Category: World News

BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, South Africa (AP) — Under the guidance of their female instructor, a group of women and girls fire their 9mm handguns at targets during weapons training at a shooting facility in the farming community of Bronkhorstspruit, located near South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria.

These participants, ranging in age from 13 to 65 years old, are seeking methods to defend themselves in a nation where violence against women has become such a severe issue that officials declared it a national emergency this past November.

“Check your grip, check your line of sight,” calls out Claire van der Westhuizen, the primary female trainer at Lone Operator shooting facility, as the women with polished fingernails prepare for another shooting round.

This specialized training program caters exclusively to women and includes practice sessions that simulate real-life defensive situations, including firing techniques while positioned on the ground.

According to U.N. Women, the United Nations organization focused on gender equality, South Africa records some of the world’s most alarming femicide statistics. Research conducted in South Africa during 2022 revealed that more than 35% of women over 18 had encountered physical or sexual assault during their lifetime, with intimate partners being the most common perpetrators.

Sunette du Toit, a 51-year-old working grandmother, decided to pursue weapons training following a terrifying home break-in where five intruders restrained her and burglarized her residence, she explained to The Associated Press.

“I was not in a position to defend myself at that point,” du Toit said. “I had to do this (firearm training) for myself to gain my confidence back to be able to move in public, and even in my own house, without feeling vulnerable.”

She described the women’s weapons training community as “a family of support.”

Gun ownership in South Africa faces strict government oversight. Individuals seeking firearms for personal protection must be at least 21 years old and successfully complete competency examinations and criminal history screenings.

Self-protection training programs for women are emerging across the nation.

In Johannesburg, South Africa’s most populous city, 33-year-old Tatiana Leyka began studying jiujitsu martial arts for personal defense, fully understanding her country’s dangerous reputation.

“I think it’s a No. 1 priority,” she said at the end of a Saturday morning class that included escaping chokeholds, avoiding being trapped against walls and other moves to help women flee attacks by men. “With the rise in numbers of gender-based violence, it’s good for you to be able to defend yourself, even if it’s just to be able to get away.”

U.N. Women reports that South Africa’s female murder rates exceed global averages by five to six times.

Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, who handles policy creation and advocacy at Sonke Gender Justice, a women’s rights organization, stated that data indicates roughly 15 women lose their lives daily in South Africa because of gender-related violence. One out of every three women has experienced sexual assault or harassment.

“That is how bad it is,” she said. “We are competing with conflict countries.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to classify violence against women and girls as a national emergency followed years of demands from women’s advocacy organizations. These groups point to economic disparity, deeply rooted male-dominated social structures, and inadequately funded law enforcement as contributing elements.

“It is a shame that our country has the dubious distinction of having one of the world’s highest levels of violence against women and girls,” Ramaphosa said in a statement announcing “national action.”

While this declaration allows officials to allocate resources toward addressing the problem, activists highlight decades of elevated gender violence statistics and a national strategic framework introduced six years ago that has failed to resolve issues as proof of a gap between policy creation and actual execution.

The shortage of women’s shelters and other safe havens demonstrates that South Africa’s policies have appeared forward-thinking in documentation but have been inadequately executed, Mangwiro-Tsanga explained.

“The reality here in South Africa is that a man who raped a woman will be arrested, go to prison. The state will spend more on that rapist than it will spend on the survivor of that rape,” she said.

South Africa maintains extremely low conviction rates for sexual assault cases, with approximately 8% of those reported in 2021 leading to convictions. Many cases were dismissed from the legal system, while the majority were never brought to trial, according to Amnesty International.

Even with promises from government officials of renewed efforts, South African women are pursuing their own protective measures, sometimes keeping their training hidden from spouses and boyfriends.

Michael Palin, who manages a jiujitsu training facility, noted that not all participants’ partners are aware they attend classes. Some women claim they are visiting the shopping mall located in front of the gym.

Marguerite Hershensohn, a 49-year-old beauty therapist, participates in firearms classes alongside her 21-year-old daughter, Nika. Hershensohn expressed gratitude that her daughter is acquiring gun defense skills rather than depending solely on police protection.

“Yes, we have to respect those authorities,” she said. “But they’re not always around.”

The women participating in the training “don’t look like G.I. Jane,” Hershensohn said. “We just look like normal women.”

However, Mangwiro-Tsanga cautioned that the trend of women turning to firearms or martial arts when society fails to safeguard them can also create problems. Rather than addressing the perpetrators, “it burdens women and girls who are already burdened,” she said.

Stephanie Graham, who teaches the jiujitsu classes, acknowledged that while many women in her program develop greater confidence, there is no assurance they will consistently be able to protect themselves.

“We can only hope that it’ll give us more confidence and heightened awareness so that we can perceive a threat a little bit earlier than the average person would,” Graham said.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created massive transportation disruptions for thousands of Muslim pilgrims who traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah religious observances, with many now stuck without clear paths home while others have abandoned their spiritual journeys entirely.

The regional warfare has overshadowed what should have been a sacred experience for those who completed the religious ceremonies at Islam’s holiest locations.

Indonesian Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak reported Thursday that over 58,860 Indonesian citizens remain trapped in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and airspace restrictions.

Officials are working with Saudi leadership and commercial carriers to reduce accommodation and transportation expenses for displaced pilgrims, Simanjuntak explained. The administration is also recommending that approximately 60,000 additional travelers delay their Umrah plans until April due to security concerns.

Ministry spokesman Ichsan Marsha described the situation as an “urgent humanitarian and logistical issue.”

Stranded pilgrim Zanirah Faris told Indonesia’s iNews television that her original departure was scrapped, with airline officials rebooking her on a March 12 flight instead.

Faris appealed to Indonesian leadership for assistance, particularly for travelers unable to cover unexpected accommodation expenses.

“Not everyone can book additional stays at a hotel,” she explained, noting the psychological impact as well. “I’m disappointed because my children have been waiting for me.”

Indonesia, which has the globe’s largest Muslim community, sends hundreds of thousands of citizens to Saudi Arabia each year for Umrah observances, particularly during Ramadan’s holy period. Unlike Hajj pilgrimage requirements, Umrah can be completed throughout the year.

Malaysian Consul General in Jeddah Mohamad Dzaraif Raja Abdul Kadir confirmed Tuesday that approximately 1,600 Malaysian Umrah participants were also stranded in Saudi Arabia, though he noted via Bernama news service that the pilgrims remained in good health.

His diplomatic office established round-the-clock coordination centers to track developments and provide support to affected nationals.

Malaysia Airlines announced temporary restoration of return flights from Jeddah and Medina through Sunday.

Additionally, Malaysia’s foreign affairs department confirmed coordination with diplomatic posts, regional authorities and aviation companies to retrieve stranded citizens, including the religious travelers.

Gulf region airports function as vital connection points for passengers traveling between Europe, Africa and Asia.

Egyptian resident Maged Kholaif, 44, had planned to return to Kuwait from Saudi Arabia on February 28 — the day hostilities began — when his departure was canceled and postponed several days.

The disruption sharply contrasted with the peaceful spirituality he had experienced during Umrah, creating “a very difficult feeling.”

Stranded alongside his wife and mother-in-law, Kholaif searched desperately for alternative routes to Kuwait, where his children waited. He grew increasingly anxious hearing reports from Kuwait about air raid sirens and explosions.

“Everyone got scared,” Kholaif recalled.

He ultimately chose overland travel and reached Kuwait Tuesday for an emotional family reunion.

Once “you have your children in front of your eyes and in your embrace, whatever happens next doesn’t matter as long as you’re together,” he reflected.

In Michigan, 47-year-old Javed Khizer decided to cancel Umrah travel plans for his family to Saudi Arabia through Turkey and Qatar connections.

“We were looking at the news and everything. We could only understand that the situation is getting worse,” he said. “It was a difficult decision. … Who knows whether I will be there for next Ramadan or not? It’s not guaranteed.”

For devout Muslims, Ramadan represents a period of heightened spiritual focus and daily fasting between sunrise and sunset.

Umrah is commonly called the minor pilgrimage and allows year-round participation, contrasting with the annual Hajj requirement. Hajj, representing one of Islam’s fundamental pillars, must be completed once during a Muslim’s lifetime if financially and physically possible.

American pilgrim Majid Mughal, 52, who is visiting Saudi Arabia with his family, said “we consider coming to the sacred land as a calling from Allah, and during this sacred month of Ramadan, I think, it is highly recommended to come and visit if you can.”

However, he acknowledged he would have postponed the trip had he anticipated the outbreak of warfare. Mughal’s family learned about the military strikes while traveling to Saudi Arabia, and while some passengers on different routes became stuck at airports, their flight continued normally.

“So far, everything is OK, thank God. There (are) no problems here,” he reported during his visit. “There are lots of people during the Ramadan time. I see security as usual,” adding: “We do feel safe.”

The family attempts to concentrate on religious observances, fasting, prayer and family connection, but staying disconnected from news coverage proves challenging while they must constantly reassure relatives at home about their safety, Mughal explained.

Return travel concerns also weigh heavily on their minds.

“We are checking the flight details, the departure details almost daily just to make sure the flights are still operating,” he said, noting his children must return to classes and he needs to resume work responsibilities.

Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah dedicated months to rebuilding its weapons stockpile through Iranian assistance and domestic production facilities, anticipating inevitable renewed conflict with Israel, according to six intelligence sources with knowledge of the group’s activities.

Following significant losses during the devastating 2024 confrontation with Israel, Hezbollah leadership determined that future combat was unavoidable and could potentially threaten the organization’s survival, sources indicated.

Reuters obtained information from three Lebanese contacts briefed on Hezbollah operations, two international officials stationed in Lebanon, and one Israeli military representative, all requesting anonymity due to lack of authorization for media statements.

These previously unreported details about Hezbollah’s rearmament campaign have not been disclosed before.

Youssef al-Zein, who leads Hezbollah’s media operations, declined to discuss military activities with Reuters, though he confirmed the organization’s commitment to “fight to the last breath.”

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND WEAPONS RESTOCKING

Established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, Hezbollah initiated rocket and drone strikes against Israel on Monday following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, drawing Lebanon into the expanding Middle Eastern conflict.

While this decision surprised some internal officials, Hezbollah had been systematically preparing military supplies and command infrastructure for eventual confrontation with Israel, the six sources confirmed.

The organization operated with a $50 million monthly allocation, primarily funded by Iran for fighter compensation, according to a Lebanese source familiar with the group’s financial and military operations. An international official verified this monthly budget figure.

The duration of this funding arrangement and its comparison to previous financial support remained unclear.

Hezbollah stated that Iranian funding supported housing costs for individuals displaced during the 2024 conflict. Approximately 60,000 Lebanese citizens, predominantly from the Shi’ite Muslim population that forms Hezbollah’s support base, remained homeless throughout the past year due to destroyed residences.

The organization also focused on restoring drone and rocket inventories through domestic production, confirmed by the first Lebanese source, international officials, and the Israeli military representative. The Israeli official noted Hezbollah utilized Iranian financing for both weapons smuggling and local manufacturing, though production capacity had decreased.

The second international official reported that the group had positioned additional rockets and Iranian-supplied logistical equipment in southern Lebanon prior to current hostilities.

Hezbollah’s media representatives did not respond immediately to inquiries about rearmament activities and Iranian support.

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani confirmed to Reuters that Hezbollah “had a lot of arms left” while actively seeking additional weapons. “They were trying to smuggle and we were preventing that,” Shoshani stated.

ESCALATING ATTACK FREQUENCY

The 2024 conflict concluded with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire after two months of intensive fighting. Hezbollah ceased attacks on Israel, which continued targeting what it described as Hezbollah’s military reconstruction efforts.

Israeli forces maintained positions at five strategic hilltop locations in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese authorities began seizing Hezbollah weapons in the southern region last year, though Israel claimed the group’s rearmament pace exceeded disarmament efforts.

Speaking with Reuters prior to Hezbollah’s entry into regional warfare, the first Lebanese source confirmed the organization had been reconstructing military capabilities “in parallel” with Israeli efforts to eliminate them.

Current attack patterns indicate Hezbollah’s weapons inventory levels.

The organization launched 60 drones and rockets on March 2, its initial attack day, with similar numbers the following day, according to the second international official monitoring Hezbollah activities.

However, March 4 saw Hezbollah deploy more than double that quantity of projectiles, suggesting access to larger weapons caches, the official explained.

ALMA, an Israeli research organization monitoring northern border security, estimated Hezbollah’s pre-attack arsenal at approximately 25,000 rockets and missiles, primarily short and medium-range varieties.

A March 4 Hezbollah video displayed a fighter preparing a drone in forested terrain. Defense analyst Riad Kahwaji from Dubai’s Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis identified the device as a Shahed-101, which he confirmed could be manufactured locally.

ANTICIPATING EXISTENTIAL CONFLICT

Hezbollah has redeployed elite Radwan force members to southern Lebanon, Reuters reported this week. These fighters had been relocated from the area following the 2024 conflict.

Post-ceasefire Israeli strikes targeted what Israel identified as Hezbollah training facilities. In late February, Israeli military forces attacked eight military installations used by the Radwan force for weapons storage and confrontation preparation.

The Israeli official and first international representative reported Hezbollah’s recruitment difficulties as a result.

The organization lost 5,000 fighters during the 2024 war, representing unprecedented damage to its military force, though the second Lebanese source indicated approximately 95,000 fighters remained.

Before entering current regional conflict, Hezbollah became convinced Israel would execute a major operation designed to “disable its ability to retaliate,” the first Lebanese source revealed.

A third international official familiar with Hezbollah’s strategic thinking explained this assessment motivated the group’s initial strike decision, anticipating Israel would eventually shift focus from Iran to Hezbollah.

“They knew they were next on the list,” the official stated.

Two soldiers from Ghana are fighting for their lives after missiles struck their United Nations peacekeeping base in Lebanon on Friday, according to Ghana’s military officials.

The attack targeted the command center of Ghana’s UN peacekeeping forces stationed in Lebanon, Ghana’s armed forces confirmed in an official statement released from Accra on March 6th.

Military officials described the injuries sustained by the two Ghanaian peacekeepers as critical following the missile bombardment of their headquarters facility.

Military hostilities with Iran have now stretched into their second week, with President Donald Trump shutting down potential peace talks by demanding Tehran’s complete capitulation while fighting spreads across the Middle East.

The conflict’s scope has broadened significantly since U.S. and Israeli forces initiated strikes against Iran on February 28, with combat now extending into Lebanon and affecting several Gulf nations that house American military bases.

Trump took to social media Friday to reject any negotiated settlement, posting: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”

His ultimatum came just hours after Iran’s president had indicated that several nations were attempting to broker a cease-fire, briefly suggesting diplomatic channels might remain open.

The President’s hardline stance has created uncertainty about when or how the fighting might conclude, particularly as he has provided varying explanations for American objectives in the region.

Iranian forces have retaliated by launching attacks against Israel and multiple Gulf countries hosting U.S. military facilities. On Friday, explosions echoed across Israel as defense systems intercepted incoming Iranian projectiles, while the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all faced fresh drone and missile strikes.

Israeli operations have significantly escalated in Lebanon, with forces conducting intensive bombing campaigns against Beirut after ordering the complete evacuation of the city’s southern districts – an unprecedented directive affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

“We’re sleeping here in the streets – some in cars, some on the street, some on the beach,” described Jamal Seifeddin, a 43-year-old who fled Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and spent Friday night outdoors in the downtown area.

The Norwegian Refugee Council estimates approximately 300,000 Lebanese have been forced from their homes over the past four days as Israel targets Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia that has wielded significant political influence in Lebanon since the 1980s.

Israeli military officials report destroying 80% of Iran’s air defense capabilities during the campaign’s first week while eliminating more than 60% of the country’s missile launching systems. On Friday, 50 Israeli aircraft struck an underground bunker reportedly still being used by Iranian leadership beneath the ruins of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Tehran compound.

Early Saturday morning, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported strikes against Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, though neither Iran’s Revolutionary Guard nor Hezbollah immediately responded to the developments.

Trump’s surrender demands have rattled global financial markets, with European and American stock indices declining Friday as oil prices reached multi-year highs. The critical Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor has been effectively shut down, further disrupting energy markets.

In a Thursday Reuters interview, Trump stated he must have input in selecting Iran’s next supreme leader following Khamenei’s death on the conflict’s opening day – an extraordinary assertion of influence over a nation of more than 90 million people.

Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani rejected such interference, telling reporters that new leadership would be chosen “in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people – without any foreign interference.”

Israeli officials have openly declared their intention to overthrow Iran’s current government system, reportedly coordinating with Iranian Kurdish militias near the border to exploit the conflict for territorial gains.

Iran characterizes the hostilities as an unprovoked assault and describes Khamenei’s killing as an assassination.

The Washington Post reported Friday that Russia has begun providing Iran with intelligence about U.S. naval and air force positions throughout the Middle East, helping compensate for Iran’s degraded surveillance capabilities.

Trump met with defense contractor executives Friday, later announcing they had committed to accelerating weapons production as recent operations have depleted military supplies. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said current stockpiles remain sufficient for Iran operations, which she estimated would require four to six weeks to complete.

Casualty figures continue mounting across the region. Iran’s U.N. ambassador cited Red Crescent data showing at least 1,332 Iranian deaths since fighting began February 28. Lebanon’s health ministry has documented 123 fatalities and 683 injuries from Israeli attacks, while Iranian strikes have killed 11 Israelis and at least six American service members.

Two U.S. officials told Reuters that military investigators believe American forces were likely responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed numerous children during the war’s first day, though final conclusions have not been reached.

WASHINGTON – Federal officials announced Friday they have greenlit a major weapons transaction with Israel valued at $151.8 million, bypassing the typical congressional oversight process.

The approved sale includes 12,000 BLU-110A/B general purpose bomb bodies weighing 1,000 pounds each, according to State Department officials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked emergency authority to fast-track the weapons transfer, citing urgent circumstances that necessitated immediate delivery to Israel. This decision comes as both the United States and Israel remain engaged in military operations against Iran.

During a press conference in Tokyo, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be completely eliminated from the royal succession line due to what he described as “deplorable” conduct.

The Canadian leader told journalists that the same behavior which led to Andrew losing his prince title should “necessitate” his complete removal from succession eligibility.

Although Andrew lost his royal prince status this past October following controversy over his association with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles III’s younger sibling still holds the eighth position in the monarchy’s succession order.

As a Commonwealth nation with historical colonial ties, Canada recognizes King Charles III as its official head of state.

Carney, who previously served as Bank of England governor, acknowledged that while Mountbatten-Windsor sits “well down” in the succession hierarchy, he emphasized that the “point of principle stands.”

The prime minister noted that established procedures exist for removing individuals from succession eligibility and believes those protocols should be implemented in this case.

Currently, the royal succession order places Charles’ eldest son Prince William as the direct heir, followed by his three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Japanese officials traveled to Washington this week seeking guarantees that their nation won’t face unfair treatment under America’s newest tariff policies, according to statements made Friday by Japan’s trade minister.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa revealed he spent two hours meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, requesting protection from a possible 15% tariff on Japanese products. Akazawa spoke to media following their discussion.

The diplomatic outreach follows recent changes to US trade policy after the Supreme Court struck down several of President Donald Trump’s major tariffs in February. Washington responded by implementing a new 10% across-the-board tariff that has the potential to increase to 15%, creating fresh concerns worldwide about existing trade agreements and import costs.

According to Akazawa, both nations confirmed their dedication to the trade agreement reached last year, which established a standard 15% tariff on almost all Japanese imports. This represented a significant reduction from the previous 27.5% rate on automobiles and the initially proposed 25% on most other products.

“We requested that Japan’s treatment under the new tariff rules would not become less favorable than what was agreed last year,” Akazawa stated, explaining that Trump’s new universal tariff could potentially increase expenses for specific Japanese export products.

The minister chose not to reveal how American officials responded to Japan’s request.

Akazawa further disclosed that he and Lutnick explored various initiatives connected to Japan’s $550-billion investment commitment to the United States, along with collaboration on energy and essential minerals. These discussions occur before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s scheduled Washington visit on March 19.

Previous Reuters reporting indicated that both countries are working to incorporate a nuclear energy project featuring Westinghouse into the second phase of agreements under Tokyo’s investment promises made as part of the US tariff deal.

In February, officials announced the initial phase consisting of three projects valued at $36 billion total, encompassing offshore drilling operations, natural gas development, and synthetic diamond production.

The US Commerce Department posted on social media platform X that Lutnick and Akazawa conducted discussions about enhancing economic relationships following February’s investment agreement, without referencing tariff matters.

WASHINGTON – Pentagon officials confirmed Friday that American forces carried out deadly military operations in Ecuador, working alongside Ecuadorian troops in the effort.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the mission on social media, stating: “At the request of Ecuador, the Department of War executed targeted action to advance our shared objective of dismantling narco-terrorist networks.”

This marks the second joint operation between American and Ecuadorian forces this week, following a previous mission that was announced by U.S. Southern Command earlier in the week.

The operations represent ongoing cooperation between the two nations in combating drug trafficking organizations operating in the region.

Three major allies are charting their own course to secure essential minerals, moving away from a trade partnership proposed by the United States to counter China’s overwhelming control of rare earth supplies.

Senior government representatives from Japan, France, and Canada revealed they are developing independent strategies to obtain critical minerals and decrease dependence on Chinese sources, according to Reuters reporting from Toronto.

The alternative approaches being considered include establishing import limits on specific rare earth materials, providing financial support to mining operations that can diversify mineral supply chains, and creating a purchasing alliance – a Canadian-initiated G7 project designed to establish dependable mineral sources beyond China’s reach and challenge that nation’s stranglehold on these essential materials.

Last month, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced America’s intention to organize allies into a special trade partnership focused on critical minerals. However, four weeks following that declaration, several countries are pursuing different strategies, reflecting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for mid-sized nations to unite as President Donald Trump has strained relationships with traditional partners.

The White House has not provided a response to requests for comment.

Hiroyuki Hatada, who leads the Americas Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, spoke at a Toronto mining conference about potential solutions. He suggested that providing subsidies to projects throughout the Western Hemisphere could make them economically viable competitors to Chinese operations.

These rare earth elements are challenging to extract and are essential components in mobile devices, electric vehicles, and advanced military equipment. China maintains control over more than 90% of these materials and implemented export restrictions last year as a response to American tariffs.

Japan has encouraged its manufacturing sectors to establish business agreements with rare earth projects that the country has supported financially alongside partners including France, Australia, and Canada.

“They might not be the cheapest, but now that the industry understands the balance of risk and price, it is not a bad idea to use those projects,” Hatada explained.

Benjamin Gallezot, France’s interministerial representative for strategic mineral and metal supplies, informed Reuters that the American proposal represents one method of diversification, “but there are other ways to do it.”

“There will not be a general policy, that is our view. Second, it has to be built and discussed between a large number of countries, not only the G7, but G7 plus,” he stated.

France has proposed implementing a quota arrangement limiting how much metal companies can import, along with requirements for businesses in specific industries to diversify their supply sources. Gallezot also indicated France backs Canada’s buyers’ alliance concept and will advance this idea as France assumes the G7 leadership role this year.

Over the past two years, G7 nations have introduced various measures to address China’s rare earth market dominance. Western governments express concern that critical industries, including defense, have become overly dependent on inexpensive rare earth materials from China.

Canada has recently finalized 30 new agreements with 12 nations for proposed investments totaling C$12.6 billion ($9.22 billion) in mining and mining technology, bringing total investments to approximately C$18 billion since October. On March 4, Australia announced it would participate in Canada’s G7 critical minerals production partnership.

“Canada believes that the best way to address the issue of concentrated supply of critical minerals is through a production alliance or a buyers’ club,” Energy and Mining Minister Tim Hodgson told Reuters on Tuesday.

The Pentagon plans to deploy an innovative anti-drone technology to Middle Eastern locations after the system demonstrated effectiveness against Russian unmanned aircraft in Ukraine, according to two U.S. officials who spoke with The Associated Press on Friday.

Although American forces have successfully intercepted Iranian missiles using Patriot and THAAD defense systems, current anti-drone capabilities in the region remain inadequate, explained a defense official who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of military operations.

One official described America’s efforts to counter Iran’s Shahed drones as “disappointing,” noting that Tehran’s unmanned aircraft represent a more primitive design compared to the advanced versions Russia continues developing and deploying in Ukraine.

This military enhancement reflects growing worries about potential Iranian retaliation throughout the region following recent American and Israeli military operations. Nations along the Persian Gulf have criticized the lack of sufficient preparation time before facing waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks.

The technology being transferred, called Merops, operates by launching counter-drones against incoming threats. Compact enough to transport in a standard pickup truck, the system can detect hostile drones and pursue them using artificial intelligence that functions even when GPS and communication signals face interference.

Traditional radar equipment designed for high-velocity missiles often fails to detect drones, which can appear similar to birds or aircraft. Merops specifically targets these smaller threats while offering significant cost advantages over firing missiles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at drones costing under $50,000.

Connecticut Representative Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged this week that “we’re pretty good at taking missiles down. What is much more problematic for us is the huge inventory of Iranian drones, which are hard to detect and hard to take down.”

Himes characterized the drone threat as a “math problem” because America cannot continue depending on expensive interceptors like Patriot systems to destroy inexpensive Iranian drones.

“It’s really, really expensive to take down a cheap drone,” he explained. “A giant missile going after a tiny little crappy drone.”

NATO members Poland and Romania received Merops deployments in November after Russian attack drones repeatedly violated NATO airspace. The defense official confirmed that America has gained valuable insights from operating this system and similar technologies in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Thursday that Washington requested his nation’s assistance in combating Iran’s Shahed drones, which Russia has deployed extensively throughout Ukraine. While Zelenskyy did not detail the specific support Ukraine would provide, the defense official confirmed Merops represents part of this collaboration.

When questioned about Zelenskyy’s statements, Trump responded to Reuters Thursday: “Certainly, I’ll take, you know, any assistance from any country.”

Defense officials indicated Merops will operate at multiple Middle Eastern sites, including locations without permanent U.S. military presence. Perennial Autonomy, the manufacturer supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, will handle most direct shipments without impacting European defensive capabilities.

Perennial Autonomy has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Merops deployment in the Middle East.

Pentagon leadership admitted during private congressional briefings this week that stopping Iranian drone swarms remains challenging, leaving some American assets in Gulf nations exposed.

“This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained to reporters this week.

Michael Robbins, who leads AUVSI, a drone industry organization, argued that experiences in the Middle East and Ukraine demonstrate America must rapidly deploy advanced counter-drone capabilities, ensuring “our forces can defend bases and populations without spending a million dollars to stop a $50,000 threat.”

Croatia will reinstate compulsory military service beginning this week, marking the first time in 17 years that the European Union nation has required mandatory military duty.

Starting Monday, 800 new recruits will begin two-month basic training programs at military facilities throughout the country.

The Croatian government modified its defense legislation last October to bring back mandatory service, aligning with European trends as tensions with Russia have prompted calls for enhanced defense readiness across the continent.

While the public initially showed mixed reactions to the policy change, more than half of the initial group of recruits volunteered for service, with women making up 10% of participants. Only 10 individuals have filed for conscientious objector status and requested civilian service assignments instead, representing the lowest such percentage in Europe according to academic experts.

Leon Dejanovic, an 18-year-old internet influencer, will begin his training in May as one of 4,000 conscripts the government intends to recruit annually.

Although receiving his draft notification in January felt “a little scary and surprising,” the social media personality with thousands of followers said he sees the upcoming training as an opportunity to step away from his digital world.

“Honestly, I cannot wait to be without my cell phone for a while because I am on my cell phone all day for my job,” Dejanovic told Reuters from his home in Karlovac, located 50 kilometers southwest of Zagreb, the capital.

The training program will cover fundamental survival techniques, self-defense, first aid, and operating FPV drones. Participants receive various benefits including a monthly stipend of 1,100 euros ($1,272.04), employment history credits, and priority consideration for government jobs.

However, not everyone shares Dejanovic’s positive outlook. His friend Josip Franjo Cvitesic, a 19-year-old factory employee, expressed reservations about the program.

“I haven’t received a call-up yet, but honestly, I’m against it,” said Cvitesic, explaining his worry that military service might interfere with his employment and earnings.

With Croatia’s reinstatement of mandatory service, 10 NATO member countries now require compulsory military duty, alongside Greece, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

QUITO, Ecuador — Cuban embassy personnel departed Ecuador on Friday following the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by President Daniel Noboa’s administration demanding their immediate exit from the country.

Embassy workers lowered the Cuban flag from their diplomatic facility in northern Quito before their departure.

Cuba’s Foreign Ministry issued a Friday statement announcing the complete closure of embassy operations in Quito while expressing disappointment over what it called “the unilateral and unfriendly action” taken by Ecuador’s leadership.

The South American nation on Wednesday branded Cuban Ambassador Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez and his entire diplomatic team as unwelcome individuals, ordering their departure within two days.

Following the expulsion announcement, witnesses observed someone on the embassy rooftop destroying documents by fire in what appeared to be an oven. The Associated Press captured the incident, which President Noboa later shared on social media with the comment: “A paper barbecue.”

Ecuador’s foreign affairs department stated the expulsion followed established international diplomatic protocols but provided no explanation for forcing the departure. Under the Vienna Convention, nations may remove diplomatic personnel without justification.

This diplomatic breakdown comes just before President Trump’s scheduled Florida meeting with multiple conservative Latin American officials, including Noboa. The timing coincides with heightened U.S. sanctions against countries conducting oil trade with Cuba, which Trump recently labeled a “failed nation,” and follows rising tensions after the January 3rd U.S. military capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a close Cuban partner, in Caracas.

Cuban officials announced Thursday that a fifth person has succumbed to injuries sustained during a deadly February confrontation involving a speedboat registered in Florida.

Cuba’s interior ministry reported that Roberto Álvarez Ávila passed away on March 4 from wounds received in the incident. Ministry officials stated that other injured individuals who were detained “continue to receive specialized medical care according to their health status.”

The fatal encounter occurred on February 26 when Cuban military personnel intercepted a speedboat carrying 10 individuals as it neared the island’s coastline. According to Cuban officials, those aboard the vessel fired upon the soldiers first. Cuba maintains that the boat’s occupants were armed Cuban expatriates residing in the United States who intended to infiltrate the country and “unleash terrorism.” Cuban forces reportedly killed four people initially and injured six others during the exchange.

“The statements made by the detainees themselves, together with a series of investigative procedures, reinforce the evidence against them,” Cuba’s interior ministry declared, noting that “new elements are being obtained that establish the involvement of other individuals based in the U.S.”

This week, Cuban authorities announced terrorism charges against six individuals who were aboard the vessel. Officials displayed confiscated materials they claim were recovered from the boat, including 12 high-caliber firearms, over 12,800 rounds of ammunition, and 11 handguns.

Cuban officials have released limited information about the shooting incident, stating only that it occurred approximately 1.6 kilometers northeast of Cayo Falcones along Cuba’s northern shoreline. While authorities provided the vessel’s registration information, verification remains difficult as Florida does not make boat registration records publicly accessible.

The incident has the potential to escalate diplomatic tensions between former President Donald Trump’s administration and the Cuban government. Cuba’s economic stability had previously depended heavily on Venezuelan oil support, which became uncertain following a U.S. military intervention that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.

PARIS, March 6 – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister has issued a stark warning to European Union nations, stating that any country providing military support to U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran will face retaliatory strikes.

Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi delivered the warning during a television interview with France 24, declaring that such nations would become targets for Iranian response.

“Any country that joins in the aggression against Iran, joins America and Israel in the aggression against Iran, definitely, they will be also legitimate targets for Iran retaliation,” Takht-Ravanchi stated during the interview.

The warning comes as several European nations, including France, Greece, and Italy, have deployed naval vessels toward the Middle East region. Despite these military movements, most EU leadership has publicly condemned Iranian military actions while simultaneously advocating for diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday that Berlin is collaborating with international partners to develop strategies for ending hostilities with Iran. However, Merz also affirmed that Germany aligns with the objectives of both the United States and Israel in the region.

TUNIS, Tunisia — Several pro-Palestinian organizers were taken into custody by Tunisian police on Friday amid growing tensions surrounding plans for a new humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, according to activist groups.

Local media outlets in Tunisia reported that the country’s National Guard financial crimes division launched an investigation into possible money laundering, fraud, and improper handling of donated funds raised for the flotilla effort.

The investigation is reportedly focused on multiple leaders and committee members involved in steering the flotilla project, with some individuals being held while officials examine how donation money was collected and managed. Tunisian government officials have not issued any public statements regarding the arrests.

Among those detained were Wael Naouar, Jawaher Channa, and Nabil Channoufi, all connected to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s leadership team and its Tunisian organizing branch, activists confirmed. The arrested individuals have not made any public comments.

Flotilla organizers have condemned the arrests as an attack on Palestinian solidarity efforts and are demanding the immediate freedom of those in custody.

The arrests came after multiple days of interference with flotilla-related activities in Tunis as groups prepared for a new civilian maritime mission aimed at reaching Gaza. Israeli forces stopped similar vessels and arrested participants during a comparable flotilla attempt in the previous year.

United Nations officials report that hundreds of thousands of supply pallets have accumulated at Gaza border crossings since an October ceasefire took effect. However, Israeli authorities have barred more than two dozen aid organizations from Gaza operations due to non-compliance with updated registration requirements, leaving Gaza’s 2 million Palestinian residents still facing severe humanitarian conditions.

The planned flotilla is designed to carry over 1,000 participants, including medical professionals, war crimes researchers, and engineers, organizers stated. A coordinated land convoy is also planned that could involve thousands of additional supporters. The vessels are scheduled to depart from ports in Spain, Tunisia, and Italy.

Officials prohibited a Thursday gathering in Tunis that was set to welcome international activists, including Brazilian advocate Thiago Ávila, Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, and Palestinian organizer Seif Abu Koshk from the Global March to Gaza.

Ávila’s representatives posted on Facebook that he was also detained Friday at Brussels Airport while traveling from Tunis to Amsterdam for a Hague Group meeting, an alliance of nations committed to legal and diplomatic efforts supporting international law.

Security personnel also blocked a ceremony earlier this week at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port that was meant to recognize dock workers who had assisted with last year’s flotilla mission, activists reported.

Before Friday’s detentions occurred, the Tunisian section of the flotilla’s organizing committee had announced plans for a Saturday evening demonstration in Tunis supporting Iran following combined military strikes by the United States and Israel.

PARIS (AP) — The French capital’s Fashion Week is proving once again why it stands as the world’s fashion epicenter, featuring A-list celebrities filling front rows, daring design innovations, and runway collections exploring major themes around authority, artisanship and feminine form.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey drew attention at both the Stella McCartney and Chloé presentations. Meanwhile, actresses Sissy Spacek and Julia Garner joined rapper Lil Yachty in premium seating at the Loewe show.

The celebrity presence has equaled the artistic vision — with both reaching impressive heights.

At the midpoint of fall 2026 presentations, distinct patterns are surfacing from the catwalks: intentional dressing, pleasurable fashion choices, and bold confidence in appearance.

These are the movements shaping this season’s direction.

This year marks six decades since the women’s tuxedo debuted, and Saint Laurent maintains unmatched ownership of this heritage.

Designer Anthony Vaccarello, celebrating his decade leading the brand, presented a series of precision-cut Smokings — the label’s signature term for its legendary women’s formal wear — featuring deep V-necks and stretched proportions that sparked the same rebellious spirit founder Yves Saint Laurent introduced during the 1960s.

Vaccarello’s vision extended beyond formal occasions.

He translated identical sensual, form-fitting construction into business attire using flowing pinstripe materials with minimal internal structure, essentially proposing that tuxedo styling deserves a place in women’s wardrobes throughout the day.

While numerous Milan brands presented impressive black business suits this season, Saint Laurent’s interpretation maintains distinct territory — more polished, more precise, carrying deeper significance.

Vaccarello’s complementary element involved lace, reinforced with latex and constructed into structured cardigan-style jackets and straight skirts.

This represented lace with strength — resilient rather than fragile.

Combined with dramatic eye makeup, substantial gold accessories and slingback shoes, the collection demonstrated that Saint Laurent’s signature elements remain as influential as ever.

Fashion creators are embracing body-revealing designs this season without hesitation.

Vaquera designers Bryn Taubensee and Patric DiCaprio presented a controversial showcase within a Parisian church, featuring revealed skin throughout — hip-hugging pants, leather garments with purposefully positioned zippers and nods to fashion’s most daring moments from recent decades.

At Courrèges, Nicolas Di Felice constructed his lineup around following one woman’s daily journey from bedroom to nightclub, incorporating body-hugging cuts and angular openings on pinafore dresses.

Isabel Marant’s designer Kim Bekker emphasized brief and fitted pieces with tiny cropped shorts, mini skirts and sleek leather pencil skirts.

At Loewe, the creative partnership of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez continues reshaping luxury craftsmanship concepts — while clearly enjoying the process.

Their second collection delivered sensory impact: inflatable channels integrated into outerwear and leather raincoats, shearling shaped and styled to mimic champion poodle grooming, and latex formed in 3D-printed molds to reinvent intimate wear essentials.

The setting was saturated in taxi cab yellow, electronic music provided the soundtrack, and plush marine animals occupied front row spots alongside Hollywood celebrities.

The design team has referenced artist Cosima von Bonin as major influence, explaining the gingham details and hand-painted botanical patterns throughout the collection.

Their craftsmanship approach deliberately contrasts with designers celebrating imperfection or handmade qualities.

McCollough and Hernandez pursue craftsmanship so advanced it eliminates all traces of human touch — leather jackets thinned to feather weight, joined so seamlessly they appear machine-manufactured. This represents bold contradiction: supreme expertise appearing effortless.

Fringe detailing is gaining prominence across numerous presentations.

At Carven, designer Mark Thomas established it as his confident second collection’s hallmark — fringed gloves, textured surfaces and ultra-thin layered panels bringing motion and depth to skirts and dresses.

He combined sheer organza with lace in wine and chocolate shades, producing romantic yet purposeful clothing.

Fringe elements have appeared throughout other shows, establishing itself as one of the season’s subtle but consistent movements.

Courrèges under Di Felice has emerged as one of the week’s most dependable presentations.

His fifth-year anniversary collection displayed narrow flared coats, A-line skirts and vinyl knife-pleated into dresses — sophisticated Parisian minimalism attracting both younger buyers and fashion reviewers.

This represents uncommon dual appeal, which Di Felice has achieved.

Isabel Marant’s Bekker had models rushing down runways wearing weathered denim, reversible statement jackets and glittering knitted mini dresses with curved-heel pumps.

The atmosphere was energetic, social and boldly enjoyable — representing women moving between fashion shows and celebrations, living intensely.

Deep reds, bright blue and Mondrian-inspired color blocking highlighted the denim-focused color scheme.

Evening wear carried disco influences, featuring flowing sparkly dresses and high-split satin skirts.

WASHINGTON — International law specialists conclude that a deadly submarine torpedo strike by U.S. forces against an Iranian naval vessel appears to comply with both international and American military regulations, although uncertainty remains about whether adequate rescue operations were conducted for the 32 survivors.

According to legal scholars, questions are emerging regarding the legal foundation of the broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and the response following the torpedo strike on the IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.

The submarine attack on the Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka resulted in 87 fatalities, while 32 Iranian naval personnel were pulled from the water alive.

Marko Milanovic, an international law professor at the University of Reading in Britain, characterized the broader Iranian operations as “a clear violation of the UN charter,” but noted the Dena represented “a clear military target.”

“Targeting a military vessel is not a war crime,” Milanovic stated.

According to the Indian government, the warship had recently completed naval training exercises hosted by India and was traveling through international waters on its return journey.

Rachel VanLandingham, a Southwestern Law School professor and former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who worked as a judge advocate general, explained that neither the ship’s distance from active combat zones nor its participation in joint naval training affected the strike’s legality.

“It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t firing at the time,” she explained regarding the Iranian vessel. “It matters that it can be used to fire at American military assets.”

However, the events following the torpedo impact may present legal concerns.

“The attack may not violate the law of war, but that’s only the start of the analysis,” explained Brian Finucane, a former decade-long member of the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser. “What happens after the attack is another matter.”

Under international humanitarian law, U.S. forces should have implemented “all possible measures” to assist in locating and rescuing wounded or shipwrecked individuals.

The Pentagon’s Defense Department Law of War Manual establishes identical obligations for American naval forces. However, the manual acknowledges that “practical limitations,” such as a submarine’s confined space, might necessitate alerting other vessels, aircraft, or nearby officials about survivor locations.

Taking individuals aboard a submarine — among the U.S. Navy’s most secure vessels — also creates complications.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, verified that American forces notified Sri Lankan officials of the ship’s coordinates for search and rescue operations after the attack.

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, informed Parliament that the nation’s navy received an emergency signal from the damaged vessel and deployed ships and aircraft for rescue operations.

However, when Sri Lankan naval forces arrived at the site, the ship had disappeared, leaving “only some oil patches and life rafts,” according to navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath. “We found people floating on the water.”

Finucane noted that without additional details, “it’s hard to evaluate whether there were possible measures they could have taken. But at a minimum, they should be explaining this.”

Eugene R. Fidell, a Yale Law School military law instructor, suggested it “may be a long time before we have a full account of who did what and when in the aftermath of the attack. If as it appears, they alerted the coastal authorities, they did right to do so.”

Nevertheless, challenging questions persist, Fidell observed, particularly regarding whether rescue teams could reach the location quickly enough. “So until we get more clarity, granular clarity, I think it’s premature to make any judgments,” he stated. “I’m being circumspect, but I think It’s important to be circumspect.”

Federal prosecutors filed civil forfeiture actions on Friday seeking to recover more than $15.3 million allegedly tied to an illegal Iranian oil smuggling operation, according to the Justice Department.

The legal actions target funds that prosecutors claim Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani used to “operate multiple distribution companies” that sold and transported Iranian oil and other goods in defiance of American economic sanctions.

According to the Justice Department, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who served as a senior adviser to Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The department noted that both Ali Shamkhani and Ali Khamenei died in joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran conducted last week.

Swedish maritime authorities seized control of a cargo vessel in Baltic Sea waters on Friday afternoon, citing concerns about the ship’s legal status and registration.

Coast guard officials boarded the vessel at approximately 3:50 p.m. near Trelleborg, a coastal town in southern Sweden, according to an official statement. Authorities questioned the legitimacy of the ship’s flag registration and considered it to be operating without proper documentation.

The vessel, named Caffa, was flying a Guinean flag at the time of the seizure, but Swedish authorities determined it should be classified as stateless under domestic and international maritime regulations. Law enforcement officials suspect the ship was operating under fraudulent flag documentation.

Maritime tracking data shows the Caffa is a 96-meter cargo freighter used for general shipping purposes.

Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin revealed on social media that the vessel appears on Ukraine’s sanctions list as a freight ship.

“The ownership structure is unclear and there are suspicions that the vessel is not insured. As recently as this summer, the ship is said to have changed from a Russian to a Guinean flag,” Bohlin wrote.

Maritime officials have opened a formal investigation into potential violations of shipping laws related to vessel safety and seaworthiness standards.

“The Coast Guard has personnel on board to gather information about the condition of the vessel and crew, conduct searches, and conduct interviews,” authorities stated.

National Public Radio journalists recently provided analysis of the escalating Middle East conflict during an episode of the national security podcast ‘Sources & Methods.’

Host Mary Louise Kelly conducted interviews with Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman and international correspondent Aya Batrawy to examine the current state of warfare in the region and its broader implications.

The podcast episode focused on understanding the experience of being within an expanding conflict zone as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. intelligence officials say Moscow has shared data with Tehran that could enable Iran to target American naval vessels, aircraft and other military resources throughout the region.

The sources, who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of the intelligence, emphasized that there’s no evidence Russia is instructing Iran on how to use this information.

This marks the initial sign that Russia may be getting involved in the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran that began a week ago. Moscow maintains one of the few remaining diplomatic relationships with Tehran, as Iran faces international isolation due to its nuclear activities and backing of regional militant organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.

The White House minimized concerns about Russia potentially sharing intelligence regarding U.S. targets in the area. During a Friday briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that “it clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them.”

When asked if President Trump had discussed the alleged intelligence sharing with Russian President Vladimir Putin or if Russia should face consequences, Leavitt declined to respond, stating she would allow the president to address those questions directly.

Regarding whether Russia might extend beyond diplomatic support to provide military aid to Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated Tehran had made no such requests.

“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” Peskov stated Friday.

When pressed about whether Moscow had supplied military or intelligence support to Tehran since the Iran conflict began, he chose not to comment.

Moscow has strengthened ties with Iran while seeking crucial missiles and drones for its ongoing four-year conflict in Ukraine.

The previous Biden administration released classified intelligence showing Iran provides Moscow with attack drones and has helped Russia establish a drone production facility.

The prior U.S. administration also claimed Iran had delivered short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.

The Washington Post initially reported details about this U.S. intelligence.

When asked if these revelations had affected Trump’s confidence in Putin’s capacity to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Leavitt responded, “I think the president would say that peace is still an achievable objective with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war.”

The Treasury Department granted authorization Friday for specific Venezuelan gold transactions, according to its website, following Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s completion of a mining-centered visit to the South American nation.

Burgum, who leads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, has praised interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez’s initiatives to welcome foreign investment in oil and mineral sectors, reflecting similar commendations from President Donald Trump.

During Thursday remarks, Burgum stated that Rodriguez’s proposed mining legislation would generate business opportunities, with operating permits expected soon, and that Rodriguez has committed to ensuring corporate security.

The Treasury authorization permits dealings with government-owned mining company Minerven and related entities for exporting, selling, buying, delivering, or transporting Venezuelan gold to the United States, provided contracts follow U.S. legal frameworks, according to the department’s statement.

The statement specified that payments to sanctioned persons, except local taxes or permits, must go through Foreign Government Deposit Funds, while prohibiting transactions involving debt exchanges or Venezuelan government digital currencies.

The license also blocks dealings with individuals from nations historically aligned with Venezuela’s government, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba, plus joint ventures with China.

Venezuela possesses enormous mineral wealth including gold, iron ore, bauxite and coltan, yet production remains well below potential due to facilities requiring extensive repairs and investment for modernization and expansion.

Both Minerven and state metals corporation Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana have faced U.S. sanctions for years, while foreign investment dropped significantly after nationalizations under former President Hugo Chavez.

Industry analysts suggest immediate export recovery possibilities, especially for gold, but warn that substantial investment exceeding oil sector needs is required, alongside renewed exploration initiatives.

Burgum’s two-day visit included over two dozen mining and minerals companies, with the secretary expressing confidence about expanding both petroleum and mining operations in Venezuela.

Rodriguez, who assumed acting leadership after the U.S. removal of President Nicolas Maduro in January, indicated that recent oil reforms reducing taxes, expanding ministry authority and granting private producer independence will serve as the template for upcoming mining regulation changes expected to reach legislators soon.

In January, Rodriguez reported that gold production reached 9.5 tons during 2025.

WASHINGTON, March 6 – The Biden administration announced Friday that American forces are making substantial progress in establishing control over Iran’s airspace, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt projecting completion of achievable military objectives within the next month and a half.

During a briefing with reporters at the White House, Leavitt revealed that the administration is also evaluating potential candidates for Iran’s future leadership. This announcement came one day after President Donald Trump stated in a Reuters interview that America should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader.

“I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt stated when pressed for details.

In Thursday’s interview, Trump expressed doubt that the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son would assume power, despite being considered a leading candidate to replace his father, who died in a military strike when the current conflict began.

Trump declared earlier Friday that negotiations with Iran would only occur under terms of “unconditional surrender.”

Leavitt clarified the President’s position, explaining: “What the President means is that when he, as Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury has been fully realized, then Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not.”

Satellite imagery and military expert analysis point to a U.S. airstrike as the probable cause of a devastating explosion at an Iranian elementary school that claimed more than 165 lives, primarily children, according to information from American and Israeli defense officials.

The February 28th attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School has drawn the heaviest civilian casualties reported since current hostilities began, prompting severe condemnation from United Nations officials and international human rights organizations. The strike occurred during regular school hours in Minab, located approximately 680 miles southeast of Tehran.

New satellite photographs obtained Wednesday and examined by news organizations reveal the school building largely destroyed, with debris scattered throughout the area and a distinctive curved gap torn through the structure’s roof. Military analysts indicate the concentrated damage pattern shown in these aerial images matches characteristics typical of precision airstrikes.

Iranian officials have pointed fingers at both Israel and the United States for the deadly blast. However, neither nation has claimed responsibility for the attack. During a Wednesday Pentagon briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed questions about the school incident, stating, “All I can say is that we’re investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we’re taking a look and investigating that.”

Multiple indicators suggest American military involvement in the strike. The Pentagon’s decision to initiate a formal investigation represents one key factor, as military protocols require such assessments only when initial reviews determine potential U.S. responsibility for civilian casualties.

The school’s strategic placement also raises questions – positioned directly beside a Revolutionary Guard installation in Hormozgan Province and near housing for naval personnel. American forces have concentrated operations against maritime targets in this region and have confirmed conducting strikes in the province, including operations near the school’s location.

Israeli military operations, while denying involvement in this particular strike, have concentrated on Iranian territories closer to Israeli borders and have not reported any missions extending south of Isfahan, which sits 500 miles from the school site. Meanwhile, U.S. naval vessels, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, maintain positions in the Arabian Sea within striking distance of the target area.

When contacted for comment about these findings, U.S. Central Command officials declined to provide details, explaining, “It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”

Farzin Nadimi, a senior researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy specializing in Iranian military affairs, offered his assessment of the incident. “My assumption is that probably there were some activities recently there and they detected and tracked them, but … they weren’t aware or didn’t have an up-to-date database that a girls’ school was there and they bombed it,” Nadimi explained.

The educational facility sits adjacent to a fortified area identified on mapping systems as the Seyyed Al-Shohada Cultural Complex of the Guard, housing medical facilities, fitness centers, and recreational areas.

Satellite photography reveals the destruction extended beyond the school grounds, with explosive damage affecting at least five structures within the Guard installation, creating numerous blast craters, burned roof sections, and rubble piles throughout the compound. Historical satellite records indicate the school building remained connected to the Guard facility until approximately ten years ago when barriers were constructed between the properties.

Iranian digital mapping services identify residential quarters for the Assef Brigades positioned roughly 165 yards from the school within the Revolutionary Guard complex. According to Nadimi, the 16th Assef Coastal Missile Group operates as part of the Guard’s naval forces. This unit falls under the 1st Naval District’s authority, which oversees the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway handling one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments. This strait has remained a focal point of regional tensions.

Following the attack, footage broadcast by Iranian state television and confirmed through satellite image verification displayed numerous newly excavated burial sites at a local cemetery. Nadimi suggested the school likely served children of Guard military families.

The incident has generated widespread international criticism from United Nations leadership and global human rights organizations. This condemnation comes alongside reports of additional educational facilities being targeted in Iran.

Airwars, a London-headquartered organization monitoring conflict casualties, currently examines three additional school attacks that resulted in civilian injuries. Beyond these cases, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency documented at least two more school strikes within the past 48 hours.

According to Elise Baker, senior legal counsel at the Atlantic Council, a Washington nonprofit research organization, deliberately targeting educational institutions constitutes a clear breach of international warfare regulations.

“Strikes can only legally target military objectives and combatants, but the school was a civilian object and the students and teachers were civilians,” Baker explained. “The school’s proximity to (Guard) facilities and the attendance of children of (Guard) members at the school does not change that conclusion: It was a civilian object.”

Three independent experts who reviewed the satellite evidence and scene footage told news organizations the materials strongly indicate multiple weapons struck the compound. However, any comprehensive evaluation faces complications due to the absence of bomb fragment photographs from the blast site. No independent investigative teams have accessed the location during the ongoing conflict.

The surrounding residential areas show no crater marks or explosive evidence, indicating remarkable targeting precision, according to Corey Scher, a researcher who analyzes satellite and radar information to study battlefield landscape changes.

“All the strikes are clustered within the walled-off compound,” Scher observed. “That’s one level of precision at the block level. And then most of the strikes are basically leading to direct hits on buildings. That’s another level of precision.”

Scher determined the school and other damaged compound structures displayed destruction patterns consistent with air-to-ground munitions usage.

“They didn’t explode in the air above the building,” he noted. “It looks like the explosion happened at the time they hit the surface, whether it was the building or the ground.”

Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer with explosive ordnance expertise, stated the available satellite imagery provided insufficient detail to identify specific weapon types used in the attack. However, he indicated the visible destruction aligned with expected results from multiple 2,000-pound high-explosive warhead impacts. The precise multiple strikes would contradict theories suggesting a malfunctioning Iranian missile caused the school damage.

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, concluded the school and Guard compound experienced “multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous strikes.” He noted that videos recorded immediately after the attack show smoke billowing from the Guard facility, while satellite images and witness accounts describe multiple building impacts and several explosion sounds.

“If indeed it is confirmed that an American or Israeli strike hit the school, there are several potential points of failure in the targeting cycle,” Jenzen-Jones stated. “We might be seeing an intelligence failure, likely rather early in the process, which misidentified the target or failed to update a targeting list following the building’s change in use.”

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó leveled accusations against Ukraine on Friday, claiming the neighboring country is attempting to meddle in Hungary’s upcoming elections where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confronts his most significant political challenge to date.

Szijjártó delivered his remarks to hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Ukraine’s embassy in Budapest. The rally was coordinated by a mysterious pro-government group connected to Orbán’s Fidesz party, occurring on the same day Hungarian authorities arrested seven employees of a Ukrainian state bank and confiscated two armored vehicles transporting approximately $80 million in cash. Ukrainian officials condemned the action as unlawful hostage-taking.

During his address to the crowd, Szijjártó presented multiple unproven claims, including assertions that Ukraine had been working alongside the European Union and Orbán’s political opponents to prevent Russian oil deliveries to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline.

The crowd responded with outrage when Szijjártó claimed Ukraine was attempting to sway Hungary’s April elections to install a government more sympathetic to Ukrainian interests.

“This is something that will not happen in Hungary. There will be no pro-Ukraine government, and Hungary will not have a pro-Ukraine prime minister,” Szijjártó declared.

“Ukraine is fighting for itself, not for us and not in place of us, so we owe absolutely nothing to Ukraine,” he stated.

The rally, featuring speeches from additional ruling party officials, unfolded amid deteriorating relations between Hungary and Ukraine, as both nations remain locked in a contentious dispute over Hungary’s access to Russian petroleum through a pipeline traversing Ukrainian soil.

Petroleum deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted since January 27. Ukrainian officials report that Russian drone attacks damaged pipeline infrastructure, with repairs posing safety hazards to workers. They noted that even if restored, the system would remain susceptible to additional Russian strikes.

Hungarian leadership has blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking Russian crude deliveries and pledged severe countermeasures against Kyiv until petroleum flows restart.

Orbán, who has preserved strong ties with the Kremlin while intensifying an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s election, has labeled Ukraine Hungary’s “enemy,” and claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to trigger an energy crisis to influence the April 12 vote.

The Hungarian leader has previously halted diesel exports to Ukraine, blocked new EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a substantial 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan to Kyiv in response to the oil supply disruption. He has also positioned military personnel at crucial energy facilities throughout Hungary, alleging Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.

Currently behind in most polling data against a well-regarded center-right opponent, the populist Orbán has centered his campaign on persuading voters that Ukraine represents a fundamental threat to Hungarian security.

Serving since 2010, the European Union’s most tenured leader has argued that losing the election would result in the EU forcing Hungary into financial ruin by eliminating Russian energy imports, and that Hungarian young people would face death on Ukrainian battlefields.

Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, visited Moscow on Wednesday for a friendly meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking assurances from Russian officials that Hungary would maintain access to Russian oil and gas despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict and Druzhba pipeline interruptions.

On Friday, he characterized Ukraine as imposing an “oil blockade” designed to benefit Orbán’s electoral opponent ahead of the vote.

“They know precisely that if there is a crisis in Hungary’s oil supply … it is bad for the government,” he remarked.

LIMA, Peru — Peru must provide financial compensation to the family of a woman who lost her life during a government-mandated sterilization initiative, according to a decision from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Thursday’s groundbreaking decision marks the first time Latin America’s premier human rights tribunal has ruled on Peru’s controversial sterilization campaign, which disproportionately affected poor and Indigenous women during former President Alberto Fujimori’s tenure.

Court documents reveal that Celia Ramos, a 34-year-old mother from an Andean community, sought medical treatment at a government facility in 1997 but was instead pressured into undergoing tubal ligation surgery. The operation took place under substandard conditions without adequate equipment or medications to address potential complications.

During the procedure, Ramos suffered a serious allergic reaction, yet medical staff delayed transferring her to intensive care for thirty minutes. She passed away nineteen days later on July 22, 1997. Government officials avoided conducting a complete autopsy and failed to provide her family with adequate information about the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the court’s findings.

The tribunal has mandated that Peru provide roughly $340,000 to the Ramos family, covering both the medical costs from the failed attempt to save her life and compensation for the income she would have generated during her remaining working years.

Peru’s justice ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling.

Last August, Peru’s judicial system dismissed criminal charges against Fujimori related to the sterilization program, turning down prosecutors’ appeal. After Fujimori’s death in 2024, the case returned to its initial complaint phase. Legal proceedings now concentrate on establishing criminal liability for other former government officials, including multiple ex-health ministers.

FRANKFURT, Germany — A temporary authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department permitting India to purchase Russian crude oil for the next 30 days has provided an unexpected financial lifeline to Moscow amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, as energy revenues continue funding Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Treasury officials announced this week that India may continue importing crude oil and petroleum products from Russia through April 4.

The temporary authorization aims to reduce pressure on oil prices that impact American consumers at the gas pump. However, it also highlights how the escalating U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran is creating tighter global energy markets — benefiting Russian crude exports.

Following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China and India emerged as Moscow’s primary oil customers after the European Union — previously Russia’s largest buyer — implemented a comprehensive boycott.

President Donald Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on India for maintaining Russian oil purchases. Indian imports from Russia decreased after Trump removed the tariff on February 6, following what he described as India’s commitment to cease Russian oil purchases.

International benchmark Brent crude climbed to $89 per barrel on Friday, rising from approximately $73 one week earlier, just before the Middle East conflict intensified. Russia’s Urals export blend reached $70, jumping from below $40 as recently as December.

The expanding Iranian conflict and threats of Iranian drone or missile strikes have effectively halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the sole maritime route from the Persian Gulf that handles 20% of global oil transportation.

Vessels navigating the strait, which borders Iran to the north, transport energy supplies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Currently, no shipments are passing through the waterway.

Rising oil prices following the practical closure of the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint have created at least a temporary financial recovery for Russia’s energy sector revenues.

These revenues had declined due to previously low global prices and intensifying Western sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels with unclear ownership used to circumvent price limits established by the Group of Seven nations, along with sanctions against Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

In approving India’s month-long exemption, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the 30-day timeframe would “not provide significant financial benefit” to Moscow since it only covers Russian oil sitting on tankers without buyers.

Industry experts estimate approximately 125 million barrels of crude could be involved.

“This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage,” Bessent wrote on X.

Russian oil continues trading at a substantial discount compared to international benchmark Brent. Nevertheless, Russian crude now exceeds the $59 per barrel baseline included in the Russian Finance Ministry’s 2026 budget projections.

Energy tax revenues can represent 20% to 30% of Russia’s federal budget. Taxation is calculated on oil prices after Russian producers cover approximately $15 per barrel in costs, meaning price drops can significantly reduce government income.

Furthermore, the suspension of seaborne liquefied natural gas production by major supplier Qatar — halted following an Iranian drone attack on Qatar’s primary LNG facility early in the Iran conflict — will dramatically intensify global competition for available shipments, including Russian supplies.

European natural gas futures prices have skyrocketed, creating uncertainty about the EU’s strategy to eliminate remaining Russian gas imports by 2027.

The conflict’s duration will largely determine the outcome. During the first week, consequences from the confrontation that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 are expanding to involve more than a dozen nations.

Energy market specialists suggest that if hostilities conclude within one to two weeks, oil prices could rapidly return to pre-conflict levels around $65 per barrel, providing minimal benefit to Russia.

However, an extended conflict — one causing lasting damage to oil infrastructure, pipelines and terminals in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and Kuwait, driving oil prices above $100 per barrel — could generate substantial long-term profits for Russia.

Russia experienced state oil and gas revenue dropping to a four-year low of 393 billion rubles ($5 billion) in January, with the month’s budget deficit of 1.7 trillion rubles ($21.8 billion) marking the largest on record, according to Finance Ministry data.

Economic expansion has stalled as massive military expenditures have plateaued. With declining oil and gas revenues for the state budget, President Vladimir Putin has implemented tax increases and expanded borrowing from cooperative domestic banks to maintain fiscal stability in the war’s fifth year.

When questioned about the waiver, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged increased demand for Russian oil amid the Middle East war and stated that “India and China are guided by their national interests, and we do the same.”

“We continue our cooperation, including the energy field and energy trade, with India and China,” Peskov stated.

“We note a significant increase in demand for Russian energy resources in connection with the Iran war,” he continued. “Russia has been a reliable supplier of oil and gas. It can guarantee all contracted supplies.”

The World Health Organization announced Thursday that it has confirmed 13 separate attacks targeting healthcare facilities in Iran during current military operations in the region, with officials investigating reports of medical personnel casualties.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed during a Geneva press conference that the organization has documented the healthcare attacks in Iran along with one incident in Lebanon, though he did not specify who was responsible for the strikes.

“WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran and one in Lebanon,” Ghebreyesus stated during the briefing.

According to Dr. Hanan Balkhy, who spoke at the same press conference, Iranian officials reported that four healthcare workers lost their lives while 25 others sustained injuries in the incidents. She noted that four ambulances were also impacted and that medical facilities and hospitals experienced minor structural damage from nearby strikes.

The attacks forced at least one hospital in Tehran, Iran’s capital city, to evacuate its patients and staff, according to previous statements from the UN health agency.

Earlier this week, Iran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva sent correspondence to Tedros claiming that military strikes had damaged 10 healthcare facilities.

Balkhy also mentioned that the WHO’s logistics center in Dubai, which distributes medical supplies to numerous countries throughout the region, has temporarily suspended operations due to transportation limitations caused by the regional conflict.

A senior American military official pledged Friday that the United States will take action following Iran’s targeting of civilian populations across the Middle East region.

U.S. Central Command leader Brad Cooper revealed that Iran has launched attacks against 12 separate nations following joint American and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic in the previous week. Among these incidents, Iran deployed seven attack drones Thursday evening that struck civilian residential areas in Bahrain.

“This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered,” Cooper declared in his official statement.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made a high-profile trip to Jalisco state Friday, working to calm safety fears before the FIFA World Cup after deadly cartel violence swept through the region.

The bloodshed began after Mexico’s military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the country’s most influential drug cartel leader, last month. His death sparked violent clashes between cartel members and authorities, along with car burnings throughout Mexico, with Jalisco and its capital city Guadalajara experiencing the worst of the chaos.

The deadly confrontations claimed more than 70 lives, including 25 National Guard officers, creating serious questions both domestically and internationally about whether Guadalajara can safely welcome thousands of World Cup visitors.

Flanked by her security team and top military officials Friday, Sheinbaum conducted her daily press conference from military facilities in the same municipality where “El Mencho” was recently laid to rest under tight security and where World Cup matches will take place.

“We are here … to tell everyone in Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are together, that we are working for peace, security and the well-being of the inhabitants of this beautiful state,” Sheinbaum said.

With less than 100 days remaining before World Cup kickoff, Sheinbaum and security leaders outlined comprehensive safety measures for the international tournament, involving more than 20 federal agencies, military branches, and local law enforcement.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who spearheads Mexico’s anti-cartel operations, explained that Mexican officials have coordinated with counterparts in the United States, Canada and FIFA to enhance preparation and emergency response capabilities.

The security framework will feature specialized officer training, practice drills, alert systems, protective details around venues, airports, transportation routes and hotels, plus safety protocols for teams and spectators, García Harfuch noted.

Sheinbaum has worked to demonstrate assurance despite widespread concerns, including speaking directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by phone soon after the February violence outbreak, during which he voiced his “full confidence” in Mexico’s ability to co-host the tournament. Earlier this week, she publicly wore a FIFA scarf and posed alongside the World Cup trophy.

General Román Villalvazo, who oversees World Cup security coordination, announced Friday the establishment of three joint operation centers in host cities Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada represents an unprecedented event,” he said.

“For Mexico, it entails two challenges: to present a reliable and secure country before the international community, and to have the capacity to confront any threats that undermine national security.”

European law enforcement agencies announced Friday they have identified 22 individuals connected to a coordinated campaign of explosive package attacks throughout Europe last year, with investigators pointing to Russia’s military intelligence service as the orchestrating force.

The incidents involved detonations at shipping facilities across Britain, Germany, and Poland, with security experts believing these attacks served as rehearsals for a broader Russian scheme targeting cargo aircraft headed to the United States.

Russian officials have consistently rejected any involvement in these operations or broader allegations of conducting sabotage campaigns, including arson incidents, designed to undermine nations supporting Ukraine.

Eurojust, which coordinates criminal investigations across European Union member states, revealed that investigators from Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Britain, and Lithuania worked together to identify the suspects located in Lithuania and Poland, all allegedly operating under direction from Russia’s GRU intelligence service.

“The suspected perpetrators were recruited from Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine and were often in a vulnerable socio-economic situation,” the Eurojust statement said.

“It is suspected that the acts carried out by these suspects were executed on behalf of the military-intelligence service of the Russian Federation.”

Russia’s defense ministry, which oversees military intelligence operations, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Moscow routinely dismisses such accusations as anti-Russian sentiment.

Lithuania’s Deputy General Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis announced during a news briefing that five individuals holding Russian, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian citizenship will face terrorism charges in Lithuanian courts, with potential sentences reaching 10 years imprisonment upon conviction.

Lithuanian authorities reported that four packages containing “self-made, explosive-incendiary charges” were dispatched from Vilnius on July 19, 2024.

One package being handled by DHL ignited at Leipzig airport in eastern Germany just before workers planned to load it onto a Britain-bound aircraft, according to Lithuanian officials.

A second explosive device detonated aboard a DPD delivery truck traveling through Poland, while a third package exploded inside a DHL storage facility in Birmingham, England.

The fourth package, also transported by DPD truck in Poland, failed to activate due to technical problems, investigators reported. None of these incidents resulted in injuries.

Eurojust investigators also discovered evidence of two ‘test packages’ sent to destinations in the United States and Canada, along with two additional parcels intercepted in Amsterdam that were destined for North American locations.

British law enforcement confirmed that counter-terrorism specialists continue investigating the Birmingham explosion. Last year, authorities arrested a Romanian citizen on charges of assisting foreign intelligence services before releasing him pending further investigation.

“The strength of cooperation in this case has led us to collectively identify what we believe to be Russian military intelligence involvement in a series of incidents across Europe,” said Vicki Evans, Britain’s Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

A deadly assault on a military installation in northern Benin has left 15 soldiers dead and five others wounded, according to military officials who confirmed the attack on Friday.

The violence occurred Wednesday in the northern village of Kofouno, where extremist fighters targeted a military camp in the latest escalation of regional conflict. Militant organizations with ties to al Qaeda and ISIS have been expanding their operations across border areas connecting Niger, Benin and Nigeria, transforming remote travel routes into dangerous battlegrounds.

Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an organization affiliated with al Qaeda, has taken credit for orchestrating the deadly assault.

“The attack resulted in the loss of 15 of our personnel and five wounded, whose lives are not in danger,” stated Colonel James Johnson, who serves as spokesperson for Benin’s armed forces.

Johnson reported that military forces managed to eliminate at least four of the “terrorists” and destroyed multiple motorcycles as the attackers fled the scene. He also disputed JNIM’s assertion that the group had gained control of the Kofouno military facility.

The West African nation seldom makes public statements regarding extremist violence in its northern territories, though officials acknowledged last April that a JNIM operation had resulted in 54 military deaths.

Security challenges in northern Benin contributed to an unsuccessful military coup attempt in December, when dissatisfied soldiers tried to remove President Patrice Talon from power. The conspirators cited worsening security conditions in the north “coupled with the disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms” as justification for their actions.

Assistance from neighboring nations, including Nigeria, helped prevent the coup from succeeding.

Benin is preparing for a presidential election scheduled for next month, which will conclude Talon’s time in office.

Moscow is sharing sensitive intelligence with Tehran that reveals the whereabouts of American naval vessels and aircraft operating throughout the Middle East, according to a Friday report from the Washington Post citing three sources with knowledge of the intelligence.

The Washington Post indicated that while the full scope of Moscow’s assistance to Tehran remains unclear, Iran’s capacity to track American forces has been compromised following strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Tehran in recent days.

The regional conflict has intensified dramatically, sparking a cycle of retaliatory attacks by Iran while drawing in neighboring countries as Tehran attempts to inflict significant costs on America, Israel, and their regional partners.

American military officials have confirmed that six reserve personnel were killed in Kuwait after a drone attack struck a US military installation at Port Shuaiba. Trump and other high-ranking officials have cautioned that the ongoing conflict will likely lead to additional American military casualties.

When asked about the reported Russian assistance to Iran, a White House representative chose not to address the allegations directly.

“The Iranian regime is being absolutely crushed. Their ballistic missile retaliation is decreasing every day, their navy is being wiped out, their production capacity is being demolished, and proxies are hardly putting up a fight,” stated White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly in response to Reuters’ inquiries.

The Kremlin acknowledged Friday that Russia maintains communication with Iranian leadership representatives but refused to elaborate when reporters questioned whether Moscow was providing assistance to Tehran.

For Russia, the Middle East conflict has delivered unexpected economic benefits, with substantially increased demand for Russian oil and natural gas, helping to revive exports that had suffered under sanctions imposed due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. During Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, Washington has provided Kiev with intelligence support.

Neither the Russian Embassy in Washington nor Russia’s United Nations mission in New York provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Danish officials announced Friday that military conflicts across the Middle East could delay overseas ballots from reaching Denmark ahead of the nation’s upcoming general election on March 24.

The Iranian war has created widespread aviation disruptions throughout the region, forcing the shutdown of major transportation centers in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. This has left both travelers and mail shipments without reliable routing options.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can’t under these circumstances guarantee that postal votes cast in countries affected by the current situation will arrive in time for the general election,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to ministry officials, the delivery concerns affect ballots submitted from Middle Eastern nations, as well as potentially from Asian countries where mail routing typically travels through Middle Eastern transit points before reaching Europe.

The ministry has not released estimates regarding the number of Danish citizens living abroad who planned to participate in the election through overseas voting.

IRBIL, Iraq — Leaders of an armed Kurdish opposition group operating from northern Iraq have clarified to The Associated Press that while they’re not preparing immediate strikes against Iran, they would participate in any U.S.-led ground invasion of their homeland.

These statements seem designed to calm Iraqi Kurdish authorities, who have expressed concerns about attacks being launched from their region against Iran, worried about being drawn deeper into the Middle Eastern conflict that has escalated following American and Israeli military actions against Iran.

Speaking to the AP on Thursday, Khalil Nadiri from the Kurdistan Freedom Party PAK explained that in case of American ground operations, “then we would enter alongside the coalition forces.” However, he emphasized that “The Kurds must not place themselves as the spearhead of the attack.”

Nadiri revealed that his organization maintains armed members already operating within Iran’s borders and wouldn’t necessarily need cross-border assistance to launch an internal uprising.

According to Nadiri, the Kurdish organizations have maintained communication with both American and Israeli officials, though he rejected claims that they’ve received material support from either nation.

These clarifications follow earlier reports this week from Kurdish officials indicating that Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq were preparing for possible cross-border military actions, with the U.S. allegedly requesting Iraqi Kurdish support for such operations.

PAK military commander Rebaz Sharifi described potential U.S. and allied weapons support for Kurdish groups as “a very positive development,” while also confirming they haven’t received such assistance to date.

Sharifi expressed expectations that President Donald Trump “might want the peshmerga forces of Eastern Kurdistan to participate in the conflict during a ground invasion,” adding that “if it reaches that point, we, for our part, would be pleased with it.”

Both officials worked to address Iraqi Kurdish leaders’ concerns about using Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish territory as a staging area for attacks.

Kurdistan Regional Government spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani stated earlier this week that “allegations claiming that we are part of a plan to arm and send Kurdish opposition parties into Iranian territory are completely unfounded,” emphasizing that Iraqi Kurdish parties don’t want to “expand the war and tensions in the region.”

Iranian forces and affiliated Iraqi militias have already conducted numerous missile and drone strikes targeting northern Iraq, hitting American military installations and the consulate in Irbil, along with Iranian Kurdish opposition group facilities.

Sharifi reported that PAK locations have endured two ballistic missile strikes and four drone attacks since the conflict began, resulting in one fighter’s death and three wounded personnel.

Nadiri explained that “since the (Iraqi) Kurdistan region has adopted a policy of not becoming a part of this conflict and because we do not want to disrupt the stability and security here and we respect the laws of this region, consequently, the environment has not yet been established for us to move our forces back into Eastern Kurdistan.”

The term “Eastern Kurdistan” refers to Iran’s Kurdish-populated regions, according to these groups.

The prospect of Kurdish military participation has created friction with other Iranian opposition factions, particularly those aligned with former shah’s son Reza Pahlavi, who has criticized the Kurds as separatists seeking to divide Iran.

Sharifi stated that his organization’s “ultimate goal is the statehood of the Kurds in all four regions and the reunification of Kurdistan,” referencing Kurdish populations spread across Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria.

Nadiri suggested that a confederal arrangement might serve as a “viable solution,” allowing Kurdish areas to remain within Iran while preserving their “own sovereignty, identity, and unique characteristics.”

ABUJA, Nigeria — Extremist fighters launched a devastating assault on a northeastern Nigerian community Friday, seizing more than 300 civilians including women and children, according to local authorities.

The mass abduction occurred in Ngoshe, a town located in Borno state, regional official Bulama Sawa confirmed. Speaking to The Associated Press, Sawa indicated the assault appeared to be revenge for a recent military strike that eliminated three leaders from the extremist organization Boko Haram.

No organization has stepped forward to take credit for Friday’s mass kidnapping. Nigeria continues struggling with widespread security challenges involving multiple armed factions. The United States has deployed military personnel to the West African country to provide guidance to local forces combating the ongoing violence.

Additional assaults occurred this week targeting the settlements of Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok from Wednesday through early Friday morning, a military representative confirmed.

Military spokesman Uba Sani reported that forces successfully defended against the attacks on Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok communities, though “a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” including a senior officer. Sani declined to provide specific casualty figures.

Sani characterized the operations as “failed attacks” that demonstrated the “increasing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure” from government forces.

Security analyst Ulf Laessing from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation explained that Friday’s Ngoshe assault exploited the Nigerian military’s struggle to maintain control across vast territories where extremist organizations operate. These groups have also gained strength through enhanced coordination across borders and deploying drones for reconnaissance before launching strikes.

“The army is fighting a ghost — fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing observed.

The most significant extremist organizations include Boko Haram and a splinter group aligned with the Islamic State known as Islamic State West Africa Province. Additional threats come from the IS-connected Lakurawa organization and various criminal gangs focused on kidnapping for profit and illegal resource extraction.

The security situation has deteriorated further with the involvement of additional militants from nearby Sahel countries, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its inaugural attack on Nigerian territory last year.

United Nations statistics indicate several thousand Nigerians have lost their lives in the ongoing violence. Security experts argue the government’s efforts to safeguard civilians remain inadequate.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has freed 18 additional prisoners as he continues working to rebuild diplomatic relationships with the United States.

Thursday’s presidential decree released 18 individuals, with 15 of them previously convicted on extremism charges that Belarus commonly uses in cases with political motivations. Officials reported that 11 of those granted clemency were women.

The prisoner releases represent the most recent development in a series encouraged by President Donald Trump’s administration. Lukashenko, who has faced Western isolation following his contested 2020 reelection that sparked widespread demonstrations and harsh government responses, has been working to repair relations with Washington through these releases.

Following a phone conversation between the two presidents in August, Lukashenko has freed 123 individuals, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and notable opposition leaders Maria Kolesnikova and Viktar Babaryka. The United States responded by removing sanctions from Belarus’ potash fertilizer industry and national carrier Belavia.

This week’s pardons push the total beyond 140 releases. U.S. special envoy for Belarus John Coale praised the action on X Thursday, calling it “another notable step in the relationship between the U.S. and Belarus as President Trump has tasked me with getting all the political prisoners out.”

However, the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna reports that 1,140 political prisoners still remain incarcerated.

Human rights advocates continue warning that government oppression persists alongside the releases, with new arrests and convictions ongoing.

This week alone, well-known Belarusian musician and poet Aleh Khamenka received a three-year prison sentence plus substantial fines for extremist activities related to his work with a prohibited radio station. Khamenka was arrested in June following a home search and has been imprisoned for over six months.

Additionally, Belarusian officials this week classified the PEN Belarus writers’ association, which includes more than 100 members, as an extremist group.

PEN Belarus leader Tatsyana Nyadbay told The Associated Press in a phone interview that the designation was “horrendous” because it “puts the writers who remain in Belarus at risk.”

The organization’s membership includes 2015 Nobel Literature Prize recipient Svetlana Alexievich and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner Bialiatski. Alexievich departed Belarus after the 2020 demonstrations, while Bialiatski served more than five years in prison on charges widely considered politically driven.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney finalized a comprehensive strategic partnership Friday, establishing enhanced cooperation across defense, economic, and energy sectors amid rising concerns over global oil supplies due to Middle Eastern conflicts.

The two leaders emphasized the critical nature of energy security during these times of “geopolitical uncertainty,” as outlined in an official statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Meeting in Tokyo, Takaichi and Carney committed to collaborative efforts in diversifying energy sources and expanding trade relationships to strengthen energy supply networks, according to the ministry’s published roadmap.

“The world is at a turning point. We see the manifestations in the Middle East. We see it everywhere,” Carney stated during their joint press briefing.

This marked Carney’s inaugural visit to Japan since assuming office last year, occurring as Middle Eastern warfare raises alarm over petroleum shipments passing through Iran’s Strait of Hormuz. During his Australia trip earlier this week, Carney advocated for reducing tensions in the Iranian conflict.

The leaders also established plans for bilateral discussions on economic security and cybersecurity policies, addressing China’s increasing assertiveness in commercial and military spheres throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Tokyo and Ottawa will begin negotiations toward a defense agreement designed to streamline military visit procedures, joint training exercises, and other collaborative operations.

Both nations plan to enhance cooperation between their defense industries as Japan works to expand its limited defense export sector, supporting Takaichi’s initiative to strengthen Japan’s military capabilities and arms manufacturing to improve partnerships with allied countries.

On Friday morning, Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Japan Innovation Party presented a proposal to eliminate restrictions on lethal weapons exports, marking another departure from Japan’s post-war pacifist policies. Government officials expect formal approval of this proposal within the coming months.

Travel blogger Alyssa Ramos endured a grueling 48-hour escape from Kuwait that spanned four continents, but she says federal officials provided no assistance during her ordeal.

“They keep going on the news and saying they’re doing everything they can to get Americans out,” Ramos stated upon reaching Miami Thursday. “I know for a fact they’re not.”

According to Ramos, her multiple attempts to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait led her to the consular section, where staff members told her they were unable to assist with departure arrangements and advised her to register for the government’s smart traveler program while remaining sheltered.

Ramos represents numerous American nationals and foreign citizens who fled Middle Eastern countries or remained trapped there Friday, nearly seven days after Israeli-American strikes against Iran quickly drew more than a dozen neighboring nations into the conflict. U.S. travelers expressed mounting anxiety and irritation as they faced shuttered airports, grounded flights, and concerning federal advisories, while nations like Poland, Australia, and France rapidly deployed military aircraft or hired commercial planes to retrieve their citizens.

“Having the State Department or whoever tell us, you need to get out immediately, well, but there’s no help. So you’re on your own to get your own travel plans. That was the most stressful thing,” Chicago resident Susan Daley remarked after touching down Thursday on the initial commercial flight from Dubai to San Francisco since Iran hostilities commenced February 28. Daley had been conducting business in the United Arab Emirates.

The Trump administration has rejected accusations that the federal response was inadequate.

State Department officials announced that the first government-arranged evacuation flight returned from the Middle East Thursday, with additional flights expected each day. Officials did not immediately specify passenger counts or departure locations. The agency reports that through Thursday, it has “directly assisted” 10,000 citizens throughout the region who sought help or information.

A social media update from the assistant secretary of state for public affairs featured a photograph of Americans boarding a chartered aircraft displaying the New England Patriots NFL team logo. This plane appears to be at least the second such flight to arrive at Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Through Thursday, approximately 20,000 Americans had returned safely to the United States since warfare began, according to State Department figures. Regional U.S. embassies continued advising Americans to depend on commercial aviation for departure, despite widespread closures or severe restrictions across Gulf airspace.

Without guidance from Washington or consular offices, some travelers reported using WhatsApp group conversations and social media crowdsourcing for commercial flight information and alternate departure routes from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and neighboring countries. Several established GoFundMe fundraising campaigns to cover hotel costs and other expenses accumulated during extended stays in Dubai and additional Gulf cities.

Ramos established WhatsApp group discussions Monday to assist individuals who contacted her through her social media presence, “My Life’s a Travel Movie,” seeking evacuation guidance following her challenging departure.

Within three days, over 2,200 people joined conversations focused on leaving Dubai, Doha, Qatar, and Kuwait. Participants coordinated shared transportation to functioning airports, exchanged trusted driver recommendations, and shared pricing information including accepted payment methods.

Thursday brought a message from one member explaining that her spouse and two children had attempted leaving Dubai but experienced two flight cancellations, with their diabetic 2-year-old’s medication supply dwindling. Fellow members immediately provided suggestions and assistance.

Jason Altmire, a former three-term Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, successfully departed Dubai after the UAE partially restored airspace access and Emirates airline restarted limited service.

“We never heard anything from the State Department other than the general email advising us to find our own way out,” Altmire explained in an email interview. “I found this, along with the ‘you’re on your own’ State Department voicemail, to be infuriating.”

Congressional Democrats wrote Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tuesday, stating that “the lack of clear preparation, planning, and communication to Americans abroad is unacceptable and a violation of the State Department’s basic mission to provide consular assistance and the protection of U.S. citizens overseas.”

Rubio acknowledged Tuesday that the U.S. had arranged recovery flights but faced obstacles from airspace restrictions.

“We know that we’re going to be able to help them,” he stated, while noting that “it’s going to take a little time because we don’t control the airspace closures.”

American Cory McKane, trapped in Dubai, secured departure from the region Wednesday following an exhausting, sleepless, and costly journey to Muscat, Oman.

Rather than risk complications at Dubai’s congested airport, McKane and companions rented a vehicle and drove to the Oman border. There, he reported, taxi operators demanded up to $650 to transport stranded travelers to Muscat’s airport, where flights continued operating.

McKane credited knowledgeable local contacts and a WhatsApp group created by stranded travelers for sharing resources and guidance.

“Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the U.S. has not done a single thing in any capacity. That’s been really disappointing,” McKane stated.

Commercial flight availability has remained restricted since conflict began. Aviation analytics company Cirium reported that more than 29,000 of roughly 51,000 scheduled Middle East airport flights were canceled through Friday.

Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have become crucial departure points for evacuation flights due to continued flight operations in those nations. However, airspace over Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria remained closed, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.

Azerbaijan shuttered its southern airspace Thursday after accusing Iran of a drone strike on its territory that wounded four civilians and damaged airport infrastructure.

Trenten Higgins, who traveled by taxi from Israel to Jordan, managed to fly from its capital to New York Thursday. He described the State Department as unhelpful.

“Every alert that they gave and all the advice they gave was a day at least too late,” he explained. “Even when it wasn’t too late, it was impossible to act upon and then they would just hang up.”

America sided with Russia, China, and Niger on Thursday when voting against a United Nations nuclear agency resolution that criticized strikes on Ukraine’s electrical systems, according to diplomatic sources.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-member Board of Governors approved the measure, marking the seventh Ukraine-focused resolution since Russia’s invasion of its neighbor four years ago. However, this represents the first instance of American opposition to such a resolution.

“While we continue supporting the IAEA’s work in-country, we do not support the Board’s current consideration of an unnecessary resolution that does not help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia,” the United States said in its statement to the board before the vote.

President Donald Trump has recently pushed Ukraine toward accepting a rapid peace agreement that might require surrendering territory to Russia. Ukrainian leadership has rejected any territorial concessions.

Diplomats present at the private session reported the resolution succeeded with 20 supporting votes from nations including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Argentina, while facing 10 abstentions and four opposing votes. Countries abstaining included Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

According to the text reviewed by Reuters, the current resolution used less forceful language than earlier versions. The document stated the board “reemphasizes that attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the off-site power supply of nuclear power plants, including at the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant), represent a direct threat to nuclear safety and security.”

This action comes after America abstained during a UN General Assembly vote in February marking the invasion anniversary, when members approved a resolution supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and expressing alarm over escalating Russian strikes against civilians and essential energy systems.

That General Assembly measure succeeded with 107 nations supporting, 12 opposing, and 51 abstaining.

American officials explained their General Assembly abstention by stating the resolution contained provisions that might interfere with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Israeli authorities announced Thursday that over 20,000 citizens have successfully returned to their homeland following the closure of the country’s airspace during weekend military operations involving Iran, according to the Transportation Ministry.

Officials began gradually reopening Israeli airspace Thursday, permitting limited flights to touch down at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv.

The country shut down its airspace Saturday when U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran commenced, leading to retaliatory missile attacks from Iran that left tens of thousands of travelers stranded in foreign countries.

Transportation Ministry data indicates approximately 120,000 Israeli citizens currently overseas are requesting assistance to return home, with officials estimating the complete repatriation process will require seven to 10 days to complete.

According to Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, nearly 300,000 Israelis traveled internationally over the past three months, while airlines report tens of thousands of customers are now seeking return passage.

The Transportation Ministry stated it is working to increase travel options through air, land, and sea entry points for both arrivals and departures.

The majority of returning Israelis have entered the country through land border crossings into Eilat, the southern Red Sea resort destination.

Israeli carriers have conducted evacuation flights from European destinations to Taba, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan — both cities neighboring Eilat.

While these alternative route flights continue, Israel’s four national airlines — flag carrier El Al, Israir, Arkia and Air Haifa — have resumed service to Tel Aviv. Despite the gradual airspace reopening, only arriving aircraft are currently permitted, limited to one landing hourly due to ongoing Iranian missile threats.

“We are doing everything to return every Israeli home safely,” stated Transportation Minister Miri Regev, a former military Brigadier General.

“With the opening of airspace, the return of Israelis to Israel began, and we continue to work around the clock together with all parties to expand the options for returning and leaving the country in accordance with security restrictions,” she added.

The initial aircraft to reach Ben Gurion included Israir and Arkia flights arriving from Rome, plus an El Al flight from Athens. Additional flights from European cities, the United States, and Asia are scheduled.

Ben Gurion Airport announced outbound flights will restart Sunday, though initially restricted to 50 passengers per departure.

Israeli airlines have suspended ticket sales from March 15 through March 21 to prioritize rebooking customers whose previous flights were canceled when airspace restrictions were implemented.

Iceland’s Cabinet has greenlit a proposal for a summer referendum asking voters whether the nation should restart negotiations to join the European Union, according to national broadcaster RUV.

The government approved the resolution Friday, scheduling the vote for August 29. However, Iceland’s parliament, known as the Althingi, must first give its approval before citizens can head to the polls.

This Arctic island nation of 400,000 residents is reconsidering its relationship with the EU as geopolitical tensions mount and economic pressures intensify.

The center-left coalition led by Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, which took office in 2024, originally planned to conduct this referendum by 2027. However, recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland prompted officials to accelerate their timeline.

During heated international discussions about his territorial ambitions, Trump repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland in his public remarks.

Multiple factors have heightened Iceland’s security anxieties, including inflation concerns, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and strained relationships across the Atlantic. Without its own military forces, Iceland depends on NATO protection and a defense partnership with the United States.

Iceland has historically resisted EU membership due to fears of losing control over its valuable fishing territories in the North Atlantic to vessels from other European countries.

The nation initially sought EU membership in 2009 following the devastating collapse of its banking industry during the worldwide financial meltdown. However, negotiations were put on hold in 2013 when conservatives took power, and talks officially concluded in 2015.

Currently, Iceland maintains access to EU markets through the European Economic Area agreement and participates in the Schengen zone, which allows unrestricted travel between member countries.

The EU is presently conducting membership discussions with ten nations, including Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine leading the queue.

EU membership involves an extensive, multi-year evaluation process overseen by the European Commission, examining 35 different areas ranging from government transparency and financial systems to fishing rights, transportation infrastructure, farming policies, and fundamental freedoms including expression and worship.

Every existing EU member must vote unanimously to accept new applicants. Hungary has indicated it may block Ukraine’s potential membership.

BEIRUT, March 5 – Israeli military officials directed civilians to evacuate Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods in southern Beirut on Thursday, creating widespread panic as thousands fled the densely populated areas during the fourth day of intense fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.

Through a social media post, an Israeli military representative instructed people living in the southern districts to move toward the east and north, sharing a detailed map of four large neighborhoods that must be cleared. Some of these areas sit close to Beirut’s main airport.

“Save your lives, evacuate your homes immediately,” wrote Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee in his warning message, adding that traveling southward could put residents in grave danger.

Television broadcasts captured scenes of congested roadways as civilians escaped both in vehicles and on foot from the targeted neighborhoods. Warning shots echoed through the southern districts, alerting remaining residents to leave immediately.

The conflict expanded to include Lebanon this Monday after Hezbollah launched attacks, prompting Israel to respond with concentrated air campaigns targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, along with areas in southern and eastern Lebanon.

A day earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces had instructed residents across roughly 8% of southern Lebanon’s territory to abandon their homes.

The combination of Israeli strikes and evacuation directives has displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens from both the southern suburbs and southern regions this week. Lebanese health officials report 77 deaths so far.

No Israeli casualties have been documented from Hezbollah’s attacks during this period.

The southern suburbs of Beirut house predominantly Shi’ite Muslim communities and rank among the capital’s most crowded residential zones. These same neighborhoods suffered extensive damage from Israeli bombardment during conflicts with Hezbollah in both 2024 and 2006.

Two crew members died and four others sustained injuries when an Algerian military transport plane went down Thursday moments after departing from the Boufarik air base, according to reports from Ennahar TV citing the country’s defense ministry.

The small military aircraft experienced the fatal incident shortly following its departure from the base on March 5th. The defense ministry confirmed the casualty figures through the television network’s reporting.

Cross-border warfare between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified on Friday as military forces from both countries conducted fresh attacks against each other, with each nation asserting they eliminated numerous enemy combatants in what represents the most severe hostilities between these neighboring countries to date.

International pleas for de-escalation have gone unheeded as the violence, now stretching into its ninth consecutive day, shows no signs of diminishing in what Pakistani officials have characterized as an “open war.”

Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Defense Ministry reported that their military units “destroyed numerous Pakistani military posts” across border areas in Nangarhar, Kandahar, Kunar, Paktia, and Khost provinces, resulting in the deaths of multiple Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistani government media outlets reported their nation’s aerial and ground forces delivered devastating blows in recent operations against Afghan military targets and members of the Pakistani Taliban, a militant organization called Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP.

Pakistani authorities stated the combat remains active and their armed forces “inflicted heavy losses” on Afghanistan, though they provided no additional specifics.

Pakistan has consistently blamed Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership in Kabul for providing sanctuary to the TTP, an allegation Afghan officials reject. Following the Afghan Taliban’s return to control in Afghanistan during August 2021, TTP attacks inside Pakistan have increased significantly.

Pakistani officials say their military campaign, which began last week, will persist until Afghanistan implements concrete measures to control the TTP and other militant groups operating within Afghan borders.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has called for an immediate end to hostilities, warning the fighting is exacerbating Afghanistan’s already critical humanitarian crisis. On Friday, the UN mission, known as UNAMA, posted on social media platform X that 56 civilians have died inside Afghanistan so far.

Multiple individuals sustained injuries Friday after Afghan mortar rounds struck a village in Mohmand, located in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local official Mohammad Asif.

Death toll reports have differed dramatically between the two sides. Earlier this week, Afghanistan claimed their forces eliminated 150 Pakistani soldiers since combat began, while losing 28 Afghan troops.

On Friday, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X that Pakistani military forces have killed 527 Afghan soldiers.

The frontier area, where extremist groups including al-Qaida and the Islamic State maintain operations, remains largely off-limits to journalists, and The Associated Press cannot independently confirm the competing casualty figures.

Whether diplomatic initiatives by other Muslim countries will bring Kabul and Pakistani leadership to peace talks in the near future remains uncertain.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed mediating a fresh ceasefire during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The following day, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund, as confirmed by Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

The current hostilities brought an end to a previous ceasefire negotiated by Qatar and Turkey in October, when the two countries had previously approached the brink of war. That agreement, finalized in Qatar, led to six days of discussions in Istanbul, producing a deal to maintain the truce and conduct additional negotiations in November.

Hungarian officials announced Friday they had arrested seven Ukrainian nationals suspected of money laundering while transporting approximately $82 million in cash and gold, as Ukraine condemned the action as hostage-taking during an ongoing disagreement over oil deliveries.

The Hungarian Tax Authority deployed counter-terrorism units to intercept two Ukrainian armored vehicles carrying the money to Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in tensions that have already led Budapest to block billions of euros in European Union assistance for Kyiv.

Footage shared on the Hungarian government’s Facebook page depicted armed counter-terrorism officers exiting a van as the Ukrainian vehicles stopped at a service station, aiming weapons at windshields before handcuffing occupants and forcing them to the ground.

“The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is pursuing criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering,” the authority said in a statement.

“On March 5, 2026, it detained seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former Ukrainian intelligence service general, and two armoured cash-in-transit vehicles, which were transporting a total of $40 million, 35 million euros and nine kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine.”

The tax officials reported collaborating with counter-terrorism units. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto demanded Kiev provide explanations about cash movements through Hungary.

Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs announced later that the seven detainees would face expulsion from Hungary. Officials did not immediately clarify what would happen to the transported funds.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, Sandor Fegyir, traveled to the Budapest Counter-Terrorism Centre headquarters attempting to meet the detained Ukrainians, according to two Reuters witnesses.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha identified the detained individuals as Oschadbank employees.

“In fact, we are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money,” Sybiha wrote on X. “This is state terrorism and racketeering.”

He demanded immediate release of Ukrainian citizens and said Ukraine would request the EU to “provide a clear qualification of Hungary’s unlawful actions.”

Ukraine also issued travel warnings for its citizens regarding Hungary, stating it could not ensure their safety given what it termed “arbitrary actions” by Hungarian authorities.

Hungary and Slovakia claim Ukraine is intentionally postponing oil flow restoration through the damaged Druzhba pipeline for political purposes. Kiev rejects these accusations, explaining it requires time to fix damage from Russian drone attacks on energy infrastructure from January 27.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, confronting a significant challenge to his 16-year leadership in April 12 elections, has centered his campaign around the Ukraine war, claiming opposition parties would involve Hungary in the conflict.

He has blocked new EU sanctions against Moscow and a substantial Ukrainian loan due to the oil disagreement.

Sybiha posted on X that Kiev demanded “Hungary stop dragging Ukraine into its domestic politics and electoral campaign.”

During a state radio appearance, Orban again accused Kiev of blackmail and pledged Hungary would employ all available methods until oil deliveries restart. He did not reference the Ukrainian detentions.

Ukraine’s Oschadbank described its employees’ activities as standard operations.

“Since the start of the full-scale invasion, foreign currency and bank metals have been transported exclusively by land,” it said in a statement. “Similar trips are carried out by Oschadbank’s cash collection vehicles on a weekly basis.”

Lithuanian intelligence officials issued a stark warning Friday about Russia’s military buildup along NATO’s borders, suggesting Moscow is positioning forces that could serve as staging areas for future conflicts with the Western alliance.

According to Lithuania’s annual security threat assessment released Friday, Russia could be prepared for a “wide-scale military conflict” with NATO within six years if international sanctions are removed.

“Russia would likely create not only a 30-50 percent larger army than it had before the war but also a relatively modern one. Strategic reserves of weapons and ammunition would be fully restored. Russia would be ready for a conventional military conflict with NATO,” the Lithuanian intelligence report said.

The assessment indicates that Moscow’s primary objectives include shifting Europe’s power balance in its favor and achieving complete control over Ukraine. Lithuanian officials noted that Russian forces are gaining combat experience in Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening border positions.

Russia’s defense ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the intelligence findings.

The report highlights how Russian military production has accelerated with Chinese assistance, allowing Moscow to decrease its dependence on Western technology. Intelligence officials warn that Russia’s excess weapons stockpiles following the conflict could create “consequences for global security.”

Lithuania, which shares borders with both Russia and its ally Belarus, has emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters and most vocal critics of Russian actions since joining NATO and the European Union.

The intelligence assessment referenced mysterious package explosions that occurred in 2024, which Lithuanian authorities attributed to Russian military intelligence operations that could potentially be expanded to cause casualties.

However, the report concluded that various gas pipeline disruptions, power cable failures, and telecommunications outages affecting the Baltic Sea region since 2023 were accidental, despite involving vessels departing from Russian ports. Officials did not explain their methodology for reaching this determination.

Baltic nations have maintained heightened security measures following these underwater infrastructure incidents since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO leadership has announced plans to increase its regional military presence in response.

Finland retrieved an anchor in 2023 that authorities believe came from a Chinese cargo ship suspected of damaging the Estonia-Finland gas pipeline and multiple fiber-optic connections. That investigation continues, with Finnish officials declining to specify whether they consider the incident intentional or accidental.

When questioned about the pipeline and cable damage, Mindaugas Mazonas, Lithuania’s military intelligence chief, told reporters: “The investigation was not undertaken by our intelligence… but we have the answer that this was a non-intentional incident.”

Healthcare facilities in Gaza are facing a dire shortage of medical supplies, according to a Friday announcement from the World Health Organization, even after Israel allowed a major border crossing to reopen earlier this week.

WHO’s regional director Hanan Balkhy reported that certain critical items including gauze and needles have been completely exhausted, based on data provided by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The territory has been severely impacted by two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“Stocks of essential medicines, trauma supplies and surgical consumables are critically low, and fuel shortages continue to limit hospital operations,” Balkhy stated.

“The situation is difficult, and we will be running out of whatever is remaining,” she added.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, Israeli military authorities announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing “for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid.” The crossing had been previously shuttered due to concerns about missile attacks from Iran during heightened tensions following Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran last Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing connecting to Egypt – which serves as the primary evacuation route for Gaza residents – continues to remain closed, halting medical evacuations according to WHO officials.

The United Nations agency reports that approximately 18,000 individuals, including wounded children and patients with chronic conditions, are currently waiting for medical evacuation from the territory.

Balkhy confirmed that her organization managed to bring in some medical equipment and fuel supplies on Tuesday and Wednesday, though several transport trucks remain waiting in the Egyptian city of al-Arish.

“We’re talking about … maximum 200 out of 600 daily trucks that need to go in are going in so that is really not enough to support the needs in Gaza,” she explained.

The WHO official emphasized the urgent need for additional fuel shipments to keep medical facilities operational.

Following the conclusion of the Israel-Hamas conflict with an unstable ceasefire last October, 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain closed. The facilities that continue operating are having difficulty maintaining essential medical services including surgical procedures, dialysis treatment, and intensive care units, Balkhy reported.

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, accumulated over decades from oil and gas revenues, face their biggest test as regional conflicts threaten to drain the $5 trillion emergency reserves these nations have carefully built.

Iranian strikes targeting Gulf infrastructure have created potential financial pressures not seen in years. While crude prices jumped 20% since last Friday, the attacks have disrupted critical oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and forced shutdowns at major facilities, including Saudi Aramco’s largest domestic refinery and Qatar’s natural gas operations.

Extended military confrontations could compel treasury officials in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Kuwait to access their sovereign reserves, financial experts warn. These governments now face mounting defense expenditures, supply chain disruptions affecting everything from food to medical supplies, and potential economic downturns.

“SWFs (sovereign wealth funds) give countries like the UAE strong financial buffers, and regional governments will rely on their deep pools of sovereign wealth if and as needed,” said Paris-based Robert Mogielnicki, who runs an investment and geopolitical advisory firm and is a non-resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, remains critical for energy giants Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Both companies have historically moved most crude exports through this waterway. Alternative shipping routes exist but lack sufficient capacity to handle typical Gulf volumes.

“The impact of the current Iran-related crisis depends on how energy flows and prices evolve,” Global SWF, a research group, said in a report on Wednesday.

Gulf nations have worked to reduce dependence on natural resources, yet hydrocarbon revenues still anchor public budgets with varying degrees of stability. The UAE expects fiscal surpluses approaching 5% of GDP through 2025 and 2026, while Saudi Arabia recorded a 276 billion riyal ($73.54 billion) budget shortfall last year, with additional deficits projected ahead.

JPMorgan analysts have already reduced growth projections for non-oil sectors across Gulf Cooperation Council members – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. They anticipate a 1.2 percentage-point decline from earlier estimates, with the UAE facing the steepest downward revision of 2.3 percentage points. Hydrocarbon sectors might rebound later this year depending on conflict duration, JPMorgan noted.

The investment bank warned that non-hydrocarbon industries would suffer lasting damage, with heightened risks to diversification goals including domestic investment, foreign capital attraction and talent recruitment.

International borrowing costs could also increase for these nations. Saudi Arabia approved a 217 billion riyal ($57.86 billion) borrowing authorization in January. The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Aramco, banks and other entities, has raised approximately $27 billion since early this year, representing one of their most aggressive fundraising periods, JPMorgan reported February 2.

“PIF may face more (financial and operational) constraints (than purely portfolio-oriented peers) since it is not only a global investor but is also the main funding force for Vision 2030,” said Ana Nacvalovaite, an Oxford academic specialising in sovereign wealth funds.

PIF was already redirecting focus domestically as the kingdom seeks to attract investment amid growing fiscal strain and the need to finance Vision 2030. This ambitious plan requires hundreds of billions in government spending across tourism and other sectors to reduce hydrocarbon dependence.

Following the 2008 global financial crisis, regional funds became crucial lifelines for international investors, supporting institutions from Barclays to Credit Suisse. Not every investment succeeded, leading funds to adopt more strategic approaches in recent years.

These entities have committed massive resources to technology and artificial intelligence, making these sectors central to economic diversification efforts away from oil dependency.

PIF has allocated tens of billions toward domestic and international technology ventures, including stakes in SoftBank’s Vision Fund. Mubadala has invested heavily in robotics and AI infrastructure, while Abu Dhabi’s MGX, launched last year with Mubadala as a founding partner, has collaborated with BlackRock on a $30 billion AI infrastructure initiative.

High-profile investments in media, entertainment and sports reflect efforts to project influence and capture growth in consumer industries. PIF acquired majority control in Electronic Arts and invested billions in professional golf through LIV Golf, boxing and e-sports.

Last December, the Saudi fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad and Qatar Investment Authority combined forces to support Paramount Skydance’s $108 billion offer for Warner Bros Discovery. This unusual three-way partnership demonstrated Gulf states’ appetite for entertainment assets and growing influence in global dealmaking.

However, continued military escalation and increased domestic needs could pause investment activities, according to Nacvalovaite.

“Priority is security of the citizens and the supply chains e.g. food security and drinking water,” she said.

The $1 trillion Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), established in 1953 as the world’s first sovereign wealth fund, provides historical context for these institutions’ emergency role. When Iraqi forces invaded in 1990, KIA’s London operations effectively functioned as the country’s finance ministry, coordinating transfers to the government in exile.

Since then, every major Gulf fund has maintained similar emergency preparedness: accumulating during prosperous periods and deploying during crises, despite operating under different mandates and strategies. While PIF serves as a domestic investment vehicle for Saudi Vision 2030, KIA and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority focus exclusively on international investments.

Not all sovereign capital could be quickly mobilized during deeper crises. Funds like Mubadala, with greater emphasis on private equity, infrastructure assets, and illiquid alternatives, might face more challenging divestment processes.

U.S. Treasury bonds and publicly traded stocks may offer the first and easiest liquidation options. Abu Dhabi’s ADIA was among investors that sold a large block of shares in U.S. company Medline this week.

“Public markets are the easiest source of liquidity, but they’re also the most visible and can be costly to exit during volatility,” said Sam Bourgi, finance analyst at InvestorsObserver.

“The base case is that Gulf SWFs are not forced sellers.”

Some investment activity continues currently. Mubadala joined a group committing approximately $4 billion to life insurance company Athora Holding, according to Friday’s announcement, while ADIA and a QIA subsidiary appeared this week among cornerstone investors for Japanese payment firm PayPay’s U.S. initial public offering.

Reduced outbound investing and quiet portfolio adjustments rather than emergency asset sales represents a more probable scenario, Bourgi explained.

Qatar’s QIA chose to deploy sovereign resources domestically during the 2008 financial crisis to stabilize its banking system, purchasing assets from local bank portfolios to restore market confidence.

Peter Jädersten, CEO of fundraising advisory firm Jade Advisors, said efforts would focus on quickly restoring confidence, though he cautioned the process may require time.

“I think the SWFs’ portfolios will have a short-term reset, but so will other long term investors across the globe like endowments and pension funds. I don’t think it will make a dent in the long-term portfolios of the region’s SWFs,” he said.

A Dubai-based entrepreneur who launched a pet travel service last Saturday found himself overwhelmed with evacuation requests instead of the animal transport inquiries he expected, as Middle East tensions drive desperate residents to seek private jet escapes.

Samuel Lait’s company PetX Jets was designed to ferry pets and their owners between Dubai and the United Kingdom, but regional conflict has transformed his business model overnight. His inbox now overflows with requests from travelers of all ages – young couples, expectant parents, and seniors – all seeking passage out of the United Arab Emirates.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran reached their seventh day Friday, with the crisis threatening to spread beyond Middle Eastern borders and prompting mass exodus attempts from the region.

“The original idea was to transport pets and their owners between the UK and Dubai primarily. And that’s very much changed since Saturday,” Lait explained.

“We’re trying to sort of move with what’s happening,” he added, noting his company may accelerate launch plans originally scheduled for June.

Major UAE airports, typically ranking among the globe’s busiest aviation hubs, are operating at severely reduced capacity despite gradual flight resumptions. This limitation has pushed many residents and visitors to seek escape routes through neighboring Oman and Saudi Arabia, often utilizing private aircraft services.

Altay Kula, who heads France-based private jet brokerage Jet-VIP with Middle East operations, described the overwhelming demand surge since regional tensions escalated.

“Since the escalation of tensions in the region, we have seen a significant increase in bookings … every 10 minutes we have requests, every 20 minutes. I mean, the request is very important at the moment,” Kula stated.

According to Kula, current airspace restrictions have complicated departure logistics, driving clients to “seek solutions to leave the Middle East, particularly Dubai and Qatar,” often through Riyadh and Muscat airports.

Despite the business opportunity, both operators face significant obstacles, particularly skyrocketing charter costs that have priced out many potential customers.

Jet-VIP’s standard Dubai-to-Istanbul routes previously cost $50,000 for six-passenger light jets and $110,000 for larger aircraft accommodating 15 travelers. These rates have now doubled to $100,000 and $200,000 respectively.

“A lot of the flights that we were offered initially were out of Oman. So the prices there were still astronomical because the demand has obviously gone through the roof,” Lait observed, expressing frustration with aircraft costs as his startup attempts to begin operations.

Kula identified another challenge: limited airport slots as traffic surges at Muscat and Riyadh facilities.

“Sometimes it can take up to 24 hours just to have the authorisation to go to Oman and to pick up the passengers,” he explained, adding that his company prefers Dubai operations but faces slot availability issues due to airspace restrictions.

For now, Lait’s PetX Jets remains in holding pattern, waiting for conditions to improve.

“Our aim is to really try and hold out until the Dubai airspace opens and those aircraft become more in line with the prices that we’ve seen in the weeks and months leading up to Saturday,” Lait concluded.

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Political leaders in Cyprus are weighing whether to challenge Britain’s decades-long military presence on their island following a drone attack that heightened fears of being pulled into regional conflict with Iran.

The debate over Britain’s two military installations – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – has simmered since Cyprus achieved independence in 1960, but tensions escalated after Monday’s drone strike on Akrotiri base. Security sources believe the Iranian-made drone was launched by Hezbollah, Iran’s regional partner.

While no injuries occurred in the attack, the incident prompted emergency evacuations of nearby residents and placed the island on heightened security alert.

When questioned about potentially reassessing the British military installations, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told media Friday: “There is nothing I can rule out.”

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, formerly a law professor, responded cautiously when asked about the bases’ future status: “I no longer have the luxury in life of just expressing my legal opinion about things. Any decision on issues of this importance are not taken in the heat of the moment or during a crisis.”

However, local media took a stronger stance. Columnist Costas Venizelos wrote in the pro-government newspaper Phileleftheros: “The bases should take a hike. They are endangering our safety.”

The military facilities span approximately 99 square miles along Cyprus’s southern and eastern shorelines, housing roughly 7,000 British military members and their families, plus about 12,000 Cypriots living in surrounding areas.

Cypriot leadership expressed anger over weekend comments by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who failed to clearly deny potential use of the Cyprus facilities in U.S. and Israeli operations targeting Iran. Britain later issued clarifying statements and sent Defense Minister John Healey to Cyprus for diplomatic discussions.

“Yes, there was irritation” regarding Starmer’s remarks, President Christodoulides acknowledged during a Thursday interview with Greek television network Skai TV.

On Friday, Christodoulides also conducted meetings with MI6 intelligence chief Blaise Metreweli, though discussion details remain undisclosed.

Legal scholars in Cyprus argue the military arrangements warrant fresh examination under current international standards, describing the bases as colonial remnants incompatible with United Nations principles.

Britain’s Defense Ministry maintains the installations comply with international regulations, with a spokesperson stating: “Our Sovereign Base Areas are fully legal under international law.”

Cyprus experts point to Britain’s 2025 agreement transferring Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius following international court rulings against colonial-era territorial separation as a potential model.

“That implies something similar can and should be implemented in the case of Cyprus – that the bases be placed on a new footing fully compliant with international law,” stated Costas Clerides, former Cypriot attorney-general and Supreme Court justice.

The controversy appears likely to persist, though Cypriot officials privately acknowledge reluctance to escalate tensions while their own Greek-Turkish territorial dispute remains unresolved.

“It’s not that simple,” one government official noted.

The British military presence represents one of the UK’s most strategically important overseas positions, supporting Middle Eastern operations for decades and serving as a key Mediterranean foothold.

NAIROBI, Kenya — A United Nations investigation has determined that Uganda provided military assistance for South Sudan’s aerial bombardments that resulted in civilian deaths and severe injuries from burns approximately one year ago.

According to findings from the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, coordinated air attacks conducted by both nations “targeted civilian-populated areas predominantly affecting Nuer communities in opposition-affiliated areas.” The Nuer people represent South Sudan’s second-largest ethnic community.

Uganda has military personnel stationed in South Sudan supporting President Salva Kiir’s administration against forces aligned with opposition leader Riek Machar, who lost his vice presidential position in September following criminal allegations. Uganda’s military leadership states their troops operate in South Sudan through government invitation under a mutual security pact.

As Machar currently faces trial on charges including treason, combat has escalated in regions considered his power base, where government forces work to scatter rebel fighters.

The U.N. investigation noted that the bombardments extensively employed “improvised incendiary devices.”

Uganda deployed forces to South Sudan in March 2025, bringing military equipment including tanks and armored vehicles. This deployment occurred after militia forces captured a military installation near the Ethiopian frontier.

Several weeks following this incident, authorities placed Machar under house detention for his suspected involvement in coordinating the assault, accusations he refutes. The government has subsequently depended on air-based attacks to establish dominance in expanding conflicts with Machar’s supporters and additional armed factions.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni previously deployed his military to intervene in South Sudan’s civil war from 2013-2018 on several occasions supporting Kiir’s side, contributing to shifting the conflict in his direction. Current hostilities jeopardize a peace agreement established in 2018.

During a March 2025 assault in Wunaliet, located 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Juba, the capital, residences were consumed by flames after aircraft released “barrels of liquid that ignited,” according to witness accounts provided to the U.N. commission. Those who survived reported observing “civilians set alight, including a boy burnt beyond recognition.” Military quarters housing opposition troops also sustained damage.

Following the attack by one day, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is Museveni’s son and serves as chief military commander, published on X that Uganda had struck opposition forces.

“Our air offensive will not stop until Riek Machar makes peace with my uncle Afande Salva,” he wrote. Though Kiir is not Kainerugaba’s actual uncle, this language demonstrates the tight relationship between both governments.

The social media post, which was subsequently removed, included video footage that appeared to display explosive fires recorded from inside an aircraft.

Aircraft tracking information indicates that a turboprop aircraft that flew circular patterns over the bombing location had departed from Uganda earlier that day and was under Ugandan military operation, according to the U.N. findings.

The investigation stops short of definitively establishing Uganda’s participation level in operations or their precise role, noting only evidence of “high degrees of planning, operational integration and command-level authorization.”

In November, Uganda rejected claims of participating in South Sudan combat missions. The country has also disputed using “chemical weapons and barrel bombs” and maintains it does not target civilians.

Previously, Amnesty International concluded that Uganda had breached a 2018 U.N. weapons embargo prohibiting member nations from supplying most military aid to South Sudan, including arms and personnel. A U.N. expert panel reached similar conclusions in November.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders announced Friday they are blocking visa-free travel privileges for Georgian government officials and diplomats for a minimum of one year, citing the country’s deteriorating democracy and violent response to peaceful demonstrators.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a strong statement condemning the Georgian government’s actions: “If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists, and curtails freedom, there are consequences.”

The nation has been gripped by widespread demonstrations and civil unrest ever since Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced in November 2024 it was stopping efforts to pursue EU membership — a constitutional objective supported by many Georgian citizens.

This decision sparked massive street protests that authorities have responded to with widespread detentions and aggressive police tactics. The controversy intensified following a disputed parliamentary election where the governing party claimed victory amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud.

According to the European Commission, officials made the decision to halt official travel privileges “in response to Georgia’s deliberate and persisting violation of the commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights.”

The violations specifically include a “crackdown on protesters, opposition politicians, and independent media,” which have “resulted in breaches of several fundamental rights and international legal standards.”

The EU’s executive body stated the travel suspension will remain in effect until March 6, 2027, with the possibility of a two-year extension if Georgian leadership fails to resolve the democratic governance and rule of law concerns.

European governments have also been instructed to increase scrutiny of all Georgian citizens entering EU territory. Officials warned that diplomats and government representatives attempting to use personal passports instead of official diplomatic documents could face complete entry bans.

Kallas emphasized the EU’s position on supporting Georgian citizens while rejecting their government’s actions: “The people of Georgia have our full support but there is no place for those representing repression in our union.”

LONDON, March 5 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday the deployment of four more Typhoon fighter aircraft to Qatar as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East region.

The decision comes as Britain faces scrutiny over its measured approach to the Iran crisis and following a drone strike on a crucial military installation in Cyprus, which has raised questions among allies about the nation’s military capabilities.

President Donald Trump has also taken aim at Starmer, accusing the British leader of not offering adequate backing for U.S. military actions against Iran.

During a Thursday press briefing, Starmer defended Britain’s strategy, stating the country had been positioning military assets throughout the region even before hostilities began.

“My focus is providing calm, level headed leadership in the national interest,” Starmer stated.

“That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our people, and it means having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles, no matter the pressure to do otherwise,” he added.

The Prime Minister explained that the four additional Typhoon aircraft will reinforce the existing squadron stationed in Qatar to bolster defensive capabilities both there and across the broader region.

“We have the right plan for defence,” he declared.

Turkish intelligence officials reached out to Britain’s MI6 spy agency last month seeking expanded assistance in safeguarding Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa amid growing threats from Islamic State operatives, according to five sources with knowledge of the situation.

The appeal underscores international efforts to stabilize a nation still experiencing intermittent violence more than a year after Bashar al-Assad’s government fell, as broader regional tensions from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran add to the uncertainty.

International partners view Sharaa as essential to avoiding a return to religious warfare or renewed civil conflict, following 14 years of internal strife that forced millions to flee the country and enabled Islamic State to seize large portions of Syrian territory.

The extremist organization has intensified assaults on Syrian military and security forces in recent weeks, branding Sharaa, who previously led rebel forces, as their “number one foe.”

The exact nature of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization’s request to MI6 remains unclear, as does any expanded role the British agency may have assumed.

Turkey, Britain, and the United States endorsed Sharaa’s leadership last year in efforts to help unify and reconstruct the nation of 26 million people. Both London and Washington have eliminated most economic sanctions targeting Syria and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic organization Sharaa previously commanded.

Sources speaking to reporters demanded anonymity due to the delicate nature of the intelligence matters.

Turkish intelligence, the Turkish foreign ministry, Britain’s foreign office, and Syria’s defense and interior ministries declined to provide statements when contacted.

The sources, including Syrian government officials and foreign representatives, all pointed to mounting concerns over multiple reported Islamic State schemes to eliminate Sharaa.

A Turkish official revealed that the National Intelligence Organization, which has been instrumental in helping Syria’s new administration establish control, reached out to MI6 for additional support following a recent incident. A high-ranking Syrian security official described the request as coming after a “high-risk assassination plot,” noting that Turkish, British, and Syrian intelligence services maintain constant information sharing.

Specific details about the assassination scheme were not disclosed.

Another Western intelligence source familiar with the matter suggested Turkey may want to establish a Western intelligence presence in Damascus to create separation between Turkish and Israeli agencies, which are currently in disagreement.

According to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Islamic State targeted Sharaa and two top cabinet officials in five unsuccessful assassination attempts last year. Syrian authorities successfully prevented two of these plots, as reported in November.

Calling Sharaa a “watchdog” of the international anti-Islamic State alliance, the terrorist group carried out six strikes against Syrian government forces last month as part of what they termed a “new phase.”

Syrian officials publicly confirmed for the first time Thursday that they work closely with Turkish intelligence, announcing their joint success in preventing an Islamic State attack in the capital.

Turkish security officials said their intelligence service identified a three-person team planning remote explosive attacks, allowing Syrian partners to stop an “imminent assault.”

A U.S. diplomatic source briefed on the developments said the Turkish request to MI6 stemmed from the Islamic State’s renewed activity.

The Western intelligence source indicated the two agencies might increase collaborative planning and technical operations, though no final decision has been reached regarding deploying British personnel to Damascus.

A Syrian security official characterized a physical British presence as “highly risky.” They noted that MI6 cooperation was discussed during a February 26 meeting in Damascus between a delegation led by Britain’s Syria special envoy Ann Snow and Syria’s deputy interior minister, Major General Abdulqader Tahan.

Before breaking away from Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch in 2016, Sharaa served as a commander in the Nusra Front. He later headed a coalition of Islamic rebel groups that successfully overthrew Assad’s government in late 2024.

LONDON — Authorities in London announced Friday the detention of four individuals accused of conducting surveillance operations targeting the Jewish community while working for Iranian intelligence.

The Metropolitan Police revealed in their announcement that the detained suspects consist of one Iranian citizen and three individuals holding both British and Iranian citizenship. Officers took them into custody on charges of providing assistance to a foreign intelligence operation. Law enforcement apprehended the men at various locations throughout north London just after 1 a.m., alleging they conducted surveillance on specific sites and people.

According to police officials, the detained men range in age from 22 to 55 years old, and investigators continue searching the arrest locations along with additional nearby properties.

Authorities also detained six additional men on charges of providing assistance to the primary suspects, according to the police force.

“We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, who is in charge of counterterrorism policing in London.

These detentions occur amid ongoing military exchanges between Iran and both the United States and Israel, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets, American military installations, and other regional locations. While Britain does not participate in offensive military actions, the country provides support for regional defensive operations.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed appreciation to law enforcement “for foiling this alleged plot” while criticizing the British government for inadequately addressing Iranian threats.

“The U.K. may not be acting against Iran but Iran is acting against us,” it said in a statement.

“The government’s failure to keep its promise to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — the main instrument that the Islamic Republic uses to foment antisemitic violence worldwide — has sent the message that support for the brutal Iranian regime and its Jew-hating and West-hating ideology is perfectly acceptable in Britain,” it added.

British security officials express growing alarm over Iranian espionage activities within the United Kingdom.

Ken McCallum, director of Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence agency, revealed in October that authorities had prevented more than 20 “potentially lethal Iran-backed plots” during the preceding year.

McCallum claimed that Iran and Russia increasingly employ “ugly methods,” including “surveillance, sabotage, arson or physical violence.” British officials have accused Iran of utilizing criminal networks to execute attacks throughout Europe.

According to intelligence reports, Iranian-supported schemes primarily focus on opposition Persian-language news organizations and Jewish communities.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Shiite Muslim communities across Pakistan organized demonstrations Friday to condemn what they described as joint US-Israeli military operations that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting American diplomatic officials to warn citizens about potential security threats.

Under heavy police supervision, approximately 300 demonstrators conducted a peaceful sit-in within Pakistan’s capital city, displaying images of Khamenei while shouting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Law enforcement positioned shipping containers along routes to the US Embassy in Islamabad as a precautionary measure against possible escalation.

Officials confirmed that demonstration organizers had committed to avoiding any march toward the diplomatic facility, which sits roughly 3 kilometers away from the protest site. The sit-in was scheduled to conclude Friday evening.

The Iranian leader, who maintained power since 1989, served as an influential religious and political symbol for Shiite communities globally, including those in Pakistan. News of his death during the joint military operation that initiated conflict last week has triggered widespread anger among Shiite populations.

Enhanced security measures were implemented in Karachi, the major port city where hundreds of Shiite demonstrators had attacked the US Consulate earlier this week, breaking windows and attempting arson. Law enforcement responded with batons, tear gas and live ammunition to control the crowds. The Karachi violence resulted in 10 protester deaths, while an additional 13 people died during unrest in northern cities such as Skardu and Gilgit.

Friday’s Karachi protesters maintained a distance of approximately 4 kilometers from the consulate building.

Sunni Muslim groups also organized separate, smaller demonstrations in both Islamabad and Karachi Friday, expressing opposition to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. These gatherings occurred away from American diplomatic properties and proceeded without violent incidents.

Prior to Friday’s demonstrations, US Embassy officials in Islamabad advised American citizens to restrict outdoor activities. An updated travel advisory also discouraged visits to Pakistan’s Balochistan province in the southwest, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest, and the contested Kashmir region due to elevated risks of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.

Shiite Muslims represent approximately 15 percent of Pakistan’s 250 million residents, while the majority practice Sunni Islam.

A significant military conflict in the Middle East is creating massive disruptions across global energy markets and supply chains, with impacts that financial experts say could rival those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis began last Saturday when joint U.S.-Israeli military operations targeted Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with widespread retaliatory strikes throughout the region, escalating tensions dramatically.

Energy markets are experiencing their most dramatic price swings since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Brent crude oil has surged past $87 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate has climbed above $84, marking weekly increases exceeding 20% and 25% respectively. Year-to-date, both benchmarks have spiked more than 40%.

The scale of energy disruption is unprecedented. The strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down, stranding hundreds of oil tankers. Qatar has halted its liquefied natural gas operations, Saudi Arabia suspended production at a major refinery, and Iraq has completely stopped crude oil production.

Asian markets are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with refineries in the region dependent on Middle Eastern sources for nearly 60% of their crude supply now scrambling for alternatives. Several facilities have already scaled back operations, and Asian jet fuel prices skyrocketed more than 70% on Wednesday alone, reaching record highs. European natural gas prices have also surged.

President Donald Trump addressed the energy situation Thursday, saying regarding rising gasoline costs, “They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise.”

The administration is taking some measures to address the crisis. The U.S. has temporarily relaxed restrictions on Indian purchases of Russian oil to help ease pressure on India’s refineries. While the Treasury Department considered intervening in oil futures markets to control prices, officials have reportedly decided against that approach for now.

Earlier this week, Trump announced the U.S. would provide insurance coverage and naval escorts to help reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz, though analysts suggest this initiative may be insufficient given the current situation.

Stock markets worldwide are showing mixed reactions to the crisis. Asian equity markets, particularly those in countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports, have suffered significant losses. South Korea’s Kospi index, which had been among the top performers in early 2024, is heading toward its worst weekly decline in six years at approximately 10.5%.

European stock markets have also weakened since the conflict began, though less severely than their Asian counterparts. U.S. equities have performed relatively better, benefiting from America’s position as the world’s largest energy producer and a rebound in technology stocks.

The U.S. dollar has emerged as one of the major beneficiaries during the conflict, rising roughly 1.5% this week, though this may not be solely due to safe-haven demand. Treasury yields have increased as concerns about potential inflation from the energy crisis have outweighed investors’ typical flight to safety.

Interestingly, gold prices, despite being up Friday, are actually down for the week overall. This could indicate investors are selling the precious metal to cover losses elsewhere, or it might reflect the speculative nature that has driven gold’s massive gains over the past year.

Financial markets may briefly shift attention today with the release of February U.S. employment data, amid ongoing concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on jobs. However, focus is expected to return quickly to Middle Eastern developments.

Regardless of how or when this conflict concludes, experts believe it has the potential to fundamentally alter global perspectives on defense strategy, energy security, and resource nationalism. This shift comes at a particularly critical time when the artificial intelligence revolution is driving unprecedented demand for energy, metals, and minerals.

The crisis highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains and the interconnected nature of modern energy markets, with effects rippling far beyond the immediate region of conflict.

Courts in Indonesia have delivered severe punishments to two Thai citizens involved in transporting an enormous quantity of methamphetamine, marking one of the nation’s most significant narcotics seizures in recent memory.

On Friday, judicial authorities in Batam imposed a life sentence on Weerapat Phongwan for his role in coordinating and supervising the drug distribution network, according to court officials. His co-defendant, Teerapong Lekpradub, received a 17-year prison term after being convicted of serving as a middleman in the narcotics transaction.

The arrests took place last May when Indonesian law enforcement intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 67 containers filled with methamphetamine totaling nearly 2 tons in weight. Court records reveal the drugs had been concealed inside tea bag packaging, as demonstrated in police footage from the investigation.

Authorities apprehended the suspects in maritime territory off Karimun in the Riau Islands province, located close to Singapore. Along with the two Thai nationals, four Indonesian citizens were also taken into custody during the operation.

The legal proceedings continued Thursday when the same court sentenced another defendant, Fandi Ramadhan, to five years behind bars. Verdicts for the remaining three accused individuals are expected to be announced next week.

The case gained widespread attention on social media platforms after Ramadhan’s relatives appealed to President Prabowo Subianto, requesting presidential intervention to secure his release.

According to local news sources, the narcotics originated from Phuket, Thailand, and investigators believe they were supplied by an international criminal organization with operations spanning Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.

Indonesia maintains extremely harsh penalties for drug-related offenses. The country demonstrated its tough stance in 2015 when it executed two Australian citizens connected to the notorious Bali Nine smuggling ring for attempting to transport heroin from the popular tourist destination.

Iceland’s government announced Friday it will hold a public vote on August 29 to decide whether the country should restart negotiations for European Union membership, accelerating a commitment to conduct the referendum by 2027 amid growing global tensions.

The Nordic island nation walked away from EU membership discussions in 2013 after four years of negotiations. However, recent polling indicates renewed public interest in joining the European bloc, driven by increasing living expenses and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The urgency surrounding EU membership has intensified following repeated statements from U.S. President Donald Trump about potentially annexing Greenland, which sits between Iceland and the United States. This has heightened concerns for the North Atlantic nation of nearly 400,000 residents.

According to public broadcaster RUV, Foreign Minister Katrin Gunnarsdottir announced at a news conference that the government reached a unanimous decision on the referendum proposal.

Should voters approve restarting membership talks, any final agreement reached with the European Union would then face a separate public vote on actual membership in the bloc.

BEIRUT – Nearly 100,000 Lebanese residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters following extensive Israeli military evacuation orders that a top United Nations official described as unprecedented in their scope, according to a Friday report.

The Israeli military issued evacuation directives on Thursday targeting residents of southern Beirut neighborhoods, including areas under control of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah organization, along with sections of the eastern Bekaa Valley. These orders came one day after similar warnings were issued for large areas of southern Lebanon, as fighting continues between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

Imran Riza, who serves as the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, described the situation to Reuters as extraordinary in its magnitude.

“What we saw in the last couple of days is, I would say … unprecedented in terms of the scale here in Lebanon of the warnings, the displacement orders, and the reaction, the panic also, that this has all created,” Riza explained.

According to Riza’s Friday morning assessment, the displaced population has filled 477 emergency shelters across the country, with only 57 facilities still having available space.

“At the moment, there are about 100,000 people that are, as of this morning, in some 477 collective shelters. There are some 57 shelters that still have some space, but basically the capacity is being reached very, very quickly,” he stated.

The evacuation orders have triggered chaos and traffic jams as residents scramble to find safe locations, Riza observed.

“We had people moving all over the place and not knowing where to go to. So yes, I think we’re going to have an increased number quite quickly,” he said.

Riza referenced the 2024 conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, which displaced over one million Lebanese residents, with 75-80% finding accommodation outside official shelter facilities.

“This time again, the majority will not be in shelters probably,” he predicted.

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that his country successfully secured the release of 300 military personnel and two civilians from Russian custody during the second consecutive day of prisoner exchanges between the two nations.

The freed Ukrainian troops included soldiers of various ranks – from enlisted personnel to non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers – who had been stationed at multiple battlefront locations spanning from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk to the southern area of Kherson, according to Zelenskyy’s statement.

The Ukrainian president shared images on social media showing the returning servicemen stepping off transportation vehicles, embracing one another and sharing cigarettes in what appeared to be emotional reunion scenes.

A Jakarta court delivered what human rights organizations are calling a significant win for civil liberties on Friday, clearing four activists of accusations they sparked Indonesia’s most devastating civil unrest in more than two decades.

The unrest began in August of last year when thousands of students, civil rights advocates, and ordinary citizens took to the streets nationwide to oppose government budget decisions, particularly increased financial benefits for elected officials.

What started as peaceful demonstrations escalated into deadly violence following the police killing of a motorcycle taxi operator in Jakarta. The chaos continued through September, ultimately claiming 10 lives.

According to data from an independent monitoring group established by human rights organizations, authorities have detained nearly 7,000 individuals through February 2026, with 500 receiving sentences and 125 remaining behind bars.

The Central Jakarta court on Friday cleared Delpedro Marhaen, an employee of the Lokataru Foundation, a nonprofit that provides legal support to demonstrators. Marhaen became a prominent symbol of the movement following his September arrest.

Three additional defendants, including a coworker of Marhaen’s and two other advocates, also received acquittals.

The court determined none of the defendants were guilty of encouraging participation in the August demonstrations. They were also cleared of accusations they fueled violence by distributing false information and inflammatory content on social platforms.

The presiding judge further ruled they had not recruited underage participants, dismissing child exploitation charges against them.

“The ruling not only belongs to us but also belongs to all political prisoners.. Imagine we have been arrested for six months but now we are proven not guilty,” Marhaen stated following the proceedings while draping himself in an Iranian flag.

The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence characterized the decision as an “oasis in the rollback of Indonesia’s democracy.”

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation praised the outcomes as a modest triumph for individual freedoms while emphasizing the need for government action to safeguard free speech rights.

Political observers noted the demonstrations represented the first major challenge for President Prabowo Subianto following his overwhelming 2024 electoral success.

The civil disorder has been characterized as the most severe since 1998, when student demonstrations resulted in the removal of former President Suharto and concluded three decades of authoritarian governance.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The Indonesian government announced Friday it will prohibit minors under age 16 from accessing major social media platforms, according to Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.

Minister Hafid revealed in a media statement that she has approved new government regulations preventing children younger than 16 from maintaining accounts on dangerous digital platforms. The restricted platforms encompass YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.

The new restrictions will roll out in phases beginning March 28, continuing until every platform meets government compliance requirements.

“The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms,” Hafid stated.

The minister explained the government views these measures as essential action during what she called a digital crisis to protect children’s future welfare.

“We realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children’s complaints,” Hafid acknowledged.

This announcement follows Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducting an unannounced visit to Meta Platforms’ Jakarta headquarters earlier this week due to concerns about dangerous content management across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Ministry officials stated the inspection resulted in a formal warning to Meta regarding insufficient adherence to Indonesian national regulations.

The Associated Press contacted TikTok and Meta for statements but has not received responses.

With this action, Indonesia becomes the first Southeast Asian country to limit children’s social media access.

Australia previously implemented similar teen social media restrictions in December 2024, resulting in social media companies removing approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors in that country.

GENEVA – The United Nations refugee agency announced Friday that the escalating conflict in the Middle East has become a “major humanitarian emergency,” with displacement numbers reaching alarming levels across the region.

According to UN officials, close to 100,000 individuals have been forced from their homes within Lebanon, while thousands of Syrian refugees living there have returned across the border to Syria. The crisis stems from ongoing conflicts that began when a U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iran commenced on February 28.

Israeli authorities have ordered mass evacuations from southern Lebanon and certain areas of Beirut as fighting continues with Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported Lebanese organization.

“UNHCR has declared the escalating crisis in the Middle East as a major humanitarian emergency requiring an immediate response across the region and into Southeast Asia,” stated Ayaki Ito, who serves as the UN refugee agency’s Director of Emergency and Programme Support, during a press conference in Geneva.

Ito warned that current displacement figures likely represent a conservative estimate of the actual crisis scope.

The UN official also reported that approximately 100,000 people have been displaced within Iran during the initial days of the conflict, with UNHCR personnel in the country handling hundreds of daily assistance requests from Iranian citizens.

Health concerns are mounting as well, according to World Health Organization regional director Hanan Balkhy, who announced increased disease monitoring efforts in Lebanon due to the massive population displacement.

“It worries us very much, the numbers of the displaced populations and the lack of adequate water and sanitation,” Balkhy explained.

Officials at one of Germany’s most recognizable landmarks announced Thursday that they will implement tourist admission fees for the first time as they grapple with escalating maintenance expenses.

Leaders of Cologne Cathedral revealed plans to begin charging visitors during the latter half of 2024, though they have not yet disclosed the specific price for entry.

The magnificent Gothic structure, featuring distinctive twin spires, rises prominently above Cologne’s central train station along the Rhine River and serves as the city’s most recognizable feature. Work on the cathedral commenced in 1248, with final completion occurring in 1880. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated it as a World Heritage site in 1996.

Approximately 6 million people visit the cathedral annually.

Cathedral leadership explained that inflation combined with increasing staff expenses have created ongoing financial pressure for building maintenance. Officials project spending approximately 16 million euros ($18.6 million) on upkeep during the current year.

Financial reserves previously used to address budget shortfalls have been significantly depleted, particularly because paid visits to the cathedral’s towers and treasury were suspended for extended periods throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Church administrators have implemented cost-cutting measures, including leaving vacant positions unfilled in the cathedral architect’s department, but acknowledge these steps cannot provide a sustainable long-term solution.

Individuals visiting for religious services and prayer will not be subject to the new entrance fee. Cathedral dean Guido Assmann noted that tourists represent approximately 99% of all visitors, according to German news agency dpa.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged Thursday that he’s aware of criticism regarding his enthusiastic praise of President Donald Trump, but maintained that the American leader merits such recognition.

During a Reuters interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the former Dutch prime minister addressed concerns from officials and analysts who claim his complimentary approach toward Trump undermines Europe’s standing and its defense capabilities.

“I hear the criticism, obviously. I’m not deaf,” Rutte stated during the interview.

Rutte gained attention at a previous NATO summit when he compared Trump to a “daddy” figure during last year’s Israel-Iran tensions. His selection to lead the alliance was influenced partly by his ability to maintain strong relations with Trump, which diplomats credit with helping preserve NATO unity despite presidential criticism of the organization.

The NATO leader defended his approach, citing Trump’s instrumental role in securing alliance agreement on new defense spending goals. Member nations committed to allocating 5% of their GDP to defense-related expenses – including 3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for broader security measures. This represents a significant increase from NATO’s previous 2% GDP target for defense spending.

Rutte expressed support for recent U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, describing them as “decisive action to take out this capability of Iran to pose a threat as an exporter of terrorism and chaos to the Middle East, to Europe, to the world.”

“I think if a president of a country is … providing that type of leadership, some praise is warranted,” he explained.

The NATO chief’s comments come amid escalating tensions between Trump and Spain. The president threatened comprehensive trade sanctions against Madrid after Spain refused to permit American military bases on its territory to support operations against Iran. Trump also criticized Spain for not committing to the 5% defense spending target.

Despite the dispute, Rutte offered positive remarks about Spain’s NATO participation during the interview.

“Their troops are part of many foreign land forces, many initiatives, many NATO missions. I really want to commend them for that,” he said.

When asked whether he had intervened in the Trump-Spain disagreement, Rutte indicated his preference for a measured approach. “When there are debates between allies, I always try to stay a bit muted, and therefore being able, if necessary, to help a bit,” he responded.

Moscow issued a stern warning Friday following Finland’s announcement that it plans to end its prohibition on hosting nuclear weapons within its borders.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the Nordic nation of heightening European tensions and declared that Russia would take countermeasures if nuclear arms are actually deployed on Finnish soil.

Finland, which borders Russia along an extensive frontier, abandoned its Cold War-era neutral stance and became a NATO member in 2023 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Finnish government announced Thursday its intention to remove the long-standing prohibition on nuclear weapons within its territory, potentially allowing such weapons to be stationed there during wartime.

“This is a statement that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent,” Peskov stated during a press briefing.

“This statement adds to Finland’s vulnerability, a vulnerability provoked by the actions of the Finnish authorities. The fact is that by deploying nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures,” he continued.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and concerns about unpredictable policies from U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly his expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, have prompted European nations to reassess their defense strategies and nuclear policies.

GENEVA – The top United Nations human rights official on Friday criticized Israel’s widespread evacuation directives targeting southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, calling them potentially problematic under international law.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over what he described as massive displacement orders affecting vast numbers of people. “These blanket, massive displacement orders we are talking here about hundreds and thousands of people,” Turk stated.

“This raises serious concern under international humanitarian law, and in particular when it comes to issues around forced transfer,” he continued.

The concerns came after Israeli forces conducted intensive bombing campaigns against Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern districts following evacuation warnings to residents. Meanwhile, the Iranian-supported militant group issued its own warnings for Israelis living near the border to evacuate.

Israeli military officials on Thursday directed civilians in southern Beirut neighborhoods to relocate toward eastern and northern areas, releasing a detailed map identifying four major districts residents must abandon, including zones near the capital’s international airport.

The escalation began Monday when Hezbollah launched attacks that drew Lebanon into the expanding Middle Eastern conflict, prompting Israel to respond with concentrated air campaigns targeting southern Beirut suburbs and Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.

Speaking from Geneva, Turk warned about Lebanon’s emerging role as a critical conflict zone. “Lebanon is becoming a key flashpoint. I’m extremely concerned and worried about the latest developments,” he said, referencing recent rocket exchanges and military responses.

Through its Hebrew-language Telegram account early Friday, Hezbollah issued evacuation warnings for Israeli communities within a 3-mile radius of the border.

Previous fighting in 2024 had forced tens of thousands of Israelis from border communities to evacuate, though many had subsequently returned home. Israeli authorities have indicated no current plans for additional evacuations.

Turk emphasized the urgent need for international intervention, stating, “The world urgently needs to see steps to contain the Middle East crisis.”

GENEVA – The escalating Middle East conflict is severely hampering international humanitarian operations, creating bottlenecks in critical supply routes that deliver emergency aid worldwide, according to ten relief officials who spoke with Reuters.

As the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran reaches its seventh day, the conflict has triggered widespread disruption across global transportation networks. Airspace restrictions and the complete shutdown of shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz have sent shockwaves through international markets and supply chains.

Emergency assistance to Gaza and Sudan has nearly come to a standstill, while expenses for feeding hundreds of millions facing hunger worldwide continue to climb dramatically.

“People in dire need of assistance will have to wait longer for food,” stated Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of Food Security at the World Food Programme.

Essential supplies including emergency shelters, tarps, and lighting equipment intended for Gaza and the West Bank have become trapped in logistics networks, according to the International Organization for Migration.

DUBAI RELIEF CENTER STRUGGLES WITH TRANSPORT BARRIERS

Relief organizations report that escalating operational expenses are putting additional pressure on budgets already strained by significant reductions in donor funding. The IOM revealed that shipping companies are now imposing emergency fees of roughly $3,000 per shipping container.

International aid groups that maintain emergency supply stockpiles at Dubai’s Humanitarian Hub for quick regional deployment are encountering major obstacles in moving materials through transportation networks.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is unable to transport medical trauma supplies to assist the Iranian Red Crescent with search and rescue operations from its Dubai facility, which houses emergency inventory worth 10 million Swiss francs ($13 million), explained Cecile Terraz, an IFRC director.

The organization cannot move supplies through Jebel Ali port – the region’s primary container facility, which sustained fire damage from intercepted missile debris – a critical transit point for cargo moving to aircraft or through the Strait of Hormuz.

Operations at the World Health Organization’s Dubai hub have also been suspended, according to regional director Hanan Balkhy, blocking 50 emergency requests from 25 nations and disrupting critical programs including polio immunization campaigns.

The disruption is expected to create widespread secondary effects across other regions.

Sudan, already experiencing severe famine conditions, faces particular vulnerability due to additional shipping restrictions implemented February 28 affecting the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the Red Sea’s southern entrance, the UNHCR reported.

“We are particularly concerned about Africa,” a UNHCR spokesperson stated, noting that some shipments are being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to three weeks to delivery times.

Expenses for fuel, transportation, and insurance coverage are also increasing, with Terraz indicating the IFRC may need to reduce shipments to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Emma Maspero, senior manager at UNICEF’s Copenhagen supply division, expressed hope that aircraft carrying time-sensitive humanitarian cargo such as vaccines could receive priority treatment despite airspace limitations.

JAKARTA – Indonesia has become the latest nation to impose strict social media limitations on minors, announcing Friday that children under 16 will be blocked from accessing popular platforms in an effort to combat online dangers and addiction.

Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid revealed the government will implement new restrictions through regulations that take effect March 28. The policy makes Indonesia the first non-Western nation to establish such comprehensive social media age limits.

Multiple countries have recently enacted similar protective measures as concerns grow about social media’s effects on young people’s safety and mental wellbeing. Australia implemented its under-16 social media prohibition in December, while Spain announced comparable restrictions last month. Indonesia’s regional neighbor Malaysia also plans to enforce a 16-year age minimum starting in 2026.

The Indonesian restrictions will target what officials call “high risk platforms,” specifically naming TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox. Accounts belonging to underage users will face systematic deactivation as the new rules roll out.

“The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations,” Hafid explained in her video announcement, though she did not specify what companies must do to comply with the requirements.

The minister acknowledged the policy may create initial challenges for families. “We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints,” she stated.

Hafid emphasized the serious online threats facing young users, saying “Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction.”

The affected companies – TikTok, Meta (which operates Facebook and Instagram), and Roblox – have not yet provided responses to the announcement. Indonesian ministry officials also have not released additional details about how the regulations will be implemented.

Data from Indonesia’s internet service providers’ association shows the scope of the challenge, with internet usage reaching nearly 80% of the country’s 280 million residents in 2024. Their survey of 8,700 people found that nearly half of children under 12 have internet access, with some already using the platforms targeted by the new restrictions. Among Gen Z users aged 12 to 27, internet penetration reaches 87%.

The Finnish government announced Thursday its intention to remove a comprehensive prohibition on nuclear weapons within its borders, a policy shift that would bring the country in line with its Nordic neighbors and potentially allow atomic weapons deployment on Finnish territory during wartime.

The current Nuclear Energy Act, enacted in 1987, forbids the importation, production, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives within Finland’s boundaries. Some Finnish citizens have viewed this restriction as potentially favoring Russia in any future conflict.

After maintaining a neutral stance throughout the Cold War, Finland became a NATO member in 2023 following Russia’s comprehensive military assault on Ukraine in 2022.

“The amendment is necessary to enable Finland’s military defense as part of the alliance and to take full advantage of NATO’s deterrence and collective defence,” Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen told a press conference.

The legislative proposal will now advance to parliament, where the current right-wing coalition government maintains a majority.

Other Scandinavian nations including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway maintain policies opposing nuclear weapons on their soil during peacetime but lack statutory prohibitions during wartime scenarios.

This week, NATO members France and Germany revealed intentions to enhance nuclear deterrence cooperation with European allies, representing a strategic adjustment as the continent confronts increased Russian threats and instability connected to the Iran situation.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson explained his nation’s position to reporters recently, stating that Sweden’s approach involves avoiding permanent foreign military forces or nuclear weapons during peacetime. When questioned about potentially hosting French nuclear armaments, Kristersson noted: “If we were to find ourselves in a completely different situation, that particular formulation would not apply.”

Finland maintains a 1,340-kilometer boundary with Russia and established a defense agreement with the United States in 2024, granting American forces access to 15 Finnish military installations and operational areas.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — President Vjosa Osmani announced Friday her decision to dissolve Kosovo’s Parliament, triggering another round of early elections after legislators failed to select her replacement by Thursday’s midnight deadline.

This political turmoil represents yet another crisis for the Balkan nation, which already conducted snap elections in December following almost a year of political gridlock.

The 120-member assembly was required to choose a new president to succeed Osmani, who has served since 2021. Thursday evening’s voting attempt collapsed when insufficient lawmakers showed up to meet quorum requirements.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has pointed fingers at opposition parties for boycotting the legislative session. His governing Vetevedosje (Self-Determination) party has petitioned the Constitutional Court to temporarily halt the deadline, allowing the presidential selection process to continue.

The timing of the court’s decision remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether any ruling could reverse Osmani’s parliamentary dissolution.

During Friday’s public statement, Osmani characterized the crisis as “completely avoidable” and emphasized that legislators had sufficient opportunity to select a president.

“It is a great misfortune for this state that they did not choose the interests of the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani declared. “I have issued the decree for the dissolution of the assembly, and through this decree I am fulfilling the constitutional obligation that is clearly defined.”

Vetevedosje dominated December’s early elections and partnered with ethnic minority groups to establish a new administration in February.

The party had previously won February 2025 elections but failed to secure a parliamentary majority, creating the deadlock that necessitated December’s snap vote.

Kosovo, once a Serbian province, proclaimed independence in 2008 after a 1998-99 conflict that concluded with U.S.-led NATO military intervention. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s sovereignty, maintaining ongoing regional tensions.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ukrainian officials are accusing Hungarian authorities of detaining seven bank workers and illegally confiscating millions of dollars in cash from armored vehicles passing through the country.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X late Thursday that Hungarian officials were holding seven Ukrainian citizens who work for state-owned Oschadbank. The employees were traveling in two armored vehicles between Austria and Ukraine when they were stopped, according to Sybiha.

The vehicles were transporting money as part of routine operations between government banks, the foreign minister explained.

Oschadbank released its own statement revealing that Hungarian authorities had confiscated $40 million in U.S. dollars, along with 35 million euros and 9 kilograms of gold.

According to the bank, GPS tracking showed the vehicles were located in central Budapest near a Hungarian law enforcement facility, though the whereabouts of the bank workers remained unclear.

Hungarian Interior Ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident.

This development has intensified the already strained relationship between Hungary and Ukraine, stemming from disputes over Hungary’s access to Russian oil via a pipeline running through Ukrainian territory.

The Druzhba pipeline has been shut down since January 27. Ukrainian officials say Russian drone attacks damaged the pipeline’s infrastructure, making repairs dangerous for workers and leaving the system vulnerable to future strikes.

Hungarian leadership, however, claims Ukraine is intentionally blocking Russian oil deliveries and has promised retaliatory actions against Kyiv until the oil supply resumes.

Hungary and Slovakia have both resisted European Union efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, continuing to purchase Russian fossil fuels despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referenced the bank vehicle detention during Friday radio comments, stating: “We will stop things that are important to Ukraine passing through Hungary until we get the approval of the Ukrainians for oil shipments.”

Orbán has maintained friendly ties with the Kremlin while launching an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s elections. He has previously halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine, blocked EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a 90-billion-euro loan to Kyiv over the oil pipeline dispute.

The Hungarian leader has also positioned military units at critical energy facilities throughout Hungary, claiming Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.

During Thursday’s economic forum, Orbán announced Hungary would use “force,” including “political and financial tools,” to pressure Ukraine into restarting oil deliveries.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha responded sharply to Orbán’s remarks on X, writing: “We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money.”

“If this is the ‘force’ announced earlier today by Mr. Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang,” Sybiha continued. “This is state terrorism and racketeering.”

Sybiha announced that Ukraine plans to bring the matter before the European Union to seek clarification on Hungary’s actions.

Military forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in gunfire at multiple locations along their shared border Friday, while United Nations officials reported that more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes due to the week-long military conflict.

The two South Asian countries show no indication of resolving their most severe military confrontation in recent years, contributing to regional instability that also includes recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, which shares borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The fighting has escalated to include Pakistani airstrikes targeting Taliban government facilities, including strikes on the Bagram airfield located north of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry reported that Taliban military units attacked Pakistani military facilities along the 1,600-mile border, eliminating multiple outposts and bringing down an unmanned aircraft.

Pakistani military officials confirmed they conducted ground and aerial operations targeting military objectives in areas including Kandahar, the Taliban’s stronghold where senior leadership is based, and eliminated several Afghan border installations.

Demonstrators gathered in Kabul Friday to condemn Pakistan’s military actions against Afghan territory, shouting slogans opposing Pakistan, according to eyewitness accounts. The Bakhter news service reported that a substantial crowd in Laghman Province also protested Pakistan’s recent military operations.

Residents of border communities have informed Reuters that military units begin heavy artillery exchanges after dark, putting civilian homes at risk during evening hours when families gather to end their daily fast during the sacred month of Ramadan.

Multiple residents reported that family members and community members have evacuated the area.

“The situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan remains tense amid active conflict along the border,” the United Nations refugee agency stated, estimating that approximately 115,000 people in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Pakistan have abandoned their homes.

Multiple nations have volunteered to facilitate peace talks, with Turkey being the most recent, though the Iran conflict has shifted focus away from Gulf nations that had previously offered assistance.

Pakistani government representative Mosharraf Zaidi confirmed that no peace discussions were underway to resolve the conflict.

“There is nothing to talk about. There will be no dialogue and no negotiations,” he stated on state-controlled Pakistan TV. “Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end – that is Afghanistan’s problem. Pakistan’s responsibility is to protect its citizens.”

The military confrontation started last week when Pakistan launched airstrikes within Afghanistan that Islamabad claimed were aimed at militant bases. Afghanistan denounced the strikes as territorial violations and declared retaliatory military actions.

Pakistani officials have accused Kabul of sheltering militants who launch attacks on Pakistan from Afghan territory. Taliban leadership has rejected claims of supporting such organizations and maintains that Pakistan’s militant problems are domestic issues.

Friday saw the Taliban’s defense ministry claim it had also attacked a military installation in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. Reuters was unable to confirm the strike, and Pakistan’s military has not acknowledged any damage in that area.

Both nations have consistently claimed they caused significant damage to opposing forces and eliminated hundreds of enemy soldiers, without offering proof. Reuters has been unable to confirm these claims.

The U.N. mission in Afghanistan reported 56 civilian deaths and 128 injuries in the country since hostilities began. Taliban government officials have stated 110 civilians have died.

Pakistan has disputed both casualty counts, maintaining it only targets militants and supporting infrastructure.

ZURICH, March 5 – The ongoing instability across the Middle East stems directly from the breakdown of international legal standards, according to the European Union’s foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas, who delivered these remarks Thursday.

Speaking at the University of Zurich, Kallas blamed the deterioration of global order on major world powers choosing to act independently rather than following established international protocols. She specifically criticized Russia while also taking aim at China and the United States.

“Today, the chaos we see around us in the Middle East is a direct consequence of the erosion of international law,” she stated, claiming that Russia’s military action in Ukraine has emboldened other nations to ignore international standards.

Regarding China’s role, Kallas accused the nation of exploiting weakened international regulations to expand its reach across the Asia-Pacific area while applying economic pressure to European countries.

“Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos,” Kallas warned.

When addressing America’s role, she described Washington’s foreign policy changes as having “rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world,” characterizing the impact on global stability as “seismic.”

“The current direction is a new world order characterised by competition and coercive power politics, a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence,” Kallas explained.

The EU official delivered her comments during the Churchill Special Lecture, marking approximately eight decades since Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the same university and advocated for creating a “United States of Europe” in the aftermath of World War Two’s destruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Thursday that his country has successfully secured the release of 200 prisoners of war through a new exchange agreement with Russia. The freed soldiers include military personnel who were taken captive during Russia’s prolonged assault on the port city of Mariupol in the early months of 2022.

Speaking on social media platform X, Zelenskiy emphasized his government’s commitment to bringing all captured personnel home. “Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back. No one is forgotten,” the Ukrainian leader stated.

Zelenskiy also acknowledged international assistance in facilitating the prisoner exchange, specifically recognizing American involvement in the process. “We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible,” he said.

The prisoner swap represents the latest in a series of exchanges between the two nations since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

Maritime workers worldwide have gained new protections allowing them to decline assignments on vessels traveling through the Middle East Gulf region, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, following an elevation of the area’s threat assessment to maximum levels, according to major labor organizations and shipping industry representatives who announced the decision Thursday.

Approximately 300 vessels currently remain anchored on either side of the Strait as the U.S.-led conflict with Iran continues to intensify. Starting February 28, nine vessels have sustained damage and at least one crew member has lost their life.

Under new arrangements finalized Thursday through negotiations between maritime workers and commercial shipping operators via the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), crew members may decline to enter the region and receive company-funded transportation home plus compensation equivalent to two months of basic salary.

Additionally, workers will earn increased wages for operating in the area, and death or disability benefits will be doubled, according to a statement from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

“Today’s designation ensures that seafarers on vessels covered by IBF agreements have critical protections if they operate in this dangerous region,” ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said.

“The fact we have to take these measures at all is a damning indictment of the situation facing seafarers today. No worker should have to risk being killed or maimed simply for doing their job – particularly when that job is transporting the oil and goods that keep the world’s economies running.”

The Australian Defense Department has filed a formal complaint with Beijing after describing a Wednesday incident between military helicopters as dangerous and unprofessional conduct by Chinese forces.

According to defense officials, an Australian military helicopter was conducting operations over international waters in the Yellow Sea when a Chinese aircraft intercepted it on Wednesday.

The Chinese helicopter reportedly flew to the same altitude as the Australian aircraft before moving dangerously close, accelerating its speed, and then banking toward the Australian helicopter, forcing the crew to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision.

Defense officials stated in their complaint: “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”

The Australian helicopter was conducting standard patrol operations in the Yellow Sea as part of international efforts to monitor and enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions targeting North Korea, according to the defense department.

Officials confirmed that no crew members were injured during the confrontation between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter and the Australian Defence Force aircraft.

This confrontation represents another chapter in an ongoing pattern of military incidents involving Chinese forces that Australian officials have publicly denounced using similar language.

Just last October, Australia condemned what it termed dangerous and unprofessional behavior by a Chinese fighter pilot who released flares in close proximity to an Australian maritime surveillance aircraft.

Chinese embassy officials have not yet provided any response to requests for comment regarding the latest incident.

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani disbanded the national legislature on Friday and ordered another round of snap elections after lawmakers missed the constitutional deadline to select a new president.

The 120-member legislative body had until Thursday at midnight to choose a head of state, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s governing Vetevendosje party failed to gather enough support or convince opposition members to back their candidate, Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca.

“A parliament that cannot elect a president cannot continue indefinitely to drag out the process as is being attempted,” Osmani stated.

Opposition groups had requested a compromise candidate that all parties could support, while Kurti pushed forward with his foreign minister as the nominee.

This represents the third emergency election in slightly more than 12 months for Kosovo, which previously held snap voting on December 28 following the legislature’s inability to establish a government after February 2025’s electoral contest.

PARIS – France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot revealed Friday that 60 French vessels remain stranded in Middle Eastern waters as regional tensions continue to disrupt maritime traffic.

The ships are distributed between two critical waterways, with the majority trapped in Persian Gulf waters while others remain stuck in the Red Sea corridor. French officials are maintaining regular communication with crew members aboard the affected vessels.

“There are around fifty ships – 52 to be precise – in the Persian Gulf and eight in the Red Sea, and we are also in permanent contact with the crews, as there are French sailors aboard a number of these vessels,” Tabarot stated during an interview with French media outlets CNews and Europe 1.

The announcement comes as France works to establish an international alliance aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes through the volatile region. The initiative seeks to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic amid escalating Middle Eastern conflicts that have severely impacted global shipping operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday his unwillingness to restore a Russian oil pipeline that supplies Central European nations, even as diplomatic friction intensifies with Hungary and Slovakia over the supply disruption.

Oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline have been suspended since January 27, following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that damaged the infrastructure running through Ukrainian land.

Leaders in Hungary and Slovakia, both nations that continue purchasing Russian energy unlike most EU members, have blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking the oil supply. Ukrainian officials counter that ongoing Russian bombardments make repair work dangerous for workers, and that any fixes would leave the pipeline exposed to additional attacks.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Zelenskyy made clear his opposition to pipeline restoration despite pressure from the affected countries.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t restore it. This is my position,” Zelenskyy said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration, considered Moscow’s strongest EU ally, has prevented a 90-billion euro ($106 billion) European loan to Ukraine due to the oil supply halt, and has threatened to oppose future Ukraine-supporting measures until deliveries restart.

Orbán, currently behind in polling ahead of next month’s significant electoral contest, has intensified his anti-Ukraine rhetoric domestically, characterizing the war-torn nation as a major threat. Without providing proof, he has alleged that Ukraine and Zelenskyy aim to destroy Hungary economically, and has warned citizens that his electoral defeat would drag the country into direct conflict with Russia.

At an economic conference Thursday, Orbán declared his determination to prevail in the oil dispute with Ukraine.

“We will win and we will win with force” in the feud with Ukraine over oil shipments, Orbán said.

“We have political and financial tools, and with these we will compel them, unconditionally and preferably as soon as possible, to reopen the Druzhba pipeline,” Orbán said. “I will make no pact, there will be no compromise. We will defeat them.”

Both Hungary and Slovakia have suggested dispatching an investigation team to examine the pipeline damage in western Ukraine and determine repair possibilities. Zelenskyy stated Thursday that no formal EU request for site access has reached him, though he expects “I think it will certainly come in one format or another.”

Zelenskyy expressed hope that “one person” would not obstruct the crucial 90-billion euro EU loan that Ukraine requires to maintain its defense against Russian aggression.

“This is Russian oil, and there are certain principles that have no price,” he continued. “They kill us, and we have to give oil to Orbán because he cannot win elections without it?”

ZURICH – Switzerland and the European Union announced Thursday their intention to strengthen collaboration on security and defense matters, with plans to share more information about global conflict zones from Ukraine to the Middle East.

The announcement came through a joint declaration released after diplomatic meetings in Zurich between Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

According to a draft of the agreement, the top diplomatic officials from both sides plan to establish annual dialogue sessions and increase information sharing regarding regions of mutual concern, including Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States.

The partnership will enhance collaboration on foreign policy, security and defense matters, with Swiss officials receiving invitations to participate in EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings and related preparatory sessions when deemed appropriate.

The cooperation framework also covers areas such as human rights initiatives, peace mediation efforts, multilateral affairs, restrictive measures, consular services, and international crisis management.

The agreement outlines plans to increase coordination between EU diplomatic missions and Swiss embassies and diplomatic posts in third countries and international organizations.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has finalized petroleum agreements with energy giant Shell, according to state-controlled media reports released Thursday, though specific terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

State broadcaster VTV aired footage without sound showing Rodriguez meeting with formally dressed officials, including U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is currently visiting the South American nation.

Shell has not yet provided a response to requests for information about the agreements.

Military-focused state television channel TV FANB announced the development on their Telegram platform, stating: “In a decisive step toward strengthening our industry, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led the signing of important agreements with international oil company Shell. This strategic alliance reaffirms that Venezuela continues to be a safe and reliable destination for foreign investment, driving the development of the hydrocarbons sector and the nation’s economic stability.”

Burgum, who leads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, has praised Rodriguez’s efforts to welcome international investment in the country’s oil and mining sectors, mirroring statements made by President Donald Trump.

This marks the second visit by a U.S. cabinet member to Venezuela following January’s American military operation that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made a trip to the country in February.

Venezuela’s parliament approved comprehensive oil sector legislation in January that reduced tax burdens, enhanced the petroleum ministry’s authority, and provided independence for private energy companies, among other changes designed to encourage investment.

Israeli military forces unleashed a series of intensive nighttime bombardments against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut after instructing civilians to evacuate the area, while the militant organization issued counter-warnings for Israelis living near the Lebanese border.

The night sky above Beirut’s southern districts was illuminated by explosions and bright flashes, according to video evidence. Israeli defense officials reported conducting 26 separate bombing campaigns throughout the night, focusing on what they described as Hezbollah command centers and ammunition depots.

Israeli military representatives had instructed southern suburb residents on Thursday to relocate toward the east and north, releasing a detailed map that highlighted four major sections of the capital that needed immediate evacuation, including zones near Beirut’s airport.

In response, Hezbollah published a Hebrew-language warning on its Telegram platform early Friday morning, urging Israeli citizens to abandon communities located within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the Lebanese frontier.

“Your military’s aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged,” Hezbollah said.

Throughout the 2024 conflict between the two forces, tens of thousands of Israeli residents were relocated from border communities, though many have subsequently returned home. Israeli government representatives have stated there are currently no immediate plans for additional evacuations.

Lebanon became entangled in the broader Middle Eastern conflict this past Monday when Hezbollah initiated attacks, sparking a fresh Israeli military campaign concentrated on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.

Israeli authorities have also directed Lebanese civilians to abandon extensive areas throughout southern and eastern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s health ministry reports that this week’s Israeli military operations have resulted in 123 deaths and 683 injuries. These statistics do not separate civilian casualties from military personnel.

No Israeli deaths have been documented from Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes.

The Shiite Muslim organization, which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded in 1982, suffered significant losses during Israel’s 2024 military campaign.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan authorities began moving more than 200 Iranian sailors from their disabled vessel to land on Friday, after the ship requested emergency assistance while positioned in international waters near the island nation. The operation follows Wednesday’s sinking of an Iranian warship by an American submarine, which has heightened tensions throughout the Indian Ocean region.

Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath confirmed that crew members from the IRIS Bushehr were initially being transported to Colombo’s port, with plans to relocate the vessel itself to a harbor on the island’s eastern coastline.

“The process of bringing personnel ashore is currently underway,” Sampath explained, noting that the sailors would undergo health screenings and immigration processing before being housed at the Welisara naval facility, located approximately 12 miles north of Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s decision to assume responsibility for the Iranian ship follows Wednesday’s attack when U.S. forces destroyed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in waters near the island. The submarine strike represents one of the uncommon occasions since the Second World War where an underwater vessel has successfully targeted and destroyed a surface military ship, demonstrating the widening reach of American-Israeli operations against Iran.

The destroyed IRIS Dena had recently taken part in multinational naval training exercises organized by India, involving military forces from 74 nations including the United States, which participated with surveillance aircraft and ocean patrol operations, according to India’s Defense Ministry.

Following the underwater assault, Sri Lankan naval forces managed to save 32 crew members while retrieving 87 bodies from the wreckage.

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi condemned the incident as an “atrocity at sea” and warned that America would “bitterly regret” the assault.

On Thursday evening, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake explained that officials chose to take charge of the IRIS Bushehr following consultations with Iranian representatives and the vessel’s commanding officer, after mechanical problems disabled one of the ship’s engines.

“We must recognize this represents an exceptional circumstance. When a vessel from one nation requests entry to our harbor, we must evaluate such requests in accordance with international maritime agreements and protocols,” Dissanayake explained to reporters Thursday evening.

In a Friday social media post, he added: “No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every single life is as precious as our own.”

Iranian state media had previously identified the IRIS Bushehr as a naval support vessel equipped with helicopter landing capabilities.

The situation illustrates how Iran-related conflicts are expanding beyond Middle Eastern boundaries into the Indian Ocean, creating a challenging diplomatic situation for Sri Lanka as it attempts to balance humanitarian duties, international maritime regulations, and its traditional neutral foreign policy stance.

Dissanayake indicated that select crew members would stay aboard to assist Sri Lankan naval personnel in steering the ship to Trincomalee, a port facility on the island’s northeastern shore roughly 165 miles from Colombo. The remaining Iranian sailors will be accommodated at a military installation, he said, emphasizing that Sri Lanka was maintaining neutrality while honoring humanitarian commitments.

“We have maintained a transparent position. We will not show favoritism toward any nation, nor will we bow to pressure from any state,” he declared.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike last week, attention has turned to his son Mojtaba Khamenei as a leading contender for the nation’s highest position, despite his lack of formal government experience.

The 54-year-old has remained out of public view since Saturday’s Israeli airstrike on his father’s offices claimed the life of the 86-year-old leader. The attack also killed Mojtaba’s spouse, Zahra Haddad Adel, whose family has deep connections to Iran’s religious government structure.

While Iranian state media hasn’t disclosed his location, officials believe Mojtaba remains alive and has sought refuge as American and Israeli military operations continue targeting Iran.

His candidacy for succession has previously drawn criticism for potentially establishing a religious dynasty similar to Iran’s historical monarchy. However, the deaths of his father and wife, now viewed by hardliners as war martyrs against America and Israel, may strengthen his position with the elderly religious leaders of the 88-member Assembly of Experts responsible for choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.

The future leader will inherit command of Iran’s military forces during wartime and oversight of the country’s highly enriched uranium reserves that could potentially produce nuclear weapons if authorized.

According to United Against Nuclear Iran, a U.S. advocacy organization, Mojtaba’s role paralleled that of Ahmad Khomeini, son of Iran’s founding Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, serving as “a combination of aide-de-camp, confidant, gatekeeper and power broker.”

President Donald Trump may have inadvertently strengthened Mojtaba’s prospects by denouncing him during a Thursday interview with Axios and demanding involvement in Iran’s leadership selection process.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump stated, referencing his administration’s actions regarding former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Trump further declared: “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

Born in Mashhad in 1969, approximately a decade before Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba witnessed his father’s opposition activities against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during his childhood.

An official account of Ali Khamenei’s life describes an incident where the shah’s secret police, known as SAVAK, raided their residence and assaulted the religious leader. When the children awakened afterward, they were initially told their father had departed for a holiday.

“But I told them, ‘There is no need to lie.’ I told them the truth,” the elder Khamenei reportedly said.

Following the shah’s overthrow, the Khamenei family relocated to Tehran, Iran’s capital city. Mojtaba participated in the Iran-Iraq conflict as part of the Habib ibn Mazahir Battalion, a Revolutionary Guard paramilitary unit whose veterans later gained prominent intelligence roles, likely with Khamenei family support.

When his father assumed the supreme leadership in 1989, Mojtaba and his relatives gained access to billions in assets controlled by Iran’s bonyads, or foundations, which manage wealth from state enterprises and former royal holdings.

His influence expanded alongside his father’s authority as he operated from offices in central Tehran. U.S. diplomatic documents released by WikiLeaks in the late 2000s dubbed the younger Khamenei “the power behind the robes.” One report alleged he monitored his father’s communications, functioned as his “principal gatekeeper,” and was building his own political network.

A 2008 diplomatic cable described Khamenei as “widely viewed within the regime as a capable and forceful leader and manager who may someday succeed to at least a share of national leadership; his father may also see him in that light,” while noting his limited religious credentials and relatively young age.

“Mojtaba is, however, due to his skills, wealth, and unmatched alliances, reportedly seen by a number of regime insiders as a plausible candidate for shared leadership of Iran upon his father’s demise, whether that demise is soon or years in the future,” the document stated.

The U.S. Treasury reports that Mojtaba has maintained close relationships with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including leaders of its overseas Quds Force and the volunteer Basij militia that brutally crushed nationwide demonstrations in January.

During Trump’s initial presidency in 2019, the United States imposed sanctions on him for working to “advance his father’s destabilizing regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives.”

These accusations include claims that Mojtaba secretly backed hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 2005 election victory and his controversial 2009 reelection that triggered Green Movement demonstrations.

Former presidential candidate Mahdi Karroubi, who ran in both 2005 and 2009, condemned Mojtaba as “a master’s son” and accused him of election interference. His father reportedly responded at the time that his son was “a master himself, not a master’s son.”

Iran has experienced only one previous supreme leader transition since the Islamic Revolution. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini passed away at 86 after spearheading the revolution and guiding Iran through its eight-year conflict with Iraq.

The incoming leader will assume power following the 12-day conflict with Israel and during ongoing U.S.-Israeli efforts to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities and military strength, while hoping Iranian citizens will revolt against their theocratic government.

Iran’s supreme leader sits at the center of the nation’s intricate Shiite religious government structure and maintains ultimate authority over all state affairs. The position also includes commander-in-chief responsibilities for the country’s armed forces and the Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary organization the United States classified as terrorist in 2019 and which gained significant power under his father’s leadership.

The Guard directs the self-proclaimed “Axis of Resistance,” a network of militant organizations and allies throughout the Middle East designed to oppose American and Israeli interests, while also controlling substantial business interests in Iran and the nation’s ballistic missile capabilities.

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed Thursday that his country made the determination to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei back in November, with plans to execute the mission approximately six months down the road.

The Iranian leader was eliminated during the opening hours of a combined U.S.-Israeli aerial operation that commenced Saturday, marking the first time a nation’s highest leader has been assassinated via airstrike.

The collaborative military offensive is approaching the conclusion of its initial week following opening strikes that eliminated the nation’s leadership and triggered a broader regional conflict, featuring Iranian strikes on Israel, the Gulf region and Iraq, along with Israeli operations targeting Iran’s partner Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Already in November we were convened with the prime minister in a very tight forum and the prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) set the goal of eliminating Khamenei,” Katz stated during an interview with Israel’s N12 TV news. He indicated the original timeframe was established for mid-2026.

According to Katz, the strategy was ultimately coordinated with Washington and moved up to around January following the outbreak of demonstrations in Iran, when Israel grew worried that the pressured religious leadership might initiate an assault on Israeli and American interests throughout the Middle East.

Israeli officials have stated their objective is to remove what they perceive as an existential danger from Iran’s atomic weapons program and missile development capabilities, while also seeking to achieve governmental transformation. Iran’s leadership has thus far demonstrated no indication of surrendering authority.

NEW DELHI – Karnataka, a southern Indian state known for hosting the technology hub Bengaluru, has implemented a groundbreaking restriction prohibiting minors under 16 from accessing social media platforms, according to an announcement made Friday by the state’s Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who goes by a single name, revealed this historic decision during his budget address on Friday, making Karnataka the first Indian state to enact such a comprehensive ban.

“With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16,” Siddaramaiah stated during his speech.

The announcement positions Karnataka as a pioneer in addressing concerns about young people’s exposure to social media platforms and excessive screen time, particularly significant given the state’s prominence as India’s technology capital.

SINGAPORE – Asian fuel oil markets are facing severe supply disruptions as ongoing conflict in the Middle East dramatically reduces shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway, forcing traders to scramble for alternative sources from Western nations.

The supply crunch is expected to significantly impact bunker fuel availability for maritime vessels, with major shipping ports like Singapore bracing for additional price increases in the coming weeks. These rising refueling expenses will ultimately be passed on to companies that transport goods worldwide.

Market anticipation of worsening shortages triggered a dramatic price surge in fuel oil markets this week, particularly affecting high-sulfur fuel oil that typically originates from Middle Eastern sources.

Data from Kpler reveals that fuel oil shipments from the Strait of Hormuz to Asian markets normally reach 1.2 million metric tons monthly, equivalent to approximately 246,000 barrels daily, with roughly 70% destined for Southeast Asian countries.

Total fuel oil exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz generally amount to about 3.7 million tons each month, according to the data.

Current tanker movement through the strait has dropped to roughly 90% below last week’s levels, based on Kpler’s vessel tracking analysis.

“When such a large share of the global high-sulphur complex depends on a single chokepoint, even partial transit disruption can tighten balances quickly and amplify bunker volatility,” said Sumit Ritolia, lead analyst for refining and supply modelling at Kpler.

High-sulfur bunker fuel prices for delivery in Singapore, the world’s primary ship refueling center, have jumped more than 40% since hostilities began, while low-sulfur fuel oil costs have increased over 30%.

Western refineries could potentially provide some high-sulfur supply, but extremely elevated tanker rates are making trade economics nearly impossible, according to fuel oil traders.

“Everyone is struggling to find oil for the second half of March. Tankers are too expensive and arbitrage to Singapore is closed,” a Singapore-based trader said.

Potential supply alternatives include the United States and Mexico, traders noted, though available quantities remain inadequate. Venezuela represents another possible source, but those shipments have stayed in Western markets throughout this year.

“Obviously there is also Russia but these barrels remain sensitive for some buyers,” another trader said. Russian fuel continues to face sanctions due to the Ukraine conflict.

Iranian fuel oil also operates under longstanding sanctions, though China maintains purchases. However, those deliveries have also ceased due to the current conflict.

Any reduction in Iranian high-sulfur fuel oil supply would likely drive China’s independent asphalt manufacturers to increase straight-run fuel oil purchases from Russia, further limiting availability in the Singapore Strait, according to consultancy FGE NexantECA.

Some are turning to regional Asian refineries, but production volumes are expected to decrease as facilities reduce output amid crude oil shortages caused by the Middle Eastern conflict.

In low-sulfur markets, price increases have been more moderate since some supply continues from Brazil and Nigeria, although shipments from Kuwait’s al-Zour refinery remain blocked in the Gulf region.

Future replenishment expenses are anticipated to rise significantly due to broader market constraints, traders indicated.

Although the market is currently managing with substantial onshore inventory stockpiles in Singapore plus volumes held on vessels, these reserves are expected to decline rapidly in upcoming weeks, traders said.

A devastating explosion shattered the quiet of Tamar Biton’s kitchen as she prepared for what should have been her eldest son’s 17th birthday celebration. The Iranian missile strike that hit her home in Beit Shemesh, Israel, created destruction beyond anything she had ever witnessed.

Rushing to the remains of her window, Biton discovered flames and devastation stretching in every direction.

“I couldn’t find my kids, but I was sure they would be able to rescue them from underneath the rubble,” she recalled.

Her hopes would not be realized. A full day passed before rescue workers confirmed the deaths of three of her four children: Yaakov, who was hours away from his 17th birthday; Avigail, 15; and Sarah, 13.

The three siblings were among nine fatalities when Sunday’s Iranian missile attack leveled a synagogue and surrounding homes in Beit Shemesh. Israeli emergency services reported that 65 individuals required hospitalization, with two in critical condition.

This attack represents the most devastating single incident in Israel since hostilities erupted Saturday with American and Israeli military action against Iran. The expanding conflict now involves 14 nations throughout the Middle East and beyond, with casualty reports showing at least 1,230 deaths in Iran and over 100 in Lebanon, while Israeli losses total 11 people.

The surviving family members – Tamar, her husband Yitzhak, and their 4-year-old daughter Rachel – are now staying at a Jerusalem hotel while observing the traditional Jewish mourning period, their home having been completely destroyed.

Throughout endless hours of visitors offering condolences, Tamar shared memories of each lost child.

She described Yaakov as a born leader and gifted speaker who attended his father’s Jewish seminary and inspired friends to embrace religious observance. Avigail possessed intelligence, sensitivity, and deep thoughtfulness, while Sarah brought endless energy to household and community service.

When recounting these memories, Tamar’s face brightened as she recalled specific moments with each child she laid to rest Monday evening at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives cemetery, among Judaism’s most sacred burial grounds.

Yet between these stories, she appeared to fold inward under the weight of her loss.

That tragic morning, Yitzhak had been leading a religious text study session attended by his son and Yaakov’s closest friend, 16-year-old Gavriel Ravach. Both young men perished in the attack.

Multiple families suffered similar devastating losses, including volunteer paramedic Ronit Elimelech, 45, who died alongside her mother Sara Elimelech. Penina Cohen lost both her husband Yosef and mother-in-law Buria. Her son, scheduled to celebrate his bar mitzvah Monday, instead attended funeral services for his father and grandmother, Cohen explained to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his hospital visit.

When warning sirens announced the incoming missile Sunday afternoon, Yitzhak decided to remain in their house while Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah headed toward the synagogue’s underground shelter, following official civilian safety protocols.

Rescue teams discovered Yaakov inside the protective shelter, though it remains uncertain whether his sisters reached safety in time, Tamar explained. The missile’s impact completely flattened the synagogue above the shelter and demolished homes across multiple nearby blocks.

As rescue efforts continued without finding her children alive, Tamar’s prayers shifted focus.

“I said to my husband, ‘Please let something be left of them — or do you think it’s just ash and that’s why they can’t identify them?’” she shared Thursday.

Yitzhak described attempting to search for his children despite overwhelming fear of what he might discover.

“They started taking out bodies, and I kept saying, ‘Where are my children? Where are my children?’ When they came and asked for a DNA sample, I knew the answer,” he explained.

Both parents maintain their religious faith, sharing stories with visitors about Yaakov’s commitment to avoiding digital devices forbidden by Orthodox Judaism and their daughters’ charitable actions.

Yitzhak plans to establish a Jewish seminary honoring his children’s memory, focused on promoting unity among Israeli youth and addressing divisive issues like unfounded hatred and negativity.

“They sanctified God’s name with their life, and also after their death, they continue sanctifying his name,” Yitzhak said, tears streaming down his face.

Tamar credits her daily spiritual practices with sustaining her faith through this tragedy.

“Faith isn’t built in a day,” she reflected. “Faith is a gift from God, and faith is what gives you the ability to stand in front of these challenges, these experiences, in front of these waves.”

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Thousands of young partygoers packed into a spacious venue in Lekki, an affluent Lagos neighborhood, on a recent Friday evening.

The massive hall remained shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by pulsing green strobe lights emanating from the stage, making it nearly impossible to see faces just a few feet away. These attendees had gathered for what they called therapy.

This was Group Therapy, a wildly popular rave event in Lagos that offers participants an entirely different nighttime experience unavailable elsewhere in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital.

For generations, Lagos nightlife has revolved around table service culture — an exclusive club atmosphere centered on how much patrons spend on beverages and premium seating arrangements. This competitive party environment has increasingly excluded young Nigerians struggling with the country’s soaring inflation rates.

Group Therapy operates differently — no reserved tables exist. Party-goers in Lekki moved together in close quarters on the dance floor. A single modest bar offered beverages at prices significantly lower than standard Lagos nightclubs.

“At raves, the dance floor is present. You go to a usual Lagos party, and there is no dance floor,” DJ Aniko, the founder of Group Therapy, told The Associated Press. “We barely have spaces to just dance, spaces you can just go to literally have a nice time. Most places you have to make a reservation, or book a table, it is a lot more complicated.”

Yetunde Onikoyi, 28, started going to raves last year.

“Ever since then, I have been hooked by the neck; it is like a chokehold. I always want to be here,” Onikoyi said.

Traditional nightclub culture operates on a table service model where partying becomes a competition over who purchases the most beverages at premium prices, with seating arranged in multiple tiers including VVIP, VIP and general admission.

Individual bottles can range from 100,000 naira ($72.34) to nearly one million naira, effectively excluding most young residents dealing with challenging economic conditions. Servers parade through venues carrying drinks with LED displays identifying tables of the evening’s biggest spenders. Group Therapy admission costs only 21,000 naira ($15.19), with no obligation to buy drinks.

Industry observers say rave culture has emerged as a direct response to traditional club table service.

“Raves are more democratic,” said Oluwamayowa Idowu, founder of Culture Custodian, a leading culture publication in Lagos. “What this says is that people don’t have the purchasing power to sustain a club lifestyle. Clubs are still open and busy, but just generally in today’s climate, there is more of a focus on you enjoying yourself as opposed to you performing enjoying yourself.”

Aniko told the AP that several patrons have reached out to create separate seats, requests which they have declined on several occasions.

“Finding a place that still focuses on the human aspects of things, as against the materialism or need to amass as much as possible, is always a blessing,” said Dayo Williams, a consultant who had come to the party.

DJs took turns at their equipment throughout the late evening into early morning hours, delivering continuous high-energy beats that energized the venue, building to thunderous peaks before transitioning into new musical sequences. Crowds of dancers moved rhythmically while bodies swayed energetically.

Beginning around 2022 following post-pandemic integration of South African musical styles, DJs started incorporating African sound elements into house music — an electronic dance music subgenre that has become the preferred choice for Lagos raves. These events, considered more welcoming than traditional clubs, have gained popularity among younger generations challenging Nigeria’s conservative social norms.

House music “evokes feelings,” said Zia Yusuf, a content writer and creator who attended. “You just connect to the music, and you connect to the music with other people who connect to the music with you.”

Cultural analysts view this as part of South African musical influence spreading globally, similar to amapiano’s rise.

Nigeria has recently gained international recognition through its artists’ explosive success, sharing its music worldwide while simultaneously embracing various imported genres. The selection of house music is intentional, according to Aniko. Aniko doesn’t want musicians to control Group Therapy like they often do in big clubs, sometimes previewing unreleased songs or dictating the audience’s choice for the night.

“Once you are reliant on the mainstream industry for the music, the mainstream creeps into the space,” Aniko said.

March 5, 2026

Extensive areas of Cuba experienced widespread power failures this week following a major electrical outage that struck the island’s western regions. Officials attributed the latest blackout to the country’s deteriorating power infrastructure and ongoing fuel shortages that continue to plague the nation’s electrical system.

In Mexico City, Colombian superstar Shakira made history by shattering the attendance record at the iconic Zócalo plaza. Approximately 400,000 devoted fans packed the historic square for the final show of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour, nearly two decades after her initial performance at the same venue.

Tragedy struck Bolivia when a military aircraft transporting 18 tons of fresh currency notes went down, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 individuals aboard the flight.

This photo collection was assembled by Leslie Mazoch, a photo editor based in Mexico City.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Ballot counting commenced Friday across Nepal following the nation’s historic parliamentary election, marking the first countrywide voting since deadly youth-led demonstrations drove the previous administration from office in September.

By Friday morning, the Election Commission had initiated vote tallying in 53 out of 165 districts, with officials planning to start processing ballots in all remaining areas before day’s end.

Authorities deployed helicopters to transport ballot boxes from isolated mountain polling locations, some requiring multiple days of trekking to reach on foot, according to election administrators.

Officials projected final results would be available by weekend, estimating approximately 60% of eligible citizens participated in the voting.

Citizens directly selected 165 representatives for the House of Representatives, parliament’s lower house. The remaining 110 positions in the 275-seat legislature will be filled using proportional representation, where parties receive seats based on their overall vote percentages.

Enthusiastic crowds assembled outside ballot-counting facilities throughout the country. In Kathmandu, the capital city, candidate supporters celebrated with cheers and campaign chants.

Political observers characterize the race as a three-candidate competition, driven by citizen frustration over rampant corruption and calls for increased governmental transparency.

The National Independent Party, established in 2022, has emerged as the leading contender, mounting a serious challenge against two established political forces: the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

The upstart party’s prime ministerial nominee is Balendra Shah, a rapper-turned-politician who captured Kathmandu’s mayoral office in 2022 and became a prominent leader during the 2025 demonstrations that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

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

The 2025 anti-government demonstrations, sparked initially by social media restrictions, evolved into massive public opposition to corruption and ineffective leadership. The unrest resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators stormed government facilities and security forces responded with gunfire.

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

Military operations across the Middle East have intensified as Israeli forces launched attacks on the capitals of both Iran and Lebanon, while American forces reportedly targeted an Iranian naval drone vessel, escalating the campaign against Iran’s maritime fleet.

Early Friday morning brought fresh Iranian counter-attacks against neighboring nations hosting American military installations, though initial reports indicated no casualties from these strikes.

The current round of military action has now entered its second week, with conflicts spanning multiple countries throughout the region.

According to Israeli defense officials, their operations have successfully eliminated the majority of Iran’s air defense systems and missile launching capabilities. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a warning that military operations against Tehran were “about to surge dramatically.”

Iranian officials have issued threats regarding the potential devastation of military and economic infrastructure across the Middle East, with the ongoing conflict creating significant volatility in global financial markets.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported successfully intercepting and destroying three unmanned aircraft in eastern areas surrounding Riyadh.

Earlier on Friday, Saudi officials announced they had successfully stopped a cruise missile targeting the city of Kharj.

Iranian state media reported Friday that a governing council convened to plan a gathering of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.

The governing council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian, chief justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, and religious leader Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi.

Officials provided no specific timeline for selecting the supreme leader and gave no details about whether the 88-member religious assembly would convene in person or conduct remote voting.

Facilities connected to the Assembly of Experts have sustained damage during the ongoing Israeli-American air campaign.

Dubai citizens have begun receiving widespread text alerts cautioning them about their online activities.

According to a message from Dubai law enforcement, “photographing or sharing security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability.”

The warning provided no additional specifics.

This development follows similar but more severe warnings issued by Bahrain as the Iranian conflict continues across the region.

The United Arab Emirates operates as a union of seven ruling territories, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

While the UAE maintains relatively liberal social policies compared to regional neighbors, the nation enforces strict regulations on public expression and prohibits political organizations and worker unions.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday that Iranian authorities are holding a second Japanese citizen, prompting officials to call for the prompt release of both detained individuals.

According to ministry officials, the second person was taken into custody prior to the February 28 military operations conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

While the ministry reported that the detained individual remains safe and healthy, they declined to provide additional information about when the arrest occurred or whether it connects to the detention of a Japanese reporter disclosed last month.

Japanese authorities had previously acknowledged the first person’s detention while declining to reveal the individual’s name.

During a Friday parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that officials successfully made contact with both detainees following the February 28 strikes and verified their well-being. The government is “doing everything to support them, their families and others involved,” Motegi said.

Motegi revealed he had asked for their prompt release during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador earlier this week.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the first detained person as Shinnosuke Kawashima, who serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The organization’s report cited an unnamed source who requested anonymity due to concerns about possible retaliation.

According to CPJ, Kawashima was taken into custody on January 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was moved to Evin Prison on February 23.

The press freedom organization has called for Kawashima’s immediate release along with other journalists being held for their professional activities.

JAKARTA, March 6 – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to Islamic leaders that he will exit President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ initiative should it fail to serve Palestinian interests, according to a government announcement released Friday.

The nation with the world’s largest Muslim population has faced domestic backlash for its involvement in the peace board and its commitment to provide military personnel for Gaza stabilization efforts. Critics and religious organizations argue this stance undermines Indonesia’s historic advocacy for Palestinian rights.

During a Thursday evening gathering with Islamic group representatives, Prabowo defended his rationale for board membership, as detailed in an official government communication statement.

According to the statement, Hanif Alatas from the Islamic Brotherhood Front reported that Prabowo would abandon the board if Palestinian and Indonesian priorities are not served.

“The president said that if he sees that there is no longer any benefit for Palestine…and that it is not in line with Indonesia’s national interests, he will withdraw,” Hanif stated.

The Indonesian Ulema Council, a prominent religious authority, had earlier demanded Indonesia’s departure from the board citing America’s involvement in the current Iran conflict.

Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s most significant Muslim organization, suggested the government could leverage board membership to promote Middle Eastern de-escalation.

“Indonesia could declare that the (board’s) agenda is on hold until there are talks on de-escalation and peace from the American-Israeli war against Iran,” stated chief Yahya Cholil Staquf in a Thursday announcement from Prabowo’s office.

Foreign Minister Sugiono previously confirmed that all Board of Peace deliberations have ceased due to the ongoing war.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that his nation will bolster its partnership with Lebanon’s military by delivering armored transport vehicles along with operational and logistical assistance, as the Middle Eastern country becomes increasingly entangled in regional warfare.

“Everything must be done to prevent this country, which is close to France, from being dragged into war once again,” Macron wrote in a social media post on X.

The French president issued direct appeals to regional leaders to avoid expanding the conflict. “In this moment of great danger, I call on the Israeli Prime Minister not to extend the war to Lebanon. I call on Iranian leaders not to involve Lebanon further in a war that is not its own,” Macron stated.

The announcement comes during a week when Lebanon has been drawn deeper into the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, prompting international concern about regional stability.

President Donald Trump stated during a Thursday phone conversation with Reuters that America should have influence in determining who will lead Iran next, while also expressing backing for Kurdish opposition groups taking aggressive action.

During the interview, Trump indicated the leadership selection process remains in early stages but suggested that Mojtaba, the deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, would not be a likely candidate, though he did not provide additional details.

“We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future,” Trump stated. “We don’t have to go back every five years and do this again and again.”

The president also voiced support for Iranian Kurdish forces taking offensive measures against the current regime.

“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” the president commented.

When questioned about whether America would provide or had already offered air support, Trump replied, “I can’t tell you that,” while noting the Kurdish groups’ goal would be “to win.”

“If they’re going to do that, that’s good,” Trump added.

According to three knowledgeable sources, Iranian Kurdish militias have recently discussed with American officials whether and how they might launch attacks against Iran’s security apparatus in the nation’s western regions.

The coalition of Iranian Kurdish organizations, operating from the Iran-Iraq border area within Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, has been preparing for potential attacks designed to weaken the country’s military capabilities, while the United States and Israel continue bombing Iranian positions.

Trump also expressed optimism that the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping passage near Iran would stay operational.

Iran has prioritized shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that handles one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Maritime traffic through this vital energy corridor has nearly stopped following Iranian strikes on six commercial vessels.

“They have no navy, you know the navy is now at the bottom of the sea,” Trump remarked. “I’m watching Hormuz very closely.”