Category: World News

BRUSSELS — The European Parliament approved legislation Thursday that streamlines the process for establishing migrant detention facilities beyond EU borders, commonly referred to as “return hubs.”

The controversial measure passed by a margin of 389 to 206, with 32 lawmakers abstaining from the vote. The legislation succeeded through an unprecedented coalition between right-wing parties and far-right groups that had been previously excluded from such alliances, while left-leaning and centrist parties opposed the initiative.

Under the new rules, individual EU countries or small groups of nations can independently negotiate agreements to send migrants to these proposed overseas facilities rather than returning them to their countries of origin. These detention centers have yet to be constructed outside the 27-member European Union.

Several European nations have already begun discussions with foreign governments, particularly in Africa, to host these migrant holding facilities. Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark are among the countries pursuing such arrangements.

European far-right political movements have expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump’s deportation strategies and have advocated for the EU to implement comparable policies.

In January, both Belgium’s far-right Vlaams Belang party and Germany’s far-right AfD party announced their intention to establish a police unit dedicated to locating and deporting migrants, modeled after similar American operations.

Human rights organizations have criticized these developments, arguing that migrants face brutal treatment and illegal pushbacks at EU borders, while legal safeguards continue to be weakened.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Thursday marked a historic day in Nepal as 275 newly elected parliamentary representatives took their oaths of office, with almost two-thirds representing a political movement that didn’t exist four years ago.

These House of Representatives members, who comprise the influential lower legislative chamber, will serve five-year terms in their newly secured positions.

The historic election — Nepal’s first following last year’s youth-driven uprising — resulted in victory for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), headed by Balendra Shah, a former rapper who transitioned into politics.

Party members are anticipated to select Shah as their leader later Thursday before officially notifying President Ram Chandra Poudel. Following this notification, the president will formally name Shah as Nepal’s prime minister.

Shah’s swearing-in ceremony is planned for Friday.

The RSP secured 125 direct election victories and an additional 57 seats via proportional representation, totaling 182 positions in the 275-seat House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress party finished as runner-up with 38 seats.

Nepal’s electoral system allows voters to directly choose 165 House representatives, while the remaining 110 positions are distributed through proportional representation, where parties receive seats corresponding to their vote percentages.

Shah, serving as the RSP’s prime ministerial nominee, captured Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022. He became a prominent leader during the 2025 uprising that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli from power.

The RSP, established in 2022, garnered overwhelming electoral support, presenting a formidable challenge to Nepal’s two traditionally dominant political forces — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Last year’s demonstrations against government corruption and ineffective leadership began with opposition to social media restrictions before escalating into widespread public resistance. The violent clashes resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators stormed government facilities and security forces responded with gunfire.

European Union regulators announced Thursday they are launching a formal investigation into Snapchat over allegations the social media platform is not doing enough to safeguard children from predators and block the sale of illegal products.

The investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, legislation that mandates major online platforms strengthen their efforts to combat harmful and illegal content or face penalties of up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue.

EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen criticized the platform’s safety measures in an official statement, saying “From grooming and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users.”

The European Commission, which enforces the digital services legislation, expressed concerns that Snapchat lacks adequate protection measures to stop children from being approached by individuals seeking to sexually exploit them or involve them in criminal behavior.

Regulators also determined that the platform’s content monitoring systems fail to effectively block information directing users toward purchasing illegal substances like drugs or age-restricted items including vaping products and alcoholic beverages.

The Commission announced it will assume control of an investigation that Dutch authorities began in September regarding vape sales to minors through the Snapchat platform.

Additional issues flagged by EU officials include the platform’s age verification system, which they deemed inadequate, problematic default privacy settings, and insufficient tools for users to report manipulative design features.

European Union officials announced Thursday they have formally accused four major adult entertainment websites of violating digital safety regulations by inadequately preventing minors from viewing explicit material on their platforms.

The charges target Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos following a comprehensive 10-month investigation conducted under the EU’s Digital Services Act, legislation that mandates large internet platforms take stronger action against illegal and harmful online content.

EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized the urgency of the issue in her official statement: “Children are accessing adult content at increasingly younger ages and these platforms must put in place robust, privacy-preserving and effective measures to keep minors off their services.”

European Commission investigators determined that the companies failed to employ comprehensive and objective methods when evaluating potential risks to children who might access their services. Officials concluded that the platforms prioritized protecting their business reputations over addressing genuine societal dangers posed to young users.

Regulators specifically criticized the websites’ current age verification system, which simply requires users to click a button confirming they are at least 18 years old. The Commission determined that this basic self-declaration method, along with other safeguards like content warnings and blurred preview images, fails to effectively block underage users from accessing explicit material.

The investigation found that Pornhub operates under Cyprus-based Aylo Freesites, while Stripchat functions as a subsidiary of Cyprus company Technius. XNXX belongs to Czech organization NKL Associates, and XVideos is controlled by WebGroup Czech Republic.

European authorities are demanding that all four platforms implement stronger age verification systems that protect user privacy while effectively preventing children from viewing harmful content.

Under Digital Services Act penalties, companies found guilty of violations face potential fines reaching up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue.

European NATO members and Canada dramatically boosted their military spending by 20% this past year when adjusted for inflation, according to alliance leader Mark Rutte’s yearly assessment released Thursday from Brussels.

In his report, Rutte called on member nations to maintain this upward trajectory, stating: “I expect Allies at the next NATO Summit in Ankara to show they are on a clear and credible path towards the 5% objective.” He emphasized that “a strong transatlantic bond remains essential in an age of global uncertainty.”

The spending surge comes amid continued pressure from President Trump, who has consistently called for NATO partners to dramatically increase their military budgets. The current administration argues that European nations should eventually take the lead role in defending their own continent conventionally.

Trump escalated his criticism of alliance members just last week regarding their response to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, labeling the long-standing American allies “cowards” and declaring on social media that “without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!”

According to Rutte’s assessment, every alliance member achieved or surpassed the original 2% spending target established in 2014 during the previous year, with numerous countries implementing significant budget increases.

Alliance leadership established new financial commitments at last year’s summit, requiring 5% of gross domestic product dedicated to defense and security investments by 2035.

The framework divides spending into two categories: 3.5% of GDP for traditional military needs like personnel and equipment, plus 1.5% for broader security measures including cybersecurity, infrastructure protection for pipelines, and upgrading transportation networks for military use.

According to the report’s calculations, three alliance members – Poland, Lithuania and Latvia – have already surpassed the enhanced 3.5% benchmark last year.

Multiple nations including Spain, Canada and Belgium currently meet the baseline 2% requirement.

Collectively, the 32-nation alliance allocated 2.77% of GDP toward defense in 2025.

American spending represented approximately 60% of total alliance defense expenditures in 2025.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday, where he will seek dismissal of drug trafficking charges more than two months following his dramatic capture by U.S. special forces in Caracas.

The 63-year-old ousted leader and his 69-year-old wife, Cilia Flores, find themselves at the center of a legal battle involving U.S. sanctions that block the Venezuelan government from funding their criminal defense.

Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas to multiple charges, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, and remain detained in a Brooklyn facility while awaiting trial.

The couple’s legal team has petitioned U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to drop all charges, claiming that their inability to access Venezuelan public funds violates their Sixth Amendment right to counsel of their choice.

Defense attorneys maintain that Maduro and Flores lack personal resources to cover their legal expenses independently.

Barry Pollack, Maduro’s attorney who previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has indicated he may withdraw from the case if Judge Hellerstein refuses to dismiss the charges and Venezuelan government funding remains unavailable. The exact amount of Pollack’s legal fees has not been disclosed, and he declined to comment when contacted.

U.S. military personnel apprehended Maduro and Flores during a January 3 surprise operation at their Caracas home before transporting them to New York to face drug trafficking allegations, according to a detailed Reuters investigation into the covert mission and its international implications.

Thursday’s proceedings are set to commence at 11 a.m. EDT. During their previous January court appearance, the defendants were transported from jail to Manhattan via helicopter.

The defense argues that Venezuelan law and tradition require the government to cover presidential and first lady expenses.

Federal prosecutors counter that since the United States ceased recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president in 2019, he and Flores should not expect American approval for Venezuelan-funded legal representation. Prosecutors suggest the defendants can receive court-appointed public defenders if private counsel becomes unaffordable.

Maduro confronts four felony counts, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, which targets drug trafficking activities that finance what the United States classifies as terrorism. This rarely-used statute has faced limited courtroom testing, with Reuters court record analysis revealing that two of three trial convictions were later reversed due to witness credibility concerns.

During his initial presidency, Donald Trump intensified sanctions against Venezuela, citing allegations of government corruption and democratic institution destruction. Washington labeled Maduro’s 2018 reelection as fraudulent.

Maduro has rejected these accusations and drug trafficking allegations, characterizing them as manufactured justifications for what he described as American attempts to control the South American OPEC member’s extensive oil resources.

Diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington have shown improvement since former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed interim leadership following Maduro’s capture.

HAVANA – A physician with over two decades of medical experience in Cuba must rise before dawn to cook and sell rice and beans just to make ends meet, as his government salary of roughly $16 monthly cannot cover basic transportation costs.

The island nation’s medical system, previously celebrated as one of the Communist revolution’s greatest accomplishments since 1959, has experienced a dramatic deterioration in recent years due to economic collapse and stringent U.S. economic sanctions.

The situation has worsened significantly following this year’s oil embargo implemented by the United States.

According to Cuba’s Public Health Ministry, nearly 96,000 citizens in the nation of 10 million are awaiting surgical procedures, with 11,000 of those patients being children. Officials project this backlog could reach 160,000 by December. Weekly, more than 300 pediatric surgeries face delays due to insufficient medications, oxygen, anesthesia, and other essential supplies. Additionally, approximately 32,000 expectant mothers may not receive the recommended three ultrasound screenings during pregnancy.

These figures don’t reflect the personal toll on healthcare workers who battle power outages and water shutoffs at home, then arrive at work to confront medication shortages, unsanitary facilities, and the devastating reality of being unable to deliver the quality care they once provided.

The physician, who requested anonymity due to fear of government retaliation, described the overwhelming burden of having to ration patient care, bringing back painful memories from the worst period of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Public healthcare has always been promised here. Free. A world-class system,” the doctor said. “I don’t know how much longer we can endure this. There are fewer and fewer doctors, fewer resources for the patient, but the patients keep coming.”

FINANCIAL STRUGGLES

Although Cuba’s economic problems stem partly from internal issues, American sanctions have further weakened the country’s medical professionals, traditionally known with affection as the “Army of White Coats.”

Healthcare workers in the government-operated system report that their peers are experiencing burnout, emigrating, or abandoning their monthly earnings of 7,000 to 8,000 pesos — equivalent to $14 to $16 at unofficial exchange rates — to pursue work in private enterprises, restaurants, or domestic services.

These wages provide minimal purchasing power. Basic groceries cost 3,000 pesos for 30 eggs, 1,500 pesos for one liter of cooking oil, and 700 pesos for a kilogram of rice.

Reuters spoke with two additional physicians who requested anonymity but shared comparable accounts of desperation. During government-supervised visits, the news agency also interviewed three other doctors, four nursing staff members, and a senior health ministry representative, all of whom described professional hardships, though in somewhat less severe terms.

The anonymous physicians report critical supply shortages, requiring staff to bring cleaning products from their homes or sanitize floors using only water. Disposable gloves, previously washed and reused multiple times, are now completely unavailable. Without proper urine collection bags, medical staff have improvised using water or soft drink bottles, according to one doctor.

This situation has coincided with rising cases of hepatitis and diarrhea, two physicians reported.

While Reuters could not confirm any connection, a senior health ministry official acknowledged increased infection rates due to antibiotic shortages.

Fuel scarcity and resulting electrical outages prevent water pumps from operating, forcing some primary care facilities to suspend operations.

“They don’t officially close. They can’t say that publicly. But they’re not holding consultations because there’s no water,” the second doctor said.

During power failures, before backup generators activate, hospital nurses in neonatal units must manually operate ventilators for infants, a nurse reported to Drop Site news.

ONCOLOGY TREATMENT COMPROMISED

Cuban health authorities acknowledge their system faces significant pressure but maintain that their medical professionals possess the resilience to continue.

“The Army of White Coats will not fail the people of Cuba, despite the difficult circumstances we face today,” Tania Margarita Cruz, the vice minister for public health, told a press conference last week.

However, she acknowledged that the energy crisis has led to reduced patient consultations, fewer hospital admissions, and diminished basic supply availability.

The country currently treats 117,000 cancer patients, with 16,000 requiring radiation treatment, 12,000 needing chemotherapy, and 400 awaiting surgery, Cruz reported.

“How difficult it is for a Cuban family with a cancer patient, especially a child with cancer,” Cruz said. “We don’t have the necessary medications for the world-class protocol that has always been applied in this country.”

Cruz declined to provide mortality statistics related to U.S. sanctions effects, as did other health officials.

She did, however, acknowledge a “decrease in the average and overall survival rates of Cuban patients and Cuban children” with cancer. Cruz also noted that antibiotic shortages can “lead to the patient’s death.”

EMOTIONAL TOLL ON MEDICAL STAFF

When questioned about physician burnout, Cruz referenced a recent salary increase and described a ministry program designed to improve morale through better working conditions, professional development opportunities, and research initiatives.

Last year, the government raised overnight compensation to 100 pesos per hour, totaling $2.40 for a 12-hour shift. Performance bonuses in certain specialties amounted to 20 pesos, or 4 cents hourly.

Despite official optimism, frontline medical workers question their capacity to endure additional hardship.

All three physicians who spoke anonymously to Reuters described themselves as longtime government supporters whose patience has begun to diminish.

“We all fear speaking out,” one of the doctors said, adding that raising objections can derail careers.

“I’ve seen doctors cry,” she said. “With this crisis, they cry. They’ve stopped working, they’ve become depressed. You can see it on their faces.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli officials are signaling plans for a prolonged military occupation of southern Lebanon, drawing comparisons to their devastating campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault, as fighting intensifies between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

Israeli leadership argues they must establish a controlled buffer zone in the evacuated southern region to protect northern Israeli communities that have endured continuous rocket bombardments since the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization entered the broader conflict. Lebanese residents worry this strategy could result in the indefinite displacement of more than one million civilians, widespread destruction of residential areas, and permanent territorial losses.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced this week that Israeli forces would establish a “security zone” extending to the Litani River, reaching approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border in certain areas. Katz stated that military units would demolish residential structures allegedly used by militants and prevent civilian returns until northern Israel achieves security.

The operation would replicate Israel’s Gaza strategy, where military forces devastated and evacuated much of the eastern portion of the Palestinian territory, Katz explained on Tuesday. Israeli officials have declared they will maintain their presence in the enclave until Hamas surrenders weapons as part of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement.

“We have ordered an acceleration in the destruction of Lebanese homes in contact-line villages to neutralize threats to Israeli communities, in accordance with the model of Beit Hanoun and Rafah in Gaza,” Katz stated, referencing border communities that suffered near-complete destruction.

Following a 2024 ceasefire that ended Israel’s previous conflict with Hezbollah, Israeli military units slowly retreated from southern Lebanon while maintaining control of five strategic elevated positions along the border.

Returning Lebanese discovered destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and completely demolished villages. Israeli officials claimed they had eliminated Hezbollah military installations that could facilitate an October 7-style assault and continued targeting suspected militant locations almost daily following the truce.

Hezbollah renewed its offensive operations after Israel and the United States initiated conflict with Iran on February 28, claiming Israel had repeatedly broken ceasefire terms. Israeli officials accused Lebanon’s government of failing to fulfill commitments to disarm Hezbollah, despite taking unprecedented measures to criminalize the organization.

During the current hostilities, Israel has conducted intensive aerial bombardments throughout Lebanon, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities — primarily outside border regions — and forcing more than one million people from their homes. Israeli forces have instructed residents to evacuate extensive southern areas, stretching from the border to the Zahrani River, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) inland.

While Israeli military commanders describe their ground operations as limited, political leadership discusses more expansive objectives.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right cabinet member, declared this week that the current conflict must conclude with “fundamental change.”

“The Litani must be our new border with the state of Lebanon,” Smotrich said.

Israel previously invaded southern Lebanon in 1982 during the nation’s civil conflict. Hezbollah, formed that same year, conducted guerrilla warfare that ultimately forced Israeli withdrawal in 2000.

In the current campaign, Israel has destroyed seven bridges crossing the Litani River, marking the northern boundary of a U.N.-monitored buffer zone created after earlier conflicts. Israeli officials claim Hezbollah utilized these bridges for transporting fighters and weapons, and that their military will oversee remaining crossing points.

Intense combat has erupted in Khiam town, whose capture would isolate the south from Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, another region with significant Hezbollah activity.

Following the bridge bombings, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of attempting to separate the south from the remainder of the country “to establish a buffer zone, entrench the reality of occupation, and pursue Israeli expansion within Lebanese territories.”

United Nations peacekeepers report that bridge destruction and continuing battles have disrupted their missions and endangered personnel safety.

“This is the closest fighting activity we have seen to our positions,” stated Kandice Ardel, spokesperson for the U.N. mission called UNIFIL. “Bullets, fragments, and shrapnel have hit buildings and open areas inside our headquarters.”

Ardel noted that peacekeepers at observation stations have witnessed increasing Israeli troop presence and “engineering assets,” though no new military installations have been constructed yet.

Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior researcher at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, said Israel has already established “different shades” of control.

“The first line of borders is a no-man zone. This is basically a large parking lot that is facing Israel,” Ali explained. “There is nothing there, no movement, nothing at all.”

Lebanese civilian movement faces restrictions further north. During the previous year’s olive harvest, agricultural workers encountered difficulties reaching their orchards due to frequent Israeli attacks and required escorts from Lebanese military units and UNIFIL peacekeepers, who coordinated with Israel.

Sarit Zehavi, founder and president of the Alma Institute and former Israeli military officer, predicted Israel would likely establish a more comprehensive controlled area extending further north.

Zehavi admitted that Israel was unlikely to eliminate Hezbollah and risked maintaining a permanent presence in southern Lebanon.

“But the other alternative is to take the risk that we will be slaughtered. It’s as simple as that,” she stated.

Lebanon’s government has abandoned longstanding diplomatic restrictions by proposing direct negotiations with Israel. Officials have also implemented measures against Hezbollah since the last conflict, outlawing its operations and claiming to have eliminated hundreds of military installations.

However, neither the United States nor Israel has demonstrated interest in such discussions while focusing on the broader Iranian conflict.

Should negotiations materialize, Israel could demand significant concessions in exchange for relinquishing militarily captured territory — a modernized version of the historical “land for peace” approach.

Israel has occupied portions of Syria following Syrian President Bashar Assad’s removal and is negotiating with Damascus’ new leadership regarding updated security arrangements. In Gaza, Israeli officials have pledged to retain half the territory until the militant Palestinian Hamas organization surrenders its weapons, as both sides accuse each other of violating the October truce.

Lebanese civilians who abandoned their homes remain in uncertainty — with some fearing permanent exile.

Elias Konsol and his neighbors evacuated the Christian border village of Alma al-Shaab with UNIFIL assistance. He reunited with his mother, who wept in his embrace, at a church near Beirut where funeral services honored a resident killed in an Israeli attack.

Konsol insisted there were no weapons or Hezbollah fighters in his village, yet evacuation was still mandatory.

“We no longer know our fate,” he said. “We don’t know if we will see our homes and village again.”

AMSTERDAM — Inside one of the world’s most renowned concert venues, students open laptops and textbooks while live classical music echoes through the ornate hall, creating an unusual but effective study environment.

At Amsterdam’s prestigious Concertgebouw, the luxurious crimson seats that typically hold concert-goers now accommodate college students preparing for finals and working on research papers. Musicians Hyunjin Cho on violin and Efstratia Chaloulakou on cello perform from the stage, but the audience isn’t expected to listen quietly — they’re supposed to study.

This innovative concept emerged during the coronavirus outbreak when Entree, the concert hall’s youth organization, launched the sessions to help students concentrate better while exposing them to classical compositions. The program has gained tremendous popularity since its inception.

During one recent gathering, performers played works including Johann Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D, pieces by Handel and Schubert, and even soundtrack selections from Studio Ghibli animated movies. The music resonated throughout the historic space, whose walls display golden nameplates honoring legendary composers like Ravel, Mahler, Wagner, and Mozart.

Twenty-one-year-old Kyra Mulder found the atmosphere beneficial while working on assignments for her occupational therapy program at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. “It’s actually very calming and helping in concentrating on the work that we have to do, which is something that surprises me because normally I don’t really listen to classical music,” Mulder explained. “So that’s a new experience for me.”

Throughout the performance, additional students entered carrying coffee cups alongside their electronic devices and textbooks, settling into seats with their materials balanced on their knees. Posted signs display the venue’s complimentary wireless internet password, and admission costs only 2.50 euros, equivalent to about $2.85.

Simon Reinink, the Concertgebouw’s general director, views these sessions as part of broader efforts to attract younger patrons. “It’s one of the many ways to welcome younger audiences to the Concertgebouw,” Reinink stated. “And it’s such an inspiring place to study with great music in this wonderful, beautiful environment.”

Reinink hopes participants will not only benefit academically but also develop an appreciation for classical music that brings them back as regular audience members. “It is one of ways to more or less seduce younger audiences to discover the Concertgebouw and hopefully they will be enthusiastic and … they will come back,” he explained.

Dr. Bas Bloem, a neurologist at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, notes that background music affects people differently regarding concentration. “So it’s not a one size fits all. And I don’t think it’s been well researched, but I think the reason why music in the background can be so soothing almost, is that it creates a state of flow,” Bloem told The Associated Press.

“And I think music in the background can help you to reach a state of flow. And everybody knows when you reach a state of flow, you can go on endlessly and be enormously productive,” he added.

Medical student Thijmen Broekman discovered that combining the musical backdrop with studying in an unfamiliar location enhanced both his learning experience and musical enjoyment simultaneously. He reported no difficulty balancing listening and studying. “It’s a really quiet environment and nice, quiet music,” Broekman noted. “So that helps me to concentrate.”

ISTANBUL – A maritime drone attacked an oil tanker departing from Russia early Thursday morning, triggering an explosion in Black Sea waters close to Turkey’s Bosphorus strait, according to Turkey’s transportation minister.

Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed to Kanal 24 that the early morning incident represents another in a series of recent attacks on Western-sanctioned ships traveling to and from Russian harbors.

The minister reported that all 27 crew members remained unharmed, with Turkish coastguard units responding to assist the vessel Altura, positioned approximately 18 nautical miles from the Bosphorus – a crucial shipping corridor connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara and Mediterranean seas.

According to Uraloglu, the assault occurred just beyond Turkish territorial boundaries and appeared designed to cripple the engine compartment of the Sierra Leone-registered ship transporting Russian crude oil.

Maritime tracking systems and Refinitiv AIS information indicated the tanker had departed Russia’s Novorossiysk port carrying roughly 1 million barrels of crude oil, operating near maximum capacity.

Both the European Union and Britain have imposed sanctions on the vessel. The Black Sea borders Russia and Ukraine, nations engaged in conflict for over four years, along with additional neighboring countries.

Turkey’s defense ministry announced Thursday its close surveillance of Black Sea drone-related dangers, citing their widespread deployment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Officials noted concerns about unmanned aircraft losing navigation or power and drifting toward Turkish shores.

“We are talking to our counterparts and conveying necessary warnings to maintain navigational safety in the Black Sea,” the ministry stated during its weekly briefing, without directly referencing Thursday’s drone incident. They added that Turkish naval forces were conducting area patrols to protect vessels and civilians from harm.

Maritime insurance costs increased late last year following Ukrainian naval drone strikes against Russia-bound tankers in the Black Sea, prompting Moscow to issue retaliation threats and leading NATO member Turkey to call for restraint.

Ankara has previously cautioned both Kyiv and Moscow against conducting such operations near Turkish waters during earlier Black Sea tensions, which resulted in drone strikes on Russian and Turkish ships and damage to Ukrainian ports.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv provided immediate responses Thursday.

Refinitiv records show the attacked vessel’s registered owner is China-based Sea Grace Shipping Ltd, while Turkey-based Pergamon Denizcilik serves as the ship’s manager.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach Pergamon for comment.

Television broadcaster NTV initially reported an explosion on the ship’s bridge with water flooding the engine compartment, before crew members requested help from Turkish authorities.

Defense officials are contemplating whether to reroute military equipment initially designated for Ukraine to support escalating Middle East operations, according to a Washington Post report published Thursday that cited three sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Among the military hardware under consideration for redirection are air defense interceptor missiles acquired through a NATO purchasing program established in 2023, which allows alliance member nations to procure American weapons systems for delivery to Kyiv, according to the report.

This deliberation occurs amid expanding U.S. military activities throughout the region. On Wednesday, Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees Central Command operations in the Middle East, revealed that American forces had struck more than 10,000 targets within Iranian territory and were successfully working to curtail Iran’s capacity to extend its influence beyond its national boundaries.

When contacted by the newspaper, a Pentagon representative stated that the Defense Department would “ensure that U.S. forces and those of our allies and partners have what they need to fight and win.”

Officials from the Pentagon, State Department, and NATO have not yet provided responses to Reuters’ inquiries seeking additional information.

LONDON — Two suspects arrested in connection with an arson fire that destroyed ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in London have been freed on bail while authorities continue their investigation into what they believe was an antisemitic hate crime.

The Metropolitan Police Service announced Thursday that the British nationals, ages 45 and 47, were taken into custody Wednesday on charges of arson with intent to endanger life. Both men have been released under strict bail conditions and will remain under close police supervision.

While police called Wednesday’s arrests a significant development in the case, they noted that surveillance video shows three individuals were involved in the attack.

“We continue to work to try and identify all of those involved in this appalling attack and the investigation team is working around the clock to do this,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Investigators are examining a claim of responsibility from a group that may have connections to Iran, though officials have not classified the incident as a terrorist attack.

The fire occurred early Monday morning in Golders Green, a London district home to a significant Jewish community, and completely destroyed four ambulances operated by Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer emergency medical service that serves local residents. The blaze caused oxygen tanks inside the vehicles to explode, shattering windows in a nearby apartment building.

A court in Taipei handed down a 17-year prison sentence Thursday to Ko Wen-je, the city’s former mayor and a recent presidential contender, following his conviction on corruption charges and improper handling of political donations, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.

The 66-year-old politician faced demands from prosecutors for more than 28 years behind bars. Authorities alleged Ko took bribes totaling T$17.1 million (approximately $535,563) connected to a significant real estate project within the city. Additionally, prosecutors claimed he illegally diverted tens of millions in campaign contributions for personal use.

Ko served as Taipei’s mayor for eight years, from 2014 through 2022, before launching an unsuccessful presidential bid that resulted in a third-place finish in 2024’s election. Law enforcement took him into custody in 2024, though he secured bail release in September. Throughout the legal proceedings, Ko has maintained his innocence and argued that investigators are targeting him for political reasons.

The Taiwan People’s Party, which Ko established, saw its current leader Huang Kuo-chang respond to the court decision through a Facebook statement. Writing from the courthouse where he stood beside Ko, Huang declared: “At this moment, we must pull ourselves together even more, because this road ahead is still very, very long. As long as Ko does not give up, we will not give up.”

Beyond the prison term, Ko faces a six-year suspension of his civil rights, preventing him from seeking elected office during that period. However, the Central News Agency noted he retains the right to challenge the verdict through an appeal.

While the TPP holds just eight parliamentary seats, the party typically aligns with the Kuomintang, Taiwan’s primary opposition group. Their combined strength exceeds that of the governing Democratic Progressive Party in the legislature.

This opposition coalition has leveraged their numerical advantage to block government initiatives while advancing their own policy priorities.

Ko built a devoted following among Taiwan’s younger voters by championing concerns like housing affordability challenges. Several of these supporters gathered outside the central Taipei courthouse, demonstrating their belief in his innocence.

A diplomatic meeting between Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded Thursday with the signing of a friendship and cooperation agreement in North Korea’s capital city.

During his two-day official visit to Pyongyang, Lukashenko described the newly signed document as “fundamental” and declared that bilateral relations between the nations are “entering a new stage,” his press office reported.

“Yes, we didn’t have close cooperation, largely due to our own fault. But I am sincerely pleased to note that cooperation has now significantly intensified,” Lukashenko stated.

The Belarusian leader further emphasized the importance of international partnerships, saying: “In today’s reality of a global transformation, when the global powers openly ignore and violate international law, independent countries need to cooperate more closely, consolidate efforts aimed at protecting their sovereignty and improving the well-being of our citizens.”

According to Lukashenko’s press office, Kim voiced “solidarity and full support” for Belarus while condemning “unlawful pressure on Belarus from the West.”

The meeting strengthens ties between two nations already aligned with Russia. Belarus maintains a strong alliance with Moscow, with Lukashenko permitting Russian forces to launch their February 2022 Ukraine invasion from Belarusian soil and later agreeing to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons.

Similarly, Kim has strengthened North Korea’s relationship with Moscow, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial military equipment to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian conflict while positioning North Korea as part of an anti-Western coalition.

The two leaders previously met in Beijing during September 2025.

Ukrainian officials reported Thursday that an overnight drone assault by Russian forces struck port infrastructure along the Danube River in the southern Odesa region, injuring one person and causing widespread power outages.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, announced through Telegram that the nighttime strike inflicted damage on energy systems and industrial facilities throughout the area.

According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, the assault targeted one of the Danube River ports, causing destruction to storage facilities, docks, and office buildings. The agency also confirmed damage at locations operated by independent port companies, though operations at the facility continue despite the attack.

Izmail’s mayor described the assault on Ukraine’s largest Danube port city as another “massive” drone bombardment. The strategic location sits directly across the waterway from Romania, a NATO alliance member.

District authorities in Izmail reported that approximately 17,000 residents lost electrical service following the strike. The attack also disrupted water services in the neighboring community of Vylkove.

Ukraine’s military aviation command stated that Russian forces deployed 153 drones nationwide, with Ukrainian defenses successfully destroying or disabling 130 of the unmanned aircraft.

Romania’s defense department confirmed that debris from a drone intercepted by Ukrainian air defense systems landed within Romanian borders.

Throughout the ongoing four-year conflict, Russian military forces have consistently targeted Ukraine’s maritime shipping channels, attacking port facilities essential to international commerce and the nation’s wartime economic stability.

The frequency of these strikes has escalated recently, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stating Monday that Odesa port infrastructure has endured more attacks in the past month than throughout the entire preceding year.

Australia’s national airline Qantas Airways announced Thursday it will expand service to European destinations as travelers increasingly seek alternative routes due to ongoing Middle East conflicts that have shuttered major aviation hubs.

The airline will boost its Rome and Paris schedules to accommodate rising demand for European travel, following the disruption of key Middle Eastern connection points including Dubai and Doha due to regional warfare.

To support the expansion, Qantas will reassign Boeing 787 aircraft currently serving American destinations and shift some A330 planes from domestic Australian routes to international service. The carrier joins other airlines like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific in enhancing European service amid the travel disruption.

Flight costs between Asia and Europe have skyrocketed this month as travelers seek to avoid Middle Eastern airspace affected by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, forcing airlines to close crucial Gulf region hubs.

Specific service changes include upgrading Perth-Rome flights from four weekly round trips to daily service. Paris flights will expand from three to five weekly round trips, with the route shifting from Perth to Sydney as the origin point and connecting through Singapore instead, accommodating an extra 60 travelers per flight.

Additionally, Perth-Singapore service will grow from daily flights to 10 weekly departures.

Passengers affected by the scheduling modifications will receive contact from the airline offering alternative flights within 24 hours of their original departure time or full refunds, according to the company’s announcement.

“The group continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and its impact on fuel security, the price of fuel, and demand for travel, and will make further adjustments as required,” Qantas stated.

Pakistani officials successfully persuaded the United States to convince Israel to remove two high-ranking Iranian leaders from its assassination target list, according to a knowledgeable Pakistani source who spoke with Reuters on Thursday.

The source disclosed that Israel had obtained location information for Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and was planning their elimination. However, Pakistan intervened through diplomatic channels in Washington.

“The Israelis had their coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the U.S. if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the U.S. asked the Israelis to back off,” the source explained.

Neither Pakistan’s military nor its foreign ministry provided immediate responses when contacted for official comment.

The Wall Street Journal initially broke this story, reporting that these senior Iranian officials had been temporarily struck from Israel’s elimination list as potential peace discussions are being considered. According to the Journal’s sources within the U.S. government, the removal period spans four to five days, though their reporting did not reference Pakistan’s involvement.

Currently, Pakistan is serving as a key mediator alongside Egypt and Turkey, working to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington to bring an end to the ongoing Iran conflict.

Pakistan has maintained open communication lines with both the United States and Iran during a period when most other nations have severed such diplomatic channels. The country is also being considered as a potential location for peace negotiations should they materialize.

Iranian leadership is currently examining a comprehensive 15-point peace proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, which was delivered through Pakistani diplomatic channels. According to Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan, the proposal demands that Iran eliminate its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, cease uranium enrichment activities, restrict its ballistic missile development, and discontinue financial support to regional proxy groups.

While Trump has publicly stated that Iran is eager to negotiate an agreement, Foreign Minister Araqchi has indicated that Tehran is studying the American proposal but currently has no plans to engage in talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict.

BEIJING, China (AP) — A specially selected collection of photographs captures the standout moments from China Fashion Week, as chosen by Associated Press photo editors.

The image gallery presents the most notable fashion presentations and designs featured during the Beijing-based fashion event.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tensions between Tehran and Washington intensified Thursday as diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire appeared to crumble, with Iran solidifying its stranglehold on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz while the United States readied ground combat forces for potential deployment to the Islamic Republic.

Shipping analysts report that Iran has effectively established what they call a “de facto ‘toll booth’ regime,” requiring certain vessels to pay fees in Chinese yuan to navigate through the waterway that typically handles 20% of global oil and natural gas shipments during peacetime.

As tensions mount, a naval strike force led by the amphibious assault vessel USS Tripoli is approaching the Middle East carrying approximately 2,500 Marines, while military officials have ordered at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne to deploy to the area.

The military buildup doesn’t necessarily indicate that President Donald Trump intends to use military action to force Iran to reopen the strait and cease its attacks on Gulf Arab nations.

Trump had previously assembled substantial forces in the Caribbean before U.S. military operations led to the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January. Current military analysts suggest American focus may center on potentially capturing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal or other strategic locations near the strait.

Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees U.S. military operations in the region, reported that American forces have struck over 10,000 targets since the conflict began on February 28, when Israel and the United States initiated hostilities, eliminating 92% of Iran’s major naval vessels and more than two-thirds of the nation’s missile, drone and naval manufacturing capabilities.

“We’re not done yet,” Cooper stated in a video message from his position as head of U.S. Central Command. “We are on a path to completely eliminate Iran’s wider military apparatus.”

Through its control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters, Iran has been preventing ships supporting American and Israeli military efforts from passing while allowing limited traffic under what Lloyd’s List Intelligence characterizes as a “de facto ‘toll booth’ regime” in their latest assessment.

According to the maritime intelligence company, vessels must submit cargo manifests, crew information and destination details to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard for sanctions review, cargo verification that currently favors oil shipments above other goods, and what officials term “geopolitical vetting.”

“While not all ships are paying a direct toll, at least two vessels have and the payment is settled in yuan,” Lloyd’s List reported, referencing China’s official currency.

Iranian officials have not publicly detailed their ship passage procedures, though a Foreign Ministry spokesperson seemed to confirm that Tehran was collecting payments from certain vessels during a recent interview.

Iran’s control of the strait combined with ongoing strikes against regional energy facilities has caused oil prices to surge dramatically, raising fears of a worldwide energy shortage. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was trading at $104 early Thursday, representing a more than 40% increase since hostilities began.

“To make it crystal clear, this war is a catastrophe for world’s economies,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters in Canberra following discussions with his Australian counterpart in the capital.

Through Pakistani intermediaries, Washington has presented Iran with a 15-point ceasefire proposal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a Wednesday evening fundraising event in Washington, Trump maintained that Iran remains interested in reaching an agreement.

“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people,” Trump stated, adding: “They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicted Trump’s assessment during a state television interview, declaring that his government has not participated in peace discussions “and we do not plan on any negotiations.”

Araghchi acknowledged that the United States had attempted to communicate with Iran through third-party nations, “but that is not a conversation nor a negotiation.”

Press TV, Iran’s English-language state broadcaster, reported that Tehran has developed its own five-point peace plan, demanding an end to assassinations of Iranian officials, guarantees against future attacks on Iran, war reparations, cessation of all hostilities and international recognition of Iran’s “exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iranian activists reported significant morning airstrikes near Isfahan, a city located approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Tehran. The pro-reform publication Ham Mihan published online reports about attacks in the region.

Isfahan houses a major Iranian air base and various military installations, including one of the nuclear facilities targeted by U.S. forces during the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June.

The semi-official Fars news agency, which maintains close ties to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, characterized the attacks as hitting “two residential areas” without providing additional details.

Israeli officials later confirmed they had conducted a series of strikes against Iranian infrastructure.

Early Thursday morning sirens blared across portions of Tel Aviv and central Israeli cities. The absence of advance warning, typically provided before Iranian missile attacks, suggested the incoming fire originated from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry announced it had intercepted numerous drones over its oil-rich Eastern Province, while the United Arab Emirates activated air defenses against incoming attacks, and Bahrain reported extinguishing fires in a neighborhood near Bahrain International Airport.

Since the conflict’s start, Iran’s Health Ministry reports more than 1,500 deaths within its borders. Israeli casualties include 20 civilians and two soldiers killed in Lebanon. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, along with more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states.

Lebanese authorities report nearly 1,100 fatalities in their country. In Iraq, where Iranian-backed militant groups have joined the fighting, 80 security force members have been killed.

Australia’s resources minister revealed Thursday that France is among several nations expressing strong interest in backing the country’s critical minerals industry, as international partners rush to secure alternative supply sources beyond China’s dominance.

Speaking during the Minerals Week summit in Canberra, Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King told Reuters that multiple countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities are seeking investment opportunities following Australia’s landmark agreement with the United States last October.

“Since the framework agreement with the U.S., that work has taken on new urgency from some other partners as they make sure they also have access to critical minerals,” King explained during the interview.

“France is more and more keen,” she added.

Australia has spent four years developing its critical minerals sector, focusing on rare earth elements and other materials crucial for future technologies including electronics and defense systems. The nation aims to provide countries with alternatives to China, which currently dominates global production.

Beyond the $8.5 billion investment pipeline established with the United States, Australia has signed cooperation agreements covering the critical minerals sector with Japan, South Korea, India, France, Germany, and Britain.

While France has participated at policy and financing levels through organizations like export credit agency Bpifrance Assurance Export, it has not yet committed to the large-scale project funding seen from the U.S. and Japan. The French trade commission in Sydney did not respond to requests for comment.

Australia is actively pursuing additional billions in investment for 49 mining operations and 29 processing facilities. The expanding critical minerals sector is projected to generate A$18 billion ($12.52 billion) in export revenue during the financial year beginning July 1.

Earlier this month, Australia joined the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance to support its expansion goals. On Tuesday, the country finalized a free trade agreement with the European Union following eight years of negotiations, potentially streamlining EU access to Australian critical minerals.

“Many other countries just aren’t used to getting involved in mining and mining-style financing, but they’re going to have to, if they want to…have that secure supply,” King noted.

The minister emphasized that Australia’s commitment to the sector requires long-term thinking, having already provided A$28 billion in financial backing since the current government took office in May 2022.

“If you want to compare timelines, it took (China) 40 years,” she said. “We would like to do it quicker. But we do need to think of it as a long-term proposition.”

King pointed out that Australia previously supported its massive iron ore and liquefied natural gas industries during their early development, suggesting critical minerals may present even greater challenges.

Australia is establishing an A$1.2 billion strategic reserve concentrating on antimony, gallium, and rare earths for partner nations, expected to become operational later this year. The reserve will likely include price floor mechanisms while ensuring Australia benefits from potential price increases.

“When there is an upside, the government should be able to get some of that benefit, but also exit this part of the arrangement,” she explained.

The United States is simultaneously developing Project Vault, a $12 billion minerals stockpile program.

“And we see our reserve as being able to be the catalyst to feed into Project Vault,” King said, noting that specific details remain under discussion.

BEIJING – Chinese authorities have unveiled a comprehensive long-term care insurance program designed to support families struggling with the challenges of an aging population and strengthen the nation’s social support structure.

The initiative, announced by China’s state council on Wednesday, commits to delivering services and financial assistance for essential nursing and medical care to individuals experiencing long-term disabilities of six months or longer.

According to the official Xinhua news agency, this program represents a crucial element of China’s social security framework and is essential for “actively addressing population aging.”

The announcement follows approximately three weeks after China’s National People’s Congress, during which officials indicated they would enhance supportive measures for elderly citizens, encompassing pension funding, health services, and care provisions.

Projections indicate that by 2035, China’s population over age 60 will reach 400 million individuals – approximately equivalent to the combined populations of the United States and Italy – resulting in hundreds of millions departing the workforce while pension systems face existing financial pressures.

Demographic experts are issuing warnings about continued population decreases in China, which experienced its fourth straight year of decline in 2025 as birth rates hit historic lows.

The long-term insurance structure establishes a three-year goal to create “a unified system covering the entire population.”

This development builds upon pilot initiatives that commenced in 2016.

Officials emphasized that for individuals with disabilities, this program meets essential needs and significantly enhances quality of life.

“Bathing, haircuts, eating, dressing changes — these are no longer distant hopes for those confined to a sickbed, but rather bedside, accessible, attentive care,” stated Wang Wenjun, deputy head of the National Healthcare Security Administration during Thursday’s press conference.

Financial support will derive from employer contributions, individual payments, and government funding, totaling approximately 0.3% in contribution rates.

Wang explained that both rural and urban residents will access the same funding source and receive identical benefits.

China continues to confront significant disparities in care and services between rural and urban regions, with authorities promising to “markedly narrow” the healthcare gap between these areas by 2035.

DHAKA, Bangladesh — At least 18 people lost their lives when a passenger bus carrying approximately 50 individuals crashed into a major river in Bangladesh’s central region while attempting to board a ferry, officials reported Thursday.

The tragic incident took place Wednesday afternoon when the vehicle fell into the River Padma in Rajbari district, located roughly 52 miles from Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka, according to fire official Dewan Sohel Rana.

The vehicle was transporting passengers from Kushtia, a southwestern district, to the capital as people made their way back to work following the conclusion of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday celebration.

According to Rana, numerous passengers managed to escape by swimming to shore following the crash, while others became trapped inside the vehicle.

Emergency crews deployed a rescue boat late Wednesday evening to retrieve the submerged bus, and recovery teams continued working through the night to locate victims, discovering 18 bodies by Thursday morning, Rana reported.

Weather conditions including strong river currents and rainfall hampered rescue efforts during the overnight operation, he explained.

Officials have not confirmed whether additional passengers remain unaccounted for.

The Fire Service and Civil Defense Department confirmed that the casualties included ten women and two children among the 18 fatalities.

Global focus on Middle Eastern conflicts has shifted attention away from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, as the European war enters its fifth year and Moscow launches a renewed spring military campaign.

Recent days have witnessed intense escalation between the warring nations. On Tuesday, Russian forces unleashed nearly 1,000 drones and 34 missiles against Ukraine in one of the conflict’s most devastating bombardments. Ukraine responded the next day by deploying approximately 400 drones in its largest overnight strike against Russian territories and Crimea.

Ukraine remains Europe’s primary foreign policy concern, driven by worries that Moscow harbors broader territorial ambitions. However, the Trump administration has suspended discussions with Russian and Ukrainian representatives as the Iran conflict demands attention. Officials have cautioned they may abandon involvement in the Ukrainian conflict if diplomatic efforts fail to produce results.

Just weeks earlier, Russia’s economy showed signs of strain from international sanctions. Now Moscow benefits from billions in revenue thanks to a temporary U.S. oil sanctions waiver. This measure, implemented this month, aims to release stranded Russian oil shipments and address supply shortages created by Middle Eastern hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the American decision as “not the right decision” because it will further enable Russia’s military campaign.

Washington has relocated American Patriot air-defense systems from Europe to the Middle East as resources shift toward the Iranian conflict. Zelenskyy cautioned that Kyiv will “definitely” experience shortages of Patriot systems due to the Middle Eastern war.

According to Zelenskyy, the U.S. manufactures 60 to 65 missiles monthly, totaling approximately 700 to 800 annually. “And on the first day in the Middle East war, 803 missiles were used,” he noted.

Seeking strategic advantage, Ukraine has proposed sharing its combat-proven technology to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones. In exchange, Ukraine seeks advanced air-defense missiles that Gulf countries possess and that Kyiv requires to intercept Russian strikes. Zelenskyy has also offered Ukrainian drone defense systems to the United States.

Financial support remains critically needed. A pledged 90-billion-euro ($104-billion) European Union loan to support Ukraine’s military and war-damaged economy over two years faces delays due to Hungarian opposition.

Following a relatively quiet winter along battle lines, Russia prepares for summer combat as terrain conditions improve.

Russian troops have entered early stages of a spring campaign, attacking Ukraine’s eastern defensive network of cities, according to Elina Beketova from the Center for European Policy Analysis, a Washington think tank.

“Over the past weeks, the Russians have intensified pressure on the battlefield and in the air,” she explained to The Associated Press. In Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, the nation’s industrial center long desired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, conditions are “critical,” though Ukrainian forces report maintaining their positions.

“Russia is trying, on the tactical level, some new approaches” using mechanized infantry and armored units in its campaign, noted Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral serving as deputy director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Security Policy and Law.

Intense combat continues along the approximately 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) battle line extending through eastern and southern Ukraine, reported Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military forces, this week.

Moscow’s troops have achieved only modest territorial advances in rural areas. Russia controls roughly 20% of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula seized in 2014.

Russian military analysts anticipate renewed Moscow efforts to establish positions in southern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. This would prepare for potential advances toward regional capitals serving as vital industrial centers.

Russia’s strategy involves encircling and isolating cities while reducing them to ruins through bombardment.

After devastating Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure during one of the harshest winters in recent years, Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian areas persist without interruption.

The U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reports more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths from the war.

Ukraine has developed extended-range drones and missiles to strike rear-area targets supporting Moscow’s war effort. These attacks have targeted oil refineries, chemical facilities, ammunition storage sites, and military supply centers up to 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) from Ukraine.

Washington’s diplomatic initiatives remain suspended while the White House is “totally distracted by Iran,” Murrett observed.

Extended U.S.-facilitated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv delegations have failed to resolve fundamental issues, including territorial control and preventing future Russian aggression.

Russia has declined Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal. European officials have accused Putin of delaying peace talks while his military attempts to capture additional Ukrainian territory.

The Kremlin maintains its “maximalist demands” for any agreement, and only “overwhelming” Western military and financial backing for Ukraine would compel Putin to retreat, Murrett stated.

NEW YORK — Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal court Thursday, attempting to dismiss his drug trafficking charges based on disputes over who will pay his attorney fees.

Maduro’s defense attorney argues that the United States is infringing on the former leader’s constitutional protections by preventing Venezuelan government money from covering his legal expenses.

This marks the first court appearance for Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, since their January arraignment where he challenged their seizure by American military personnel and stated: “I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.” Flores has entered a not guilty plea as well.

The couple continues to be held at a Brooklyn detention facility, with neither requesting bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has not yet scheduled a trial date, though one may be announced during the hearing.

The 63-year-old Maduro and 69-year-old Flores still maintain backing in Venezuela, where murals and signs throughout Caracas call for their release. However, while Maduro’s political party maintains control, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has gradually removed his influence from the government.

Rodríguez has dismissed key officials including Maduro’s loyal defense secretary and top prosecutor, restructured government departments, named new diplomatic representatives, and dismantled elements of the socialist ideology that has controlled Venezuela for over twenty years.

She has also transformed state broadcasting, which had featured Maduro’s lengthy nightly programs. Rodríguez prefers brief appearances without the musical performances her predecessor frequently enjoyed.

Venezuela has renewed diplomatic ties with the United States, which severed relations with Maduro’s administration in 2019 and backed the opposition-led National Assembly leader as the nation’s rightful president. Washington has relaxed economic penalties on Venezuela’s vital petroleum sector and sent a diplomatic representative to Caracas.

However, these developments may not help Maduro and Flores avoid paying their own legal costs.

According to a court document filed last month, Maduro’s attorney Barry Pollack stated that the Treasury Department’s sanctions office reversed its decision regarding Venezuela funding his legal representation.

The office initially granted approval on January 9, Pollack explained, but withdrew it without justification less than three hours afterward.

In a sworn statement submitted to the court, Maduro maintained that he is “entitled to have the government of Venezuela pay for my legal defense.”

Federal prosecutors countered that the government had permitted Maduro and Flores to use personal assets for legal fees but would not allow payments from a sanctioned government account.

Maduro stated in his filing that he cannot afford his legal representation. To receive a court-appointed attorney funded by taxpayers, he must demonstrate financial inability to pay.

Maduro and Flores were captured January 3 during a nighttime operation at their Caracas residence.

A 25-page criminal indictment alleges he and co-conspirators collaborated with drug trafficking organizations and military personnel to enable the transport of thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States.

The couple faces accusations of ordering abductions, assaults, and murders of individuals who owed drug proceeds or threatened their trafficking network. This included executing a drug kingpin in Caracas, according to the charges. A conviction could result in life imprisonment.

Following Maduro’s removal, daily conditions for most Venezuelans remain unchanged.

Numerous government workers earn approximately $160 monthly, while private sector employees average around $237. The previous year saw inflation reach 475%, based on Venezuela’s central bank data, making food and basic necessities unaffordable for many citizens.

BEIJING, March 26 – Zhao Leji, who serves as China’s highest-ranking legislative official and holds the third most powerful position in the Communist Party, delivered remarks Thursday at the Boao Forum, a major international conference often called Asia’s equivalent to the Davos meetings held in Switzerland.

The summit also featured Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as a speaker, while South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok delivered his remarks through video after canceling his in-person attendance due to ongoing conflict in Iran.

During his address, Zhao highlighted growing global tensions without singling out any specific nations. “Geopolitical conflicts and regional wars keep emerging. Unilateralism and power politics are posing greater threats,” he stated.

The Chinese official called on nations worldwide to work through their disagreements using “political settlement” and “peaceful means,” though he avoided referencing any particular disputes or conflicts.

Turning to economic matters, Zhao outlined China’s plans to boost domestic consumer spending while maintaining the country’s role in supporting worldwide economic growth. He emphasized that China remains committed to keeping its economy – the world’s second largest – accessible to international businesses.

Zhao also reinforced a commitment made earlier this week by Premier Li Qiang at the China Development Forum, promising that foreign companies operating in China will receive “national treatment” – meaning they’ll be treated the same as domestic firms.

President Donald Trump claims Iranian leadership is eager to negotiate an end to almost four weeks of warfare, while Tehran’s top diplomat maintains his nation is only examining a U.S. ceasefire proposal without engaging in actual negotiations.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi clarified during a Wednesday state television appearance that while various communications have passed through third-party nations, Iran has not entered into formal discussions with the United States.

“Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings is not called negotiation or dialogue,” Araqchi explained. “It is simply an exchange of messages through our friends.”

Speaking at a Washington event later Wednesday, Trump countered that Iranian officials “are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they will be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”

The president has not revealed which Iranian representatives the U.S. might be communicating with, as thousands of high-ranking officials have perished across the Middle East since the conflict began February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel, American bases, and Gulf nations.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in an Israeli attack on the first day of hostilities and was succeeded by his son Mojtaba, who has been injured in subsequent strikes and has not appeared publicly since taking power.

The warfare’s consequences have created unprecedented global disruption, triggering what experts call the most severe energy crisis in recorded history.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows, has sparked fuel shortages worldwide. Industries from aviation to retail and automotive are facing mounting costs, declining demand, and broken supply chains, prompting some nations to consider emergency measures similar to those implemented during the COVID pandemic.

Agricultural producers cannot obtain adequate diesel fuel for equipment, and the World Food Programme projects tens of millions more people could experience severe hunger if hostilities extend into June.

According to three Israeli cabinet sources, a 15-point American ceasefire proposal delivered through Pakistan demands Iran eliminate its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, cease enrichment activities, restrict its ballistic missile programs, and end financial support for regional partners.

The White House refused to reveal details of its offer while warning of escalated military action.

“If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced to reporters.

Israeli defense officials expressed doubt Iran would accept the proposed conditions and worry U.S. negotiators might offer concessions. Israel seeks to maintain its ability to launch preemptive attacks under any future agreement, according to a second source.

Iran has communicated through intermediaries that any ceasefire arrangement must include Lebanon, six regional sources familiar with Tehran’s stance reported.

Market optimism about potential conflict resolution that had lifted global stocks earlier this week diminished Thursday, with oil prices climbing again.

“Optimism regarding a ceasefire has faded,” noted Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute.

Military operations continued across the Gulf region as Israeli forces announced completion of extensive infrastructure strikes throughout Iran on Thursday, following additional attacks Wednesday.

Admiral Brad Cooper, Central Command chief overseeing U.S. Middle East operations, reported American forces have struck more than 10,000 Iranian targets and are successfully limiting Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.

Cooper stated in a Wednesday video briefing that 92% of Iran’s major naval vessels have been destroyed and drone and missile launch capabilities have dropped over 90%. Combined U.S.-Israeli operations have damaged or destroyed two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone, and naval manufacturing facilities and shipyards, Cooper added.

Pentagon officials are preparing to deploy thousands of airborne troops to the Gulf region, providing Trump additional options for potential ground operations, sources told Reuters. This would supplement two Marine contingents already en route, with the first amphibious assault unit expected to arrive by month’s end.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that the “world is staring down the barrel of a wider war” in the region.

“It is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder – and start climbing the diplomatic ladder,” he declared at U.N. headquarters in New York.

KATHMANDU – An investigative commission in Nepal has called for criminal prosecution of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, citing his failure to prevent deadly violence during anti-corruption demonstrations last September.

The commission found Oli negligent for allowing security forces to continue firing on demonstrators for hours, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 young protesters on the opening day of anti-government demonstrations that ultimately toppled the administration in the Himalayan nation.

According to the commission’s findings released Wednesday evening, the two-day period of civil unrest resulted in 76 fatalities and left 2,522 people injured. Government officials had previously reported a death toll of 77.

The 970-page investigation report, written in Nepali, stated: “As the executive head … Oli should be held responsible for anything good or bad.”

The commission also determined that Oli’s interior minister Ramesh Lekhak and the police commissioner at the time, Chandra Kuber Khapung, should face criminal charges for their roles in the deadly response to the protests.

JAKARTA – A top Indonesian military intelligence commander has resigned in connection with a brutal acid attack that left a prominent human rights advocate with severe burns across his face and body, military officials confirmed Thursday.

Andrie Yunus, who serves as deputy coordinator for KontraS, a human rights organization dedicated to missing persons and violence victims, sustained acid burns covering 20 percent of his face and body when attackers on motorcycles doused him with the corrosive substance on March 12.

The assault has generated widespread outrage both domestically and internationally. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the incident as a “cowardly act of violence.”

Military spokesman Aulia Dwi Nasrullah told Reuters that Yudi Abrimantyo, who headed the military’s intelligence division, completed a “handing over of position” as he takes responsibility for the attack.

The Indonesian armed forces had previously detained four military personnel from the intelligence division in connection with the assault. According to Aulia, those found guilty could face consequences ranging from internal discipline to dishonorable dismissal from service.

Yudi, who was not among the four arrested officers, could not be reached by Reuters for his response.

The attack has heightened worries about Indonesia’s democratic institutions deteriorating. Under President Prabowo Subianto, a former military general, the armed forces have substantially expanded their involvement in civilian affairs and commercial enterprises in what ranks as the world’s third-largest democracy.

During a recent media roundtable, Prabowo characterized the assault on Andrie as “terrorism” and promised a comprehensive investigation with full accountability.

Hundreds of Indonesian civil rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have described the attack as attempted murder. The activist had recently completed recording a podcast discussing military expansion just before the incident occurred.

In response to the intelligence chief’s resignation, KontraS called on Prabowo to establish an independent investigative body for the case, demanding it be processed through civilian rather than military courts – a position also supported by Human Rights Watch earlier this week.

“What happened to Andrie Yunus is a serious crime that occurred in a civilian space, outside of the context of the military work as well as state defence operations,” KontraS and other civil society groups said in a joint statement.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo announced Thursday that his government has received written assurance from Washington that a major weapons deal remains on schedule, despite rising tensions between the United States and China ahead of their leaders’ planned meeting.

The weapons package, valued at approximately $14 billion and featuring sophisticated interceptor missiles, awaits final approval from President Trump and could move forward following his scheduled visit to China, according to sources familiar with the discussions reported by Reuters earlier this month.

Trump’s Beijing trip, initially planned for early April, has been delayed until May 14-15 due to the ongoing Iran conflict.

The island nation, which Beijing considers part of its territory, will likely feature prominently in discussions between the two leaders. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump during a phone conversation to handle weapons sales to the democratically-led island with caution.

When questioned by lawmakers about whether the upcoming Trump-Xi summit might affect American arms sales, Koo revealed that his government had already obtained written confirmation of Washington’s commitment to authorize the pending transaction.

“We have also been in close communication with the U.S. Department of War’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency regarding its willingness to provide this to us, including guidance concerning the items, the amount, and the transaction,” Koo stated, declining to provide additional specifics.

According to Koo, the weapons package continues to undergo standard internal review processes within the United States, and Taiwan has not been informed of any postponements.

The State Department, which typically addresses inquiries regarding Taiwan policy, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Beijing has consistently urged Washington to halt military sales to Taipei. The most recent transaction in December totaled $11 billion, marking the largest arms deal in Taiwan’s history.

Despite the absence of official diplomatic relations, the United States serves as Taiwan’s primary international ally and defense supplier, with legal obligations to ensure the island can maintain its security.

In recent years, Taiwan has encountered increased military pressure from China, including large-scale military exercises near its borders.

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France – Top diplomats from the world’s major Western nations are convening in France this week as global tensions mount over conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, coupled with growing anxiety about shifting American foreign policy directions.

The two-day diplomatic summit is taking place at a renovated 12th-century abbey located approximately 25 miles southwest of Paris, bringing together representatives from the G7 nations – the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan – along with European Union officials.

This alliance, which originally formed as a group of six nations in the nearby town of Rambouillet five decades ago, has historically tackled major economic and international challenges through unified approaches.

However, that unity has become strained following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025.

AMERICA’S ROLE QUESTIONED

International partners and rivals have spent recent months adapting to sudden changes in American policy positions, spanning from trade tariffs to Ukraine strategy, and extending to Middle East operations that European officials describe as lacking defined goals or clear exit plans.

On Wednesday, France’s top military leader expressed frustration with Washington’s inconsistent approach, stating it was affecting allied nations’ security and interests.

Thomas Gomart, who leads the Paris-based French Institute of International Relations, offered this assessment: “The U.S. attitude is an element of destabilisation of the international system for all players, not only for members of the G7, but also for China, (and) for many, many countries in the world.”

Highlighting the departure from traditional cooperation, organizers have scrapped plans for a comprehensive joint statement to prevent public disagreements.

SEEKING ANSWERS ON IRAN STRATEGY

Allied nations are particularly eager to hear from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is scheduled to participate in Friday’s sessions.

Diplomatic sources indicate that partner countries want detailed explanations regarding American and Israeli military actions targeting Iran, and whether any viable diplomatic pathways remain to resolve the crisis.

Discussions will also address the Strait of Hormuz situation, where Iranian actions have effectively blocked shipping lanes that handle roughly 20 percent of worldwide oil transport.

Additional participants include ministers from Brazil, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia – all economically significant nations whose cooperation is crucial for addressing global security, energy, and diplomatic challenges.

UKRAINE CONCERNS PERSIST

Peace negotiations regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have reached an impasse, with European leaders worried that the United States – currently spearheading diplomatic efforts while pursuing improved relations with Moscow – might pressure Ukraine into accepting unfavorable terms before America’s November midterm elections.

European representatives plan to emphasize to Rubio that such an outcome would be unacceptable, instead advocating for strengthened sanctions against Russia and immediate preparations to help Ukraine survive another wartime winter.

These preparations should encompass protecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has faced repeated Russian attacks, along with sustained military assistance for Kyiv, officials stated.

An Italian diplomatic source explained: “We will reiterate firm support for Kyiv and for U.S. mediation efforts, stressing the need to maintain strong pressure on Moscow through sanctions.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister will participate in the discussions.

The gathering also supports French objectives leading up to its hosting of the G7 leaders’ summit in the Alps next June, focusing on addressing global inequalities and challenges facing international cooperation. Paris has been working to involve China more directly in these conversations.

Officials identify one potential area of agreement during France’s leadership: establishing a G7 task force dedicated to combating international drug trafficking.

Two civilians lost their lives in Russian military strikes targeting Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, while attacks on a southwestern port city damaged critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials reported Thursday.

Regional prosecutors announced via Telegram that a woman who had been wounded in an assault on Kharkiv city succumbed to her injuries while receiving hospital treatment.

The same attacks wounded nine additional civilians across two neighborhoods in the city, which sits just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border and has repeatedly faced bombardment throughout the conflict.

In a separate incident closer to the frontier, prosecutors confirmed that a Russian drone strike killed a man while he was driving his vehicle.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Danube River port city of Izmail in southwestern Ukraine reported that their community had been targeted in strikes that caused significant damage to both port operations and power facilities.

Across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that Ukrainian drone attacks had claimed two lives: an 18-year-old man riding a motorcycle in a border village and a woman traveling in her vehicle in Graivoron.

Belgorod has experienced regular attacks from Ukrainian forces throughout the four-year conflict between the two nations.

In the Russian capital, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that air defenses had successfully intercepted and destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones approaching the city during Wednesday’s operations.

Such drone interceptions targeting Moscow have become routine occurrences, though the numbers of attacking aircraft fluctuate significantly from incident to incident.

Reuters noted that these reports could not be independently confirmed.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Wednesday that former leader Raúl Castro is participating in preliminary negotiations between Cuba and the United States.

During a videotaped interview with Spanish leftist leader Pablo Iglesias, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the discussions are happening while tensions escalate between the two countries. Cuba currently faces widespread electrical blackouts due to its deteriorating power infrastructure and an oil embargo enforced by President Trump, who has warned of tariffs against nations supplying oil to the island and recently stated he would have “the honor of taking Cuba” in the near future.

The Cuban government is managing these negotiations as a collective effort, Díaz-Canel explained to Iglesias during the hour-long interview broadcast on state media. Iglesias visited Cuba with a 600-member delegation from 33 nations who delivered humanitarian assistance last week.

“A process of conversations that leads to an agreement is a long process,” Díaz-Canel explained to Iglesias, who conducted the interview for his crowdfunded television program Canal RED.

“First, we must build a channel for dialogue. Then, we must build common agendas of interests for the parties, and the parties must demonstrate their intention to move forward and truly commit to the program based on the discussion of those agendas,” the Cuban president elaborated.

Trump issued threats in late January regarding tariffs on nations selling or supplying oil to Cuba as part of his push to transform the island’s political system.

While these initial warnings were later moderated in formal terms, the embargo continues, and Cuba has received no fuel deliveries over the past three months.

Extended power failures and virtual standstill of economic and social activities represent the visible impact on the island, which recently endured two complete electrical grid collapses within a week, leaving millions in darkness as Cuba’s power system continues deteriorating.

American officials have confirmed Cuba’s participation in negotiations, while Trump has made threats about taking control of the island in the near future.

Díaz-Canel provided a more measured response, stating that his representatives and U.S. State Department officials “held recent talks.”

He also responded to rumors about the involvement of 94-year-old Castro in these diplomatic efforts.

“The other thing they’ve tried to speculate about is that there are divisions within the leadership of the revolution,” Díaz-Canel stated, without identifying his targets.

Castro “is one of those who, along with me and in collaboration with other branches of the (Communist) Party, the government, and the State, has guided how we should conduct this dialogue process, if this dialogue process takes place,” the president continued.

He emphasized that Castro remains “the historical leader of this revolution, even though he has relinquished his responsibilities,” and retains “prestige earned with the people” through “historical recognition that no one can deny.”

Raúl Castro, who took over from his brother Fidel as president, conducted groundbreaking negotiations with former President Barack Obama in 2014 that resulted in embassy reopenings and restored diplomatic ties.

Trump has rejected this approach, implementing stricter sanctions and worsening a severe economic crisis to the point of the current energy embargo.

Iran rejected a comprehensive American peace proposal on Wednesday and presented its own set of demands to end the ongoing Middle East conflict, while simultaneously launching additional strikes against Israel and Gulf nations.

Pakistani officials revealed details of the 15-point American proposal, which broadly covered sanctions relief, scaling back Iran’s nuclear activities, missile restrictions, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz – a critical waterway that typically handles one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Through state television, Iran presented its own five-point plan demanding an end to assassinations of Iranian officials, guarantees against future military actions, war reparations, cessation of all hostilities, and Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.

“No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations,” Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated on state television.

The conflict’s death toll has climbed to over 1,500 Iranians, nearly 1,100 Lebanese, 16 Israelis, and 13 American military personnel, along with numerous civilians throughout the Gulf region. Millions have been forced from their homes in Lebanon and Iran.

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of six individuals allegedly connected to Iran-backed Hezbollah for plotting assassinations of Gulf state leaders. Five of the detained are Kuwaiti nationals, while authorities identified 14 additional suspects who fled the country.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Christian worship service at the Pentagon Wednesday, praying for military success. “Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth said during the livestreamed service, calling for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

Congressional concerns are growing about potential ground deployment in Iran. Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina stated she would “not support troops on the ground in Iran, even more so after this briefing.” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed fears about troop deployment, saying “None of the president’s objectives can be accomplished without a physical presence there.”

Five Gulf nations and Jordan issued a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks “whether carried out directly or through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region.” The statement urged Iraq to prevent militia attacks from its territory and reaffirmed their self-defense rights.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to lead peace efforts. “The war is out of control,” Guterres declared, emphasizing that “diplomacy must prevail.”

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi confirmed Iran has launched dozens of missiles and drones toward his country during the conflict. Several regional nations have expelled Iranian diplomats following Tehran’s attacks.

President Trump has postponed his China trip to May 14-15, with the White House suggesting optimism about resolving the Iran conflict before then. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed “productive conversations” with Iran are ongoing but warned of escalated strikes if negotiations fail.

“If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily… Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” Leavitt said.

The EPA announced temporary approval for higher-ethanol gasoline sales to help reduce fuel costs that have surged since the war began. However, experts question whether the move will significantly impact prices.

In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike near a displacement camp killed one Palestinian and wounded seven others from flying debris. Israel continues near-daily strikes in the territory, though Gaza’s militants have remained out of the current Iran conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced expansion of Israeli-controlled areas along Lebanon’s southern border as fighting with Hezbollah continues. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 22 deaths in the past 24 hours, including 121 children and 81 women among total casualties.

House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the war is “wrapping up” and “objectives have been met,” while describing U.S. troop buildup as a warning to Iran rather than preparation for ground deployment.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed hope that differences between Iran and America “are bridgeable” and called current negotiations potentially “the last opportunity to de-escalate and avoid a full-fledged escalation in the region.”

Iran’s state television quoted an anonymous official saying Iran would “end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met,” vowing to continue “heavy blows” across the Middle East.

WASHINGTON — A top U.S. diplomat working to secure the freedom of political prisoners in Belarus has disclosed his unconventional approach to building trust with the country’s authoritarian president, including using crude language and strategically handling alcohol during negotiations.

John Coale, President Trump’s special representative to Belarus, shared details of his diplomatic tactics during a recent speaking engagement at Arizona State University’s McCain Institute. His mission focuses on securing freedom for hundreds of imprisoned political dissidents in the Eastern European nation.

According to Coale, State Department officials briefed him before his initial encounter with President Alexander Lukashenko, telling him the leader enjoys casual banter and suggested he match that energy.

“About a half-hour, 45 minutes into it, I am trying to get the feel of who this guy is and how to communicate,” Coale explained during his university appearance. “He starts complaining about the Europeans — Europeans this, Europeans that. So — and this is kind of crude and I’m sorry for the language — but I said to him, ‘Yeah, they’re a bunch of p———.’ So, I had him in my hand from then on.”

The Maryland lawyer shared this story as an example of how he’s worked to establish rapport with Lukashenko, who maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has shown interest in improving Western relationships since Trump took office.

When questioned about his language choice on Wednesday, Coale stood by his methods. “If I have to use locker room language to get 500 political prisoners released, I will do it every time,” he stated to The Associated Press.

This type of crude language echoes a 2016 controversy involving Trump himself, when leaked recordings of similar vulgar comments created significant political fallout during his first presidential campaign, prompting a rare public apology from Trump who dismissed it as private “locker room talk.”

Coale isn’t the first American diplomat to use undiplomatic language regarding Europeans. Victoria Nuland, formerly the leading U.S. official for European affairs, issued an apology in 2014 after private conversations containing harsh language about European Ukraine policy became public. Similarly, in 2003, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher drew criticism for dismissively calling Iraq War opponents France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg “chocolate makers.”

Trump has frequently clashed with European allies over various issues including trade tariffs, NATO funding obligations, and his interest in acquiring Greenland.

The attorney, who is married to television journalist Greta Van Susteren, received his appointment from Trump in March 2025 as deputy special envoy to Ukraine. By June, he had successfully negotiated the freedom of 14 political detainees from Belarus. Trump later promoted him to lead envoy for Belarus.

Speaking at the McCain Institute conference focused on hostage situations and wrongful detentions, Coale argued that his straightforward diplomatic style is producing positive results with Lukashenko.

For over thirty years, Lukashenko has maintained authoritarian control over Belarus’s 9.5 million citizens, leading to repeated Western sanctions for both domestic oppression and permitting Russia to use Belarusian territory for its 2022 Ukraine invasion.

Since Trump’s return to office, Belarus has freed hundreds of political detainees in exchange for sanctions relief, as Lukashenko pursues improved U.S. relations under the Republican administration.

Coale described his initial meeting with Lukashenko extending into a two-hour meal where he discreetly poured vodka shots onto the floor to avoid intoxication while his host wasn’t watching. He joked about limiting himself to just two drinks while some accompanying State Department officials consumed much more.

“All these toasts started — I can’t get hammered,” Coale recalled. “Of course, there were a couple State Department guys who drank all eight toasts and they were hammered.”

Lukashenko faced his biggest challenge following the 2020 presidential election, when massive street protests erupted over what demonstrators considered fraudulent results. These became the largest public demonstrations since Belarus gained independence after the Soviet Union’s 1991 collapse.

The government’s harsh response included detaining tens of thousands of protesters, many suffering police beatings. Key opposition leaders either fled abroad or faced imprisonment.

Five years later, Lukashenko secured a seventh term in what opposition groups condemned as a sham election.

Recently, Belarus has released several high-profile political prisoners in efforts to curry Western favor, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figures Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kolesnikova.

Just last week, Lukashenko authorized the freedom of 250 political prisoners through an agreement with Washington that resulted in lifting certain U.S. sanctions, representing his latest move toward Western reconciliation. This marked the country’s largest single release of political detainees.

Following his meeting with Coale in Minsk, Lukashenko granted these pardons. Coale praised the releases as a “significant humanitarian milestone” demonstrating Trump’s “commitment to direct, hard-nosed diplomacy.”

The McCain Institute presentation occurred just before this major prisoner release. At that time, Coale predicted the Trump administration would achieve the freedom of all political prisoners before year’s end.

“I’d be willing to bet on that,” Coale declared, mentioning plans for additional Belarus visits he expects will result in freeing “a couple hundred” more political prisoners. “I think this type of diplomacy that Donald Trump has pushed forward does work.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is reportedly engaging in private discussions about a potential deal that could conclude Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal proceedings, according to a report from Israeli news outlet Walla.

Sources familiar with these discussions indicate that no formal proposal has been developed yet. The conversations reportedly focus on whether there’s political space for an agreement that would provide Netanyahu with some form of legal protection in exchange for his withdrawal from public service.

Similar proposals have been floated previously but have never materialized into concrete action. The Walla report emphasizes that Netanyahu has not approved any such arrangement, and there’s no indication of active negotiations taking place.

Neither Herzog’s office nor Netanyahu’s team provided immediate comment following the report’s publication. The President’s Residence refused to make a statement, while Netanyahu’s office remained silent on the matter.

Sources close to Herzog indicate he has repeatedly expressed worry about the growing friction between Israel’s political establishment and judicial system over recent years. Those who have discussed the matter with Herzog describe these talks as careful explorations rather than formal initiatives, aimed at determining if the current standoff might be resolved.

The timing of these discussions is particularly notable as Israel continues its military operations alongside the United States against Iran, with ongoing missile and drone strikes targeting civilian locations. Despite the external conflicts, internal debates about leadership and Netanyahu’s legal troubles persist behind closed doors.

Netanyahu’s legal case remains a polarizing issue within Israeli society. His allies claim the charges are politically motivated, while critics, including former high-ranking legal officials, caution that any interference with the judicial process would undermine the rule of law.

The Walla report details multiple potential arrangements being considered in recent discussions. These include possibilities for presidential pardons, either before the legal proceedings conclude or afterward, as well as options connecting any legal relief to Netanyahu’s political retirement. Conversations have also touched on establishing a state commission to investigate the October 7 attack failures, though this appears to be part of broader context rather than a specific requirement.

Within Israel’s political circles, where these concepts are beginning to circulate, reactions vary significantly. Some officials view it as a possible method to end a prolonged and destabilizing situation, while others believe such steps should be avoided under any circumstances.

Currently, these discussions remain confined to private conversations with no concrete developments. It remains uncertain whether these ideas will advance further, but their reemergence demonstrates that Israel’s internal political challenges remain unresolved despite the ongoing regional conflict.

An obscure militant organization has vowed to persist in targeting American and Israeli facilities worldwide following a series of arson incidents against Jewish institutions across Europe. The pledge was made directly to CBS News as law enforcement agencies in Britain and Belgium work to address multiple fire-bombing incidents that have alarmed Jewish communities and sparked concerns about Iran-connected operations expanding outside the Middle East region.

The warning followed incidents where emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish medical service were destroyed by fire in London, and a vehicle was torched in Antwerp. A representative of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia told CBS News: “We’ll keep threatening US and Israeli interests worldwide until we’ve avenged every child in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and the resistance nations.” The spokesperson also cautioned people to stay away from “Zionist and American interests,” and the organization subsequently took credit for an additional incident in Antwerp.

CBS News reported that this group first appeared in early March, coinciding with escalated tensions between the US, Israel and Iran, and has utilized the messaging platform Telegram to announce their involvement in incidents across Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

London authorities have taken two suspects into custody, both middle-aged men of 45 and 47 years, on charges related to arson with intent to endanger lives. This followed the destruction of four emergency vehicles owned by Hatzola Northwest in the Golders Green area. Commander Helen Flanagan described the arrests as “an important breakthrough in the investigation,” though she noted that surveillance footage indicates at least three individuals participated in the attack. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams announced that enhanced police presence, including armed officers, will remain deployed at sensitive locations throughout London.

Belgian officials have detained two juveniles following the car fire in Antwerp, while the government has positioned military personnel to guard Jewish educational institutions, houses of worship, and the Israeli diplomatic mission. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the London incident as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.” The US State Department has advised American citizens globally to “exercise increased caution,” citing potential threats from Iran-affiliated groups against US facilities abroad. Security experts speaking to CBS suggested the organization’s messaging and operational methods indicate either Iran-sympathetic recruits, imitators, or a loosely coordinated proxy network designed for intimidation, disruption, and maintaining plausible deniability.

Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, housing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, faces growing danger as Iranian ballistic missiles and debris continue falling near Jerusalem’s Old City. The sacred compound, cherished by Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike, sits at the heart of religious disputes, political conflicts, and conspiracy theories that could transform a direct strike into a worldwide catastrophe.

The religious significance of this location spans three major faiths. Jewish tradition holds this as the location where the First and Second Temples once stood. Muslims consider it home to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Christians view it as part of Jerusalem’s holy landscape, connected to Jesus’ ministry and teachings. Rarely does such a compact area hold such enormous religious, historical, and political importance.

Currently, the Islamic Waqf, a Muslim religious organization under Jordan’s oversight, manages the site’s daily operations. While increasing numbers of Jews have visited and sometimes prayed at the location recently, the established arrangement has largely continued since Israel gained control of eastern Jerusalem in 1967. This framework allows the Waqf to handle religious and administrative matters while Israel maintains security responsibilities.

Though Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock hold particular importance in Sunni Arab religious and political discussions, the location also holds meaning in Shiite Islam. Iran’s Shiite leaders have long viewed Jerusalem not merely as a religious symbol but as a central component of their revolutionary identity and anti-Israel stance, making any nearby strike particularly dangerous.

Multiple fragments and smaller explosive devices have fallen in and around the Old City recently. Last Friday, an impact created a crater in a roadway and parking area within the Jewish Quarter, merely hundreds of meters from the Western Wall and Temple Mount.

During earlier phases of the conflict, debris also hit Sultan’s Pool, an ancient water reservoir beneath the Old City walls that historically supplied Jerusalem’s water system and now serves as an outdoor concert location, along with other nearby strikes.

As the conflict with Iran progresses, experts debate whether Tehran deliberately aims at the Temple Mount or if the threat to this area results from long-distance missile inaccuracy, widespread debris from interceptions, or a combination of factors. Last week, Iran reportedly stated it directed drones toward Israel’s National Security Ministry in Jerusalem as retaliation for recent killings of senior officials. Tuesday night, footage showed Israeli Defense Forces intercepting missiles aimed at the Holy City.

Some experts have informed The Media Line that many of these missiles function essentially as suicide attacks and that Iran no longer possesses accurate guidance capabilities due to extensive Israeli damage to its launchers and airspace. Others maintain that Iran retains targeting abilities and continues using them.

The question of what would occur if a missile struck the Temple Mount has moved beyond theoretical consideration.

Hillel Fuld, an experienced high-tech marketing influencer and prominent pro-Israel social media personality, shared with The Media Line that “everyone would blame the Jews and conspiracy theories would fly.”

“I go back and forth about whether the Iranian missiles are super targeted or firing in all directions,” Fuld explained. “I really don’t know. Any normal, rational person would say there is no way Iran is targeting the Temple Mount. But Iran is so unhinged that I would not put it past them, especially if they were targeting it so the world would turn on Israel.”

Based on responses from over 100 people who answered a similar question Fuld posted on X this week, many believe the world would likely blame Israel and Jewish people.

“The world blames Israel,” one respondent commented. “Riots in the streets worldwide, Jews slaughtered. The truth comes out the next day, and no one cares that it was Iran that caused the destruction because it no longer fits their narrative.”

Another X user wrote, “Iran and bot farms scream Israel did it, false flag, and try to stir up [a] march on Jerusalem.”

Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, who collaborates closely with Christian and religious Zionists on matters concerning Jewish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the Temple Mount, suggested that Iran might even claim responsibility if it struck Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“In some twisted way, they would probably try to prove it as being good for their version of Islam,” Weisz shared with The Media Line.

Simultaneously, Weisz proposed that worldwide reaction might not persist as long as anticipated. Several weeks ago, when debris struck near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, major Christian organizations provided limited condemnation of Iran. One of the few statements came from the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, an evangelical organization, rather than Orthodox Christian institutions that utilize the site. Instead, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate criticized Israel for restricting church access for security purposes, noting the absence of bomb shelters in the Old City.

“I feel like everyone would just continue to use it to support their narrative,” Weisz stated.

He suggested that a nation like Saudi Arabia might even “rejoice” at eliminating Islam’s third-holiest site, as this could strengthen its position as the primary guardian of Islamic holy locations.

A direct impact on the compound could initiate a chain reaction extending far beyond Jerusalem, fueling existing suspicions, intensifying religious emotions, and increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel regardless of who fired the missile.

These concerns stem from more than the current conflict. The mount’s sensitivity has historically generated conspiracy theories. Since at least the 1920s, during Jerusalem Grand Mufti Hajj Amin al-Husseini’s era, allegations have spread claiming Jews sought to harm or destroy the Muslim holy sites to make room for a Third Temple.

Similar stories continue today. Repeated rumors claim Israel excavates what it calls the Kotel Tunnels beneath the compound in ways that might weaken the structure, so if a missile struck, the mosque would collapse and clear space for reconstruction. This rumor has never been verified.

Allegations about Jewish intentions toward the site have also appeared in Western media recently. American commentator Tucker Carlson has accused Israel, during interviews on his program, of seeking to rebuild the Temple and advance a “Greater Israel” vision.

While such claims spread widely online, they lack foundation in official Israeli policy or mainstream religious practice.

Carlson, in one recent episode, accused Chabad Hasidim of “pushing in a pretty subtle way … for the reconstruction of the Third Temple.”

In another episode, featuring an interview with Beijing-based educator and international analyst Jiang Xueqin, Carlson permitted discussion of a “worst-case scenario,” which “would include a nuclear strike by one or more actors and the destruction of the Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem, which would spark a religious war.”

Xueqin went further, accusing various Jewish and Christian sects of working for centuries to build the Third Temple and bring the messianic age. He claimed the basic elements of that vision include “the creation of the state, the nation-state of Israel, which happened in 1948. And then you need to have the building of the Third Temple, which requires the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque … which could happen during this war, given what we’ve seen so far.”

He continued, “There’s actually talk among Israelis of using this plan to ignite a war between the Arabs and the Persians. … They also talk about the war of Gog and Magog between Israel and the entire world. Then, the coming of the Jewish Messiah, the creation of the Greater Israel project, the return of all Jews from the Diaspora. … If you just observe geopolitical events, we’re seeing these events converge together today.”

Jews have prayed for Temple reconstruction for nearly 2,000 years, since Roman destruction in 70 CE. However, this is not Israel’s official policy, nor do many contemporary rabbis support it, with some still prohibiting Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount.

Weisz and Fuld acknowledged that Jewish community members have prepared for the Third Temple’s return and are creating instruments for use on the mount. They emphasized, however, that these represent fringe groups and that the government would unlikely make dramatic policy changes even if Temple Mount damage occurred.

Recent political responses support this position. Even in August 2024, on the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates Temple destruction, when National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount and suggested the status quo had changed, the Prime Minister’s Office quickly responded.

“It is the government and the prime minister who determine policy on the Temple Mount,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated. “Israel’s policy on the Temple Mount has not changed; this is how it has been, and this is how it will be.”

Regardless of the motivation behind Jerusalem-area strikes, the danger is evident: A Temple Mount hit would not remain a localized military incident. It would almost certainly become a religious, political, and diplomatic crisis extending far beyond the battlefield.

Weisz, however, expressed a different vision for the mount, one that could emerge if such an attack reshaped ground realities.

“My dream is for a synagogue, church, and mosque to be built on the Temple Mount like the Abrahamic Family House in the United Arab Emirates,” Weisz told The Media Line, referencing the biblical verse in Isaiah 56:7, which states, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.”

He added, “If the territory became available, that would be a beautiful way to end this for Israel and the region.”

Pakistani officials revealed Wednesday that they have transmitted a comprehensive American peace proposal to Iran, featuring 15 key provisions designed to halt ongoing Middle East hostilities, according to the Associated Press.

Sources speaking anonymously detailed that the American proposal encompasses multiple critical areas: easing economic sanctions, cooperation on civilian nuclear programs, constraints on Iran’s atomic activities, monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency, curbing missile development, and ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has reportedly responded with its own set of conditions, according to the Wall Street Journal. Tehran’s demands include compensation for damages from US-Israeli bombing operations, shutting down American military installations in the Persian Gulf, and ending Israeli actions against Hezbollah.

While President Trump announced Monday he would delay strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and expressed openness to negotiations, the US military continues expanding its regional presence. Approximately 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division are scheduled for Middle East deployment in the coming days. The Pentagon is also dispatching two Marine units, bringing roughly 5,000 Marines and additional naval personnel to the area.

Despite diplomatic overtures, Iran has maintained its aggressive stance, launching fresh missile attacks Wednesday against Israeli targets and Persian Gulf locations. One strike sparked a significant blaze at Kuwait International Airport, sending thick black smoke billowing skyward.

Tehran also maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping channel that handles approximately 20 percent of global oil transport, driving up energy costs and creating market instability worldwide.

Officials in Israel confirmed Wednesday the identity of a young woman who died during a Hezbollah missile attack in the country’s northern region, as ongoing rocket barrages continue to injure civilians nationwide.

Twenty-seven-year-old Nuriel Dubin lost her life when a missile struck Mahanayim Junction on Tuesday. Emergency responders from Magen David Adom discovered her body upon reaching the attack site. Medical personnel transported two additional victims to hospitals, including one man who suffered head wounds from flying debris.

Local officials from Margaliot in the Upper Galilee region reported that Dubin leaves behind her parents Yoram and Shoshana, siblings Aviram and Sapir, and her fiancé Yadid. According to municipal statements, she dedicated her career to working with young people as both a youth counselor and preschool caregiver while also fulfilling duties as a reserve combat soldier. The couple had recently become engaged in September 2025 and were making preparations for their September 2026 wedding ceremony.

Warning sirens continued blaring throughout northern Israel following the deadly attack, alerting residents to additional incoming projectiles. Two civilians in Safed suffered minor cuts from flying glass fragments when rockets impacted their area.

Southern Israel also experienced violence when debris from an intercepted Iranian missile wounded Dr. Asra Abu Rafa, a physician in his thirties who works at Soroka Medical Center. The incident occurred near his residence in the Bedouin community of Alsira, close to Nevatim, where the missile was shot down. Medical officials reported his wife and baby daughter remained in stable condition.

Hospital staff at Soroka Medical Center provided care for 17 individuals experiencing acute anxiety reactions related to the attacks.

First responders maintained their efforts addressing rocket and missile damage throughout various locations, delivering medical assistance to injured persons in both the northern and southern territories.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A recently unsealed court document reveals that an Israeli judge has terminated an investigation into a Palestinian teenager’s death in custody, ruling that while the 17-year-old clearly suffered from starvation, investigators cannot definitively establish what killed him.

The decision offers new details about Israel’s approach to the controversial case involving Walid Ahmad, who Palestinian authorities say became the youngest Palestinian to die while in Israeli custody.

Ahmad’s family described him as being in good health before his arrest. He spent half a year at Israel’s Megiddo detention facility before collapsing this past March. While his autopsy failed to pinpoint one specific cause of death, an Israeli physician who witnessed the examination reported that starvation appeared to be the primary factor.

The unsealed decision, initially reported by Israeli newspaper Haaretz and later shared with The Associated Press, shows that Judge Ehud Kaplan ordered the investigation’s closure in December despite the autopsy results. Kaplan determined that proof of Ahmad’s starvation was insufficient to establish the cause of death.

“The fact that he was apparently starved cannot be hidden and should not be hidden,” Judge Kaplan stated in the ruling. “But I cannot determine based on the findings of the expert report that there is a causal connection between his poor physical condition and his death, and therefore I cannot determine that the death was caused by a crime.”

The judge continued: “Given this state of affairs, the investigation into his death is exhausted.”

Under Israeli law, judges may oversee investigations when detainees die in custody. These judicial officials can examine evidence to determine death causes and investigate potential wrongdoing. When evidence of misconduct emerges, judges can pursue criminal charges or, as happened with Ahmad’s case, halt the investigation entirely.

Haaretz obtained access to the ruling after successfully petitioning to have a gag order removed from the case. Most details of the decision remain confidential beyond the judge’s conclusion.

This situation has drawn attention to how Israel handles Palestinian prisoners, especially minors, within its correctional system.

According to his family, Ahmad was taken from his residence in the occupied West Bank community of Silwad during an early morning operation in September 2024, accused of hurling rocks at military personnel. His attorney, Firas al-Jabrini, reported that Israeli officials rejected multiple requests to meet with Ahmad before his death. Ahmad’s father, Khalid Ahmad, said his son was awaiting another court appearance when he died.

Dr. Daniel Solomon, the Israeli physician who observed the autopsy, documented that Ahmad suffered from severe malnutrition and displayed symptoms of colon inflammation and scabies. Solomon indicated that Ahmad likely had colitis, a medical condition causing frequent diarrhea that can sometimes be fatal.

Solomon’s findings also referenced prison medical records showing Ahmad had complained about insufficient food portions for several months.

Human rights organizations have documented extensive mistreatment, including inadequate nutrition and water supplies, at Israeli detention facilities since the October 7, 2023 start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Former prisoners have described to the AP deplorable conditions including physical violence, extreme overcrowding, limited healthcare, scabies outbreaks, and unsanitary environments.

Israeli rights organization B’Tselem reported that as of late September, Israel’s Prison Service held 350 Palestinian minors on what officials termed “security” charges, based on government statistics. An additional 110 Palestinian youth were detained for unauthorized presence in Israel.

Neither Israel’s prison service nor police responded to requests for comment.

The prison service maintains it follows legal requirements and provides all inmates with fundamental rights.

Ahmad’s father informed the AP that Israeli authorities continue to hold his son’s remains. The family has filed court papers seeking the body’s return.

“What is happening in Israeli prisons is a real tragedy, as there is no value for life,” he told the AP in April 2025.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Eleven people died when armed militants launched an ambush against Nigerian security personnel who were responding to an emergency call in the country’s northwest Kebbi state, government officials reported Wednesday.

The deadly assault took place late Tuesday in Kebbi’s Shanga council area, where security forces were being sent to address intelligence warnings of an imminent attack, state government spokesperson Yahaya Sarki confirmed. Nine soldiers, one police officer, and one civilian were killed in the violence.

Additional soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation in Giron Masa village, Sarki reported, while sharing images showing destroyed vehicles on a dirt road cutting through forested terrain.

State Governor Nasir Idris made a hospital visit to see the wounded troops and acknowledged the significant casualties from the incident. “Those that lost their lives, the government of Kebbi state will do everything to assist the families,” he stated.

This deadly encounter represents another episode in the ongoing violence plaguing Nigeria’s conflict-torn northwestern territories, where militant organizations regularly assault government security personnel and isolated rural settlements in regions where official authority remains weak.

While no organization has taken credit for Tuesday’s violence, local residents believe the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), locally called Lakurawa, may be responsible. This group has intensified its deadly operations recently in border states including Kebbi and Sokoto, which share a porous frontier with Niger Republic.

U.S. forces conducted a strike against Lakurawa inside Nigeria during December, working alongside Nigerian military units. The American intervention followed President Donald Trump’s accusations that Christians were being systematically killed in Nigeria.

Nigerian defense officials have previously stated that Lakurawa originated in neighboring Niger and expanded its Nigerian border operations after a 2023 military takeover in Niger damaged diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Two civilians died Wednesday when Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s Belgorod region along the border, according to local authorities.

Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on Telegram that the strikes claimed the lives of an 18-year-old man riding a motorcycle in a border village and a woman traveling in her vehicle in the nearby town of Graivoron.

The Belgorod area has repeatedly come under attack from Ukrainian forces throughout the ongoing four-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Just last week, Ukrainian artillery fire on a public facility in Belgorod city resulted in four deaths.

MILAN (AP) — Wednesday marked the resignation of Italy’s tourism minister following mounting pressure from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after voters decisively rejected her judicial reform proposal.

Daniela Santanchè’s exit signals potential weakness within Italy’s right-wing administration, which has held power for three and a half years, after Monday’s referendum results delivered a crushing blow to a cornerstone policy initiative.

Following the departure of two justice ministry officials in response to the overwhelming voter rejection, Meloni had pressed for Santanchè’s resignation. The prime minister issued a Tuesday statement expressing hope that Santanchè would step down “in the same spirit of institutional sensitivity.”

A prominent figure within Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, Santanchè has faced political challenges due to ongoing legal proceedings and investigations, including charges related to fraudulent accounting and alleged fraud schemes. She maintains her innocence regarding all accusations.

Although her legal troubles persisted, Santanchè weathered a 2023 no-confidence vote and maintained Meloni’s backing until recently.

In her resignation letter to Meloni, Santanchè stated she would “obey” the prime minister’s request while referencing a tense Tuesday exchange following the resignation demand. She rejected being labeled “a scapegoat” for the referendum failure, noting the measure succeeded in her home region of Lombardy and local district.

“I won’t hide from you a degree of bitterness over how my ministerial journey has ended, but in my life I am accustomed to paying my own debts — and often those of others,” Santanchè wrote.

Meloni’s coalition had promoted the judicial reforms as essential progress toward modernizing Italy’s court system, which faces criticism for delays, excessive bureaucracy, and susceptibility to political manipulation.

However, opponents contended the proposed changes would dangerously consolidate executive power. Opposition groups, civic organizations, and legal professionals formed a coalition opposing the reform, arguing it threatened institutional oversight mechanisms.

The referendum’s failure following a campaign so closely linked to Meloni’s authority has sparked concerns about her governing coalition’s unity and long-term viability.

A pre-dawn explosion at a Mexican oil refinery has claimed five lives and triggered widespread environmental damage along the Gulf coast, raising serious concerns about the impact on local communities and marine wildlife.

Guillermo Risso, who leads the community council in Puerto Ceiba, witnessed the dramatic blast at the Olmeca refinery on March 17. “It was an explosion, the entire refinery lit up,” Risso explained. “We saw flames and were alarmed,” he added, describing how the bright flash initially made him think the entire facility was burning.

According to Pemex, Mexico’s national oil company that operates the refinery, the deadly incident occurred when oil-contaminated water spilled from the facility onto a nearby roadway and ignited when a vehicle drove through it.

The company reported that by Sunday, cleanup crews had recovered 549 cubic meters of petroleum products from critical areas around the refinery site in Tabasco state. Workers also placed protective barriers along Rio Seco, the waterway that flows around the facility and feeds into the expansive Mecoacan lagoon where local residents harvest oysters.

Environmental scientist Alvaro Hernandez expressed concern about the spill’s potential reach. “The currents are deceptive, and it is possible that uncontrolled waste could reach the lagoon,” Hernandez warned.

Despite contamination fears, Hernandez observed that affected fishermen intend to continue selling their seafood during the approaching Easter season, as they cannot afford the financial impact of halting operations during this crisis.

This disaster represents the most severe incident yet at the troubled Olmeca facility, which has struggled with production shortfalls, cost overruns, and missed operational deadlines since opening.

The refinery incident follows another oil spill discovered earlier in March along the Tabasco and Veracruz coastlines. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that investigators have not yet determined which company caused that earlier environmental disaster, though officials initially suspected it originated from an offshore oil tanker.

Environmental regulators have not released damage assessments for the affected coastal areas from either spill incident.

The Olmeca refinery was designed to process 340,000 barrels daily, though it has not achieved that capacity as the government continues gradually increasing production levels. The facility represents a key component of Mexico’s strategy to expand domestic oil processing and reduce dependence on imported refined products, primarily from the United States.

The Gulf of Mexico Reef Corridor Network, representing fishing organizations, indigenous communities, and environmental advocates, recently documented oil contamination along beaches near Tuxpan and Cazones in northern Veracruz.

The organization reported finding at least seven sea turtles, two dolphins, two manatees, and one pelican affected by petroleum contamination, with most of the animals found dead.

The spills have also damaged red, black, and white mangrove forests in Laguna del Ostion, Veracruz. This critical habitat supports hairy crabs and endangered blue crabs, along with migrating bird species and river otters.

Officials in Zimbabwe announced Wednesday that fifteen of their citizens have died after falling victim to deceptive recruitment schemes that led them into combat in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while authorities across Africa sound alarms about similar fraudulent operations targeting their populations.

Speaking to media in Harare, Information Minister Zhemu Soda revealed that diplomatic efforts are underway to bring home 66 additional Zimbabweans who remain alive in the war zone.

The southern African nation joins South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria in reporting cases where their citizens were deceived into traveling to Russia under false pretenses, only to find themselves forced into military service in the ongoing four-year conflict.

According to Soda, Zimbabwean victims fell prey to dishonest employment agencies that used social media as their main recruitment tool, offering enticing job opportunities.

The minister described a consistent scheme where targets received promises of high-paying positions and secure work environments, but instead had their travel documents seized and were forced into battle.

“They receive little to no training and are placed in life-threatening situations. When they are injured, killed or captured, the recruiters vanish, leaving families in Zimbabwe with no information, no support and no one to hold accountable. In many cases, the promised remuneration is never paid,” Soda stated.

Despite maintaining strong ties with Russia, Zimbabwe is now pursuing the return of survivors and working to recover the remains of those who perished, the minister explained.

This development mirrors a broader pattern across the African continent, where governments report their citizens being drawn into the deadly conflict through misleading recruitment campaigns. The war has claimed nearly 2 million lives, according to January findings from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

South African authorities questioned eleven men who returned in February after allegedly being recruited under the guise of security training, with officials later confirming two South African deaths and multiple injuries among participants.

Intelligence sources in Kenya indicate approximately 1,000 Kenyans were recruited with job promises before being deployed to Ukrainian battlefields, with dozens wounded, missing, or still engaged in combat, and at least one confirmed fatality.

Ukrainian authorities estimate over 1,700 Africans may have been recruited to serve Russian forces, with additional cases involving Nigerian citizens and others from across the continent.

Associated Press investigations from 2024 revealed recruitment networks targeting workers throughout Africa and Asia via social media ads and private agencies, advertising work-study opportunities or civilian employment that transformed into military obligations. Multiple recruits reported passport confiscation and forced combat deployment with minimal preparation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The nation presently generates roughly one million barrels daily.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MULTIPLE BATTLEFRONTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIMITED GAINS AND EXTENDED STRIKES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

White House representatives did not respond to comment requests.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zolfaghari stated that America lacks standing to negotiate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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