the military coup, the nation had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 holding parliamentary seats after the 2020 national elections.

Similar actions have been taken by military governments in neighboring Mali and Niger, where coup leaders have also eliminated political parties after seizing power.

The ongoing extremist violence across all three nations has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced millions from their homes over the past decade.

On the same day as Traore’s comments, Human Rights Watch released findings suggesting that Burkina Faso’s armed forces and their partners have been responsible for more than double the civilian casualties caused by extremist groups since 2023 began.

Government officials did not provide responses to requests for comment regarding the human rights organization’s report.

ROME, April 3 – One of Italy’s most prestigious art museums fell victim to a major digital security breach that forced emergency protective measures, including relocating priceless treasures to the nation’s central bank, according to a Friday report from Corriere della Sera.

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, home to world-famous masterpieces such as Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “Primavera,” along with Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo,” experienced the cyber intrusion during the early months of this year.

Officials at the Uffizi – which ranks as Italy’s second-most popular museum and brings in approximately 60 million euros ($69 million) annually – have not yet provided comment on the incident. The Culture Ministry and police headquarters also declined to respond to inquiries.

According to Corriere’s investigation, museum director Simone Verde refused to discuss the matter. The institution only confirmed that its administrative computer systems had been compromised during that period, without providing additional details.

The newspaper reported that cybercriminals penetrated the museum’s digital infrastructure in late January or early February, successfully breaching computer servers at the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, and Boboli Gardens.

The attackers reportedly wiped data from several servers and delivered their ransom demands directly to Verde’s personal mobile device.

Corriere indicated the hackers successfully obtained security access codes, login credentials, alarm system information, and detailed facility blueprints.

As a protective measure, the most precious artifacts from the Treasury of the Grand Dukes – located within Palazzo Pitti, the historic Medici family palace – were transported to the central bank for safekeeping. Additional security steps included sealing certain doorways and emergency exits.

The Uffizi’s official website currently states that the Treasury of the Grand Dukes at Palazzo Pitti remains closed since February 3 for “extraordinary maintenance work” with no reopening date announced.

The cyber criminals also allegedly stole the museum’s complete digital photography archive, containing decades of accumulated images and historical documents, the report stated.

This incident follows other recent high-profile museum thefts, including last year’s robbery at Paris’s Louvre Museum where thieves made off with $102 million in jewels that remain missing. In March, criminals stole three paintings by French masters Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne, and Henri Matisse from a museum in northern Italy.

BEIJING – Chinese officials announced Friday that diplomatic discussions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are making steady progress as the two neighboring nations work to resolve their most severe dispute since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan in 2021.

Beijing, which borders both countries along its western frontier, has taken on the role of mediator between the former allies who have become adversaries. Chinese officials have conducted phone conversations with foreign ministers from both nations and dispatched a special diplomatic representative for visits during March.

“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan attach importance to, and welcome, China’s mediation, and are willing to sit down for talks again, which is a positive development,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press conference.

While Mao declined to specify the exact location of the current negotiations, both countries have previously indicated that discussions were taking place in Urumqi, a city in northwestern China.

According to Mao, Beijing has been facilitating and encouraging dialogue while maintaining close contact with both parties to establish appropriate conditions and offer a venue for negotiations. She added that all three nations would release additional details at a later time.

The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which began in October, has resulted in dozens of casualties on both sides, with Afghan civilians bearing the heaviest losses.

Pakistani officials claim that the Afghan Taliban is providing sanctuary to Islamic extremists who conduct attacks within Pakistan’s borders. However, Kabul rejects these allegations, characterizing the militant activity as Pakistan’s internal issue.

The military leader who orchestrated Myanmar’s 2021 coup has now secured the presidency through a parliamentary election, solidifying his control over the Southeast Asian nation that has been ravaged by conflict for the past five years.

Min Aung Hlaing, 69, won Friday’s presidential vote in a landslide, receiving 429 votes compared to 126 for his opponent, retired general Nyo Saw, who currently serves as the military government’s prime minister. The outcome was largely predetermined, with lawmakers from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party joining appointed military representatives to support the former army chief.

This transition from military uniform to civilian leadership caps off what experts describe as an orchestrated political transformation that began with controversial elections held between December and January. International observers and Western nations condemned those elections as fraudulent, designed to give a democratic facade to continued military control.

The general’s path to power started when he overthrew the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, subsequently placing her under arrest. That action triggered massive public demonstrations that eventually evolved into armed opposition movements across the country.

Political experts believe Min Aung Hlaing has long desired the presidential role. As part of his transition, he conducted a significant reorganization of Myanmar’s military leadership earlier this week, naming Ye Win Oo, a former intelligence director known for his loyalty, as his replacement to head the armed forces that he had commanded since 2011.

“He has long harboured the ambition to trade his title of commander-in-chief for president and it appears his dreams are now becoming a reality,” said Aung Kyaw Soe, an independent Myanmar analyst.

The new president’s whereabouts during the voting process remained unclear, as he was not visible during the state television coverage of the parliamentary session.

China, which maintains close ties with Myanmar’s military leadership, quickly offered congratulations and pledged support for the new administration in promoting regional peace and stability.

However, the country remains engulfed in violent conflict, with Myanmar’s military facing accusations from human rights organizations and United Nations investigators of committing widespread atrocities against civilians. The military government has consistently rejected these allegations.

International legal pressure continues to mount against Min Aung Hlaing. In 2024, the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor requested an arrest warrant for him related to alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority. More than one million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2017 during a military offensive.

“He may exchange his military fatigues for civilian attire, but this changes nothing with respect to his suspected responsibility for serious crimes under international law,” Amnesty International said.

“For the many Myanmar people who have been victims of Min Aung Hlaing’s violently unfettered military … seeing their oppressor formally elevated instead of prosecuted will be deeply painful.”

Opposition forces are attempting to reorganize their resistance efforts. This week, various anti-military groups, including survivors from Suu Kyi’s political party and established ethnic minority armed organizations, announced the formation of a unified coalition called the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union.

The new alliance stated its goals as working to “completely dismantle all forms of dictatorship” and establish “a new political landscape.”

Nevertheless, some analysts warn that opposition groups may face increased difficulties as neighboring countries potentially strengthen relationships with Min Aung Hlaing’s newly legitimized government, while also confronting intensified military pressure and economic hardships.

“It may become even harder to build mutual understanding and trust between groups, reach firmer agreements, and sustain cooperation,” analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe said of the opposition.

A member of the European Parliament from France is scheduled to face criminal charges this summer following her arrest over a controversial social media message, according to Paris prosecutors.

Rima Hassan, who represents France’s far-left political party, was taken into custody Thursday and held for several hours after officials determined her March 26 post on X could be interpreted as endorsing terrorist activities. The message was subsequently removed from the platform.

“At the end of her custody, Rima Hassan was given a summons to appear before the criminal court on July 7, 2026, to be tried on charges of advocating terrorism committed online,” prosecutors stated in their official announcement.

The controversial post referenced the deadly 1972 Lod airport assault in Tel Aviv, where Japanese Red Army militants killed 26 people. Hassan had shared a statement from one of the convicted attackers who attempted to defend the violence by pointing to what he described as Palestinian suffering.

French law treats online terrorism endorsement as a serious criminal matter, carrying potential penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines reaching 100,000 euros (approximately $115,290).

Two advocacy organizations – the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism and the European Jewish Organization – filed formal complaints about Hassan’s post.

Following her release, Hassan and her attorney Vincent Brengarth announced through separate social media statements that they would address the situation during a Friday afternoon news conference.

The 33-year-old politician, who was born in Syria and has Palestinian heritage, serves as an outspoken advocate for Palestinian causes and frequently criticizes Israeli policies. She won her European Parliament seat in 2024 representing the France Unbowed party.

Party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon characterized the legal action against Hassan as having political motivations.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez rejected such claims, telling BFMTV: “There are rules to be respected. Apologising for terrorism is a very serious offense.”

Prosecutors revealed that Hassan faces six additional investigations for potential hate speech violations, while authorities have dismissed 16 other cases against her.

During her arrest, officers discovered cannabidiol (CBD) and what appeared to be the synthetic drug 3-MMC in her possession. These drug-related matters will be handled through separate legal proceedings.

Hassan has disputed the illegal drug possession allegations, explaining through social media that she uses CBD for medical purposes.

The island nation of Bahrain has intensified its suppression of opposition voices during its current conflict with Iran, following the controversial death of a man who disappeared while in government custody last month.

Mohamed al-Mousawi, a 32-year-old Shiite Muslim, went missing in March during Iranian missile strikes on the kingdom. His family was contacted eight days later to collect his remains from a military facility.

Family members report that al-Mousawi, who had been working to save funds for a new venture, was returned to them with extensive injuries including cuts and bruises across his body, particularly on his feet.

The incident has intensified tensions in the Sunni-led nation where Shiites form the majority population, as human rights advocates claim officials are employing similar harsh methods used during the 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations.

The monarchy, which provides a base for America’s 5th Fleet naval operations, has detained numerous individuals during the current conflict for recording attacks and rallies, showing solidarity with Iran, or suspected intelligence activities.

“They want to make sure nobody challenges the state’s narrative and silence any voices not telling the story (of the war) how they want it to be told,” said Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy.

Government officials stated that al-Mousawi faced espionage accusations related to Iran, which his relatives reject, and described photographs of his injuries as “inaccurate and misleading.” Officials maintain they are protecting national security and deny religious discrimination, insisting all actions follow legal procedures with independent oversight of misconduct claims.

Al-Mousawi had completed approximately 11 years of a 21-year sentence for charges including property destruction and terrorist group membership before his 2024 release under royal clemency.

According to unnamed relatives and a family associate who spoke confidentially due to safety concerns, al-Mousawi vanished on March 19 following religious services with two companions who also remain missing. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Bahrain for forced disappearances.

His family received notification to retrieve his body on March 27. The relative who viewed the remains described evidence of cable whipping, apparent electrical burns including behind the knees, and cigarette burns on various body parts.

The Associated Press independently examined photographs of al-Mousawi’s remains, which displayed injuries confirmed by five people who personally observed the body. All requested anonymity fearing retaliation.

The Interior Ministry confirmed al-Mousawi was held by the National Security Agency. Following 2011 protest reforms, this intelligence service lost arrest authority due to abuse allegations, but regained these powers in 2017 as Bahrain expanded its anti-dissent efforts.

Officials stated that injury photographs were “inaccurate and misleading and have been deliberately disseminated to mislead public opinion,” without providing specifics.

Hospital records listed cardiac arrest as the cause of death. His relatives stated the 32-year-old had no known health problems.

Ahmed Banasr, a forensic specialist with New York-based Physicians for Human Rights, determined the photographed wounds matched blunt force injuries. Foot sole injuries help eliminate alternative explanations like altercations or accidents.

“The findings are highly consistent with alleged torture,” he said.

Al-Mousawi was among many Bahraini Shiites caught in intensified enforcement that critics say has grown since Israel and the U.S. began military action against Iran on February 28.

Human rights groups view these detentions and al-Mousawi’s death as a renewed phase of Bahrain’s ongoing suppression campaign that peaked in 2011 during regional democracy movements. The ruling Al Khalifa dynasty crushed mass protests that year using Saudi Arabian and UAE military assistance.

Sporadic unrest has persisted, with authorities characterizing predominantly Shiite demonstrators as Iranian agents. Unlike neighboring Sunni Gulf monarchies, Bahrain shares Iran’s Shiite majority population.

“It really remains to be seen how far the government is going to go in its crackdown on people,” said Maryam al-Khawaja, a Bahraini activist living abroad whose father is jailed in Bahrain. “What we’re seeing right now is definitely a lot more heavy-handed than we have in the past few years.”

Government representatives described their security actions as “a direct and proportionate response” to Iranian attacks.

“The individuals arrested include those who filmed military and strategic sites during an active attack on Bahraini territory, those who passed sensitive information, and those who publicly expressed support for a state that had just launched strikes against Bahraini soil,” officials stated.

“To present arrests made on the basis of conduct as evidence of sectarian persecution and conflate the two — is a framing that we firmly and unequivocally reject,” they added.

Since hostilities began, authorities have arrested at least 41 people, including foreign workers, for sharing footage of what officials termed “Iranian aggression” or expressing sympathy. Some face treason charges carrying potential life imprisonment or execution.

Bahrain reports over 600 Iranian drone and missile attacks that have killed at least two people and damaged critical infrastructure including water treatment facilities, petroleum refineries, and metal processing plants. Iran has also repeatedly struck U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters.

Video evidence reviewed by AP shows some protesters mourning Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing and celebrating attacks on Bahrain. The footage also captures incendiary devices being thrown and vehicles set on fire.

The day after fighting commenced, 21-year-old Hussein Fatiil and a companion recorded social media videos displaying Iran’s supreme leader’s image at a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy. Plainclothes officers immediately arrested them using an unmarked vehicle.

The men contacted their families hours later from a police facility after questioning, Hussein’s father, Naji Fatiil, told the AP.

Three days afterward, Hussein informed his family of five charges including social media misuse, inciting hatred, and treason, his father reported.

“The charges are extremely serious and exaggerate what happened,” he said, adding his son described the embassy protest as peaceful. “Now he might be charged with the most severe punishment. All I want is for my son to have a normal life and not be sentenced to death.”

Ukrainian military officials reported Friday that Moscow has been launching sustained aerial bombardments against the country since Thursday evening, with numerous enemy drones currently operating in Ukrainian airspace.

This marks the second instance this week where Russian forces have combined overnight drone strikes with intensive daytime bombardments, representing a new strategic approach as Moscow seeks methods to overcome Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

“We can see that the enemy is using new routes, new drones which they are constantly modernising, and new tactics,” air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on state television.

According to Ihnat, Russian forces deployed more than 400 long-range drones within a 24-hour period, along with ten ballistic missiles that mainly focused on regions close to the battle lines.

The spokesperson noted similarities between this bombardment and Tuesday’s assault, which resulted in at least four fatalities. That earlier attack featured an overnight wave of more than 300 drones followed by a comparable daytime strike.

Widespread Russian bombardments create significant disruption throughout Ukraine, forcing government offices, public transportation systems, and businesses to shut down during attacks that can persist for hours.

“The enemy is exerting (pressure) on our population, paralysing the work of certain public institutions, as well as learning institutions,” Ihnat said.

In Kharkiv’s eastern region, regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported via social media that one person died and 25 others sustained injuries from missile, bomb and drone strikes during the previous 24 hours.

Among these attacks were four ballistic missiles that hit the regional capital of Kharkiv during overnight hours, with authorities confirming only one injury from that particular strike.

SEOUL, South Korea — During a diplomatic summit in Seoul on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung committed to joint efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reducing worldwide economic instability stemming from Middle Eastern conflicts.

The high-level meeting occurred while U.S. President Donald Trump criticized international partners for insufficient support in the American and Israeli military campaign against Iran. This marked Macron’s inaugural trip to South Korea as president since assuming office in 2017, continuing his broader Asian diplomatic tour that previously included Japan.

During their initial discussions, Macron emphasized to Lee that both nations could contribute significantly to Middle Eastern stability, particularly addressing Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, which has created turmoil in worldwide energy markets.

Speaking at a joint press conference following their talks, Macron highlighted the importance of French-South Korean collaboration in efforts to reopen the waterway and reduce Middle Eastern tensions. Lee confirmed that both leaders “affirmed their resolves to cooperate to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Neither president accepted media questions or provided specific details about their strategy for reopening the crucial passage — the narrow channel between Iran and Oman that typically handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments.

“We need to clearly define, at the international level, the conditions for a process to ease the crisis and conflict in the Middle East,” Macron stated. “We need to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.”

Lee announced that he and Macron decided to broaden collaboration across technology, energy, and additional sectors. Representatives from both countries also formalized agreements covering nuclear fuel supply chain cooperation, joint investment in a southern South Korean offshore wind facility, and partnerships involving critical minerals. South Korea has been increasing nuclear reactor production to address energy shortages, while Lee has advocated for accelerated renewable energy adoption, noting how the conflict has highlighted the nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Macron’s Asian diplomatic mission coincides with Trump’s growing dissatisfaction with allied nations. During a Wednesday address, Trump declared that Americans “don’t need” the strait but countries that depend on it “must grab it and cherish it.”

At a previous White House Easter gathering, Trump urged Asian allies and China to participate in waterway reopening efforts.

“Let South Korea, you know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force — let South Korea do it,” Trump commented. “Let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from the strait. Let China do it.”

The actual U.S. military presence in South Korea totals approximately 28,000 personnel, not the 45,000 figure Trump mentioned. American forces in South Korea serve as a deterrent against potential North Korean aggression.

Macron has previously stated that military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be impractical.

South Korean officials report ongoing communication with Washington regarding the situation and confirm that Seoul is not considering payment of transit fees to Iran for securing fuel deliveries through the strait.

BANGKOK (AP) — General Min Aung Hlaing, the military leader who toppled Myanmar’s civilian administration in 2021 and maintained authoritarian control for five years, has been chosen as the nation’s president by parliament on Friday.

While this represents a technical shift back to elected leadership, critics view it as a calculated strategy to preserve military dominance following elections that opposition groups and international monitors characterized as illegitimate and unfair.

Though Min Aung Hlaing faced two other candidates for the presidency, his victory was essentially predetermined given that military-aligned party members and army appointees control a decisive parliamentary majority.

Parliamentary Speaker Aung Lin Dwe revealed that Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 votes from the total 584 cast, while his competitors were appointed as vice presidents.

The senior general had previously stepped down from his commander-in-chief role since Myanmar’s constitution bars the president from simultaneously serving as the military’s top leader. His trusted associate, General Ye Win Oo, assumed the influential military position.

At 69 years old, Min Aung Hlaing served as Myanmar’s military commander since 2011. Even before deposing Suu Kyi’s administration, he wielded considerable influence under the military-drafted constitution.

Legislative members gained their seats through elections conducted in three stages during December and January. Key opposition movements, including Suu Kyi’s previously governing National League for Democracy, were prevented from participating or chose to boycott what they considered rigged conditions. Suu Kyi remains imprisoned.

Russian authorities are urging citizens to adopt MAX, a government-supported messaging platform, but many users are expressing reluctance about downloading the state-controlled service.

Diplomats have described Russia’s actions as a “great crackdown,” with authorities repeatedly disrupting mobile internet access and obtaining broad authority to disable mass communication systems while interfering with messaging platforms and virtual private networks.

As an alternative, Moscow has vigorously promoted MAX, which markets itself as a “national messenger” and belongs to a firm whose leader is the child of one of Putin’s senior advisors.

Many Russians view this forced migration as excessive. Irina Matveeva, a Moscow saxophonist, downloaded MAX out of necessity to stay in touch with her music students.

“But I am not happy with this situation,” Matveeva told Reuters at the Rhythm & Blues Cafe in Moscow where she performs with the “Good Gollys” band. “I try to use it as little as possible.”

Matveeva described the Telegram restrictions as bewildering and irritating, explaining the difficulties of juggling multiple messaging platforms while dealing with VPN software and internet disruptions.

Ten additional Russians shared comparable doubts about MAX. However, two others reported satisfaction with the platform and said they had mostly moved on from Telegram and WhatsApp, which face partial interference in Moscow.

Government representatives argue that a domestic messaging service is essential because foreign intelligence agencies have compromised international messaging platforms like Telegram, and Moscow must guarantee security through developing a “sovereign” internet infrastructure.

VK, which owns MAX, did not respond to requests for comment. The company announced on March 26 that MAX had gained 107 million users since launching one year earlier, with the application being used globally including Russia and former Soviet republics, plus regions in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Opposition groups claim Russian intelligence agencies can access MAX user data and that artificial intelligence technology monitors the information to identify potential state threats and gauge public sentiment and opposition.

One Russian citizen identifying himself only as Danil expressed satisfaction with supporting a domestic messaging service and said he used MAX without worry.

However, others feel uncomfortable after years of enjoying relatively unrestricted messaging freedom.

“I intentionally ask my inner circle not to download it because Telegram is closer to me,” Olga Kravets said.

Russians have historically found subtle ways to resist censorship, from clever satire during the Tsarist era to secret publishing and distribution of prohibited poetry and literature during the late Soviet period.

One Russian woman reported being compelled to install MAX because Gosuslugi – the government service platform that handles everything from passports and driver’s licenses to university admissions and hunting permits – required a verification code sent through the application.

“I kept it on my phone to use it in case everything else is shut down. But I do not plan to use it,” said Anna, who declined to provide her surname due to the delicate nature of the topic.

Denis Kuskov, director of the TelecomDaily information website, said he believed it was inappropriate to require the entire population to download MAX before the application functioned flawlessly.

He was choosing not to install it currently.

“Not because I am afraid to do so,” he explained. “But because I believe that installing an app or ordering a service should be a personal choice.”

Russian authorities reported Friday that a passenger train went off the tracks in the Ulyanovsk region, leaving seven people hurt among the 412 passengers aboard.

The derailment occurred approximately 559 miles away from Moscow in the Russian region. Officials have not yet determined what caused the train to leave the tracks.

Emergency responders attended to the seven injured passengers following the incident on Friday.

SYDNEY, April 3 – Millions of Australians are abandoning their Easter weekend getaway plans as fuel shortages and skyrocketing prices make travel unaffordable and impractical.

Sydney resident Elsa Ulcak, 67, represents countless retirees who traditionally spend the four-day Easter holiday exploring Australia’s countryside. This year, however, she and her husband are staying home.

“We usually go to the countryside, but because of the petrol situation, we decided to stay at home this year,” Ulcak explained.

The retired couple felt a lengthy drive would drain both their wallet and fuel supplies that working people need more urgently. “(It’s) six or seven hours drive to the countryside… it’s expensive. Also we’ve got to think about it – working people need their petrol, (but) we’re retired, we can stay at home,” she said.

“We usually go with a group of friends, everyone cancelled.”

Easter weekend traditionally ranks among Australia’s peak travel periods. Research company Roy Morgan projected over 4.5 million people would travel during 2025’s Easter break, generating approximately A$11.1 billion ($7.67 billion) in tourism spending.

However, the Iran conflict that erupted February 28th and subsequent Strait of Hormuz blockade have severely disrupted global energy markets, creating widespread travel disruptions.

Since Australia relies on imports for roughly 90% of its fuel supply, the nation has faced localized shortages and dramatic price increases. Diesel costs climbed above A$3 per liter while gasoline exceeded A$2.50 last week, prompting government intervention through fuel tax reductions.

Art director Rachel Abbott, 27, also scrapped her Easter travel arrangements. She typically visits family in northeastern Victoria but found both driving and airline costs prohibitive.

“Work’s just been quite busy and flights are very expensive, and then if I were to drive, obviously it would be a lot more expensive,” Abbott noted.

Aid worker Stav Zotalis, 59, wasn’t planning Easter travel anyway, preferring to remain home during the holiday. Still, she acknowledged this year “does feel very different” due to Middle Eastern tensions.

“I don’t know that we can celebrate. It feels like the world is shaky, it’s unpredictable. And I feel that we don’t know where things are going,” Zotalis said.

Despite experiencing higher costs at gas stations and grocery stores, her primary concern remains with those living in conflict areas.

“I’ve been an overseas aid worker for 25 years and I lived in Asia for 14 years, and I know people that live closer to the conflict are having to forgo food. Not just trips interstate or to the coast, like some of us here in Australia,” she explained.

BEIRUT (AP) — After Israeli bombardment forced Hussein Shuman to evacuate Beirut’s southern suburbs in early March during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the 35-year-old perfume company employee chose not to search for rental housing elsewhere.

Shuman believes that in neighborhoods considered “secure” due to the absence of the Lebanese militant organization, Shiite Muslims face unwelcoming attitudes. Local residents view them suspiciously as possible Hezbollah affiliates, while property owners demand excessive rental fees from displaced families.

The father of two instead established a small tent in downtown Beirut, where he now lives with his wife and their children, ages 7 and 5.

Shuman even declined when a friend offered to host his family in Zgharta, a Christian mountain community. He chose to stay in his tent despite experiencing flooding on two occasions over the past fortnight.

“By staying here I have my dignity and respect,” Shuman said, sitting on a chair near his tent as a barber gave him an open-air hair cut. “We will not stay in a place where we are going to be humiliated.”

Within a nation marked by mistrust, the over one million individuals — predominantly Shiite — who have been forced from their homes due to Israeli evacuation directives and bombing campaigns face restricted choices.

Property owners in Christian communities sometimes refuse Shiite tenants entirely. Others impose excessive rental rates and security deposits beyond most families’ financial reach. Fatima Zahra, a 42-year-old from Beirut’s southern districts, explained that she and her sister liquidated their most valuable jewelry to cover the $5,000 upfront payment demanded by a landlord for two months of housing.

Certain Beirut areas require displaced families who can meet high rental costs to undergo security screenings, with landlords notifying authorities to investigate potential Hezbollah connections before approving tenancy.

Religious divisions remain a delicate matter in Lebanon following a 15-year civil conflict that concluded in 1990, which primarily divided communities along sectarian boundaries.

Community tensions have intensified following Israeli precision strikes that eliminated Hezbollah officials or Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel in areas with Christian, Sunni, and Druze majorities, heightening concerns among host communities about Hezbollah operatives hiding among civilians.

Lebanese citizens remain sharply split regarding Hezbollah’s military actions against Israel, with many in the small Mediterranean country holding the Iran-supported group responsible for involving Lebanon in a devastating war that has claimed over 1,200 lives and injured more than 3,000 people. Hezbollah launched missiles toward Israel two days following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking the current Middle Eastern conflict.

This latest war has generated extensive destruction and crippled the economy while Lebanon continues struggling with a severe financial crisis that began in late 2019. The nation has not fully recovered from the previous Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024.

During mid-March, an Israeli attack on an apartment building in Aramoun resulted in three deaths, leading some local residents to demand the departure of displaced persons from their area.

Several days afterward, another strike in nearby Bchamoun also claimed three lives, including a four-year-old girl, who had been relocated from Beirut’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah maintains significant influence.

Israel did not identify the intended targets in either incident, but residents assumed someone in the attacked buildings had Hezbollah ties.

“Had we known that they were linked to Hezbollah, we would have kicked them out,” an angry man who owns an apartment in the building in Bchamoun said at the scene.

During late March, a missile detonated above the mainly Christian Keserwan area north of Beirut, scattering debris across multiple locations. While the Lebanese military later determined it was an Iranian missile crossing Lebanese airspace that fell, many initially believed it represented an Israeli attack targeting displaced civilians.

Though the missile fragments caused no injuries, a group of young men assaulted displaced Shiites in Haret Sakher district near Jounieh, demanding their removal before local authorities intervened.

“We don’t want them here,” shouted a Haret Sakher resident shortly after the strike. He said that some of the displaced refer to their hosts as “Zionists,” accusing them of being aligned with Israel because they criticize Hezbollah for dragging the country into the conflict. He added: “We don’t want national coexistence.”

George Saadeh, a Jounieh municipal council member, informed The Associated Press that he urged Haret Sakher residents to avoid reactions “so that we can preserve civil peace.”

Plans to shelter displaced individuals in an unused warehouse near the port in a predominantly Christian area north of Beirut were cancelled last week following opposition from legislators and community members.

“The Israeli targeting campaign has created a lot of paranoia,” said Maha Yahya, director of the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center. “If you see a displaced person, maybe you wonder, ‘What if this person is a target?’”

Concerned about escalating tensions, military forces have increased their street presence.

On Friday, army commander Gen. Rudolphe Haikal visited Beirut and the southern city of Sidon, instructing troops to remain “firm in the face of any attempt to undermine internal stability,” according to an army statement.

Law enforcement units, including specialized tactical teams, were positioned at key intersections throughout the capital to maintain order and prevent conflicts between displaced persons and residents. Police patrols regularly monitor the coastal tent settlement where Shuman’s family resides.

A municipal official from the primarily Sunni town of Naameh, located south of Beirut, reported receiving thousands of people evacuated from southern Lebanon.

To prevent tensions, the official explained they designated one school in a particular district for displaced Shiites and opened another facility in a separate neighborhood for people evacuated from Sunni border communities.

“There are concerns among people,” that conflict could break out said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

With Israeli airstrikes and ground operations primarily focusing on Shiite regions, U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, a Lebanese-American, faced criticism for promoting sectarian divisions. He informed reporters in late March that America had requested Israeli assurances that Christian villages in southern Lebanon would remain unattacked.

“We have asked the Israelis to leave Christian villages in the south alone and they told us that they will not touch Christian villages,” Issa said. However, he added, “They (Israelis) said that they cannot guarantee” that the villages would be left alone “if there is infiltration into these villages” by Hezbollah members.

Multiple Christian villages in southern Lebanon have requested that displaced Shiites seeking refuge there relocate elsewhere, fearing their presence could provoke Israeli attacks.

Legislator Taymour Joumblatt who is the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, the largest Druze-led political group in the country, said that the biggest concern in the country now is “strife.”

“The most important thing is to reduce sectarian pressures on the ground,” Joumblatt said. “Our Shiites brothers are part of this country and our humanitarian duty is to help them.”

From March 27 through April 2, 2026, faithful across Latin America and the Caribbean observed Holy Week through vibrant processions and time-honored religious traditions.

Colombia held a somber memorial service in Bogota to pay tribute to 69 security personnel who perished when their military aircraft crashed.

The USS Nimitz, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, arrived and anchored in Panama’s Gulf waters during this period.

Meanwhile, Bolivia faced disappointment as their hopes were dashed in World Cup qualifying competition.

Photo editor Anita Baca, working from Mexico City, compiled this visual collection of the week’s significant events across the region.

Drone attacks launched by Iran caused multiple fires to break out at Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery on Friday, according to officials.

Kuwait Petroleum Corp., the state-owned company, confirmed the assault in an official statement and reported that emergency crews were actively battling the resulting flames.

No casualties occurred during the incident, according to the corporation.

The Mina al-Ahmadi facility is one of three oil refineries that Kuwait operates and has been targeted several times during the ongoing conflict.

These processing facilities play a crucial role in Kuwait’s petroleum industry since crude oil wells must cease operations without functioning refineries to process their output.

The process of bringing refineries back online after attacks requires extensive time due to safety protocols, leaving oil wells inactive until the facilities resume operations.

The assault occurred as Iran launched attacks on multiple targets throughout the Middle East region while facing retaliatory strikes from American and Israeli forces early Friday. The conflict has now entered its fifth week with no signs of slowing.

Both Bahrain and Kuwait experienced early morning bombardments from Iranian forces, while Israel issued alerts about incoming missile threats, despite U.S. and Israeli assertions that Iran’s military infrastructure has been severely damaged.

Iran’s ongoing assault on regional energy facilities and its control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping lane for 20% of global oil and natural gas during peacetime—has caused petroleum prices to surge dramatically, affecting economies worldwide.

Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, reached approximately $109 per barrel early Friday, representing a more than 50% increase since February 28 when the conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

President Donald Trump has stated that reopening the blocked waterway is not America’s obligation, instead challenging other nations dependent on fuel shipments through Hormuz to “build some delayed courage” and “take it.”

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to consider a Bahraini proposal on Saturday that would permit defensive measures to protect ships navigating the strait. The original draft would have authorized countries to “use all necessary means” to secure the passage, but Russia, China, and France—all possessing veto authority—have opposed authorizing military force.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking Thursday in South Korea, dismissed American expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened through military action as unrealistic.

“A military operation would take an infinite amount of time and would expose anyone passing through the strait to coastal threats from (Iran’s) Revolutionary Guard,” Macron stated. He emphasized that reopening the strait “can only be done in coordination with Iran,” through diplomatic negotiations following a potential ceasefire.

British-organized discussions involving more than 40 nations have emphasized diplomatic rather than military solutions for securing the strait. These countries, excluding the United States, have called for increased diplomatic pressure on Iran and potential economic sanctions.

The conflict has claimed more than 1,900 lives in Iran and 19 in Israel. Over two dozen people have perished in Gulf nations and the occupied West Bank, while 13 American military personnel have been killed.

In Lebanon, where Israel has launched a ground offensive against the pro-Iranian Hezbollah organization, more than 1,300 people have died and over one million have been displaced. Ten Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives in that theater.

Missile strikes launched by Iran targeted Israel and multiple Gulf nations on Friday, while residents reported hearing explosions throughout Tehran and the central Iranian city of Isfahan. The escalation comes as the United States moves to strengthen its already substantial military deployment in the Middle East region.

The conflict, which started on February 28th, was approaching its sixth week as Israel, Bahrain, and Kuwait issued warnings about incoming missile threats, though immediate damage assessments were not available. While activists confirmed strikes near Tehran and Isfahan, the specific targets remained unclear in initial reports.

Energy markets have been severely disrupted by Iran’s assault on Gulf region oil facilities and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments during normal conditions. This disruption has caused petroleum prices to spike dramatically.

Financial markets showed mixed reactions as oil costs climbed while Asian stock exchanges posted modest gains amid careful trading. U.S. benchmark crude oil jumped 11.4% to reach $111.54 per barrel, while Brent crude, used as the global pricing standard, surged 7.8% to $109.03 per barrel.

President Donald Trump stated that American forces would continue striking Iran “very hard” over the coming two to three weeks.

The Navy’s largest operational aircraft carrier departed from Split, Croatia, with the 6th Fleet announcing the vessel “remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation.”

Military officials did not specify the carrier’s destination. The USS Abraham Lincoln continues operating in the Arabian Sea while the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier left Norfolk on Wednesday, bound for the Middle East.

Energy costs kept climbing on concerns about an extended conflict with Iran, though Asian markets that remained open Friday showed moderate gains in careful trading sessions. Many exchanges were closed for Good Friday observances.

While the United States imports only a small percentage of its oil from the Persian Gulf region, petroleum operates as a global commodity with worldwide price setting.

Asian nations face a vastly different situation. Japan depends heavily on Strait of Hormuz access for its oil import requirements and would need to find alternative shipping routes. However, some experts believe Japan and other countries are working toward agreements with Iran to permit continued transport operations.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.9% during Friday morning sessions to 52,938.62. South Korea’s Kospi climbed 2.1% to 5,344.41, while the Shanghai Composite dropped 0.5% to 3,899.57. Markets remained closed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India.

Wall Street, which was closed Friday, completed its first positive week since the Iranian conflict began, despite early trading declines caused by rising oil costs.

Bangladesh implemented reduced office hours and mandated early closures of shopping centers and retail stores starting Friday to address energy shortages stemming from the war.

Government officials ordered 30% reductions in fuel and power spending at public offices, halted certain employee training programs, and stopped purchasing new vehicles, ships, and aircraft. Decorative lighting for celebrations was also prohibited.

The South Asian nation of over 170 million residents is pursuing alternative energy sources and seeking $2.5 billion in external funding for imports, which represent 95% of its fuel supply.

Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen advised motorists planning Easter weekend trips to refuel in urban areas on Friday, noting that most fuel shortages were affecting rural regions.

Of 2,400 service stations in New South Wales, Australia’s largest state by population, 182 had exhausted their diesel supplies by Friday.

Victoria, the country’s second-largest state, reported 76 stations without diesel. Among the remaining states by population size, Queensland recorded 75 stations lacking diesel, Western Australia had 37, South Australia counted 28, and Tasmania reported seven.

“For those Australians planning a road trip this weekend, given our shortages are predominantly in rural and regional Australia, it makes sense to fill up in the city to help the country if you can,” Bowen said in Sydney.

Officials attributed regional shortages to panic purchasing and supply chain issues, focusing efforts on delivering fuel to agricultural producers for crop planting activities.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is confronting what analysts describe as its most severe crisis in more than seven decades, as President Donald Trump weighs a complete U.S. withdrawal from the military alliance.

The discord stems from Trump’s fury over European nations’ refusal to deploy naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping following the outbreak of air combat with Iran on February 28th.

When asked by Reuters during a Wednesday interview whether he would consider leaving NATO, Trump responded, “Wouldn’t you if you were me?”

During Wednesday evening remarks, the president criticized American allies while avoiding direct condemnation of the alliance itself, though many observers had anticipated harsher language.

However, Trump’s recent statements, combined with weeks of sharp criticism directed at European partners, have sparked extraordinary worry that America might abandon its commitment to defend European allies under attack, regardless of whether Washington formally exits the organization.

According to experts and diplomatic sources, this situation has put the Cold War-era alliance – which has long formed the foundation of European security – under unprecedented strain, with its mutual defense commitments no longer considered guaranteed.

“This is the worst place (NATO) has been since it was founded,” stated Max Bergmann, a former State Department official who currently directs the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “It’s really hard to think of anything that even comes close.”

This harsh reality is becoming clear to European leaders who have historically relied on NATO as protection against an increasingly aggressive Russia.

Just last February, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte had called the concept of Europe defending itself without American support a “silly thought.” Today, numerous officials and diplomats view this scenario as the likely outcome.

“NATO remains necessary, but we must be capable of thinking of NATO without the Americans,” explained General Francois Lecointre, who led France’s armed forces from 2017 to 2021. “Whether it should even continue to be called NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization – is a valid question.”

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly commented: “President Trump has made his disappointment with NATO and other allies clear, and as the President emphasized, ‘the United States will remember.’”

NATO representatives have not yet provided comment on the developing situation.

While the alliance has weathered previous storms, including Trump’s earlier threats to withdraw during his first presidency from 2017 to 2021, the current circumstances appear markedly different.

European officials who previously believed Trump could be managed through diplomatic courtesy and ceremony now hold diminished confidence in that approach, based on discussions with numerous current and former American and European officials.

The Trump administration has voiced frustration with what it perceives as NATO’s reluctance to support the United States during a critical period, including declining to assist with Strait of Hormuz operations and limiting American access to certain airfields and airspace. U.S. officials have emphasized that NATO cannot function as a “one-way street.”

European officials argue they have not received specific American requests for assets needed for strait operations and express confusion over Washington’s unclear timeline regarding whether such missions would occur during or after the conflict.

“It’s a terrible situation for NATO to be in,” observed Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official now serving as a senior fellow at the Friends of Europe think tank. “It is a blow to the allies who, since Trump returned to the White House, have worked hard to show that they are willing and able to take more responsibility (for their own defense).”

Trump’s recent statements follow additional indicators of alliance instability, including intensified January threats to seize Greenland from Denmark and recent American policies that Europeans view as unusually accommodating toward Russia, which NATO identifies as its primary security threat.

The administration has remained largely silent regarding reports that Moscow has supplied targeting information to Iran for attacks on U.S. Middle Eastern assets and has removed sanctions on Russian oil to address global energy price increases during the war.

During a G7 foreign ministers gathering near Paris last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas engaged in a heated exchange, according to five sources familiar with the incident, highlighting growing transatlantic tensions.

Kallas questioned when American patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin would end regarding Ukraine peace talks, prompting an irritated Rubio to respond that the U.S. was working to conclude the war while supporting Ukraine, but the EU was free to mediate if preferred.

From a legal standpoint, Trump may lack authority to withdraw from NATO. A 2023 law requires a U.S. president to obtain consent from two-thirds of the Senate to exit the alliance, an extremely difficult threshold to achieve.

However, analysts note that as commander-in-chief, Trump can determine whether American military forces will defend NATO members. Refusing to do so could effectively destroy the alliance without formal withdrawal.

Not all observers view the current situation as existential. One French diplomat characterized the president’s statements as a temporary outburst.

Trump has previously modified his NATO stance. In 2024, he suggested during campaign events that he would encourage Putin to attack NATO members failing to meet defense spending obligations. By the June 2025 NATO summit, the alliance had regained his favor, with Trump delivering remarks praising European leaders as people who “love their countries.”

Next week, Secretary-General Rutte, who maintains a positive relationship with Trump, plans to visit Washington in an attempt to once again influence the president’s perspective.

Analysts suggest European nations have compelling reasons to maintain U.S. involvement in NATO despite uncertainties about Trump’s willingness to defend them. Among other factors, the American military provides essential capabilities NATO cannot easily replace, including satellite intelligence.

Even if Trump and European partners find a way to preserve their NATO relationship, diplomats, analysts, and officials believe the transatlantic alliance that has anchored global order since World War Two may be permanently changed.

“I do think we’re turning the page of 80 years of working together,” said Julianne Smith, who served as U.S. ambassador to NATO under Democratic President Joe Biden. “I don’t think it means the end of the transatlantic relationship, but we’re on the cusp of something that’s going to have a different look and feel to it.”

President Trump has escalated his threats against Iran, declaring that American forces have barely begun targeting the country’s remaining infrastructure as international efforts intensify to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

The conflict, now in its fifth week since beginning with coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, continues spreading instability throughout the Middle East while disrupting global financial markets and mounting pressure on the administration to resolve the crisis quickly.

Trump has intensified his public statements recently as behind-the-scenes negotiations through third parties with Iran’s new leadership have shown minimal advancement.

In a late Thursday social media post, Trump declared the American military has barely begun demolishing Iran’s remaining assets. He wrote that bridges would be next, followed by electrical power facilities, emphasizing that Iranian leadership understands what must be accomplished quickly.

Earlier, the president shared footage of U.S. forces destroying a recently built bridge connecting Tehran with Karaj, a major northwestern suburb. The structure was set to begin handling traffic this year. Iranian state media reported eight fatalities and 95 injuries from the American strike.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded in a statement, saying that attacking civilian infrastructure, including incomplete bridges, would not force Iranians to capitulate.

Satellite imagery additionally revealed smoke billowing from facilities at Qeshm port, located on an Iranian island with strategic importance in the Strait of Hormuz, during this week’s operations.

More than 100 American international law scholars issued a statement Thursday expressing grave concerns about potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by U.S. forces and officials, including possible war crimes.

The experts’ letter specifically highlighted Trump’s mid-March statement suggesting potential strikes on Iran conducted purely for entertainment. They also referenced Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth’s early March remarks about American forces not operating under restrictive engagement rules.

During Wednesday evening remarks, Trump reiterated his threats against Iran’s civilian electrical infrastructure without providing any clear timeline for concluding military operations. This prompted Iranian retaliation promises, negatively impacted global stock markets, and drove oil prices higher amid concerns the Strait of Hormuz would remain mostly inaccessible.

Britain organized a virtual conference Thursday involving approximately 40 nations to explore methods for restoring navigational freedom, though no concrete agreements emerged. Participants did agree that all countries should enjoy unrestricted waterway access, according to one official.

The U.N. Security Council plans to vote Saturday on Bahrain’s resolution protecting commercial vessels in and around the strait, diplomats confirmed. However, China, which holds veto power, clearly opposed authorizing military force.

Chinese U.N. representative Fu Cong told the Security Council Thursday that any military intervention would legitimize unlawful and indiscriminate force usage, inevitably escalating tensions with serious ramifications.

Iran has effectively closed the strait, which typically handles approximately one-fifth of global oil commerce, as retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that commenced February 28.

Tehran presented an alternative framework for future strait management, announcing it was developing protocols with neighboring Oman requiring vessels to secure permits and licenses.

European Union foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas rejected Tehran’s proposal, stating Iran cannot charge nations fees for ship passage. She wrote on social media that international law does not recognize pay-for-passage arrangements.

Concerns are mounting that the conflict could grant Iran control over Middle Eastern energy supplies after demonstrating its ability to block the Strait of Hormuz by targeting oil tankers and striking Gulf nations hosting American military personnel.

Gulf states maintain their self-defense rights but have avoided military responses to repeated Iranian attacks over recent weeks, hoping to prevent escalation into a broader Middle Eastern war.

Kuwait reported its air defense systems worked to intercept missiles and drones twice on Friday.

Thousands have died and tens of thousands suffered injuries across the Middle East since hostilities began. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies delegation head said Thursday that medical requirements were increasing exponentially while supplies could become scarce.

Fuel shortages have already created economic pressures throughout Asia and are anticipated to affect Europe soon. A joint U.N. agencies report warned that sharp economic decline could trigger cost-of-living crises in Africa.

A top official from Japan’s central bank announced Friday that the institution plans to continue increasing interest rates while carefully monitoring the economic impact of ongoing Middle East conflicts.

Speaking before parliament, Koji Nakamura, who serves as the Bank of Japan’s executive director for monetary policy, explained that while elevated fuel prices stemming from regional conflicts could damage Japan’s economy through worsened trade conditions, they might simultaneously drive up core inflation by raising long-term price expectations.

Nakamura noted that inflationary pressure from increased fuel costs could be more significant than in previous situations, as businesses are showing greater willingness to implement price and wage increases.

“If our economic and price projections were to materialise, we will likely continue to raise interest rates,” Nakamura stated, emphasizing that the scale and timing of future adjustments would be determined by prevailing economic, price, and financial circumstances.

“We will reach an appropriate decision at each policy meeting by updating our economic, price projections and our views on risks using data available at the time,” he continued.

Japan’s central bank concluded a decade of extensive economic stimulus measures in 2024 and has implemented multiple rate increases since then, including a December adjustment that brought the short-term policy rate to 0.75% – its highest level in three decades.

Financial markets are currently indicating approximately a 70% probability of another rate increase this month, as climbing fuel costs and elevated import prices from a weakened yen continue to add inflationary pressure to Japan’s economy.

President Donald Trump issued fresh warnings against Iran Thursday evening, threatening to target the nation’s bridges and electrical grid as part of escalating military action against the country’s infrastructure.

In a social media post, Trump declared that the American military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants.”

The president’s message indicated that Iranian officials “knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”

During a televised address Wednesday, Trump had already suggested the conflict might intensify if Iran refuses to accept Washington’s demands, warning that energy and petroleum facilities could become targets. The president has previously given varying timeframes and objectives regarding the ongoing military action.

International legal scholars raised alarm Thursday, with dozens of experts in the United States releasing a public statement warning that American attacks on Iran could constitute war crimes.

The Geneva Conventions of 1949, which govern humanitarian rules during warfare, specifically ban assaults on infrastructure vital to civilian populations.

These international agreements and their additional protocols require warring parties to differentiate between “civilian objects and military objectives,” explicitly forbidding strikes against civilian targets.

“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong,” Trump declared during his Wednesday speech.

Although Trump suggested Washington was close to achieving its objectives in Iran, he provided no specific timeline for concluding the military campaign.

The conflict commenced February 28 when American and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes against Iran. Tehran retaliated by conducting its own offensive operations against Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations. Combined U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions of people.

The military action has also driven up petroleum prices and created instability in international financial markets. Trump’s contradictory statements have failed to calm anxiety about America’s most significant military engagement since the 2003 Iraq invasion.

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled a Saturday morning vote on a resolution aimed at safeguarding commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, according to diplomatic sources who confirmed the meeting was postponed from Friday due to a UN holiday.

The proposed measure, drafted by Bahrain as the current Security Council chair, would permit “all defensive means necessary” to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the strategically vital waterway.

Oil markets have experienced significant price increases following US and Israeli military actions against Iran in late February, sparking a conflict that has persisted for over a month and effectively shut down the crucial shipping route.

During Thursday’s Security Council session, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed hope for a Friday vote, stating “God willing” and emphasizing Bahrain’s expectation of a “unified position from this esteemed council.”

However, China’s UN representative Fu Cong voiced strong opposition to any force authorization during Thursday morning’s proceedings. Fu Cong warned that such action would amount to “legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences.”

The Gulf nation has received backing from fellow Arab states and Washington in pushing for the resolution, previously removing explicit language about binding enforcement to address concerns from Russia and China.

The current draft, as reviewed by Reuters, authorizes protective measures “for a period of at least six months … and until such time as the council decides otherwise.”

A preliminary approval process known as the silence procedure was attempted until Thursday noon, but China, France and Russia broke the silence, according to Western diplomatic sources. Despite this setback, diplomats confirmed the text has been finalized and is ready for an official vote.

For passage, the resolution needs support from at least nine of the 15 Security Council members and cannot face vetoes from any of the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Al Zayani characterized Iran’s actions as an “unlawful and unjustified attempt” to control international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the situation threatens worldwide interests and demands a “decisive response.”

The Arab League’s Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit announced the organization’s support for Bahrain’s resolution efforts during Security Council proceedings.

Britain organized a Thursday meeting with more than 40 nations focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring secure transit, while also endorsing Bahrain’s diplomatic initiative.

President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to maintain military operations but offered no specific strategy for reopening the waterway. This announcement further elevated oil prices as markets worried about reduced US involvement in protecting commercial shipping through the region.

BEIJING, April 3 – A Chinese citizen wanted in connection with narcotics offenses has been transferred back to China by United States authorities, according to a report from China’s official news agency Xinhua on Friday.

Chinese law enforcement officials confirmed the repatriation of the suspect, who had been residing in the United States while facing drug-related criminal charges in China.

The transfer represents ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Chinese authorities in returning fugitives wanted for criminal activities.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban officials announced Thursday they will free 2,010 inmates from the nation’s prisons, describing the mass release as occurring during a period when the Trump administration maintains intense economic pressure on the Caribbean island through a restrictive oil embargo.

Officials characterized the pardons as a “humanitarian gesture” connected to Holy Week observances, making no reference to escalating tensions with the United States.

According to the government, those receiving pardons include both Cuban nationals and foreign prisoners, encompassing women, elderly inmates, and younger individuals. Officials did not specify the timing of the releases, the conditions attached, or detail the offenses for which these individuals were originally convicted.

The government provided no information about whether any pardoned individuals were demonstrators who had been convicted and sentenced on charges of terrorism, contempt, or public disorder.

While Cuba’s leadership maintains it does not detain political prisoners, the advocacy organization Prisoners Defended documented 1,214 individuals incarcerated for political activities in Cuba as of February.

Cuban officials stated the decision “was based on a careful analysis of the characteristics of the crimes committed by those sanctioned, their good behavior in prison, having served a significant portion of their sentence, and their health status,” according to a statement published in state media.

The prisoner release occurs during a time when the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Cuba’s leadership, implementing an oil embargo for several months that has triggered power outages and caused hardship for ordinary citizens.

Cuba has a history of freeing inmates during significant periods.

In January of the previous year, Cuban authorities released 553 prisoners during discussions with the Vatican, occurring one day after the Biden administration declared its intention to remove the U.S. classification of the island as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The previous month, Cuba freed 51 individuals from the nation’s correctional facilities in an unplanned action that officials attributed to goodwill and strong Vatican relationships.

Thursday’s announcement represents the fifth prisoner release since 2011, with the government stating it has freed over 11,000 individuals during this period.

The declaration follows by months the U.S. removal of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and pressure on that country’s leadership to implement significant reforms, including freeing politically detained prisoners and enacting amnesty legislation.

The United Nations Security Council is preparing for a Friday vote on a modified resolution designed to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, after the original proposal faced significant revisions following pushback from China and Russia regarding the use of military force to reopen the vital shipping lane that Iran has effectively blocked.

According to the revised draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, the resolution now permits only defensive measures—not offensive actions—to guarantee safe vessel passage through the strait. This waterway typically handles one-fifth of global oil shipments, and Iran’s blockade during ongoing hostilities has caused energy prices to spike worldwide.

The original resolution proposed by Bahrain would have permitted nations to employ “all necessary means”—diplomatic language that encompasses potential military intervention—throughout “the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman” to maintain safe passage and prevent navigation interference.

Three permanent Security Council members with veto power—Russia, China, and France—had voiced concerns about approving military force. While the updated draft removes references to offensive military operations, these nations’ positions on the modifications remain unclear, making Friday’s vote particularly significant.

The current proposal permits countries to employ “all defensive means necessary and commensurate with the circumstances in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters” to maintain passage and prevent interference with international shipping “for a period of at least six months.”

The resolution states that nations operating independently or through “multinational naval partnerships” may implement defensive measures after providing advance notice to the Security Council.

This development follows President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement that the United States and Israel would continue “extremely hard” bombardment of Iran over the coming two to three weeks, though he provided no clear timeline for ending the conflict. Iran has maintained retaliatory strikes throughout the region, and its control over the strait has created challenges for Trump and the international community as rising energy costs impact the global economy.

Prior to Bahrain’s release of the final draft, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated the proposal “does not solve the puzzle.” He emphasized that ending hostilities would provide the real solution.

Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong criticized the original draft’s force authorization, describing it as “unlawful and indiscriminate.” During Thursday’s council session, he cautioned that such measures “would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences.” He called on the council “to proceed with caution” while actively pursuing de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue.

French UN Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont similarly advocated for de-escalation, stating to the council that “defensive measures that avoid any broad use of force need to be promoted.” He subsequently suggested the revised draft emphasizing defense could be acceptable.

On March 11, the Security Council passed a Bahrain-sponsored resolution denouncing Iran’s “egregious attacks” against Gulf states and demanding Tehran immediately cease its strikes, which began after the US and Israel initiated military action on February 28.

That measure passed 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining, and also criticized Iran’s Strait of Hormuz actions as threatening international peace and security while demanding an immediate halt to all shipping blockade activities.

HAVANA – The Cuban government declared Thursday its intention to release 2,010 inmates from correctional facilities across the Caribbean island nation, as reported by government-controlled media outlets.

This prisoner release represents the second amnesty announcement Cuba has made this year while diplomatic discussions with the United States remain ongoing.

The official government publication Granma described the prisoner release as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture.”

German federal police took a suspect into custody Thursday evening following threatening behavior aboard a high-speed passenger train, according to law enforcement officials. Multiple travelers sustained minor injuries during the incident when explosive devices were detonated.

The passenger rail service was traveling between Cologne and Frankfurt Thursday night when authorities ordered an emergency evacuation in Siegburg, located near Cologne. Federal police officers subdued and detained the individual, and investigators discovered a blade concealed in his bag, the German news agency dpa confirmed.

According to law enforcement, the individual had barricaded himself inside one of the train’s restrooms. The German publication Bild reported that the explosive devices were hurled into a passenger walkway. Authorities confirmed that multiple individuals received minor cuts and scrapes during the incident.

Officials have not yet released details about the detained individual’s identity or background.

Myanmar’s military commander Min Aung Hlaing is poised for a parliamentary vote Friday that would install him as the nation’s president, cementing his authority five years following his military takeover of the democratically elected government.

The anticipated shift from military general to civilian leader comes after a heavily skewed election that saw an army-supported political party claim victory, which opposition voices and international leaders condemned as fraudulent theater designed to mask continued military control under democratic pretenses.

The 69-year-old military leader was the architect behind the 2021 military takeover that removed Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration and resulted in her detention, triggering mass demonstrations that evolved into countrywide armed opposition to military rule.

Parliamentary members from the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which secured 81% of contested positions, are anticipated to unite with the military’s designated legislators in supporting the former top military commander among three nominated candidates, with legislative proceedings beginning at 10 a.m. local time.

Min Aung Hlaing’s presidential ambitions — a role that experts believe he has pursued for years — remained secret until recent days and came alongside news of significant changes in Myanmar’s military leadership structure, which he has commanded since 2011.

This past Monday, while receiving his parliamentary nomination for president, Min Aung Hlaing selected Ye Win Oo, a former intelligence director known for unwavering allegiance to the general, as his replacement to head the armed forces.

The military transition and Min Aung Hlaing’s anticipated presidency represent what experts view as a calculated move to strengthen his authority over Myanmar while leading what appears to be a civilian administration, benefiting an armed forces that has directly governed the nation for five out of the last six decades.

“He has long harboured the ambition to trade his title of commander-in-chief for president and it appears his dreams are now becoming a reality,” said Aung Kyaw Soe, an independent Myanmar analyst.

Despite these political maneuvers, the internal conflict that has devastated Myanmar throughout most of the previous five years continues intensely, with anti-military groups — including survivors from Suu Kyi’s political organization and established ethnic minority forces — creating a unified coalition this week to challenge the military.

“Our vision and strategic objectives are to completely dismantle all forms of dictatorship, including the military dictatorship, and to collectively initiate a new political landscape,” the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union said in a statement on Monday.

Opposition forces may encounter heightened military action along with greater attention from bordering nations that might attempt to strengthen ties with the emerging government, according to analysts.

“Amidst global oil and fuel shortages and economic crises, maintaining organisational stability could become difficult,” analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe said of the opposition.

“As these hardships grow, it may become even harder to build mutual understanding and trust between groups, reach firmer agreements, and sustain cooperation.”

More than 100 international law professors from prestigious American universities have released a formal letter expressing grave concerns that U.S. military operations against Iran could constitute violations of international law.

The legal scholars, representing institutions including Harvard, Yale, Stanford and the University of California, issued their statement Thursday following President Trump’s renewed threats this week to target Iran’s electrical grid and water treatment facilities.

In a Wednesday television address, Trump indicated the conflict could intensify unless Iran accepts Washington’s demands, suggesting potential attacks on the country’s energy sector and oil production capabilities.

The academics’ letter, published through the Just Security policy publication, states that actions by American forces and remarks from top U.S. officials “raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes.”

The letter specifically highlighted Trump’s mid-March statement suggesting the U.S. might launch attacks on Iran “just for fun,” as well as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s early March remarks claiming America doesn’t operate under “stupid rules of engagement.”

The legal experts expressed particular alarm about military strikes affecting educational institutions, medical facilities, and residential areas, pointing to an attack on a school that occurred on the conflict’s opening day.

Military officials announced in March they had upgraded their investigation into a devastating February 28 strike on an Iranian girls’ school after media coverage indicated the inquiry found U.S. forces were probably responsible. Iranian Red Crescent officials report 175 fatalities from that incident.

During Wednesday’s remarks, Trump issued additional threats against Iran, stating: “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.”

A prominent Muslim advocacy organization in the United States has criticized Trump’s language throughout the conflict, describing his threat to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” as “dehumanizing.”

The current hostilities commenced February 28 when American and Israeli forces launched coordinated attacks against Iran. Tehran retaliated with its own strikes targeting Israel and Gulf nations hosting U.S. military installations. Combined U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

Australia’s groundbreaking social media age restriction has captured international attention, with lawmakers from Spain to Malaysia considering similar measures since the ban on users under 16 took effect in December.

The worldwide interest appears to have prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration to strengthen enforcement efforts this week, moving away from what officials had previously described as productive industry collaboration just two months earlier, according to technology policy analysts.

As the government takes a more assertive approach with platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Albanese’s center-left administration welcomes the international attention from at least eight countries expressing interest in comparable restrictions, while working to address reports that many teenagers continue using these platforms, experts note.

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE MOUNTS

“The whole world’s watching Australia in this experiment, and therefore it looks like weak government to back down or pretend that the failures in reasonable efforts aren’t happening,” explained Jeannie Paterson, co-founder of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics, who frequently provides government counsel on technology matters.

A representative for Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that global attention had not influenced her tougher position, refusing additional comment.

Following the ban’s implementation, officials announced in mid-January that social media companies had shut down 4.7 million accounts suspected of belonging to minors, leading industry observers to anticipate a potential one-year grace period for enforcement.

Government officials from Britain, Canada, and several U.S. lawmakers have reached out to Australian authorities regarding the social media restriction – a measure strongly supported by parents but opposed by the multi-trillion-dollar technology sector required to implement it.

However, these positive developments have been overshadowed by continued reports of minors maintaining social media presence.

On Tuesday, the government announced investigations into Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Snapchat for potential law violations, collecting evidence for possible legal proceedings.

The eSafety regulator had previously indicated enforcement actions would only occur in cases of widespread non-compliance.

According to the regulator’s first detailed compliance assessment, nearly one-third of parents reported their under-16 child maintained at least one social media account. Among these cases, two-thirds said the platform never requested the child’s age.

Angela Flannery, former general counsel for the government’s Communications Department who now provides private sector guidance, noted, “The government is quite heartened generally by the number of other jurisdictions that are looking at imposing restrictions on the under-16s globally.”

However, considering Tuesday’s “disheartening” compliance findings, Flannery added, “They probably want to be seen to be taking action to keep encouraging other jurisdictions to enforce or to enact similar bans.”

Meta and Snap expressed commitment to ban compliance, TikTok refused comment, and Alphabet did not respond to requests regarding the government action.

U.S. COURT DECISIONS PROVIDE SUPPORT

The eSafety assessment revealed that cyberbullying and image-based abuse complaints – issues the government claimed the ban would address – remained unchanged, while parents reported inability to inform platforms about their underage children’s continued accounts. Minors failing age verification were being encouraged to retake tests until successful, the regulator found.

The restriction requires platforms to implement “reasonable steps” preventing under-16 users from maintaining accounts or face penalties up to A$49.5 million ($34 million).

Communications Minister Wells attributed the problem not to parent or child non-compliance but to Big Tech undermining government policy.

Recent U.S. court decisions likely encouraged Australia’s platform pursuit, according to sources familiar with the ban’s implementation, including last week’s trial verdict requiring Meta to pay $375 million in penalties for safety failures enabling child exploitation on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, plus another ruling finding Meta and Google negligent for creating social media platforms harmful to young people.

“The court cases in New Mexico and California have helped the court of public opinion,” said Julian Sefton-Green, a Deakin University new media professor advising the commissioner’s two-year ban impact study.

“They’re jury decisions, that social media is liable for the well-being of young people, so I think the government’s going to take heart from that.”

Rob Nicholls, a University of Sydney regulation researcher, suggested the lawsuits might encourage platform redesigns complying with Australian restrictions by prioritizing minor protection.

“The effect of that design change will be to reduce access for under-16s,” he explained. “If you’ve got to do it to avoid litigation in the States, you may as well do the same thing around the world.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio leveled accusations against China on Thursday, claiming the nation is engaging in “bullying” tactics by temporarily detaining numerous Panama-flagged vessels in Chinese ports following Panama’s takeover of two vital Panama Canal terminals from a Hong Kong company subsidiary earlier this year.

Beijing has rejected these claims. Panama finds itself caught between competing U.S. and Chinese interests after President Donald Trump previously alleged that China controls the Panama Canal. The Trump administration views this crucial shipping waterway as vital to both economic and defense interests, with Trump repeatedly discussing plans to regain control of the canal.

“China’s decision to detain or otherwise impede Panama-flagged vessels engaged in lawful trade destabilizes supply chains, raises costs, and erodes confidence in the global trading system,” Rubio said on social media. “The United States stands with Panama against any retaliatory actions against its sovereignty and will always support our partners in the face of bullying.”

Data from Tokyo MOU, an Asia-Pacific port control organization with 22 member nations, reveals that in March, 92 of 124 ships detained in Chinese ports for inspection carried Panama flags – representing nearly 75% of all detentions. These vessels were typically held for periods ranging from one to ten days before release.

This represents a significant increase from earlier months, when Panama-flagged ships comprised just over 40% of detentions in February (19 of 45 ships) and approximately 30% in January (23 of 71 ships).

Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu dismissed the allegations, stating that America’s “repeated wrongful allegations only reveal its attempt to take control of the canal.” His statement did not acknowledge the increased detention rates of Panama-flagged vessels.

These developments follow Panama’s supreme court decision in January declaring the concession agreement held by a CK Hutchison Holdings subsidiary for the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals as unconstitutional.

Washington has pressured Panama and other regional nations to limit China’s influence throughout the Western Hemisphere, an area Trump has identified as a priority focus. The current administration has taken more assertive action in Latin America than previous U.S. governments have in recent decades, including the dramatic military operation that resulted in Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s capture in January.

The Federal Maritime Commission in Washington continues monitoring Panama-flagged ships experiencing delays or detentions in Chinese ports.

“Secretary Rubio’s statement highlights the disruptive effects of the government of China’s actions against Panama-flagged vessels,” said Laura DiBella, chair of the commission. She said the commission “is not aware of any other country in recent history conducting vessel safety inspections and detentions in a punitive manner.”

Panama’s leadership announced that APM Terminals, part of Denmark’s A.P. Moller-Maersk group, would temporarily manage the terminals during the contract transition period. DiBella noted that China’s Ministry of Transport had requested high-level meetings with Maersk officials in Beijing.

Panamanian officials have attempted to downplay the broader geopolitical implications surrounding the ship detentions. Government representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding Rubio’s statements, though they have previously denied any connection between the detentions and China-Panama canal disagreements.

In March, Panama’s foreign minister, Javier Martínez, acknowledged the detention increase but characterized them as “part of routine maritime industry practices, because detentions also occur in other ports and to other flags.”

“We want to maintain a respectful relationship with China,” he added.

Following the January supreme court ruling, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China would “take all measures necessary to firmly protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

José Digeronimo, former president of the Panama Maritime Chamber, warned that actions targeting these ships could have a “huge impact” on Panama, which ranks among the world’s leading ship registry nations. These registrations generate approximately $100 million annually for the government.

Digeronimo likened ship registries to passport selection for vessel owners, who choose registration locations that “allow you to travel to the greatest number of countries without restrictions.” He warned that harassment from Chinese authorities could jeopardize this system.

“If the world’s main exporter starts imposing restrictions for using the Panamanian flag, the last thing you’ll want is to have the Panamanian one,” Digeronimo said.

A Russian sailor who spent approximately eight months in detention after surviving an attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on his vessel has returned to his homeland following medical care in Sanaa, according to Yemen’s foreign ministry on Thursday.

Russian media reports identify the sailor as Aleksei Galaktionov, who served as crew aboard a Greek-operated cargo vessel that Houthi forces destroyed in July 2025. The mariner sustained injuries during the assault.

“The Russian citizen was transported on a United Nations aircraft, in coordination with the U.N. envoy,” the foreign ministry stated through the Houthi-controlled news agency, noting that his release occurred after completing his medical treatment.

Officials indicated the arrangement came about through discussions with Russian authorities and Iranian representatives.

The remaining ship crew members gained their freedom in December, according to sources from the vessel’s operating company and maritime security officials who spoke with Reuters.

The Iranian-backed Houthis destroyed the Liberian-registered Eternity C, which carried 22 crew members and three security personnel, using maritime drones and rocket-propelled grenades during attacks spanning two days.

Houthi forces have targeted over 100 vessels in what they described as support operations for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. The group ceased their maritime attacks following a ceasefire announcement last October.

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian military forces conducted continuous drone attacks against Kharkiv throughout Thursday, striking Ukraine’s second-largest city and wounding at least two civilians.

Throughout the day and into the evening hours, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov provided updates via Telegram, documenting attacks across four separate districts within the city. A city official confirmed that drone strikes hit at least 20 locations.

According to the mayor, several of the drone impacts sparked fires throughout the city, and an evening assault wounded two individuals, including an 8-year-old girl.

In southern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia faced a separate Russian assault that struck a multi-story residential building and a local business, regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Officials said no casualties occurred in that attack.

Across the border in Russia’s Belgorod Region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that drone strikes injured 13 people in multiple locations, with 11 of those casualties occurring in Shebekino village, located near the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed Thursday that his nation could share its naval defense knowledge with countries working to maintain open shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz during Middle East tensions.

During his evening video message, Zelenskyy revealed that Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated in an online conference focused on ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible, with representatives from approximately 40 nations attending.

“Ukraine has relevant expertise concerning sea waterways, concerning the defence and reopening of maritime traffic,” he said.

“If (our) partners are ready to act we will consider how we can strengthen them, how we can apply our expertise, knowledge and technological potential.”

The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate on specific assistance plans.

Throughout four years of conflict, Ukrainian military forces have created innovative maritime technologies, including unmanned naval vessels, allowing them to achieve significant victories against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea while preventing Moscow from gaining control of those waters.

Last week, Zelenskyy began visiting Middle Eastern nations as part of an initiative to share defense technologies Ukraine has created while defending against drone attacks, many of which originated from Iranian designs.

The president announced he expects to receive an update Friday from Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s chief negotiator in peace settlement discussions.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine has established partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan, while maintaining communications with Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Government officials are also discussing potential agreements with Turkey and additional nations.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A United Nations document reveals that investigators have confirmed four separate incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse involving personnel from a UN-supported security mission operating in Haiti during the previous year.

The UN report, which carries a February 16 date, was initially made public by the Ayibo Post news outlet on Friday.

According to the document, “All the allegations were found to be substantiated by investigations conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.” However, the report does not specify what actions were taken against those responsible or provide additional details about the outcomes of these investigations.

Cuban demonstrators mounted bicycles and electric tricycles Thursday for a government-organized protest along Havana’s famous waterfront boulevard, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel joining the cycling caravan in opposition to American economic sanctions.

The procession traveled past the United States Embassy in Cuba’s capital city, with riders displaying flags and protest signs condemning the economic restrictions put in place during the Trump presidency that continue to impact the island nation’s fuel supplies.

The demonstration occurred one day following Cuba’s senior diplomat in Washington extending a public invitation for American assistance in rebuilding Cuba’s struggling economy through ongoing diplomatic discussions that have not yet produced concrete outcomes.

Rally participants expressed openness to diplomatic engagement with the United States while insisting on mutual respect between the nations.

“I believe that genuine dialogue between both governments is possible, but international law and our country’s autonomy must be respected,” said Sheila Ibatao, a Havana law student and participant.

President Diaz-Canel participated silently without delivering remarks during the demonstration.

While Cuban officials frequently stage major demonstrations outside the American Embassy, Thursday’s event was notably smaller and more subdued, reflecting the mobility challenges created by ongoing fuel shortages that have severely impacted public transit systems.

Some relief may be coming as a Russian oil tanker arrived in Cuba this week, delivering 700,000 barrels of crude oil that could ease shortages in the near term.

The Trump administration, which has imposed tariff threats on nations exporting oil to Cuba and banned Russian oil imports, stated it permitted the Russian vessel to dock at Cuba’s Matanzas port for humanitarian purposes.

Military authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced that 43 civilians lost their lives during a Wednesday evening assault by militants with ties to the Islamic State in the nation’s eastern region.

The deadly incident occurred around 7 p.m. local time in Bafwakoa village, situated in Mambasa territory within Ituri province, close to the town of Niania, according to officials who spoke with Reuters.

Congo’s armed forces attributed the violence to the Allied Democratic Forces, a Ugandan militant organization operating in eastern Congo that has been recognized as an Islamic State affiliate.

The military statement indicated that 44 residential structures were destroyed by fire during the attack.

Christian Alimasi, a local customary official in Mambasa territory, described the brutal nature of the assault, stating that some casualties resulted from machete attacks while others perished when trapped in their burning homes. He also confirmed that two individuals were taken captive by the attackers.

Despite combined military efforts between Congolese and Ugandan forces that began in 2021 to combat the group, ADF assaults against civilian populations have grown more frequent in recent months across portions of Ituri and the adjacent North Kivu province.

Research data from Insecurity Insight, an organization that examines verified violent incidents targeting civilians, indicates that the ADF was responsible for approximately 25% of documented civilian violence in eastern Congo from 2020 through 2025.

Iranian intelligence officers arrested prominent human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh at her Tehran residence during an overnight operation, her daughter confirmed Thursday.

The 64-year-old award-winning lawyer has built her reputation defending political activists, opposition figures, and women charged for refusing to wear mandatory headscarves. Sotoudeh has faced multiple imprisonments and was recently released on bail due to medical concerns.

Her spouse, Reza Khandan, who is also a recognized activist, remains incarcerated at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison facility.

Speaking to The Associated Press from Amsterdam, daughter Mehraveh Khandan explained she learned of her mother’s detention through intermediary messages from relatives in Iran. Communication restrictions and internet limitations implemented since January have made outside contact nearly impossible.

The arrest occurs as Iranian officials have escalated their suppression of opposition voices and political dissidents while conflict with the U.S. and Israel continues. Since hostilities began February 28, authorities have reportedly detained hundreds of individuals, frequently for speaking with international media outlets. Officials have also increased executions of imprisoned demonstrators who received death sentences. Human rights organizations say this intensified repression aims to create fear and prevent future uprisings.

Just prior to her detention, Sotoudeh participated in an interview published Monday by an overseas Persian news organization, discussing the ongoing conflict and stating that the Islamic Republic’s actions “have exposed us to death.” She also criticized government suppression of January protests—the most significant demonstrations against the Islamic Republic in recent decades—which authorities met with severe force.

Khandan expressed concern for her mother, who suffers from heart problems, citing potential U.S.-Israeli strikes on detention centers and noting that “our regime became even more brutal after this war started.”

Sotoudeh’s detention follows reports that Iran’s imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi may have experienced a heart attack.

Mohammadi’s French attorney Chirinne Ardakani informed AP Thursday that her legal team discovered Mohammadi’s condition during a brief prison visit last week.

“She appeared extremely emaciated, pale, weak, and had difficulty moving. In fact, she was even accompanied to the waiting room by a nurse. We learned from Narges Mohammadi that she had a heart attack on March 24th, that she was found unconscious in her cell, and that it was actually her fellow inmates who took her to the infirmary,” Ardakani said.

Beyond health worries, airstrikes occurred near Zanjan Prison in northwestern Iran where Mohammadi is detained, creating additional safety concerns, the attorney noted.

The 53-year-old rights lawyer, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while imprisoned, was arrested in December during a trip to the eastern Iranian city of Mashhad and received an additional seven-year prison sentence. Mohammadi’s health continues deteriorating.

During a brief Thursday phone call, Sotoudeh informed her family that Intelligence Ministry agents detained her—the same agency responsible for her previous arrests, Khandan reported.

Sotoudeh instructed her family to contact prosecutors regarding her detention. Officials have not disclosed the reason for her arrest. Intelligence agents also seized all communication equipment from the residence, including her father’s devices, Khandan added.

The European Union awarded Sotoudeh the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2012. Her former clients include Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi and numerous activists arrested during the government’s repeated suppression of demonstrations.

Khandan worried that news of the dissent crackdown might be overshadowed by ongoing warfare.

“It is hard for our voice to be heard in this time,” Khandan said. “The regime had (some) limits before. They don’t have (them) anymore.”

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus lawmakers have given final approval to legislation establishing penalties for individuals who advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mirroring restrictive policies implemented by neighboring Russia.

The nation’s upper legislative chamber completed approval of the measure Thursday after the lower house endorsed it last month. The legislation now awaits the anticipated signature of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko before taking effect.

Under the new law, promoting what officials term “propaganda of homosexual relations, gender charge, refusal to have children and pedophilia” will result in financial penalties, community service requirements, and potential 15-day detention.

While Belarus removed criminal penalties for homosexuality in 1994 following the Soviet Union’s dissolution, the country does not permit same-sex marriage and provides no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Lukashenko, who has maintained authoritarian control over the 9.5 million-person nation for more than thirty years, has openly ridiculed homosexuality.

Western nations have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Belarus for both human rights violations and permitting Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine from Belarusian territory during the 2022 invasion.

Authorities have already closed LGBTQ+ organizations in Belarus, with security personnel conducting frequent raids on nightclubs hosting private gatherings for gay individuals. Human rights advocates report that the country’s primary security service, which retains its Soviet-era designation KGB, has used intimidation tactics against LGBTQ+ community members to force their cooperation.

“LGBTQ+ people had faced beatings, arrests, persecution and mockery even before the bill’s approval, but now law enforcement agencies have received legal grounds for repressions,” said Alisa Sarmant, the head of TG House, a Belarusian group championing transgender rights.

TG House has recorded what it describes as a minimum of 12 incidents targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarus during the previous three months, including law enforcement action at a Minsk nightclub last month during a private gay gathering.

According to Sarmant, the new legislation has created anxiety among transgender individuals who worry they may lose access to essential medications. TG House reports receiving hundreds of requests from LGBTQ+ people seeking mental health support and assistance with relocation to other countries.

“The Belarusian authorities have lumped together gays, lesbians, transgender people, and pedophiles, creating additional grounds for social rejection and stigmatization,” Sarmant said. “Belarus is copying Russia’s sad experience, creating unbearable conditions for LGBT+ people.”

Russia has similarly implemented restrictive legislation limiting LGBTQ+ rights. Russian law prohibits gender changes on government documents, gender-affirming medical treatment, and any public display of gay or transgender identity. Officials have classified the LGBTQ+ movement as extremist, with participants facing potential six-year prison sentences.

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced Thursday that it has officially ended a devastating mpox outbreak that persisted for two years and resulted in more than 2,200 suspected fatalities across the nation.

Health Minister Roger Kamba informed reporters that officials had determined the outbreak had concluded and no longer constituted a national emergency situation.

The central African nation served as the epicenter of the infectious viral disease outbreak that expanded into surrounding countries throughout 2024, leading the World Health Organization to issue a global health emergency declaration when the disease crossed international boundaries. The WHO lifted its global emergency status in September.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Congo recorded over 161,000 suspected mpox cases throughout the outbreak spanning 2024 into this year, with approximately 37,000 cases verified through laboratory testing.

The Africa CDC reported 2,286 suspected fatalities, though only 127 deaths received laboratory confirmation.

Scientists first discovered mpox, previously called monkeypox, in 1958 during outbreaks of a “pox-like” illness among monkeys. Until recent years, human infections primarily occurred among individuals in central and western Africa who had direct contact with infected wildlife.

In 2022, researchers confirmed the virus could transmit through sexual contact for the first time, sparking outbreaks across more than 70 nations that had never previously documented mpox cases.

According to WHO data, mpox typically presents with rash and fever symptoms, though it may occasionally lead to severe complications. The majority of patients make complete recoveries.

KAMPALA, Uganda — A dozen individuals expelled from the United States touched down in Uganda Thursday, marking the initial group to arrive under a newly established bilateral agreement between the two countries, according to the Uganda Law Society.

Legal representatives condemned the deportation process, stating the individuals were “effectively dumped in Uganda through an undignified, harrowing and dehumanizing process.” The group arrived via private charter aircraft, the law society noted in their statement.

These expulsions are occurring as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts, aimed at discouraging illegal border crossings and removing individuals already in the country unlawfully, particularly those with criminal backgrounds and others difficult to return to their native countries.

Both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security have justified third-country deportations as an efficient method for rapidly removing individuals residing illegally in America. These deportation practices have sparked numerous legal challenges both domestically and in receiving nations.

The practice draws criticism partly because individuals may be transferred to nations with which they share no cultural connections. Last August, officials briefly contemplated sending Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a prominent figure in an ongoing immigration case, to Uganda.

America has established agreements with no fewer than seven African countries to accept certain migrants. These partnerships span from Ghana in West Africa to Eswatini in southern Africa, with the latter receiving $5.1 million from Washington to accept up to 160 deportees, based on State Department documentation.

Whether Uganda received similar compensation remains unclear.

The law society accused officials of placing deportees at the discretion of “unnamed, private interests on either side of the Atlantic,” while announcing plans to pursue legal action against what they termed “international illegality.”

Neither the identities nor countries of origin of the deportees were disclosed.

Okello Oryem, Uganda’s state minister overseeing foreign affairs, stated he was traveling and unaware of the arrivals.

A representative from the American Embassy in Kampala did not respond to inquiries regarding the deportees’ welfare.

Last month, Oryem informed The Associated Press that Uganda anticipated “planeloads” of deportees from America. He explained the agreement stemmed from pan-African solidarity and humanitarian concerns for Africans unwanted abroad.

Ugandan officials previously indicated their arrangement with Washington involves accepting African-origin deportees without criminal histories.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Three judges have determined that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court may return to his position after finding that a United Nations probe into sexual misconduct allegations was inconclusive, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The ultimate decision regarding British attorney Karim Khan’s future now rests with the Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the court. On Wednesday, this governing body voted to continue their investigation while dealing with an unprecedented situation that has created turmoil among court personnel and external political pressure.

Khan voluntarily stepped aside in May 2025 while awaiting results from a U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Service probe into sexual misconduct claims, which he has consistently rejected.

The United Nations inquiry concluded there was evidence that Khan engaged in “nonconsensual sexual contact with (the aide) in his office, at his private residence, and whilst on mission,” according to their report.

Through his legal team on Wednesday, Khan told AP that he “firmly maintains that he did not engage in any inappropriate conduct toward the complainant, whether sexual or otherwise.”

His attorneys further stated that Khan “categorially denies both any nonconsensual sexual conduct and the existence of any consensual sexual relationship.”

The ICC has refused to provide comment on the matter.

The judicial panel, chosen by the assembly to conduct a legal review of the UN probe, determined last month that the investigation lacked sufficient conclusive evidence. However, the judges indicated they were obligated to reach a decision, concluding that the findings “do not establish misconduct or breach of duty under the relevant legal framework,” according to their 85-page evaluation.

“The resolution of a number of disputes, which remains outstanding, would be necessary before a proper characterisation of the facts can be made,” the judges stated after examining over 5,000 pages of documentation.

The judicial panel criticized the UN investigators for failing to “indicate which witnesses’ testimony they found credible” and noted they “did not resolve narrative inconsistencies.”

The United Nations team was responsible for conducting the investigation but not for determining whether Khan’s actions constituted misconduct. The three-judge panel was required to apply the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt,” and their recommendation is non-binding on the assembly.

This situation marks uncharted territory for the ICC, forcing the Assembly of States Parties to continuously develop new procedures to handle the circumstances.

Khan’s legal representatives emphasized Thursday that the judicial panel unanimously concluded the UN investigation failed to establish any wrongdoing or violation of duties. They also highlighted that the UN probe did not reach a final misconduct determination and that their findings needed legal interpretation.

In October 2024, an Associated Press investigation disclosed that Khan was confronting internal sexual misconduct accusations.

Whistleblower documentation reviewed by AP alleged that Khan spotted the woman working in a different ICC division and transferred her to his office. She subsequently became a frequent companion on official travel, the records indicated.

During one overseas trip, Khan allegedly requested she lie down with him on a hotel bed before “sexually touching her,” according to the documents. Later that evening, he reportedly came to her room at 3 a.m. and knocked persistently for 10 minutes.

Additional alleged inappropriate behavior described in the documents included securing his office door and placing his hand in her pocket. He also reportedly made multiple requests for her to join him on vacation.

Two colleagues reported the alleged misconduct to the court’s oversight body in May 2024. The inquiry was terminated after five days when the woman decided against filing an official complaint due to concerns about potential retaliation, AP previously reported.

The situation has significantly impacted the woman at the center of the allegations. The UN investigation noted that she was placed under suicide watch at one point.

“I have been left with little dignity and no privacy,” she stated in an interview. The Associated Press typically does not identify individuals who report sexual misconduct.

A group of employees from the prosecutor’s office sent a letter Wednesday to the Assembly of States Parties, voicing serious concerns about Khan’s possible return.

The document, reviewed by AP, stated the group believed the UN investigation was “incompatible with continued confidence in the prosecutor’s leadership.”

One senior employee indicated “people are deeply afraid” of potential retaliation, while three other prosecutor’s office staff members shared similar sentiments. All requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to speak with media.

The UN investigators’ report stated that before taking leave, Khan was accused of engaging in “retaliatory in nature” behavior toward two staff members who supported the alleged victim.

The original investigation occurred shortly before Khan requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding actions in Gaza. In November 2024, a three-judge panel approved those charges.

Subsequently, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on 11 ICC personnel, including Khan, for pursuing these investigations. Court officials and prosecutors had their banking privileges revoked and U.S. visas canceled.

These sanctions have severely affected the court’s operations and employee morale.

False claims about the death of Jonathan, a 193-year-old tortoise recognized as the planet’s oldest living land creature, spread across social media this week in what officials are calling an elaborate hoax.

The ancient Seychelles giant tortoise continues to move about — though at his characteristic leisurely pace — on St. Helena island, where he has lived for more than a century.

“It was a hoax,” stated Anne Dillon, the island’s communications director, when speaking with The Associated Press on Thursday. “I can just assure you that he is very much alive.”

False information about Jonathan’s passing began circulating widely on Wednesday across various social platforms.

A fake social media profile, pretending to represent Joe Hollins, a veterinarian who has previously cared for the ancient reptile on the remote Atlantic island located between Africa and Brazil, posted emotional news of the supposed death. The fraudulent message described Jonathan as a “gentle giant” that had “outlived empires, wars, and generations of humans.”

The deceptive post garnered close to 2 million views by Thursday, with most responses expressing grief and sympathy.

However, Hollins clarified on Facebook that he maintains no presence on X and warned of criminal intent behind the false announcement.

“There is a hoax — not even an April Fool — going around,” Hollins explained in his post. “The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con.”

According to Guinness World Records, Jonathan holds the distinction of being both the oldest living land creature and the oldest tortoise in recorded history. Experts estimate he was approximately 50 years old when he arrived at St. Helena in 1882.

Government officials from St. Helena provided a photograph captured Thursday showing Jonathan wandering around the governor’s official residence grounds. The island gained historical significance as Napoleon Bonaparte’s final place of exile after his military defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The former French emperor passed away there in 1821, roughly a decade before Jonathan is thought to have begun his remarkably extended existence.

Russian officials announced Thursday their intention to dispatch another oil tanker to Cuba, as the Caribbean island struggles with a deepening energy crisis that has left millions without reliable power.

Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov made the declaration during an energy conference in Kazan, Russia, just two days following the arrival of the sanctioned vessel Anatoly Kolodkin at Cuba’s Matanzas port. That delivery brought 730,000 barrels of crude oil to the island, representing the first such shipment in three months and providing enough fuel to meet Cuba’s diesel needs for approximately nine to ten days, according to energy analysts.

Speaking at the forum, Tsivilyov characterized Cuba’s situation as dire. “Cuba is in a total blockade, it’s been cut off. Whose shipment of oil made it? A Russian vessel broke through the blockade. A second one is being loaded right now, we will not leave Cubans alone in trouble,” the minister stated.

The oil deliveries occur against a backdrop of escalating tensions, as President Donald Trump issued threats in late January regarding potential tariffs against nations providing petroleum products to Cuba. However, Trump recently indicated a more dismissive stance toward the Russian shipments, suggesting they would have minimal impact on Cuba’s government stability.

“Cuba’s finished,” Trump remarked to reporters during his return flight to Washington on Sunday. “They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it’s not going to matter.”

The island nation’s energy infrastructure has been severely strained, as Cuba can only meet approximately 40% of its fuel requirements through domestic production, making it heavily dependent on foreign oil imports to maintain its deteriorating electrical grid.

Venezuela, previously a key supplier of petroleum to Cuba, ceased its shipments following U.S. actions against the South American nation and the arrest of its leadership. Mexico similarly discontinued its oil exports to Cuba after receiving tariff warnings from the Trump administration.

These supply disruptions have intensified Cuba’s economic and energy difficulties, resulting in widespread power outages, reductions in government food distribution programs, and critical shortages of clean water and medical supplies that disproportionately affect the island’s most vulnerable populations.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have traveled to Cuba this week to conduct an independent examination of a deadly February incident involving an American-flagged speedboat that resulted in five fatalities.

The shooting took place on February 25 when Cuban Border Patrol forces engaged with occupants of the vessel, which Cuban authorities claim was attempting to infiltrate the island. Ten individuals were aboard the speedboat during the confrontation, with five others sustaining injuries in the gunfire exchange. Cuban officials have characterized the incident as a terrorist operation conducted by Cuban expatriates residing in the United States.

A U.S. diplomatic source familiar with the investigation confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the FBI technical team arrived Tuesday to begin their comprehensive review. The official, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization for public comment, declined to specify the number of agents involved or the expected duration of their stay in Cuba.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel had previously indicated in March his expectation that FBI personnel would visit the island to assist with the investigation.

According to Cuban military officials, their forces detected the speedboat carrying ten men and military gear in waters north of Cuba. They maintain that those aboard the vessel initiated the gunfire, prompting soldiers to respond defensively. Four individuals died immediately in the exchange, while a fifth succumbed to wounds later. Six others were injured, including one crew member from the Cuban military vessel.

The surviving individuals now face terrorism charges that could result in life imprisonment.

This incident occurred during a period of elevated tensions between the two nations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that the group was not conducting a U.S. government operation and indicated that American officials would work to confirm the details provided by Cuban authorities.

Following the shooting, senior officials from Cuba’s Interior Ministry and Revolutionary Armed Forces publicly presented military equipment confiscated from the speedboat and acknowledged communication with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the incident.

The confiscated materials included high-powered rifles, handguns, military uniforms, boots, protective helmets, specialized food rations, an electric generator, satellite communication equipment, and more than 12,000 rounds of ammunition.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tehran launched additional missile strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf nations Thursday, showcasing Iran’s persistent capability to attack regional targets despite President Donald Trump’s assertions that the Iranian threat has been virtually eliminated.

Tehran’s assaults on Gulf nations combined with its control over the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted global energy markets, creating impacts that extend well beyond Middle Eastern borders. This disruption has become Iran’s most significant strategic weapon in the ongoing conflict. Britain organized a conference call with approximately three dozen nations Thursday to discuss strategies for reopening the vital shipping lane after hostilities conclude.

Trump has maintained that the waterway could be seized through military force — though he stated America should not bear that responsibility alone. During Wednesday evening’s national address, he urged nations dependent on Hormuz oil shipments to “build some delayed courage” and proceed to “take it.”

Prior to the February 28 launch of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, the strategic waterway remained accessible to commercial traffic, with one-fifth of globally traded oil passing through its waters.

Tehran responded with defiance to Trump’s Wednesday speech, during which the American leader declared U.S. military operations had been so effective that “one of the most powerful countries” is “really no longer a threat.”

Iranian military spokesperson Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated Thursday that Tehran retains concealed weapons stockpiles, ammunition reserves, and manufacturing capabilities. He characterized facilities hit by U.S. attacks as “insignificant.”

Moments before Trump’s address — during which he declared U.S. “core strategic objectives are nearing completion” — explosions echoed through Dubai as defensive systems engaged an Iranian missile assault.

Within thirty minutes of the president’s speech conclusion, Israeli forces reported intercepting incoming projectiles. Warning sirens activated in Bahrain, headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, immediately following Trump’s remarks.

Thursday saw continued strikes throughout Iran, with explosions reported across multiple urban centers.

In Lebanon — where Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters are battling Israeli ground forces — an Israeli attack claimed four lives in the southern region, according to the Health Ministry.

Combat casualties have reached over 1,900 deaths in Iran compared to 19 reported fatalities in Israel. More than two dozen people have perished in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, while 13 American military personnel have been killed.

Lebanese casualties exceed 1,200 deaths with over one million people displaced. Ten Israeli soldiers have also died in Lebanese operations.

Iranian strikes on roughly two dozen merchant vessels, plus threats of additional attacks, have virtually halted all commercial navigation through the waterway linking the Persian Gulf to international waters.

Since March 1, strait traffic has plummeted 94% compared to the previous year’s corresponding period, according to Lloyds List Intelligence maritime data. The firm confirmed two vessels paid transit fees, while others received passage based on agreements between Iran and their flag nations.

Saudi Arabia redirected approximately one billion barrels of oil away from the Strait of Hormuz during March, maritime analytics firm Kpler reported, while Iraq announced Thursday it had begun trucking petroleum through Syria to bypass the strait.

The 35 nations participating in Thursday’s discussions, including all G7 industrialized democracies except America, plus the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, endorsed a declaration last month demanding Iran cease blocking the waterway.

Thursday’s negotiations centered on political and diplomatic solutions, though British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper indicated military planners from multiple countries would also develop security measures for post-conflict operations, including potential mine removal and commercial shipping “reassurance” efforts.

No nation appears prepared to forcibly reopen the strait during active hostilities. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during a South Korean visit, described military action to secure the waterway as “unrealistic.”

However, concerns persist that Iran might continue restricting waterway access even after U.S. and Israeli attacks conclude.

The international coalition concept mirrors the “coalition of the willing” led by Britain and France to support Ukrainian security during potential ceasefire negotiations. This effort partly demonstrates to Washington that European nations are assuming greater responsibility for regional security amid Trump’s frequent criticism.

The conflict continues driving oil and natural gas prices upward, destabilizing financial markets, increasing gasoline costs, and threatening to make various commodities, including food products, more expensive.

Thursday trading saw Brent crude, the global benchmark, rise again to approximately $109 per barrel, representing a 50% increase from February 28 when Israeli and American operations began.

While oil and gas typically transiting the strait primarily serves Asian markets, only Japan and South Korea from that region participated in Thursday’s strait discussions. Jet fuel supply disruptions have also affected global aviation travel.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Authorities in Uganda report that four young children lost their lives Thursday when an armed assailant launched a deadly assault at a nursery school in the nation’s capital.

According to the Daily Monitor newspaper, the perpetrator infiltrated the Gaba Early Childhood Development Program by posing as a parent seeking entry. After initially speaking with school administration staff, the man went outside and secured the facility’s entrance before launching his attack on the students.

Law enforcement officials confirmed in their statement that the suspect “brutally stabbed and killed four juveniles” during the rampage.

Television coverage from local station NTV captured heartbreaking scenes of distraught parents at the scene. Authorities were forced to discharge warning shots to control an enraged mob that had assembled outside the educational facility, with some attempting to take vigilante justice against the alleged perpetrator.

Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke confirmed to The Associated Press that officers have the suspect in custody. Rusoke stated that investigators have not yet determined what drove the individual to carry out the attack. He noted that such violent incidents targeting children are uncommon in Kampala, which houses approximately 3 million residents.

ASSEN, Netherlands — Dutch law enforcement officials have successfully retrieved an invaluable 2,500-year-old golden helmet from Romania that was taken from a Netherlands museum earlier this year, authorities revealed Thursday.

During a press briefing in the eastern Dutch city of Assen, prosecutors displayed the recovered Cotofenesti helmet, a treasured artifact from Romania’s ancient Dacia civilization, while surrounded by heavily armed officers wearing masks.

“We are incredibly pleased,” Corien Fahner of the prosecution service told reporters. “It has been a roller-coaster. Especially for Romania, but also for employees of the Drents Museum.”

The ancient artifact was being exhibited at the small museum in January 2025 during the final weekend of a six-month display when criminals broke into the facility and stole it along with three golden armbands.

Concerns arose that the helmet might have been destroyed for its gold content since its distinctive appearance and notoriety would have made selling it nearly impossible.

Authorities also retrieved two of the three stolen armbands as part of negotiations with three suspects who were apprehended shortly after the crime. These individuals will face trial beginning in April.

Fahner indicated that efforts to locate the final missing armband will continue.

The helmet sustained some damage during its time away from the museum.

“The helmet is slightly dented, but there will be no permanent damage,” Drents Museum director Robert van Langh said during the news conference. “The armbands are in perfect condition.”

The criminals employed a makeshift explosive device and sledgehammer to force entry into the museum. Surveillance footage released by police following the incident showed three individuals prying open a museum entrance with a large crowbar before an explosion occurred.

The crime created diplomatic tensions between the Netherlands and Romania.

Romanian Justice Minister Radu Marinescu last year called the incident a “crime against our state” and said recovering the artifacts “is an absolute priority.”

DENPASAR, Indonesia — For the second straight day, Indonesian officials have postponed sending alleged Scottish crime leader Steven Lyons back to Spain, as law enforcement continues investigating his suspected criminal associates who may still be in Bali.

The 45-year-old Lyons, whom authorities describe as a high-ranking member of an international criminal organization, was supposed to depart for Spain Thursday evening through Doha after his transfer was already pushed back once without any public explanation.

Officials brought Lyons back from the airport to Bali police headquarters, according to Husnan Handano, who speaks for the island’s immigration department. Handano would not elaborate on the decision, calling the matter too “sensitive” to discuss. Media outlets in the region suggested the most recent postponement stems from an active police probe.

Immigration authorities apprehended Lyons on Saturday when he landed from Singapore, after Indonesia’s border control system flagged him following an Interpol Red Notice that Spain had requested. These international alerts ask law enforcement worldwide to arrest suspects for potential extradition.

Bugie Kurniawan, who leads Bali’s immigration office, revealed that Lyons arrived with two traveling partners who authorities believe remain on the island, even though Lyons claimed he was traveling solo. Kurniawan explained that Spanish Interpol officials have identified these individuals as part of the same criminal organization, though no arrest warrants or Red Notices exist for them.

Both immigration and police officials previously indicated this marked Lyons’ second visit to Bali, leading investigators to suspect he was evaluating Indonesia’s illegal drug trade opportunities. Bali Police spokesperson Ary Sandi would not discuss details of the ongoing investigation.

Law enforcement alleges Lyons heads the Lyons criminal family, operating from Scotland while being pursued by both Spanish and British authorities. Spanish officials have sought his arrest for approximately two years following a homicide that occurred there in 2024.

Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya confirmed that Lyons’ capture resulted from collaborative investigative work between Indonesian, Spanish and Scottish law enforcement agencies.

Investigators claim Lyons controlled an international criminal enterprise based in Scotland that managed drug smuggling operations between Spain and the United Kingdom. Officials also believe his organization cleaned illegal proceeds through fake businesses throughout Europe and the Middle East, including operations in Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey.

Before Lyons’ Bali arrest, Scottish and Spanish police conducted simultaneous raids connected to their investigation, leading to several additional arrests. More suspects were also taken into custody in Turkey, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

Scottish news outlets have documented that Lyons escaped a Glasgow shooting in 2006 that claimed his cousin’s life, subsequently relocating to Spain before ultimately establishing residence in Dubai. In the previous year, his brother and another associate were fatally shot in what officials characterized as a suspected organized crime attack at a coastal bar in Fuengirola, in southern Spain.

WARSAW – Polish authorities have launched a formal investigation following a bombing incident that left one of their UN peacekeeping soldiers injured in Lebanon last month, according to Warsaw’s District Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday.

An unknown assailant detonated an improvised explosive device along the path of a Polish military convoy on March 29 in the town of Bint Jubayl, prosecutors revealed in their official statement. The armored Humvee’s protective features prevented the attack from causing more severe damage, officials noted.

The targeted soldier sustained facial and head wounds from the explosion, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, has maintained operations in the region since its initial deployment in 1978, continuing its mission throughout multiple conflicts. During the 2024 war, UNIFIL positions faced repeated attacks.

WARSAW – Polish prosecutors announced Thursday they will soon bring three men to trial on sabotage charges connected to a series of fires in Poland and neighboring Baltic countries that authorities believe were orchestrated by Russia.

The charges stem from what Polish officials describe as a Russian “hybrid war” campaign designed to undermine nations supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This alleged campaign has included both arson incidents and cyber warfare targeting Poland and its allies.

Russian officials have consistently rejected any claims of involvement in these activities.

Prosecutors revealed the upcoming trial will focus on three defendants linked to multiple fire incidents, though they did not specify when proceedings will commence.

The accused include a Belarusian man, identified under Polish privacy regulations only as Stepan K, who faces charges for igniting a fire at an OBI retail location in Warsaw during April 2024.

Two Ukrainian nationals, Daniil B and Oleksandr H, are charged with starting a blaze at an IKEA facility in Vilnius. Additionally, Daniil B faces accusations of plotting to burn down an IKEA store in Riga and filming the destruction of Marywilska 44, one of Warsaw’s largest shopping complexes.

National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Przemyslaw Nowak acknowledged significant gaps remain in the investigation.

“The direct perpetrator of the arson attack on the hall at 44 Marywilska Street has not yet been identified as well as the direct ordering party for this arson,” Nowak stated.

“The investigation into this criminal group of arsonists is still ongoing and this does not mean the end of this case,” he continued.

Each of the three primary defendants could receive life imprisonment if convicted.

Nowak also noted that two additional individuals connected to the same organization have been charged with lesser offenses.

This case follows previous convictions, as a Polish court sentenced three other Ukrainians last year for their participation in the same series of fires across Poland and the Baltic region.