Category: World News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The diplomatic sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential negotiations.

Given the disagreements, neither proposal appears likely to reach a vote this week. A previous Bahrain resolution condemning Iranian attacks on its soil gained overwhelming council backing two weeks earlier, with China and Russia choosing abstention.

Throughout the ongoing conflict, Iran has essentially blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to international waters, while claiming to permit safe transit for vessels from non-hostile nations. Approximately twenty percent of global oil supplies travel through this passage, but vessel attacks have virtually halted tanker movements.

The United States initially pursued diplomatic solutions to the Strait of Hormuz crisis last week when President Donald Trump proposed forming an international naval coalition to patrol the waterway. However, America’s key allies rejected the plan, prompting Trump to declare the US could proceed independently.

On Friday, Trump suggested other nations would need to assume responsibility as America considers withdrawing from the conflict. Hours afterward, he indicated the waterway would somehow “open itself.”

BOGOTA, Colombia — Seven members of the Segunda Marquetalia rebel organization now face arrest warrants in connection with the assassination of Miguel Uribe, a conservative politician seeking Colombia’s presidency who was fatally wounded during a campaign event in the capital last June.

Colombian Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo announced Tuesday that investigators determined Uribe’s death was “the result of a structured criminal operation that involved an urban criminal gang that was hired” by Segunda Marquetalia to carry out the killing.

According to Camargo, the assassination plot was orchestrated by Kendry Téllez, a Segunda Marquetalia operative who previously served with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly called FARC, before that guerrilla organization signed a 2016 peace agreement with the government.

Authorities also charged Luciano Marín, better known as Iván Márquez, with conspiracy in the murder. Marín, a former FARC commander who rejected the peace process and established Segunda Marquetalia in 2018, was last seen publicly in 2024 during peace negotiations with President Gustavo Petro’s administration.

Those peace discussions ended in late 2024 after Segunda Marquetalia experienced internal divisions.

Colombian investigators had previously suggested the rebel organization’s involvement in Uribe’s death.

Officials announced a $1.3 million bounty for information leading to Marín’s arrest on Tuesday, along with smaller rewards for tips about the six other Segunda Marquetalia members facing murder charges.

The attack occurred on June 7, 2025, while Uribe addressed supporters at a Bogota park. A teenage gunman shot the candidate multiple times before attempting to escape, but Uribe’s security team apprehended the shooter immediately.

Uribe succumbed to his wounds two months following the shooting.

The assassination represented a significant setback for Petro’s crime reduction initiatives in Colombia, where narcotics traffickers and armed groups compete for territories left vacant after FARC’s departure under the 2016 peace accord.

Uribe’s murder, targeting a conservative politician who advocated for aggressive action against rebel factions, became Colombia’s first presidential candidate assassination in three decades.

Colombia’s presidential election is scheduled for May, with a potential runoff between the leading candidates set for June if no nominee secures a majority.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement this week regarding diplomatic progress with Iran has created additional uncertainty around a conflict with already ambiguous objectives. The fundamental question remains: Which negotiations is he referencing?

Tehran has refuted claims that any diplomatic discussions are underway, committing to continue fighting “until complete victory.” Meanwhile, Pakistan, Egypt and Gulf Arab countries are working discretely to facilitate dialogue, though these initiatives appear to be in early stages. Israel maintains its commitment to ongoing military operations.

The conflict seems to be intensifying rather than de-escalating. Tuesday witnessed missile exchanges targeting Iran, Israel and multiple Middle Eastern locations, while additional thousands of U.S. Marines were deployed toward the Gulf region.

Here’s an examination of confirmed information and uncertainties regarding potential diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities.

Following the war’s launch with Israel on February 28, Trump has provided inconsistent and frequently unclear objectives, with these contradictory statements evident in recent communications. His stated aims include weakening or eliminating Iran’s missile systems and its capacity to menace neighboring countries — targets offering some flexibility in declaring success. A more challenging objective involves preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, which Trump maintains must be included in any agreement.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial shipping lane for petroleum that Iran rendered nearly impassable at the conflict’s start — has become another key priority for both Trump and the international economy.

While Trump discusses engaging Iranian leadership, he has stepped back from advocating the Islamic Republic’s downfall. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues asserting the war’s purpose is supporting Iranians in overthrowing their theocratic government.

Trump stated that U.S. representative Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted discussions Sunday with an Iranian official, without identifying the individual.

Media reports suggested Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as a potential negotiating partner. However, Qalibaf promptly rejected claims of ongoing talks in a social media post.

According to three Pakistani officials, one Egyptian representative and a Gulf diplomat, the United States has agreed “in principle” to participate in discussions in Pakistan, while mediators continue working to persuade Iran. All sources requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to share these details publicly.

The Egyptian source indicated efforts focus on “trust-building” between America and Iran, seeking to establish a combat pause and a “mechanism” for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s government appears to have maintained relative unity despite weeks of intense bombing and the elimination of its supreme leader along with numerous high-ranking military officials.

However, the current leadership structure remains unclear. The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, hasn’t appeared publicly or spoken directly since assuming his father Ali Khamenei’s position following the latter’s death.

The Islamic Republic contains additional power centers, including military forces and the influential paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, plus political figures such as Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

It’s uncertain whether anyone participating in U.S. discussions would receive military or Guard support. Throughout the current conflict, Iran’s armed forces have launched attacks based on local commander decisions rather than political leadership directives, according to Araghchi.

Iran’s top military command spokesman, Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, declared Tuesday that combat “will continue until complete victory.” This message challenged Trump’s assertion that Iran was seeking peace while potentially warning Iranian leadership against compromising in negotiations.

Trump’s unexpected Monday announcement of diplomatic advancement coincided with the approaching deadline of his weekend ultimatum threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power facilities unless the country ended its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had threatened retaliation against power, water and petroleum infrastructure throughout the Gulf.

On Monday, Trump extended the deadline five days and expressed confidence there’s a “very good chance” for reaching an agreement this week. This development relieved global oil and stock markets.

Trump’s decision might indicate concern about the war’s potential long-term economic impact on America and globally, though his administration maintains that oil price increases will quickly reverse once hostilities end.

“Trump could be actively seeking an offramp,” analyzed the Soufan Center, a New York-based research organization.

Alternatively, the Soufan Center observed, Trump might be creating time for thousands of Marines traveling to the region to arrive.

The Marine deployment could serve as negotiating pressure on Iran. However, it has also sparked speculation about potential U.S. operations to capture Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, crucial to Iran’s petroleum network, or missions to remove enriched uranium from Iranian territory. Either scenario would represent significant escalation and prolonged warfare.

While Trump stated no plans for deploying ground troops into Iran, he hasn’t eliminated the possibility. Israel has indicated ground forces might join the conflict.

Nuclear discussions were already occurring when the United States and Israel launched their February 28 surprise assault, killing the elder Khamenei during the initial bombing campaign.

This deepened Iranian suspicion of American negotiators, particularly following Trump’s 2018 unilateral exit from a major nuclear agreement established with the United States three years prior. Iran and America conducted early 2025 negotiations, and when Trump’s two-month deadline expired, Israel attacked Iran in a surprise operation that the U.S. joined, creating a 12-day conflict targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military installations.

Trump announced Monday that any war-ending agreement will require the United States removing Iran’s enriched uranium, essential to its controversial nuclear program. Iran has previously refused this demand, maintaining its right to enrich uranium for peaceful applications.

A more modest negotiating goal could involve achieving a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Araghchi appeared to dismiss any partial agreement during a Wednesday Al Jazeera interview. “We don’t believe in ceasefire. We believe in the end of war … the end of war in all fronts,” Araghchi stated, stressing the need for regional conflict solutions.

Significantly, Israel isn’t participating in negotiation efforts.

Israel has portrayed itself as supporting Trump’s direction, and appears unlikely to continue Iranian strikes if America declared the war’s end. Nevertheless, it has pursued objectives beyond American goals. Its recent bombing of Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas facility intensified Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab nations, prompting Trump to direct Israel to cease such operations.

In a late Monday statement, Netanyahu recognized Trump’s diplomatic initiatives but indicated Israel would continue striking enemies temporarily.

Additionally, ending the Iran war doesn’t terminate Israel’s Lebanese bombing campaign. There, Israel has identified new opportunities to defeat Hezbollah after the militants launched rockets supporting Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to head the Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday, filling a crucial security position with a former Revolutionary Guard commander as the nation deals with ongoing military tensions involving Israel and the United States. Presidential communications deputy Mehdi Tabatabaei announced that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had endorsed the selection.

The new appointment follows the March 17 death of Ali Larijani, a prominent Iranian official who died in an airstrike close to Tehran. Larijani had been a central figure in Iran’s government for years, holding key positions including speaker of parliament, nuclear negotiator, and previously serving as secretary of the same security council. His death eliminated a major political influencer during a time of intense military and political pressure for the regime.

Prior to his new role, Zolghadr held the position of secretary for the Expediency Discernment Council, another important government institution, and previously worked in senior judicial positions. His background as a former Revolutionary Guards commander provides him with extensive connections within Iran’s security apparatus, as the country increasingly relies on military-connected officials during the ongoing crisis.

The Supreme National Security Council serves as Iran’s central hub for making decisions on defense matters, intelligence operations, and significant foreign policy issues. While the president leads this organization, its activities are closely coordinated with the supreme leader’s office. This appointment appears to be Tehran’s effort to strengthen its leadership structure following multiple high-ranking casualties since hostilities began on February 28.

Despite President Trump’s decision to delay his threatened strikes on Iranian energy and military installations over Strait of Hormuz access, tensions with Iran remain high as the country persists in firing missiles at both Israel and Gulf region nations.

Saudi media outlets reported yesterday that defense systems successfully stopped two ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward the capital city of Riyadh, part of a total seven-missile barrage targeting the kingdom. According to a Wall Street Journal source, Saudi Arabia joining American anti-Iran operations is now “only a matter of time,” representing a significant policy reversal for Gulf nations that previously avoided involvement in the Iranian conflict.

Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Saudi Arabia has granted U.S. forces permission to operate from King Fahd air base, abandoning its previous stance against allowing American use of Saudi territory or airspace for Iranian operations. This policy shift follows repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting critical Saudi infrastructure, including energy installations and the capital city.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly concentrating on reestablishing deterrence and approaching a final decision about joining the military campaign, with sources indicating Saudi participation in the conflict becomes more probable each day.

Following recent attacks, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan warned: “Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited. Any belief that Gulf countries are incapable of responding is a miscalculation.”

The United Arab Emirates has initiated action against Iranian-connected organizations on its soil, shuttering both the Iranian Hospital and Iranian Club in Dubai, according to the report. Officials explained that facilities linked to Iran’s government and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were closed for UAE law violations.

The UAE, historically serving as a major financial center for Iranian commerce, has also threatened to freeze billions in Iranian holdings, potentially cutting Tehran off from crucial foreign currency and commercial channels.

While Gulf leadership has publicly maintained they won’t participate in attacks or allow airspace usage, the report suggests their involvement may already be growing. Confirmed video evidence showed ground-launched missiles targeting Iran from Bahrain, while American officials confirmed Iranian strikes damaged five U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s aggressive campaign has encompassed over 2,000 attacks against the UAE and strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy complex, intensifying pressure on Gulf leadership to take action. Regional officials have reportedly encouraged President Trump to maintain military pressure on Iranian capabilities, as Tehran has suggested it may seek control over Strait of Hormuz shipping, potentially including toll collection.

Afghan Taliban authorities freed American academic Dennis Coyle on Tuesday, with officials characterizing the action as a humanitarian gesture connected to the Eid holiday, though experts believe it reflects calculated diplomacy amid increasing U.S. pressure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the development in a public statement, saying: “earlier this month, I met Molly, Amy, and Patti as they asked for help freeing their brother Dennis Coyle from detention in Afghanistan. Today, Dennis is on his way home. We thank the UAE and Qatar for their support. The release is a positive step towards ending the practice of hostage diplomacy.”

Taliban Foreign Ministry representatives stated that Coyle had been held for purported violations of national laws, but was freed after Afghanistan’s Supreme Court concluded his detention period was adequate.

Authorities indicated the choice was driven by humanitarian considerations and expressed optimism that it might foster better relations and productive dialogue with Washington.

The 64-year-old Colorado researcher, who had resided in Afghanistan for many years, was arrested in January 2025 when he was taken from his Kabul home.

Though Taliban leadership presented the release as compassionate action, the timing reflects intensifying diplomatic pressure from Washington regarding American citizens held in Afghanistan.

Over recent weeks, American officials have escalated their condemnation of Taliban leadership for what they characterize as unjustified imprisonments.

Senior counterterrorism official Sebastian Gorka has cautioned that America would not accept what he called “hostage diplomacy,” indicating a tougher stance on these situations.

This matter has become a significant source of tension in the already troubled relationship. Rubio has labeled Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” underscoring Washington’s alarm.

The State Department maintains its advisory against American travel to Afghanistan, warning of dangers including arbitrary imprisonment.

Sources confirm that Mahmood Habibi remains under Taliban control, keeping this concern prominent in diplomatic discussions.

While Taliban officials reject claims that foreign prisoners serve as bargaining chips, experts note a recurring trend where releases coincide with religious holidays or diplomatic activities, indicating attempts to create political favor without formal compromises.

This situation also comes after the previous release of George Glezmann, another American citizen who was imprisoned for a lengthy period, reinforcing worries about an ongoing pattern of arrests and negotiated freedoms.

Nevertheless, it underscores the delicate and conditional character of their interactions, where humanitarian actions remain closely linked to political maneuvering, and ongoing suspicion continues to shape their relationship.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has kicked out Iran’s ambassador, giving him until the end of the week to leave the country in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations.

The Tuesday announcement represents the strongest signal yet that relations between Lebanon and Iran are falling apart, while also highlighting internal Lebanese divisions over Tehran’s role and its partnership with the militant group Hezbollah.

This latest action follows Lebanon’s government taking multiple steps against Iran since the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted on March 2, a war that saw Israeli forces kill several Iranian Revolutionary Guard members in strikes across the war-torn nation.

The conflict began when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel just two days after joint U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah stated that avenging Khamenei’s death, who held significant influence as a global Shiite Muslim religious leader, motivated their assault on Israel.

During a weekend statement, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing Hezbollah’s activities within Lebanon, noting that missile launches toward Israel dragged the small country into a major conflict that his administration “was not willing to get involved in.”

“It is not the duty of the Lebanese to avenge Khamenei’s killing,” Salam declared, while also revealing that Iranian agents operating in Lebanon rely on fraudulent identification documents and passports for movement.

Salam additionally blamed the IRG for drone attacks launched from Lebanese territory targeting the Mediterranean island of Cyprus this month.

Following Hezbollah’s March 2 rocket attack that sparked the war—which has claimed 1,072 Lebanese lives and injured nearly 3,000—Salam’s administration immediately banned all military operations by the Iran-supported organization. He demanded the group surrender its arsenal to government control and terminated visa-free travel privileges for Iranian nationals.

During an emergency Cabinet session in early March, Salam emphasized that only the state holds authority over war and peace decisions, directing security forces to stop missile and drone launches from Lebanon while arresting those responsible.

The ambassador’s expulsion highlights the Mediterranean country’s longstanding split between Western-supported political coalitions and Iranian-backed factions led by Hezbollah.

Even prior to renewed Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, Lebanon had begun limiting Iran’s previously substantial influence. Iranian commercial aircraft have faced landing restrictions at Beirut’s airport for over a year due to concerns about weapon and cash deliveries to Hezbollah that might provoke Israeli attacks on the facility.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced on X that he directed ministry leadership to summon Iran’s chargé d’affaires to communicate the withdrawal of approval for Iran’s designated ambassador to Beirut.

Raggi stated that Iran’s incoming ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani would be labeled “persona non grata, and requested that he leaves Lebanese territory no later than 29 March 2026.”

Ministry officials later clarified that the action does not constitute a complete break in diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Hezbollah and its Lebanese allies strongly condemned the ministry’s decision, while prominent Shiite cleric Ali al-Khatib urged the government to reverse what he termed a “reckless and hasty” choice.

Lebanon’s Shiite mufti Ahmad Kabalan opposed the ambassador’s departure, stating “we will not allow the reckless authority to slaughter Lebanon politically.”

Hezbollah dismissed the decision as a “reckless and condemned step” that “serves neither Lebanon’s supreme national interests, nor its sovereignty or national unity; rather, it constitutes a blow against them.”

However, others applauded the move following years of Iranian operations in Lebanon.

Christian Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea, whose party holds parliament’s largest bloc, praised the government action “especially given the accumulation of damage caused by Iran in Lebanon over decades.”

Throughout the recent war, Israel has targeted Iranian-connected commanders in attacks throughout Lebanon’s capital and surrounding areas.

An Israeli strike on March 8 hit a Beirut hotel in the Raouche seaside tourist district, killing four Iranian nationals. Another Israeli attack Monday in Beirut’s southeastern Hazmiyeh suburbs eliminated Mohammed Ali Kourani, a Lebanese Revolutionary Guard Quds Force official. Kourani had previously survived a strike on a nearby hotel earlier this month.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has supported Hezbollah’s development since the early 1980s, helping it become Lebanon’s largest and most influential organization. Throughout the four decades since its establishment, Hezbollah has received billions in Iranian funding plus various weapon systems.

Following Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war, Hezbollah remained the sole group permitted to maintain its weapons, recognized as a resistance movement opposing Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territory.

Since Israel’s 2000 withdrawal ending an 18-year occupation, Hezbollah has engaged in three major wars with Israel. The 14-month conflict concluding in November 2024 significantly damaged the organization, eliminating many political and military leaders.

During Israel’s September 17, 2024 pager attack that injured thousands of primarily Hezbollah members, Iran’s then-ambassador Mojtaba Amani sustained wounds while carrying a pager device.

When Israeli forces killed Hezbollah leader and founder Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general died alongside him.

Despite recent setbacks, Hezbollah continues serving as Iran’s most dependable regional partner.

CHISINAU, Moldova — Lawmakers in Moldova approved emergency energy measures Tuesday after Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure severed a vital electrical connection between Moldova and Romania.

The nighttime bombardment caused the high-voltage Isaccea-Vulcanesti transmission line to disconnect, prompting Moldovan officials to ask residents to use electricity wisely during busy periods while technicians work on restoration.

The emergency declaration passed with strong support in Moldova’s legislature, receiving approval from 72 members of the 101-seat body. No lawmakers opposed the measure, while 18 chose not to vote.

“What is happening in the energy sector today is not an accident,” said Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. “Russia’s attacks on the civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine represent a war crime, but also an attack on us, here in the Republic of Moldova … Russia is the only one responsible for this.”

Beginning Wednesday, the 60-day emergency period will enable officials to “act faster: mobilize additional resources, protect critical infrastructure and, if necessary, take additional measures to limit the effects of the crisis,” Munteanu explained. “We remain vigilant and act for the safety of every citizen … This is not a measure of panic, it’s a measure of responsibility.”

Due to Moldova’s legacy electrical connections with Ukraine from the Soviet period, the nation has experienced intermittent power disruptions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu estimates repairs to the damaged transmission line will require five to seven days.

Throughout its comprehensive invasion, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including dams and river facilities. The neighboring conflict has significantly affected Moldova, a former Soviet nation seeking European Union membership.

Just last week, tens of thousands of Moldovans lost water access when another Russian attack on a Ukrainian hydroelectric facility caused oil contamination in a major river flowing through both nations.

Located approximately 15 kilometers upstream from Moldova’s northern Ukrainian border, the damaged Ukrainian facility provides water to roughly 80% of Moldova’s 2.5 million residents. In January, Moldova experienced widespread blackouts, including in capital city Chisinau, following a Ukrainian power line disruption that reduced voltage levels.

President Maia Sandu directly accused Moscow on Tuesday, stating that “Russia continues to deliberately undermine the security of the Republic of Moldova and endanger the lives of our citizens.”

“After the bombing of the Ukrainian hydroelectric power plant … tonight, a new brutal attack led to the disconnection of the Isaccea-Vulcanesti line, which in certain periods provides 60-70% of our electricity consumption,” she posted on Facebook. “All these are not accidents, but deliberate actions of Russia to weaken and leave Moldova in the dark.”

Russian officials have consistently rejected claims that they are attempting to destabilize Moldova.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — While the United States intensifies pressure for new leadership in Cuba, questions swirl around who might succeed current President Miguel Díaz-Canel before his term ends.

Díaz-Canel became the first non-Castro to lead Cuba since the 1959 revolution when Raúl Castro selected him as his successor in 2018. Though he has two years remaining in office, analysts and increasing numbers of Cubans question whether he will complete his term.

Political observers point to two Castro family members as possible successors.

The first is Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Raúl Castro’s 55-year-old great nephew, who has rapidly ascended to prominence after years in relative anonymity. In May 2024, he was named minister of Cuba’s powerful Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, followed by his appointment as deputy prime minister in October.

The second candidate is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro’s grandson, commonly called “Raulito” or “Little Raúl.” Unlike Pérez-Oliva, he has never held official government positions, instead working as his grandfather’s bodyguard and later leading Cuba’s version of the Secret Service.

Rodríguez Castro gained attention last month when he conducted a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts. Rubio declined to identify his Cuban counterpart at the time.

“The role Raulito is playing right now is the connection between Raúl Castro and whoever is on the U.S. side,” explained Sebastián Arcos, interim director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University. “He enjoys the absolute trust of Raúl Castro.”

However, Arcos and fellow experts suggest that even if a Castro family member assumes the presidency, significant changes are unlikely.

“Party leadership doesn’t mean anything in Cuba,” Arcos stated. “The party is just a hollow façade. The real power resides in the military, under Raúl Castro.”

The 94-year-old Castro continues serving as general, attending major events and wielding considerable influence in Cuba, which has experienced over six decades of authoritarian rule under first Fidel Castro, then his brother Raúl.

This dynamic shows no signs of changing.

“The most significant thing that we have to consider for the last 30 years in Cuba is the absolute reluctance of this regime to implement serious structural economic reforms,” Arcos noted. “Asking them for political reforms would be too much.”

Pérez-Oliva’s background includes electrical engineering studies before directing an import company and serving as business director in Cuba’s Mariel Special Development Zone. Official Cuban sources provide limited additional information about him.

His online presence is minimal, lacking even a Wikipedia entry. His private X account displays the message: “Committed to the Revolution and to the ideas of FIDEL.”

Only recently has Pérez-Oliva become visible publicly, accompanying Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez on trips to Russia and Vietnam this year. During a February appearance addressing massive blackouts in western Cuba, he offered unusually candid remarks while other officials blamed U.S. sanctions exclusively.

“We don’t want to justify ourselves with the blockade; there are a number of internal deficiencies,” he acknowledged during a state television interview.

A significant milestone occurred in December when Pérez-Oliva joined Cuba’s National Assembly Popular Power as a deputy — a prerequisite for presidential candidacy.

Carlos M. Rodríguez Arechavaleta, a Cuba specialist and professor at Iberoamerican University in Mexico City, characterized Pérez-Oliva as having technocratic qualities with commercial negotiation experience. “This could be a more ideological figure … a more technocratic, potentially reformist-oriented official,” he observed.

Arcos believes Díaz-Canel could “very well be replaced” by Pérez-Oliva.

“This man looks more proper, more polished. He has been through more important positions,” Arcos said. “This is a family business.”

Rodríguez Castro is the son of Raúl Castro’s eldest daughter and Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who controlled GAESA, the military’s business operations, until his unexpected death in July 2022.

In his younger years, Rodríguez Castro was prominent in Cuba’s music and social scenes. During public appearances, observers would nudge each other and whisper, ‘That’s El Cangrejo’ — meaning “The Crab,” a nickname referencing his birth with an additional finger.

After military school, he became Raúl Castro’s bodyguard, traveling internationally with him. He later advanced to head Cuba’s equivalent of the Secret Service, though with responsibilities including surveillance of the country’s leadership, according to Arcos.

On March 13, experts observed Rodríguez Castro’s presence at a government meeting where Díaz-Canel announced U.S.-Cuba discussions. He also attended the subsequent news conference.

This unusual public appearance in government affairs attracted scrutiny from ordinary Cubans.

“The Crab doesn’t have a position there, so I don’t know why he was there,” said 20-year-old Maday Beltrán Acosta. “People posted a lot of comments about it.”

Beltrán Acosta also expressed frustration with Rodríguez Castro’s social media posts featuring “abundant food.”

“The people are suffering while he enjoys life,” she said.

Despite this, Arcos doubts Rodríguez Castro could become Cuba’s next president publicly, as his surname would signal continuity rather than the change demanded by Trump and Rubio.

“He cannot be the transitional figure,” Arcos explained, “because his last name disqualifies him.”

While speculation continues about potential leadership changes before Díaz-Canel’s term expires, experts note his unpopularity among Cubans.

He authorized harsh responses to July 2021 anti-government demonstrations triggered by food shortages — the largest protests in decades.

During Díaz-Canel’s presidency, Cuba’s economic and energy problems have worsened significantly.

“The living conditions of the population are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis,” said Rodríguez Arechavaleta. “The social situation is already unsustainable.”

Arcos added: “He’s a man with a pot belly in a country where everybody is trying to find (something) to eat.”

Last week, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío rejected suggestions about potential political system changes or Díaz-Canel’s departure as part of ongoing U.S. discussions.

“The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country,” Fernández de Cossío told reporters.

Arcos said he cannot envision Raúl Castro surrendering power but believes Díaz-Canel could be replaced, describing him as “a gray apparatchik” within the party when he became president.

He suggested that Castro’s eventual death “would be the kind of shock that would crack the regime.”

“No one really knows who’s coming up to replace him,” Arcos said. “For the first time ever in Cuba, you have the possibility of several people struggling for power.”

Iranian forces fired successive waves of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets through the night and morning hours, wounding four individuals and inflicting property damage across central Israel. This escalation came despite President Trump’s declaration of a temporary five-day halt to planned American attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure while diplomatic discussions continue.

The most devastating strike occurred when a missile loaded with approximately 100 kilograms of explosive material hit a Tel Aviv street, severely damaging at least three structures and multiple vehicles in the vicinity. Emergency medical services initially reported six people with minor injuries across various locations, though Magen David Adom subsequently updated the count to four individuals, all in stable condition.

According to a Home Front Command spokesperson, the warhead created significant structural damage without causing severe casualties, as many civilians had sought refuge in designated safe areas.

These ongoing strikes came after President Trump revealed on Monday that America had engaged in dialogue with Iran over the past 48 hours, describing the exchanges as “very good and productive conversations.” He announced the postponement of “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” during the five-day window.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump characterized the talks as “in-depth, detailed, and constructive,” while emphasizing the pause remains conditional and “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

However, Iranian forces continued launching missiles toward multiple Israeli regions. Warning sirens blared across Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Rishon LeZion, and Netanya, along with alerts in Dimona and settlements throughout the Negev desert, Galilee region, and Golan Heights area.

Defense systems intercepted numerous projectiles or they impacted unpopulated zones, including areas near Beersheba and northern territories close to the Lebanese border, resulting in no casualties. Missile remnants also struck Rosh HaAyin, located east of Tel Aviv, causing property damage without injuries, while debris from previous attacks landed near a Palestinian community in the West Bank.

Israeli Defense Forces confirmed documenting a minimum of seven ballistic missile strikes since midnight.

Trump’s diplomatic announcement represented a notable change from his previous 48-hour deadline demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, during which he threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power facilities if compliance was not achieved.

Several Iranian media outlets denied any negotiations had taken place between Tehran and Washington. After the initial ultimatum, Iranian officials warned they would “irreversibly destroy” vital infrastructure throughout the Middle East, including water supply systems, should the United States proceed with threatened military action.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement Monday evening confirming his conversation with President Trump earlier that day, suggesting the American leader recognizes a possible chance to convert recent military achievements into a diplomatic resolution.

Authorities in western Mexico have arrested a 15-year-old student after he allegedly opened fire at his school, killing two female employees on Tuesday.

The shooting occurred at Makarenko School in Lazaro Cardenas, a port city in Michoacan state. According to the local Department of Public Safety, the teenage suspect used a high-powered assault rifle in the attack.

Officials discovered two victims with multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. Local authorities confirmed the arrest in a social media post on X.

A state government source told Reuters that “the victims appear to be a teacher and another person from the administrative staff.”

The state prosecutor’s office has not yet released specific details about the positions the two women held at the school. The accused shooter was reportedly a high school student who was preparing to enter college.

Reuters reached out to the school for comment but has not yet received a response.

Michoacan state has experienced ongoing violence and serves as a major center for criminal organizations competing for control of drug trafficking corridors. The region faces persistent problems with extortion, kidnapping, and other criminal enterprises.

While Mexico struggles with high levels of violence related to organized crime, shootings at schools remain uncommon occurrences.

Colombian prosecutors announced Tuesday they have issued arrest warrants for seven top commanders of the Segunda Marquetalia rebel organization in connection with last year’s killing of Senator Miguel Uribe, a prominent opposition figure and presidential candidate.

The warrants name several high-profile guerrilla commanders, including Ivan Luciano Marin Arango and Gener Garcia Molina, who go by the code names Ivan Marquez and Jhon 40. Prosecutors describe the senator’s death as a calculated assault designed to undermine Colombia’s democratic institutions.

Intelligence officials believe Marquez and other wanted suspects are currently hiding across the border in Venezuela.

The lawmaker, who came from an influential political dynasty and represented conservative opposition parties, was gunned down during a campaign rally in Colombia’s capital last June. The shooting occurred as Uribe addressed supporters ahead of this year’s electoral contests.

The brazen daylight attack represented the most serious episode of political bloodshed in almost twenty years, bringing back painful memories of the violent 1980s and 1990s when drug trafficking organizations murdered four different presidential contenders.

Chief Prosecutor Luz Adriana Camargo described the June shooting as a carefully planned criminal conspiracy that utilized hired street gangs. Investigation findings point to Kendry Tellez as the main organizer who allegedly arranged payment of 1 billion pesos (equivalent to $250,000) for the assassination during border region meetings.

“Dr. Uribe Turbay’s killing was driven by political and strategic motivations connected to his roles as both a legislator and electoral candidate,” Camargo stated, though she declined to elaborate on the specific political factors that may have prompted the attack.

Tuesday’s warrant announcement represents the culmination of an extensive investigation that has already resulted in nine prosecutions.

Court records show Simeon Perez received more than 22 years in prison for serving as an intermediary between rebel commanders and the urban assassination team. Two additional defendants were sentenced to 21-year terms for conducting surveillance and providing logistical support, while a 15-year-old minor identified as the actual gunman received sanctions under juvenile justice procedures.

The seven suspects named in the new warrants face multiple charges including aggravated murder and criminal conspiracy.

Segunda Marquetalia represents a breakaway wing of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. The organization’s leadership initially participated in a 2016 peace agreement but resumed armed activities three years afterward, claiming the government failed to honor its commitments.

The rebel faction entered into fresh peace negotiations in 2024 as part of President Gustavo Petro’s broader strategy to resolve Colombia’s six-decade internal armed conflict.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has granted former President Jair Bolsonaro permission to complete his 27-year prison term for coup conspiracy from his residence rather than behind bars, citing his deteriorating medical condition.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes made the ruling Tuesday after Bolsonaro has remained hospitalized since March 13 battling pneumonia, adding to a series of health complications that began when he survived a stabbing attack in 2018 during his presidential campaign.

The former leader spent several days in intensive care recently due to kidney complications and additional health concerns. While his medical team has not provided a discharge timeline from the Brasilia hospital, doctors report his condition is showing signs of improvement.

Bolsonaro’s family has petitioned the court for home confinement since his conviction last November. After initially being held at a federal police facility, he was moved to an expanded cell in January.

Brazil’s Attorney General Paulo Gonet endorsed the home detention arrangement on Monday, clearing the path for the court’s approval.

The far-right politician held office from 2019 through 2022. His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has announced plans to seek the presidency in October’s election, with polling data showing a tight race against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to established legal precedent, Brazil’s Supreme Court typically maintains house arrest arrangements unless a prisoner’s health significantly recovers or they breach conditions such as making public comments, using social media, or conducting media interviews.

COPENHAGEN – Exit polling from Denmark’s parliamentary elections on Tuesday revealed that left-leaning political parties, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, have edged ahead of conservative opponents, though no coalition appears to have secured the necessary seats to govern alone.

According to survey results from broadcaster DR working with Epinion, the progressive alliance captured 83 parliamentary seats compared to 79 for the conservative coalition in Denmark’s 179-member legislature. Meanwhile, polling conducted by TV2 in partnership with Megafon projected 86 seats for the left-wing parties against 75 for their right-wing counterparts.

The inconclusive results may position Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’s independent centrist Moderates as kingmakers in determining which political bloc will control the next government. Alternatively, the four parliamentary representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands could find themselves holding the decisive votes in coalition negotiations.

During a United Nations appearance on Tuesday, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered sharp criticism of American policies, accusing the United States of making it acceptable to wipe out Black history from educational and cultural institutions.

Speaking at a slavery reparations event at the UN, Mahama expressed concern that current U.S. leadership under President Donald Trump has been targeting cultural and historical sites across America – including museums, monuments, and national parks – in an effort to eliminate what Trump labels “anti-American” ideology.

Trump’s recent executive actions and declarations have resulted in the removal of slavery exhibits, the reinstallation of Confederate monuments, and other changes that civil rights groups argue could undo decades of social advancement.

“These policies are becoming a template for other governments as well as some private institutions,” Mahama stated during his UN remarks. “At the very least, they are slowly normalising the erasure.”

The Ghanaian leader pointed to specific examples in America, including the elimination of Black history courses from school programs, requirements for institutions to stop teaching about the realities of slavery, segregation and racism, and increasing bans on books covering these topics.

The White House has not yet provided a response to requests for comment on Mahama’s statements.

This isn’t the first time Mahama has challenged Trump’s positions. The Ghanaian president previously condemned Trump’s false assertions about white genocide and land confiscation in South Africa, describing those claims as offensive to all Africans. Last year, Mahama also announced an agreement to accept West Africans who face deportation from the United States.

Mahama’s New York visit centers on presenting a resolution to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that would officially recognize transatlantic slavery as the “gravest crime in the history of humankind” while demanding reparations.

Ghana has emerged as a primary champion for reparations, a movement that has built considerable support in recent years despite facing growing opposition from some quarters.

Multiple Western leaders have refused to even discuss the reparations topic, with opponents maintaining that current governments and organizations shouldn’t bear responsibility for historical injustices.

According to the draft resolution obtained by Reuters, the proposal encourages member nations to participate in reparations discussions, which could include formal apologies, returning stolen cultural artifacts, providing monetary compensation, and promising such crimes won’t happen again.

The African Union nations and Caribbean Community countries have endorsed the resolution, along with Brazil and other supporters.

However, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa revealed that both the European Union and United States have already indicated they will not support the resolution.

Neither the EU nor U.S. missions to the United Nations have responded to requests for comment regarding their positions.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Argentina’s capital Tuesday, commemorating five decades since the military coup that launched one of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin American history.

Human rights organizations estimate that approximately 30,000 individuals vanished during the regime’s systematic campaign targeting opposition voices, including leftist guerrilla fighters, union organizers and university students. Government records put the death toll closer to 8,000 victims.

Truth commissions and advocacy groups have determined that government security forces were responsible for the vast majority of violence during the seven-year military rule.

The nationwide demonstrations were organized by human rights advocates, labor organizations, student associations, social justice movements and political parties, rallying under the banner “Memory, Truth and Justice” to remember the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military government.

“Today is a special day,” said Elsa Britos, a 60-year-old domestic worker. “I joined the protest to fight, and to fight with hope.”

Current President Javier Milei, known for his far-right libertarian views, has argued that memorial events should equally recognize casualties from guerrilla attacks during that era. On Tuesday, Milei posted a statement attributed to Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov claiming that communism “is against human nature and can only be sustained through totalitarian repression.”

Reflecting this position, the presidential office released a video called “Day of Remembrance for Justice and the Full Truth,” showcasing two personal accounts: one from a woman who was stolen as an infant during the dictatorship and discovered her true identity in 2017, and another from the child of an Argentine military officer abducted by guerrilla forces.

The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, established in 1977 to search for children seized during the dictatorship, was among the organizations leading Tuesday’s march. Investigators believe roughly 500 newborns delivered in detention centers were unlawfully removed and placed with military families or their supporters. Approximately 140 of these individuals have been located and reunited with their biological families.

Following Argentina’s transition back to democratic governance in 1983, the government committed to pursuing legal action against those responsible for the atrocities but demonstrated less dedication to recovering victims’ bodies. These recovery efforts have been further complicated by military officials’ continued refusal to disclose information about burial locations.

Since Milei assumed the presidency in 2023, efforts to locate victims’ remains have faced additional obstacles. His cost-cutting measures have reduced the Human Rights Secretariat to a lower-level department, slashed its funding and eliminated staff positions. Archive research teams were terminated amid accusations of political prejudice and what the Milei administration characterized as harassment of former military officers.

Poland’s Finance Minister has announced his country is making the European Union’s defense funding initiative its top priority while simultaneously taking part in discussions about alternative military financing options.

Speaking during a visit to London on Tuesday, Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski explained that Poland views the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program as crucial for national defense against Russian aggression, offering affordable financing options.

“Right now, we are focused on the SAFE programme – it’s our priority,” Domanski stated during his London trip. “It’s close to 44 billion euros available for us immediately.”

When questioned about other military financing initiatives, including a collaborative effort between Britain, Finland and the Netherlands for joint defense funding and equipment purchasing, Domanski confirmed Poland’s involvement in technical discussions.

“We are also participating in the discussions,” he noted.

Nations worldwide are rushing to increase military spending and equipment acquisition as global security challenges escalate, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year and Middle Eastern conflicts continuing without resolution.

The British-Finnish-Dutch initiative, which Domanski called the Multilateral Defence Mechanism, represents one of multiple competing programs designed to attract private investment into national defense efforts.

Meanwhile, Canada has been spearheading efforts to establish a new international defense financial institution – the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB – as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to strengthen cooperation among NATO allies and partners.

“Originally comparing those two, I find this MDM much more interesting,” Domanski commented, though he chose not to provide additional details.

HOUSTON, March 24 – Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado addressed energy industry leaders in Houston this week, advocating for enhanced transparency and investment protections to revitalize her country’s struggling oil sector.

Speaking at the CERAWeek energy conference, Machado expressed optimism about growing international interest in Venezuelan petroleum resources while emphasizing the need for stronger legal frameworks and contract protections.

“I’m here to attract attention to Venezuela, not delay it,” Machado stated during an interview prior to delivering her conference presentation.

The opposition leader outlined an ambitious vision for Venezuela’s energy future, suggesting the nation could potentially reach daily oil production of 5 million barrels with proper investment and infrastructure development. This would represent a dramatic increase from current output levels of approximately 1 million barrels per day and would require an estimated $150 billion in capital investment.

Machado’s strategy includes significantly downsizing the state-controlled oil company PDVSA while transitioning operations to private sector management. Despite this privatization approach, she emphasized the importance of maintaining Venezuelan control over Citgo Petroleum, the Houston-based refinery currently owned by PDVSA.

“Losing Citgo would be damaging to Venezuela and an error for U.S. energy security,” she explained.

Regarding ongoing legal proceedings that could result in Citgo’s parent company being auctioned to satisfy creditor claims, Machado remained hopeful about preventing such an outcome.

“Until the last out, in the last inning, there’s a possibility,” she said, using a baseball metaphor to describe the ongoing court battle.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish government officials revealed Tuesday that the nation endured a staggering 250% increase in digital attacks throughout 2025, with cybersecurity threats continuing to escalate at an alarming rate.

Among the most concerning incidents was an unprecedented December breach targeting Poland’s power infrastructure, which experts believe marked the first destructive cyberattack on energy systems among NATO and EU member nations. Intelligence sources suspect the assault originated from Russia.

Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Paweł Olszewski disclosed Tuesday that Poland withstood 270,000 cyber incidents over the past year.

“We’ve been waging a war in cyberspace for many years now,” Olszewski stated. “The number of incidents and attacks has been increasing significantly and radically year after year.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration has significantly enhanced the country’s digital security measures following Russia’s comprehensive military offensive against Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022, responding to what officials view as heightened Russian cyber threats.

On the morning and afternoon of Dec. 29, synchronized digital assaults struck a heating and power facility serving nearly 500,000 residents, along with numerous renewable energy installations including wind and solar operations across Poland.

Polish security agencies believe a single “threat actor” orchestrated the cyberattacks, with numerous specialists indicating connections to Russian intelligence operations.

While electrical service remained uninterrupted, the destructive nature of the sabotage prompted CERT Polska, the nation’s Computer Emergency Response Team, to release a detailed technical analysis in late January and solicit assistance from the global cybersecurity community.

“The attack was a significant escalation,” CERT director Marcin Dudek explained to The Associated Press.

“We’ve had such incidents in the past, but they were of the ransomware type, where the motivation of the attacker is financial,” Dudek noted. “In this case, there was no financial motivation — the motivation was just destruction.”

Dudek emphasized that Poland has encountered few destructive cyber incidents previously, with none targeting energy infrastructure.

The CERT leader indicated he was unaware of similar destructive digital assaults on power systems within NATO or EU territories. While espionage cases and activist groups have caused minor disruptions, “advanced attacks” comparable to Poland’s December incident appear to be without precedent, he explained.

Dudek warned that if the assault had focused on larger energy facilities, it could have severely compromised Poland’s electrical grid stability.

Polish intelligence services have not yet publicly named a suspected perpetrator.

Dudek’s organization is authorized only to analyze attack methods and identify potential “threat actors” — cybersecurity terminology for individuals or groups conducting malicious operations.

The CERT investigation examined internet infrastructure utilized in the Polish breach, including web domains and IP addresses, discovering they had been previously employed by a Russian threat group called “Dragonfly,” also known as “Static Tundra” or “Berserk Bear.”

According to Dudek, Dragonfly has historically focused on energy sector targets, though not with destructive intent.

An FBI alert from August 2025 identified Dragonfly as a cybersecurity cluster linked to FSB Center 16, a critical division within Russia’s Federal Security Service.

Independent cybersecurity experts concur that evidence from the December attack points toward Russian involvement.

ESET, a major European Union cybersecurity firm, examined the malicious software used in the assault and determined the perpetrator was likely “Sandworm,” another suspected Russian group previously connected to destructive attacks in Ukraine.

U.S. authorities have previously linked Sandworm to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, known as GRU.

Anton Cherepanov, a senior malware analyst at ESET, told The Associated Press that “the use of data-wiping malware and its deployment” in the Polish incident “are both techniques commonly employed by Sandworm.”

“We are not aware of any other recently active threat actors that have used data-wiping malware in their operations against targets in European Union countries,” Cherepanov stated.

Regardless of whether Dragonfly or Sandworm was responsible, both groups have previous Russian affiliations. “Whether it’s these Russians or those Russians is a detail,” Cherepanov observed.

The Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment.

BOGOTA, Colombia — Following a devastating military aircraft accident that claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticized his nation’s dependence on donated secondhand military equipment from the United States.

The tragedy unfolded Monday when a military transport aircraft went down moments after departure from Colombia’s Putumayo province. Defense officials confirmed that no fewer than 66 service members perished in the crash, while 57 others survived and were transported to Bogota and other locations for medical care.

Petro took to social media platform X to express his frustration with the donated Hercules CJ-130 aircraft involved in the accident. “An army cannot defend its own people with crappy gifts,” the president stated. “They give away whatever is useless to them — and the ‘gift’ ends up costing more than buying it new.”

The United States provided the Hercules CJ-130 to Colombia in 2020 through a cooperative arrangement that included two additional used Hercules aircraft. The plane had undergone comprehensive maintenance work in 2023, including engine inspections and replacement of critical components.

Aviation specialist and military analyst Erich Saumeth emphasized that investigators must now focus on determining what caused the four-engine aircraft to fail so quickly after departure. “I don’t think this plane crashed because of a lack of good parts,” Saumeth noted.

The crash occurred near Puerto Leguizamo, where the airport features a notably short 1.2-kilometer runway. The aircraft came down in a field within two kilometers of the airfield.

Former President Iván Duque, who held office when the aircraft was donated, responded to Petro’s comments on social media, advising him to “calm down and breathe.” Duque suggested investigators examine “how much weight the plane was carrying compared to the length of the runway.”

The current president has used this incident to advance his ongoing efforts to upgrade military equipment, claiming that modernization initiatives have faced “bureaucratic difficulties.” Petro indicated that accountability measures may be necessary, stating Monday: “If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they must be removed.”

Political opponents have countered by highlighting reduced military contract implementation and decreased flight hours for military aircraft under Petro’s leadership, attributing these issues to defense budget reductions.

BRASILIA, March 24 – Brazil’s federal audit court TCU has postponed making a decision on the controversial Banco Master case while waiting for results from multiple ongoing investigations, according to the presiding judge on Tuesday.

Reuters previously reported in February that the TCU’s internal review offered no guidance on how Brazil’s central bank handled the November shutdown of Banco Master, which occurred during a severe cash shortage and allegations of fraudulent loan sales.

Judge Jhonatan de Jesus declined to reveal details from the technical assessment but stated that issuing a court decision would be inappropriate “at the risk of reaching a decision with a lower degree of completeness than desirable.”

Jesus has mandated that results from active investigations by the central bank, the Office of the Comptroller General, and a Supreme Federal Court case be incorporated into the TCU’s proceedings.

“The existence of investigations being conducted in other spheres, using different fact-finding tools and with the potential to uncover new elements, reinforces the case for awaiting a more developed evidentiary record before this court reaches a final judgment,” Jesus stated.

The audit court’s participation has drawn significant attention after Jesus indicated he might implement “precautionary” actions to halt asset sales during Banco Master’s closure, given the permanent nature of such transactions while investigations determine whether proper procedures were followed.

Jesus had earlier demanded access to central bank records that supported the decision to close the financial institution.

Tuesday’s postponement allows Jesus to maintain the audit court’s influence over the liquidation proceedings.

This development follows recent disclosures showing that two high-ranking officials at Brazil’s central bank privately counseled troubled banker Daniel Vorcaro, who controlled Banco Master.

Federal police investigators determined that Vorcaro likely paid bribes to former central bank director Paulo Sergio Neves de Souza and Belline Santana, previously head of banking oversight, for insider information and document assistance, based on text messages accessed through court-approved surveillance of communication records.

Pakistan is stepping forward as a crucial intermediary in efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran, drawing on its carefully cultivated relationships with both nations and its history as a diplomatic bridge-builder.

Should these negotiations materialize, Pakistan could achieve international recognition comparable to its historic role in facilitating the secret diplomatic breakthrough that enabled President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 trip to China.

This diplomatic opportunity comes after more than a year of strategic relationship development with President Trump, involving sophisticated diplomatic efforts and cryptocurrency partnerships.

Pakistan holds a unique position, maintaining open communication channels with both Washington and Tehran while most other nations find such dual relationships impossible. The country would gain significantly from ending the Iran conflict, as it hosts the globe’s second-largest Shi’ite Muslim community after Iran and experienced widespread demonstrations following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.

Security experts and government officials identify Pakistan’s greatest concern as the potential for Iran’s prolonged conflict to spread across borders. The nation, already dealing with Afghan Taliban tensions, has also experienced fuel supply interruptions due to the Iranian war.

“Pakistan has unusual credibility as a mediator, maintaining workable ties with both Washington and Tehran, while a history of strained relations with each gives it just enough distance to be seen as a credible go-between,” Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute, told Reuters.

STRENGTHENING TRUMP CONNECTIONS

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has cultivated a strong partnership with Trump to overcome years of diplomatic mistrust. Following Munir’s January trip to Davos to meet with Trump, Pakistan joined Trump’s Board of Peace.

The country has also established a partnership with a Trump family-affiliated cryptocurrency venture to utilize its USD1 stablecoin for international transactions, while White House representative Steve Witkoff facilitated an agreement to renovate New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, which belongs to Pakistan’s state airline.

Since the Iran conflict’s beginning, Pakistan has engaged in diplomatic efforts, including delivering at least six communications between American and Iranian officials, according to five Pakistani government sources.

Prior to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Tuesday announcement confirming the peace talk proposal, Pakistani and foreign sources indicated that representatives from both countries might convene in Islamabad by week’s end. Pakistani sources suggested Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would participate.

Government statements reveal that during the past month, Sharif and Pakistan’s foreign minister conducted more than 30 discussions with Middle Eastern counterparts, including six conversations with Iranian leadership. Two occurred Monday, coinciding with U.S. confirmation of ongoing mediation efforts and a White House-verified phone call between Munir and Trump.

“Pakistan hosting U.S.-Iran talks represents a major upgrade in Islamabad’s strategic standing,” Kamran Bokhari, senior resident fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, told Reuters.

“After decades of being a troubled state, Pakistan appears to be re-emerging as a major American ally in West Asia,” he said.

IRANIAN RELATIONSHIPS

Bokhari noted that Pakistan represents Iran’s most cooperative neighbor while sustaining “the closest ties with its historic regional adversary Saudi Arabia and (being) trusted by Washington”.

Pakistan and Iran share a complex border along Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, where a multi-decade insurgency continues. The neighboring countries engaged in border conflicts during January 2024, though diplomatic relations have since recovered.

Iran may view Pakistan as more impartial than alternative mediators. “Unlike Gulf states like Qatar, Pakistan does not host U.S. military bases and is a military power in its own right,” said Weinstein.

Pakistan can also reference its established intermediary history – Iran’s unofficial diplomatic presence in America has operated through Pakistan’s Washington embassy since U.S.-Iran diplomatic ties severed in 1979.

Islamabad’s mutual defense treaty with Riyadh, established in September, obligates both nations to provide mutual assistance and influences strategic decisions.

As the American-Iranian conflict entered its second week and Tehran attacked Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated he had reminded Iran of the defense agreement while attempting Iranian mediation.

Pakistani security sources confirmed Islamabad’s treaty obligations but emphasized efforts to avoid conflict involvement through private diplomatic channels with Tehran.

HAVANA — A humanitarian relief vessel reached Cuba’s capital Tuesday, delivering crucial supplies including solar panels, bicycles, food, and medical equipment as the Caribbean nation confronts mounting economic and electrical power challenges.

The ship carried approximately 30 passengers and represents the first of three vessels scheduled to dock in Cuba while the country battles widespread electrical outages, deteriorating infrastructure, and energy supply restrictions from the United States.

“This type of economic warfare shouldn’t exist, this attitude of a pirate state that doesn’t respect international law,” activist Thiago Ávila told reporters as he disembarked from the ship, christened “Granma 2.0” in homage to the ship that ferried revolutionary leader Fidel Castro to the island in 1956.

“These ships are a drop in an ocean of need…at the same time, it’s a gesture of solidarity,” Ávila said.

The vessel left Puerto Progreso in Mérida, Mexico, last week, with two additional ships making their way toward Cuba.

“The help is important for us, so that it can be seen that the revolution is not alone,” Antonia Santamaría, a 72-year-old retiree, said as she watched the boat slowly approach the dock.

This maritime mission forms part of the “Our America Convoy to Cuba” initiative, which brought more than 650 supporters from 33 nations to the island over the weekend carrying tons of relief supplies. President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomed the international delegation.

Notable participants included British parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn, Colombian Sen. Clara López, Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls, and the popular Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap.

The energy restrictions implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January, designed to pressure political change on the island, have worsened a five-year economic downturn that began with COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and earlier American sanctions against the Caribbean nation.

Cuba currently experiences transportation difficulties, shortened work schedules, canceled flights, and most critically, power failures, including two complete island-wide blackouts in recent days.

Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s — have indicated readiness to “take” the island. Officials from both nations acknowledge ongoing discussions, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Argelio Abad Vigo revealed last week that the nation has spent three months without receiving diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas shipments — all essential for economic activity and power generation. Cuba domestically produces only 40% of its required fuel.

A Hong Kong-flagged ship reportedly transporting 200,000 barrels of diesel from Russia to Cuba has instead arrived in Venezuela, according to MarineTraffic, which monitors global vessel movements using public data.

International leaders and social organizations have cautioned that Cuba may be approaching a humanitarian emergency.

Nations including Mexico, China, Brazil, and Italy, along with American non-governmental organizations, have provided assistance.

Caricom, a Caribbean trade organization, announced Tuesday it would deliver aid including powdered milk, medical supplies, and water storage tanks to Cuba through Mexico, which has offered free maritime transport.

International assistance is typically distributed without charge by the government through Cuba’s food distribution network, unless donors specify particular recipients, such as medical supplies designated for hospitals.

Authorities in Hong Kong detained four bookstore employees on Tuesday for allegedly distributing materials deemed seditious, including a biographical work about imprisoned media mogul Jimmy Lai, according to local broadcaster TVB.

The detained individuals include Pong Yat-ming, who owns the Book Punch store, along with three employees. They face accusations of selling copies of “The Troublemaker,” a biographical account of Lai written by Mark Clifford, one of his former business associates, TVB reported.

Lai established the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and received a 20-year prison sentence in February following his conviction for conspiring with foreign entities and sedition in what authorities called the territory’s most significant national security prosecution.

When contacted about the reported detentions, a police representative declined to provide specific details but stated that law enforcement “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.”

A sign posted at the bookstore’s entrance stated: “Resting for a day due to emergency, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Reuters was unable to contact Pong immediately and could not confirm whether he or the staff members faced formal charges.

Clifford, who currently resides in New York and previously served as a director at Lai’s Next Digital media company, told Reuters he was unaware of the detentions. “If true, it’s a sad and ironic commentary that selling a book on a man who is in jail for his activities as a journalist, for promoting free expression, would be subject to sedition,” he said.

The local national security legislation, referred to as Article 23, establishes penalties of up to seven years imprisonment for sedition, with sentences extending to a decade when the offense involves collaboration with an “external force.”

Beijing implemented comprehensive national security laws in the territory during 2020, with Hong Kong and Chinese authorities stating the new regulations were necessary to restore order following months of pro-democracy demonstrations that disrupted the city in 2019.

As part of continued efforts to suppress dissent, the territorial government published new amendments Monday to the implementation guidelines for Beijing’s imposed legislation, granting customs officials authority to confiscate materials considered to have “seditious intention.”

The updated measures also authorize police officers with magistrate-approved warrants to compel individuals suspected of violating national security laws to surrender mobile phone or computer passwords, with refusal resulting in imprisonment and financial penalties.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus officials are demanding greater transparency from Britain regarding military operations after being left uninformed about a significant security incident at a British air base earlier this year.

An Iranian-manufactured Shahed drone hit a hangar at RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus’s southern coast just after midnight on March 2. While warning sirens sounded across the base alerting military personnel to seek shelter, British authorities failed to notify the Cypriot government about the incoming threat or potential danger to a nearby village housing 1,000 residents.

The incident has sparked President Nikos Christodoulides to demand a “frank and open discussion” with Britain about the future of the two military installations at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

“I’m not going to negotiate publicly, I’m not going to put my request publicly, but we need to open this discussion,” Christodoulides stated during the European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels on March 20. “The British bases in Cyprus is something that is a colonial consequence.”

The controversy began when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on March 1 that the United States would be permitted to use British facilities for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of targeting Iran’s missile facilities. This statement alarmed Cypriot officials, who believed it contradicted previous British commitments not to use the island’s bases for such operations. British officials later clarified the referenced bases were located in England and the Indian Ocean, not Cyprus.

According to two senior Cypriot officials speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, British authorities provided no advance warning about the drone attack the following evening. The Ministry of Defence in London has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

The British warship HMS Dragon was dispatched Tuesday toward Cypriot waters to provide additional security against potential future attacks.

Prime Minister Starmer’s office released a statement saying he had contacted Christodoulides over the weekend to emphasize that “as close partners and friends, Cyprus’ security was of utmost importance to the U.K.” Starmer also confirmed that RAF Akrotiri would not be utilized for any American military strikes against Iran.

The two British installations span 99 square miles and were established when Cyprus achieved independence from British colonial rule in August 1960, following a four-year guerrilla campaign. The bases’ existence is written into Cyprus’s constitution, and they operate with their own police forces and court systems, making them technically British colonial territory according to former island attorney general Costas Clerides.

Nearly 66 years later, many Cypriots, including President Christodoulides, view these installations as unwelcome reminders of their colonial history. Approximately 10,000 Cypriot citizens reside within the bases’ boundaries and fall under their jurisdiction.

Previous calls to eliminate the bases have emerged, particularly when they’re used for regional military operations, though recent peaceful demonstrations have been smaller than in past decades.

Originally established to monitor Suez Canal shipping traffic and protect Middle Eastern oil supplies, the bases now serve broader strategic purposes. RAF Akrotiri continues housing the renowned U2 spy aircraft that conducts high-altitude surveillance missions across the Middle East. The facility served as a crucial logistics hub for the 2003 U.S. Iraq operation and more recently supported campaigns against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. The installations also include a mountaintop communications monitoring station that tracks Middle Eastern communications and beyond.

While previous Cypriot administrations have been told Britain would inform them of military actions launched from the bases, this understanding represents courtesy rather than legal requirement.

“We are playing a leading role, with the Republic of Cyprus, in coordinating the increasing capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean, to help that sovereign base to remain as protected as possible in the circumstances and in the face of the Iranian threat,” U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament Monday.

Christodoulides indicated last week that Cyprus has “a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases.” While declining to provide specifics, he said negotiations with Britain would occur after the Iran conflict concludes.

The Cypriot government has publicly stated that complete elimination of the bases isn’t currently under consideration. Any discussions would follow a gradual approach seeking greater operational transparency, including enhanced information sharing and intelligence cooperation, according to the anonymous Cypriot officials. They haven’t ruled out renegotiating the bases’ status similar to Britain’s recent agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Under that arrangement, Britain agreed to return Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius while paying approximately 101 million pounds ($135 million) annually to lease the base for at least 99 years. U.S. bombers now operate from the U.K. base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, to conduct strikes against Iran. On Sunday, Iran reported launching missiles at Diego Garcia.

MANILA, Philippines — Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine President, announced a national energy emergency on Tuesday as his government responds to threats stemming from ongoing Middle East conflicts, citing concerns about “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply.”

The emergency declaration, set to remain in effect for one year initially, establishes a contingency committee under Marcos’ leadership tasked with guaranteeing access to and proper distribution of fuel, food, medical supplies, farm products and essential commodities.

Government officials received orders to combat hoarding, price gouging and supply chain manipulation involving petroleum products. The Department of Migrant Workers was simultaneously directed to prepare for potential rescue operations and evacuations of Filipino citizens working throughout the Middle East.

The administration has begun distributing 5,000 pesos ($83) payments to numerous motorcycle taxi operators and public transportation workers across the country to offset rising gasoline and diesel costs. Selected cities are also offering complimentary bus transportation for students and employees.

Approximately 2.4 million Filipino citizens live and work throughout Middle Eastern countries, with roughly 31,000 residing in Israel and 800 in Iran. However, the majority have chosen to remain in the region and continue working, with only several hundred individuals accepting government assistance to return home since the regional hostilities commenced.

Philippine officials reported that Mary Ann de Vera, a Filipina caregiver, lost her life during an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 28 while assisting her elderly client to reach a bomb shelter.

Authorities in the Czech Republic announced Tuesday that three individuals have been taken into custody following a suspected arson attack that leveled a facility belonging to a firm that provides unmanned aircraft systems to Ukrainian forces.

Czech police are treating the warehouse fire as a potential act of terrorism, officials confirmed.

While two suspects were apprehended within Czech borders, the third individual was captured in Slovakia. Czech officials are now working to secure extradition of the suspect from their neighboring country.

The detained individuals are facing accusations of conducting a terrorist attack and being members of a terrorist organization.

According to police statements, the suspects hold both Czech and American citizenship, though authorities declined to provide additional details about their identities.

“We continue to work intensively to apprehend the remaining suspects, also in cooperation with foreign partners,” they said.

The blaze erupted at an industrial facility in Pardubice, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Prague, completely destroying the warehouse structure while fortunately causing no personal injuries, according to police reports.

LPP Holding acknowledged that one of their facilities had been damaged by fire and stated they are fully assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The firm specializes in creating products for both commercial and defense applications, including autonomous drone technologies currently being utilized by Ukraine’s military in their conflict against Russian forces.

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar indicated the incident could be connected to terrorist activities and confirmed that Czech investigators are coordinating with international partners.

Senior police official Martin Vondrášek stated that authorities believe the fire was deliberately set. Emergency responders successfully extinguished the flames, and police assured the public there was no ongoing threat to community safety.

LPP Holding had previously announced intentions to establish a facility in Pardubice for drone development and manufacturing, along with personnel training, in partnership with Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Following the attack, however, the company revealed that this joint venture had not materialized.

Defense contractors throughout the nation have subsequently enhanced their security protocols.

LPP Holding emphasized that no weapons were being manufactured at the targeted facility.

In contrast to the previous pro-Western administration, the current Czech government under populist leader Andrej Babiš has declined to provide financial assistance to Ukraine or back European Union loan guarantees for the country defending against Russian aggression. This positions the Czech Republic alongside Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico in opposing EU support for Ukraine.

Despite the government’s stance, public sentiment in favor of Ukraine remains strong among Czech citizens.

WASHINGTON — This Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head to France in an effort to convince reluctant Group of Seven partners to support America’s Iran military strategy, which has led to dramatic increases in global fuel costs, according to a Tuesday announcement from the State Department.

The G7 foreign ministers gathering near Versailles, just outside Paris, will provide Rubio an opportunity “to advance key U.S. interests” while addressing “shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation,” department officials stated.

“Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability,” the department announced in their statement, released as conflicting reports emerge about potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks to end the conflict.

On Monday, President Donald Trump claimed discussions between the U.S. and Iran have occurred, though Iranian officials have rejected this assertion. Multiple nations are reportedly exploring early-stage diplomatic solutions to the crisis, which has caused oil prices to surge dramatically following the shutdown of most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers.

The majority of G7 countries — including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — have shown lukewarm support at best for the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, choosing not to join the operation and prompting frustration from Trump, who insists America can handle the situation without international assistance.

Trump has publicly criticized several G7 members and NATO partners for failing to answer his requests for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though some nations have recently signaled potential support for appropriate measures to restore normal shipping operations through the critical waterway.

British financial regulators are standing by their decision to hire American data analytics company Palantir Technologies for an artificial intelligence project, despite facing tough questions from parliament members about data security and market dominance.

The Financial Conduct Authority awarded Palantir a 12-week deal to examine the agency’s internal information systems as part of efforts to fight financial crimes. Palantir Technologies was co-created by Peter Thiel, a billionaire investor who backed President Donald Trump early in his political career.

During a parliamentary Treasury committee hearing, lawmakers pressed FCA leadership, including CEO Nikhil Rathi, about whether the American company might gain access to confidential regulatory materials.

Conservative parliament member John Glen expressed additional worries about the company’s growing government presence. “The other concern is that they become ubiquitous across government,” Glen stated. “Is there anything that can be done to ensure they don’t become a monopoly?”

Palantir has already landed deals with Britain’s Defense Ministry and National Health Service, expanding its footprint across multiple government agencies.

Jessica Rusu, who serves as the FCA’s chief data, information and intelligence officer, explained that the selection process was conducted without revealing bidder identities until completion. She emphasized that Palantir would function solely as a data processor in this arrangement.

Rusu also noted that the U.S. CLOUD Act, which requires American tech companies to share data with U.S. officials under specific conditions, would not impact this particular FCA partnership.

The contract award appears contradictory to the FCA’s own previous warnings to financial institutions about the risks of depending too heavily on a limited number of major technology companies.

CEO Rathi recognized the broader strategic concerns about big tech’s role in government operations but defended the need for advanced tools to combat financial crimes effectively.

“We also want to be the most effective enforcer against financial crime and money laundering, and that requires us to use data intelligence more effectively and use best-in-class tools,” Rathi explained to lawmakers. “They won the procurement.”

A Palantir representative said the company takes pride in helping the FCA address financial crimes and stressed that it cannot profit from data processed during its British government work.

“The software can only be used – legally and contractually – to process data in strict accordance with the instructions of the customer,” the company spokesperson stated.

Palantir has seen significant revenue growth recently, particularly from U.S. government contracts. However, some of these agreements, including work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have sparked public backlash and forced CEO Alex Karp to publicly defend the company’s surveillance technologies.

The chief executive of surveillance technology company Intellexa announced Tuesday he will challenge his conviction in a major wiretapping scandal that shook Greece’s government in 2022.

Tal Dilian, who leads the surveillance firm, received a suspended prison sentence on February 26 when a Greek court found him and three others guilty of misdemeanor personal data violations.

“I remained silent during the trial, but I will not be a scapegoat,” Dilian stated to Reuters.

“I believe a conviction without evidence is not justice, it could be part of a cover-up and even a crime. I will present my case before national, regional, and international institutions, including requesting the intervention of the UN Special Rapporteur on judicial independence.”

The controversy, nicknamed “Predatorgate” by Greek media, began when a financial reporter and political figure claimed they were targeted by government surveillance using Predator malware, Intellexa’s primary spyware technology.

The scandal resulted in the dismissal of Greece’s intelligence chief and the prime minister’s top aide. Investigators discovered Predator software traces on numerous mobile devices.

Greece’s administration denied any misconduct and weathered a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2023 related to the surveillance allegations.

The country’s highest court prosecutor dropped charges against the intelligence service in 2024 but sent four individuals, including Dilian, to face misdemeanor prosecution.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated this month that judicial officials are handling the matter, emphasizing that the supreme court dismissed the case regarding government involvement.

In his statement, Dilian argued that trial evidence contradicted the prosecutor’s findings and failed to connect the defendants to the intelligence service’s alleged “interferences.”

Dilian has previously maintained that his surveillance products are sold exclusively to government entities, making those governments responsible for lawful usage of the technology.

PARIS – French authorities carried out search operations Friday targeting a French diplomatic official whose name surfaced in Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, according to the French financial prosecutor’s office announcement Tuesday.

The law enforcement action comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the diplomat after his identification in materials made public by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the convicted sex trafficker Epstein.

The prosecutor’s office confirmed the raids occurred as investigators continue examining the diplomat’s potential connections to the disgraced financier’s criminal network.

CAIRO (AP) — Officials in Libya completed a rescue operation Tuesday to tow a damaged Russian natural gas vessel that had been floating aimlessly in Mediterranean waters for nearly a month following what authorities believe was a drone strike.

The vessel, known as the Arctic Metagaz, operates as part of what experts call Russia’s “shadow fleet” — ships that transport energy products while circumventing international sanctions imposed due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Coast guard officials from Libya reported that the liquefied natural gas carrier was successfully pulled toward a secure area near Zuwara, located along Libya’s western shoreline.

Footage released Tuesday by Libyan officials captured a tugboat pulling the compromised vessel with heavy rope. The tanker appeared to be listing to one side, its hull blackened from fire damage.

Libya’s National Oil Corp. announced over the weekend that it was working alongside Italian energy firm Eni to safely guide the damaged vessel to shore and prevent an ecological disaster.

The Libyan oil company stated it had implemented “all procedures … to reduce environmental risks and prevent any potential leakage or negative impacts.”

Moscow officials confirmed that Ukrainian naval drones struck and severely damaged the Arctic Metagaz in waters near Malta. All 30 crew members aboard were successfully evacuated. Ukrainian officials have not issued any statement regarding the incident.

The vessel sustained the drone attack earlier this month. Libya’s Maritime Authority reported at the time that the tanker suffered “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” while positioned roughly 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the Libyan city of Sirte. The maritime agency initially and incorrectly announced that the vessel had gone down.

Despite the damage, the Arctic Metagaz continued to float and was carried by ocean currents and wind patterns toward Libya’s coastline, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, an international environmental group.

The conservation organization warned Monday that the tanker remained “highly unstable” and posed “significant environmental risks for one of the Mediterranean’s most fragile and biodiversity-rich marine areas.”

LONDON — Law enforcement officials in Britain are actively pursuing three individuals suspected of setting fire to emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish charitable organization, prompting authorities to enhance protective measures for a community already experiencing heightened anxiety.

The fire occurred in Golders Green, a London area home to many Jewish residents, where four emergency vehicles owned by volunteer group Hatzola Northwest were destroyed. The incident caused oxygen tanks aboard the vehicles to detonate, shattering windows in a nearby residential building and further damaging the community’s fragile sense of safety amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts and what residents describe as rising anti-Jewish sentiment.

“We’re feeling vulnerable,” said Damon Hoff, president of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where the ambulances were parked. Some of the building’s stained-glass windows were damaged in the blast.

“We know what’s going on,” Hoff said. “Nobody’s eyes are closed. We’re living through wars. There’s multiple fronts, and Britain is a part of it, and our community is a tiny little part of a very, very big world.”

The United Kingdom’s Jewish population, while historically established, represents a small fraction of the nation’s demographics at approximately 300,000 people. Golders Green serves as a cultural hub for this community, featuring kosher dining establishments, numerous Jewish educational institutions, and dozens of places of worship.

According to the Community Security Trust, an organization dedicated to Jewish community protection, reported antisemitic incidents throughout the UK have dramatically increased following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel and the ensuing conflict in Gaza. The organization documented 3,700 incidents in 2025, a significant jump from 1,662 recorded in 2022.

A separate violent incident occurred in October 2025 when an individual used his vehicle to strike people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur, fatally stabbing one person. A second death occurred when police accidentally shot someone during their response to the attack.

Anti-terrorism investigators are heading the probe into the ambulance fire and examining a responsibility claim posted online by an organization identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which means the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.

Israeli officials describe this as a newly established group with potential connections to pro-Iranian networks that has also taken credit for synagogue attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley stated that investigators are examining the claim but cautioned it’s premature to connect the attack to Iran’s government.

British officials have previously accused Iran of employing criminal intermediaries to execute attacks on European territory, specifically targeting opposition media and Jewish communities. The UK’s MI5 intelligence agency reports disrupting over 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-supported plots in the year leading up to October.

Just last week, two individuals in London faced charges for conducting “hostile” surveillance of the UK’s Jewish community on Iran’s behalf during the previous year.

Many British Jewish residents believe animosity also originates domestically.

Certain community members fault Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s center-left Labour administration for not preventing pro-Palestinian rallies held since October 7, 2023 from escalating into anti-Jewish rhetoric and actions. While these demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, some political figures and religious leaders argue that chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” promote anti-Jewish hostility.

Some also contend that the UK’s acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has encouraged antisemitism — an assertion the government disputes.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, including some Jewish participants, maintain that criticizing Israeli policies doesn’t constitute antisemitism, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have merged these concepts.

Rowley announced that London police will boost security measures for Jewish educational institutions, synagogues, and community facilities before next month’s Passover observance, including “highly visible firearms patrols.”

Jack Taub, a member of the Machzike Hadath Synagogue leadership, stated authorities “need to do a lot more” to safeguard the Jewish community.

He described the attack as disappointing but unsurprising “given the sentiment that there is in the country, the hatred that is against Jewish people.”

Jonathan Wittenberg, senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, whose congregation is located near the attack site, described a feeling that threats are increasingly approaching.

“People are definitely anxious,” he told The Associated Press. “However, the other thing to say is there’s a very, very strong determination to continue with Jewish life. Judaism is nothing if not deeply resilient.”

These incidents have prompted some British Jews to consider relocating to safer locations — while questioning whether such places exist.

“Israel’s not exactly the safest place in the world at this moment,” Wittenberg said. “There certainly are people thinking, you know, Israel is my safe space. But I think there’s also a feeling, is there safe space anywhere?”

The European Commission has postponed its scheduled April 15 submission of legislation that would make the ban on Russian oil imports permanent, according to an updated legislative calendar released Tuesday.

While an EU representative confirmed to Reuters that the proposal remains active and will eventually be published, the mid-April timeline has been scrapped due to “current geopolitical developments.”

The International Energy Agency reports that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has created unprecedented oil supply disruptions worldwide, driving crude prices significantly higher.

The proposed legislation would legally mandate the complete elimination of Russian oil imports no later than December 2027. This follows similar EU action to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027.

Although the measure would have minimal immediate effect on actual oil supplies – the EU imported only 1% of its oil from Russia in the fourth quarter of 2025 after dramatically cutting imports following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine – Brussels seeks to make the prohibition legally binding.

The permanent ban would remain effective even if future peace agreements in Ukraine lead to the removal of current sanctions against Russia.

Existing EU restrictions on Russian seaborne oil have already eliminated the vast majority of imports from the bloc.

As of January 27, only Hungary and Slovakia continued receiving Russian oil, until a Russian drone attack damaged pipeline infrastructure in Ukraine, halting those shipments. Both Budapest and Bratislava have accused Ukraine of intentionally preventing the restoration of oil deliveries, creating a diplomatic crisis that prompted Hungary to block EU lending to Kyiv.

The original April 15 timing would have placed the proposal just three days following Hungary’s parliamentary elections. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has preserved friendly relations with Moscow throughout the Ukraine conflict, strongly opposes any such prohibition.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated earlier this month that resuming Russian energy purchases would constitute “a strategic blunder” and increase Europe’s vulnerability.

President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation Tuesday that centered on developments in the Middle East, with particular attention to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible to international shipping, according to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The diplomatic exchange between the two world leaders was revealed through a social media post by Gor on platform X, highlighting the ongoing international concern over the strategic waterway’s security.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan officials announced Tuesday that devastating floods have claimed 88 lives after two major rivers overflowed their banks, forcing families from their homes and destroying agricultural land throughout the East African nation.

The flooding disaster has impacted 21 counties across Kenya, creating serious concerns about public safety, damaged infrastructure, and mounting humanitarian crisis. More than 34,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes since the flooding began in early March, according to the Interior Ministry.

Western Kenya experienced the most recent flooding emergency when the Nyando River overflowed Monday, inundating portions of the Ahero Bridge on the Kericho–Awasi–Kisumu highway and cutting off transportation throughout the area.

Government officials released a warning urging drivers to avoid the flooded roadway and find alternate routes, especially during nighttime hours when visibility becomes poor.

“This advisory is especially critical during the hours of darkness, when it may be difficult to accurately determine the depth and strength of the flowing water,” the statement said.

Rescue operations have escalated in the hardest-hit regions, with the Kenya Red Cross Society leading efforts to save trapped residents and move families to higher ground.

Around the Nyando region, emergency workers have rescued more than 200 people along with over 200 farm animals, while pulling at least two families from life-threatening situations. Officials are also rushing to evacuate more than 900 students from Ahero Girls National School as flood levels continue climbing.

The Interior Ministry reported Tuesday that no fewer than 265 households have been impacted in the region. Evacuated families are finding temporary shelter in community buildings, including government facilities, religious centers, and medical clinics. Six children without guardians were among those rescued and are receiving special care.

Additional flooding has struck other areas across the country.

In Tana River County, the River Tana overflowed, swamping farmland in Mbalambala and nearby communities, including Asako village, putting food supplies at risk. In Uasin Gishu County, a coordinated response team is evaluating damage from rising waters along the Sosiani River in Lower Elgon View, where homes and hospitality businesses have been impacted.

Throughout Kenya, the flooding has upended normal activities, shutting down schools, making highways impassable, and halting commerce, especially in low-elevation areas and informal communities.

Government officials report that emergency response teams continue monitoring conditions on location, with more evacuations planned if rainfall continues.

While Kenya faces seasonal flooding annually, the current disaster’s scope and severity have heightened worries about emergency readiness and the risk to communities located near waterways and flood-vulnerable regions.

Officials have called on residents in dangerous areas to stay alert and heed official warnings, cautioning that situations may deteriorate further if heavy precipitation persists.

TOKYO — Beijing has formally complained to Japanese officials following a security breach at China’s embassy in Tokyo involving an alleged military member.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a Beijing press briefing, someone identifying himself as a member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces climbed over the embassy wall and entered the diplomatic compound Tuesday morning.

Relations between the neighboring countries have grown increasingly tense following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November. Takaichi stated that any Chinese military move against Taiwan would represent “a survival-threatening situation” for Japan that might require military response. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has responded with increased diplomatic pressure and trade measures against Japan.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that the intruder, suspected to be a member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, was immediately apprehended and turned over to Tokyo police. No injuries occurred during the incident, according to the television report.

The suspect reportedly left a knife behind after scaling the embassy walls, NHK stated. TBS television reported the individual was carrying Self-Defense Force identification. Japanese media indicated police are treating the case as suspected trespassing.

Tokyo police declined to verify the reports or provide comment. The Ground Self-Defense Force acknowledged awareness of the incident to The Associated Press and said they are conducting their own investigation but could not elaborate further.

“China is deeply shocked by the incident and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side, expressing strong protest,” Lin stated. “The Japanese side has failed to properly manage and discipline its Self-Defense Forces personnel and has not fulfilled its responsibility to ensure the security of Chinese embassies and consulates and their staff.”

Lin called on Japan to conduct a complete investigation immediately, hold the individual accountable, explain the situation to China, and implement measures to prevent future incidents.

Taliban officials in Afghanistan freed American researcher Dennis Coyle on Tuesday following more than 12 months of detention, timing the release to coincide with Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking Ramadan’s conclusion.

According to Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Coyle was set free in the capital city of Kabul after his family made appeals and the nation’s Supreme Court determined “his previous imprisonment sufficient.”

The academic was taken into custody in January 2025 amid accusations of legal violations, though Taliban leadership never disclosed the specific charges against him.

The ministry revealed that both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar served as intermediaries in securing Coyle’s freedom. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held discussions in Kabul with former U.S. Afghanistan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prior to the release.

Just weeks ago, the State Department labeled Afghanistan a nation that sponsors wrongful detention, claiming the country practices “hostage diplomacy.” This designation places Afghanistan alongside Iran as nations the U.S. accuses of imprisoning Americans to gain political advantages.

Taliban leadership has pushed back against American claims that they detain foreign nationals for diplomatic leverage, maintaining that arrests occur solely for legal infractions rather than bargaining purposes.

The Foreign Ministry stated Afghanistan freed Coyle “based on humanitarian sympathy and goodwill, and believes that such steps can further strengthen the atmosphere of trust between countries.” The statement continued that Kabul “also expresses the hope that both countries will find solutions to the remaining problems through understanding and constructive dialogue in the future.”

State Department officials have not yet responded to news of Coyle’s freedom.

At least one additional American remains in Taliban custody. Mahmood Habibi, a businessman with dual Afghan-American citizenship who worked for a telecommunications contractor in Kabul, disappeared in 2022.

While the FBI and Habibi’s relatives believe Taliban forces captured him, Afghan officials deny holding the businessman.

Ahmad Habibi, Mahmood’s brother, expressed gratitude for Coyle’s release while stating “we hope that our family will soon have the same feeling of relief, when Mahmood is returned home to us.”

WASHINGTON – America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio is set to participate in a gathering of Group of Seven foreign ministers in France this Friday, where discussions will center on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran, according to the State Department.

Allied nations are currently managing the consequences of President Donald Trump’s decision to launch strikes against Iran in recent weeks, which prompted Iranian retaliation against Gulf region neighbors and commercial shipping routes, effectively halting most maritime traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.

The Secretary of State, who also serves as Trump’s primary national security advisor, is scheduled to participate in the G7 foreign ministers’ conference in Cernay-la-Ville, located just outside Paris, as confirmed by principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott in a Tuesday announcement.

“Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability,” Pigott said.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials reported that a massive Russian aerial assault targeting civilian areas resulted in four deaths and at least 27 injuries on Tuesday, as Moscow’s forces intensified their push against Ukrainian defensive positions in what appears to be the beginning of a long-expected spring ground campaign.

Ukraine’s air force confirmed that Russia deployed nearly 400 long-range drones against the country during overnight hours, marking the most extensive such attack in recent weeks. The bombardment extended into Tuesday’s daylight hours with additional drone strikes hitting the capital city of Kyiv.

The nighttime assault also included 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces, striking no fewer than 10 locations throughout Ukraine, air force officials reported.

Ukrainian citizens have faced continuous bombardments since Russia began its full-scale invasion of the neighboring country more than four years ago. Despite U.S.-mediated discussions between Moscow and Kyiv over the previous year, no relief has emerged, with Russia turning down Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal, while recent Middle East conflicts have shifted global focus away from Ukraine’s situation.

Along the approximately 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) battle line that winds through eastern and southern Ukraine, understaffed defenders have been preparing for a renewed Russian offensive as weather conditions improve.

Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, who leads Ukraine’s armed forces, reported that Russian military units have recently launched coordinated breakthrough attempts across multiple strategic locations.

“Fierce fighting unfolded along the entire line of contact,” Syrskyi stated Monday via the Telegram messaging platform, noting that Russia conducted 619 attacks over a four-day period.

“The occupiers are attempting to bring up new units and are preparing to continue attacks,” Syrskyi explained, while confirming that Ukraine had positioned additional forces to counter these assaults.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War indicated that Syrskyi’s assessment supports their conclusion that Russia’s spring-summer offensive has commenced.

According to the ISW’s Monday analysis, Russia has increased its strike operations since March 17 and relocated heavy military equipment and additional personnel to front-line positions.

Russia has historically intensified its grinding attrition campaign each year as weather conditions become more favorable. Despite these efforts, Russian forces have failed to capture major cities and have achieved only minor territorial advances in rural regions. Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized in 2014.

Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities to compensate for its limited infantry resources.

As international attention focuses on Middle East tensions, Kyiv is proposing to share Ukraine’s combat-proven drone defense systems with U.S. and Gulf allies, seeking to exchange this expertise for critically needed Patriot air defense missiles to counter Russian bombardments.

Ukraine has also deployed its domestically manufactured long-range drones against Russian territories that support Moscow’s military operations. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that its air defenses successfully intercepted 55 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black Sea.

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese and Russian officials have finalized an agreement to construct a nuclear power facility in Vietnam as the Southeast Asian nation resurrects its atomic energy program to strengthen power security and reduce carbon emissions.

The arrangement for the Ninh Thuan 1 facility, as reported by Vietnamese government media, marks a revival after two comparable projects were canceled in 2016 due to escalating expenses and safety considerations.

The pact was finalized Monday while Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính conducted an official visit to Moscow, meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Both nations characterized the facility as a “symbolic project” representing their partnership, Vietnam’s official government publication reported.

The proposed facility aligns with Vietnam’s goals to achieve prosperity by 2050 through development as Asia’s next “tiger economy.”

The arrangement establishes plans for constructing two Russian-engineered reactors totaling 2,400 megawatts of generating capacity, modeled after an operational facility in Russia.

Energy security worries have intensified following the conflict in Iran, which sparked a worldwide energy crisis, elevating imported fossil fuel prices and increasing Hanoi’s urgency to find dependable, sustainable power alternatives.

Throughout Southeast Asia, rapidly expanding economies are embracing atomic energy for cleaner, more dependable electricity. Supporters argue it provides reduced emissions compared to coal, petroleum, and natural gas, while advanced technology has enhanced reactor safety, reduced size, and lowered construction costs.

Monday’s Moscow discussions extended beyond atomic energy to include expanding partnerships in petroleum, natural gas, technology, and infrastructure development.

Vietnam and Russia have sustained diplomatic relations since 1950, originating during the Cold War era. However, economic connections remain limited. Trade increased from $3.63 billion in 2023 to $4.77 billion in 2025, significantly below Vietnam’s commerce with China and the United States.

Russia continues as a primary weapons provider, although Hanoi is working to diversify its suppliers.

VERIA, Greece (AP) — Every spring, Greece’s premier peach-growing territory transforms into a breathtaking pink landscape. The simultaneous blooming of countless peach trees generates a magnificent display that draws tourists annually, primarily from Greece and increasingly from across Europe.

“It’s something that people must experience and see at least once in their lifetime, because it’s a huge area,” said Gianna Pilitsidou, president of the Veria Tourism Club, based in the northern city of Veria.

The expansive plain, covering 170 square kilometers (approximately 65 square miles), becomes entirely pink during bloom season, she explained.

In recent years, the Veria Tourism Club has coordinated special activities within the flowering peach groves to celebrate this natural phenomenon: photo opportunities, bicycle excursions, and showcasing products from area farmers.

“Every year we welcome spring with celebrations in the fields, inviting people to visit us and experience it,” Pilitsidou said.

During two consecutive weekends, thousands of tourists strolled through the blooming peach orchards surrounding Veria, situated 72 kilometers (45 miles) west of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city.

“I want the people in Holland and Belgium to know what amazing spots there still are besides all the places that people already know,” said Wesley van Eijk, a blogger from the Netherlands who travels around Greece. “For example Veria. I mean more and more people get to know it, but you have to feel it and be here.”

These celebrations are designed to highlight the area and assist local peach growers.

“For all of this to happen, it takes a lot of hard work — a lot of effort from us farmers,” said Anastasios Chalkidis, president of the local farmers union. “We’re happy that this beautiful event takes place, this great promotion for the wonderful product we have.”

The festivities have proven beneficial for the area, with hospitality workers reporting a noticeable rise in tourist numbers.

“I came all the way from Germany to this fabulous event to have a look at the peach blossom, which I absolutely adore,” said traveler Andrea Lachnit. “You have to come because it’s stunning and beautiful and heavenly. I have never seen anything like this before.”

Peach trees throughout the Veria area typically flower from approximately mid-March through mid-April.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — For nearly twenty years before assuming his role as Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf conducted an extensive diplomatic campaign, presenting himself as a hardline leader with whom Western nations could negotiate within the Islamic Republic.

“I would like the West to change its attitude to Iran and trust Iran, and rest assured that there’s an attitude in Iran to advance issues through dialogue,” he stated to The Times of London in 2008.

As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran enters its fourth week, the 64-year-old former pilot and Revolutionary Guard commander has rejected claims of ongoing discussions with Washington, despite media reports suggesting he was proposed as a potential negotiating counterpart for the U.S.

Uncertainty surrounds Qalibaf’s actual influence within Iran’s religious government structure, which was severely disrupted following the February 28 Israeli air attack that resulted in the death of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The late leader’s son, Mojtaba, who now serves as Iran’s supreme leader, has supported Qalibaf throughout his numerous unsuccessful presidential bids. Nevertheless, various power centers within Iran’s theocratic system are likely competing for control of the Islamic Republic, with ongoing questions about Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition after reports he sustained injuries and has not been publicly seen.

During his tenure, Qalibaf has been connected to government crackdowns on protesters demanding political reform and has faced various corruption accusations.

President Donald Trump may be seeking an Iranian equivalent to Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after U.S. forces captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January.

“Many Iranians despise Ghalibaf; diplomats see him as pragmatic,” analyst Michael Rubin wrote, using an alternative spelling of the politician’s surname. “Those diplomats confuse pragmatism with opportunism. Ghalibaf is a survivor. He sees in Trump someone who can help him achieve what late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei denied him: the presidency or some equivalent interim leadership role.”

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, which maintains close ties to the Guard, characterized Western media reports on Tuesday as a “political bomb” designed to destabilize the country’s leadership.

“Qalibaf was introduced as a negotiating party in order to present a contradictory and non-unified image of Iran,” Tasnim reported. “The mention of Qalibaf’s name was clearly intended to create internal divisions within Iran and to provoke conflict among political forces.”

Born in Torqabeh city within Iran’s northeastern Razavi Khorasan province, Qalibaf’s father worked as a shopkeeper rather than belonging to the Shiite religious leadership that gained control during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Following the pattern of many young men from his generation, he enlisted with the paramilitary Guard during Iran’s devastating 1980s conflict with Iraq, advancing rapidly through military ranks. Following the war’s conclusion, he directed the Guard’s construction division, Khatam al-Anbia, for multiple years while leading reconstruction efforts.

As a trained aviator, he subsequently commanded the Guard’s air force. In 1999, he co-authored a letter to reformist President Mohammad Khatami during student demonstrations in Tehran sparked by the government’s closure of a reformist publication and subsequent security force response. The letter warned Khatami that the Guard would act independently unless he agreed to suppress the protests.

The violent confrontations during these demonstrations, marking the beginning of a series of expanding protests over recent decades, resulted in multiple deaths, hundreds of injuries, and thousands of arrests.

Qalibaf later assumed leadership of Iran’s police force, modernizing operations and establishing the nation’s 110 emergency telephone system. However, leaked audio from a subsequent meeting between Qalibaf and members of the Guard’s volunteer Basij force revealed him claiming responsibility for ordering gunfire against protesters in 2003 and commending the violence employed during Iran’s 2009 Green Movement demonstrations.

Then-President Hassan Rouhani referenced the 2003 incident during their confrontation in a 2017 presidential election debate.

“There was an argument that you were saying that the students should come then we can pincer attack to them and finish the job,” Rouhani stated at the time.

While serving as Tehran’s mayor from 2005 to 2017, Qalibaf encountered corruption charges, including concerns over approximately $3.5 million donated to a foundation operated by his wife.

Despite this, he leveraged his position to attend the World Economic Forum and even complimented New York City during a Financial Times interview, likely surprising fellow hardliners. Political rivals compared Qalibaf to Reza Pahlavi, an ambitious military leader who became shah in 1925 and aggressively pursued Persia’s westernization while renaming it Iran before transferring power to his son Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Qalibaf did not completely dismiss this comparison.

“If authoritarianism means when collective sense reaches a plan and decision, I’m very determined and firm in carrying it out,” Qalibaf explained to The Financial Times in 2008, positioning himself as an alternative to hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. “When the expediency of the society is in carrying a project, then I’m very firm and show little flexibility and don’t let that collective sense be marred or disarrayed.”

Despite unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2024, U.S. diplomatic sources indicated he maintained Mojtaba Khamenei’s backing, according to diplomatic communications released by WikiLeaks.

“Mojtaba reportedly has long maintained a very close relationship with Tehran Mayor and presidential hopeful Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf; Mojtaba was reportedly the ‘backbone’ of Qalibaf’s past and continuing election campaigns,” stated an August 2008 cable. “Mojtaba is said to help Qalibaf as an advisor, financier, and provider of senior-level political support. His support for and closeness to Qalibaf reportedly remains undiminished.”

With Khamenei now serving as Iran’s supreme leader, Qalibaf’s standing may receive substantial enhancement.

Following Trump’s decision to extend a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, media outlets reported Qalibaf as a potential Iranian liaison for the U.S. administration. Qalibaf has personally refuted claims of active negotiations.

“No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” he posted Monday on X.

Notably, unlike numerous Iranian government officials, Qalibaf’s name does not appear on any U.S. bounty list.

Whether Israeli forces consider Qalibaf a target remains unknown. In his role as parliament speaker, Qalibaf endorsed the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel, declaring it demonstrated the “Zionist regime will never have peace until the day it is annihilated.”

Trump also expressed concern Monday that revealing his unnamed negotiating partner could endanger potential discussions.

When asked about his reluctance to identify the Iranian negotiator, Trump responded to reporters: “Because I don’t want them to be killed, OK? I don’t want them to be killed.”

MOSCOW – Russian government officials acknowledged Tuesday they are reassessing plans to expand the country’s long-term financial reserves after oil prices surged due to conflicts involving Iran.

The confirmation came after Reuters reported Monday that Moscow would delay its strategy to strengthen fiscal reserves in response to the recent petroleum market volatility.

When questioned about the news report, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained the matter falls under government authority. “This is the prerogative of the government,” Peskov stated during a press briefing. “These issues are discussed at meetings on economic issues with the participation of the head of state. These issues are currently being worked out.”

According to sources familiar with the situation, the decision to postpone the reserve enhancement plan stems from the recent spike in oil prices connected to ongoing tensions with Iran.

Peskov indicated that economic policy discussions involving President Vladimir Putin are addressing these fiscal matters as the situation develops.

Recent military operations may have eliminated Iran’s remaining fleet of F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft, potentially bringing to a close an unusual chapter in aviation history that stretched across nearly five decades.

The fighter jets gained worldwide recognition through their starring role in the blockbuster film Top Gun. However, their real-world story involves a complex relationship between the United States and Iran that transformed dramatically over the years.

During the 1970s, the United States provided these advanced fighter aircraft to Iran when the two nations maintained friendly relations. The situation changed drastically as the countries later became adversaries, leaving Iran in possession of American-made military equipment.

Despite facing extensive U.S. sanctions that made obtaining replacement parts and maintenance support extremely difficult, Iran managed to keep these aging aircraft operational for many years through various means.

The U.S. military officially retired its own F-14 fleet in 2006, with the final launch taking place from the USS Theodore Roosevelt on July 28 of that year.

If confirmed, the destruction of Iran’s remaining F-14s would mark the end of an extraordinary period in which these American-designed aircraft continued flying in a nation that had become one of the United States’ primary opponents in the region.

JERUSALEM – Three high-ranking Israeli officials revealed Tuesday that President Donald Trump is actively pursuing diplomatic negotiations with Iran in hopes of bringing an end to Middle Eastern conflicts.

The officials, who requested anonymity, expressed skepticism that Iran would accept American conditions in any renewed diplomatic efforts. Previous negotiations collapsed on February 28 when the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran began.

Any American requirements would likely focus on restricting Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile development programs.

On Monday, Trump posted on social media that the United States and Iran had engaged in “very good and productive” discussions regarding a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.”

Iranian officials contradicted Trump’s statement, denying that any diplomatic talks had occurred.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented Monday that Trump sees potential in “leveraging the mighty achievements obtained by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and the U.S. military, in order to realize the goals of the war in a deal — a deal that will preserve our vital interests.”

LONDON, March 24 – European economic activity has slowed dramatically this month as ongoing Middle East conflicts have pushed business costs to their highest levels in more than three years while creating the most severe supply chain problems since mid-2022, according to new survey data released Tuesday.

The S&P Global flash euro zone Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped to 50.5 in March, down from February’s reading of 51.9. This represents the lowest level in 10 months and falls short of economists’ predictions of a smaller decline to 51.0.

The index has remained above the critical 50.0 threshold that indicates expansion rather than contraction for 15 consecutive months.

Economic momentum ground to a halt as new business orders declined for the first time in eight months, primarily due to weakness in service industries. While manufacturing orders continued growing, production output in that sector edged down to 51.7 from the prior month’s 51.9.

“The flash euro zone PMI is ringing stagflation alarm bells as the war in the Middle East drives prices sharply higher while stifling growth,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Business expenses increased at their steepest rate since February 2023, affecting both manufacturing and service companies with accelerating price pressures. The cost surge was particularly severe in manufacturing as energy prices climbed and supply networks became severely constrained due to the ongoing conflict.

Delivery delays from manufacturing suppliers extended significantly, reaching their worst levels since August 2022, primarily because of shipping interruptions related to the war.

Production levels kept rising in Germany, boosted by manufacturing output that expanded at its fastest pace in over four years, while France experienced another decline. Other eurozone nations showed only minimal activity increases, representing the weakest performance in 27 months.

Workforce levels dropped for the third month running, with job reductions concentrated in manufacturing where employment has fallen every month since June 2023. Service sector hiring increased slightly but at the smallest rate since September.

Business optimism crashed to nearly a year-low, with the monthly decline representing the steepest drop since Russia’s Ukraine invasion in early 2022. Companies maintained positive outlooks for the coming year but sentiment remained below historical averages.

“Output growth has meanwhile slowed to near-stagnation thanks to a slump in business confidence and deterioration of new orders,” Williamson added.

The survey findings suggest eurozone gross domestic product growth decelerated to a quarterly rate just under 0.1% in March, with forward-looking measures indicating increased recession risks in upcoming months.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — An international human rights organization reported Tuesday that armed rebels in eastern Congo imprisoned civilians, including two media workers, inside shipping containers lacking proper lighting and air circulation.

The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) documented how the M23 rebel group, which receives backing from Rwanda and controls territory in eastern Congo, converted the metal containers into temporary jail cells under what the group described as “inhumane” and “degrading” circumstances in Goma.

Through witness testimony, satellite photographs, and images gathered in 2025, RSF verified that no fewer than two journalists were among those confined in the containers, which had been positioned at the regional legislative assembly building in Goma. The organization protected witnesses’ names for safety concerns.

Up to 80 prisoners were crammed into single containers simultaneously, deprived of light and fresh air, with permission to exit only once daily. According to witness accounts, detainees received inadequate food portions, while some described regular physical abuse. The testimonies revealed extreme circumstances — sweltering heat during daytime hours and frigid temperatures at night — with fatalities occurring. Those who survived typically endured weeks of confinement before relocation to different facilities.

M23 representatives had not provided a response to Associated Press inquiries by publication time.

The rebel organization’s seizure of Goma in the previous year has deteriorated working conditions for media professionals in eastern Congo, where intimidation and violence against reporters were already common. Reporters Without Borders noted that M23 has strengthened its grip on news reporting, including dictating specific terminology for describing the group’s activities.

Eastern Congo’s resource-abundant territory has endured continuous violence for decades while government troops battle over 100 different armed factions, with the Rwanda-supported M23 being the most formidable. The organization launched an extraordinary offensive into the area in early 2024, capturing strategic urban centers while rapidly expanding territorial control.

The ongoing warfare, which continues despite peace negotiations facilitated by the United States and Qatar, has created a massive humanitarian emergency, forcing no fewer than 7 million individuals from their homes.

A Bangkok court delivered a significant victory for environmental justice Tuesday, determining that an Australian-owned mining company must pay damages to hundreds of Thai villagers who suffered health consequences from toxic pollution.

The legal battle began in 2016 when more than 300 residents of Phichit province filed Thailand’s first environmental class action lawsuit against Akara Resources, which operates the Chatree Gold Mine — the nation’s largest gold extraction facility owned by Australia-based Kingsgate Consolidated.

According to the Bangkok Civil Court’s decision, the mining company could not demonstrate that dangerous contamination found in the community was unconnected to their operations. Medical examinations revealed dangerous concentrations of heavy metals in residents’ blood, including arsenic, cyanide and manganese.

“The fight is also for our future generation,” plaintiff Thanyalak Boontham stated following the court proceedings. “I’d like them to be able to grow up in a good environment.” Her own medical tests showed toxin levels above safe thresholds.

The court ordered individual compensation payments between 50,000 baht ($1,535) and 200,000 baht ($6,143) per affected person, along with additional funds for medical expenses and emotional suffering.

Emilie Palamy Pradichit from the Bangkok-based Manushya Foundation, which supported the villagers throughout their legal challenge, emphasized the broader implications. The outcome could determine whether communities see the judicial system as “a pathway or a dead end,” she explained.

Legal experts believe this verdict establishes important groundwork for environmental accountability across Southeast Asia. Jameela Joy Reyes from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment described the decision as a “clarion call for many of the cases that are currently taking place” in nations like the Philippines and Indonesia.

Even when court precedents aren’t legally binding across borders, judges frequently reference similar cases from other countries, particularly in emerging legal areas such as climate litigation, Reyes noted.

The mining controversy involved multiple legal proceedings, several health studies, and a counter-lawsuit. Former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha eventually used emergency military government authority to halt the mine’s operations, prompting Kingsgate to sue the Thai government in 2017 for improper license cancellation. The parties resolved that dispute through a settlement agreement last year.

Cherdsak Utha-aroon, Akara Resources’ sustainability general manager who attended the hearing, told reporters the company acknowledges the court’s determination and will consult with legal counsel about potential next steps. He declined additional commentary.

Environmental law specialist Georgina Lloyd with the United Nations Environment Program noted that these “polluter pays” lawsuits, where communities pursue legal action against corporations for environmental harm, are becoming increasingly prevalent in climate-related litigation.

“Asia’s share of climate and environmental litigation is increasing,” Lloyd observed. “We continue to see this trend growing both in the volume of cases but also the geographical scope of jurisdictions.”

The Grantham Research Institute documented approximately 225 climate litigation cases filed in 2024, part of nearly 3,000 cases they monitor across 60 nations worldwide.

Climate-vulnerable regions like Southeast Asia, which have experienced devastating extreme weather causing billions in damages, are expected to see more such legal challenges, according to Reyes.

Two groundbreaking “polluter pays” cases in Southeast Asia are pioneering legal strategies to hold corporations responsible for “climate harms” resulting from their greenhouse gas emissions, Reyes explained.

Survivors of 2021’s Super Typhoon Odette filed suit against energy giant Shell in British courts last year, arguing that Shell’s emissions significantly contributed to climate change and therefore the storm’s devastating intensity.

Additionally, a Swiss court in 2025 permitted Indonesian fisherfolk from Pari Island to proceed with their case against cement manufacturer Holcim, claiming the company’s emissions contribute to flooding and rising sea levels that endanger their homes and livelihoods.

These cases, along with Thailand’s Chatree decision, represent a “very poignant call for discussions on climate justice,” Reyes stated.

Beyond monetary compensation, the legal expert emphasized that “the fact that the court made a proclamation of liability is a win in and of itself. That could be translated to other jurisdictions and be used as a cautionary tale for other companies moving forward.”

BRUSSELS – Belgian authorities have detained two juveniles following an arson attack in Antwerp that officials suspect was driven by antisemitic motives, according to a Belgian government representative who spoke with Reuters on Tuesday.

The arrests took place during overnight hours spanning Monday into Tuesday in connection with the fire-setting incident in the Belgian city.

BEIJING, March 24 – Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted an uncommon inspection of the massive Xiongan development project currently under construction outside Beijing, encouraging government officials to fully commit to completing a venture that has become closely associated with his political reputation.

Situated approximately 100 kilometers southwest of China’s capital in Hebei province, the Xiongan New Area holds designation as one of three special economic zones considered to have national importance, joining the established technology and finance centers of Shenzhen and Shanghai Pudong along the coast.

During his Monday inspection, Xi emphasized that “The Xiongan New Area should take reform and innovation as the driving force to promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation,” as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The Chinese leader aims to transfer government-owned companies, academic institutions, technology firms and banking organizations to Xiongan, which spans an area similar to Greater London, as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding and traffic problems in Beijing.

State media reports indicate that Sinochem and China Satellite Network Group are part of at least eight government-owned corporations relocating their main offices to Xiongan, with some already operational while others remain under construction.

Almost ten years after initial construction commenced in 2017, the central areas of Xiongan continue to have few residents, although planners expect basic development to finish by 2035.

Xi encouraged officials to “be bold in taking responsibility, throw themselves into the work of implementation, and strive to deliver satisfactory results to the Party and the people” during his inspection tour, according to Xinhua’s reporting.

While China’s senior leadership typically maintains distance from individual projects, Xi has personally attached his reputation to Xiongan as he has strengthened his role as the primary leader of both the Chinese Communist Party and the nation.

Government publications and state-controlled media describe the decision to construct the city as having enduring significance for the next thousand years, highlighting Xi’s direct involvement in planning, decision-making and advancing the development.

Xi initially toured the location in 2017, coinciding with his second term as Communist Party general secretary, then returned in 2019 following a constitutional change that enabled his third leadership term.

Monday’s tour included visits to the recently completed headquarters of state-owned China Huaneng Group power company and a local high school, marking Xi’s fourth inspection since his previous visit in May 2023.

Xi instructed officials to “promote the early implementation of innovative policies in fields including sci-tech and finance” within Xiongan, as China works toward achieving technological advances in critical areas.

A senior European Union official cautioned Tuesday that Vietnam’s decision to partner with Chinese technology companies for its 5G infrastructure could discourage international businesses from investing in the Southeast Asian country.

While European telecommunications giants Ericsson and Nokia are building Vietnam’s primary 5G network framework, Vietnamese government-owned operators have recently signed contracts with Chinese competitors Huawei and ZTE for additional 5G services.

This represents a significant departure from Vietnam’s historically cautious stance regarding Chinese partnerships, raising alarm among Western government representatives.

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela urged caution during an EU-Vietnam investment conference in Hanoi. “Be careful with dependencies in strategic areas,” Sikela advised when questioned about the Chinese telecommunications deals.

Speaking to Reuters at the investment forum, Sikela emphasized the strategic importance of network security. “5G is the new battlefield,” he explained. “Through the network you can access a lot and you can control a lot, and you have to be always careful who is your trusted vendor.”

The EU official warned that security concerns could impact future business relationships. “If investors have doubts about the security of their data, they might decide not to take the risk and not to invest,” he stated.

Neither Vietnam’s foreign ministry nor the Chinese embassy in Hanoi provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Vietnam serves as a crucial manufacturing center, hosting significant production facilities for major Western corporations, including European companies Adidas and Lego. The nation’s sustained economic growth over several decades relies heavily on international investment.

On Tuesday, the European Union and European nations unveiled a fresh investment package targeting Vietnam’s transportation and energy infrastructure.

Sikela acknowledged that potential investment risks from insecure networks remain hypothetical at this point, noting that various European nations previously permitted Chinese telecommunications vendors to operate within their borders.

Both Huawei and ZTE face prohibitions from telecommunications infrastructure in multiple European countries and the United States due to national security concerns.

The Chinese companies have denounced these limitations as unjust, dismissing security worries as without merit.

Vietnamese government representatives have defended Chinese telecommunications equipment as dependable and cost-effective while minimizing security concerns. Reuters previously reported that additional agreements with Chinese companies are currently being considered.

BERLIN – Germany’s president delivered stark remarks Tuesday comparing President Donald Trump’s second term to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a historic turning point that demands his country pursue greater independence from the United States.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier drew parallels between two pivotal dates during a foreign ministry gathering in Berlin, stating his belief that relationships cannot return to their previous state.

“Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations before January 20, 2025,” Steinmeier declared in his prepared speech.

The German leader argued his nation should apply strategies used to reduce “excessive dependencies” on Russia to its relationship with America, especially regarding defense and technological sectors.

While Steinmeier serves primarily in a ceremonial capacity as president, his position allows him to shape public discourse as the country’s official representative.

German officials have increasingly focused on developing alternatives to American-controlled technology amid growing worries about U.S. influence and access.

Steinmeier emphasized the broader implications of technological dominance, noting: “We know that this technological lead means not only foreign policy power, but also the power to influence our domestic politics through digital platforms and social media.”

He pointed to recent tensions between the Pentagon and artificial intelligence company Anthropic regarding safety protocols as potentially beneficial for European interests.

“Europe as a technology hub has talent, markets, opportunities and, importantly, ethical standards. We should build on these,” the German president concluded.

BEIJING – Chinese officials have filed a formal complaint with Japan following what they’re calling an illegal intrusion at their Tokyo embassy facility, according to statements released Tuesday by China’s foreign ministry.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning when someone identifying himself as a member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces climbed over the embassy’s perimeter wall and unlawfully entered the diplomatic compound, said ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a scheduled news briefing.

“The individual admitted that his actions were illegal and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the so-called name of God,” Lin stated, calling on Tokyo authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation into what happened.

Chinese officials have formally registered their strong objections with Japanese authorities over what they characterized as a serious security breach at the diplomatic facility.

International investors are fleeing Asian stock markets at an unprecedented pace this March, pulling out more than $50 billion as Middle East tensions threaten global oil supplies and spark economic concerns.

The massive withdrawal of funds represents the largest monthly exodus from the region since at least 2008, according to data from LSEG covering major exchanges across South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The selling spree has been triggered by escalating tensions from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has raised alarm about potential disruptions to Middle Eastern energy exports and the possibility of an oil price shock leading to stagflation.

“Outflows from EM Asia markets were driven by the broad-based risk-off sentiment due to the Middle East conflicts, as most of EM Asia economies are net importers of energy products,” explained Jason Lui, who heads APAC equity and derivative strategy at BNP Paribas.

Energy markets have already felt the impact, with Brent crude oil prices skyrocketing as much as 65% during March to reach $119.50 per barrel.

The situation has been made worse by climbing global interest rates and changing expectations about monetary policy, according to Abdelaziz Albogdady, a market research and fintech strategy manager at brokerage FXEM. He noted that the outflows were amplified by rising yields and reassessment of rate expectations, alongside concerns about economic effects on countries that import oil.

Central bank officials from major economies have signaled that interest rates will likely stay put or increase further if the Middle East crisis continues to drive up prices.

Taiwan has been hit hardest, experiencing approximately $25.28 billion in outflows so far this month – the largest drain in at least 18 years. South Korea and India have also seen significant foreign selling, with about $13.5 billion and $10.17 billion in net sales respectively.

“Outflows in Taiwan and South Korea were mostly focused on AI/technology stocks given they have accumulated sizable gains during the AI boom,” Lui noted.

Despite the broader selloff, analysts at Nomura pointed out in a Monday research note that technology hardware companies in Korea and China continue to show promise, experiencing minimal direct effects from the Middle East crisis or higher energy costs.

Other regional markets have also seen money flowing out, with Thailand recording $1.35 billion in net outflows, the Philippines losing $182 million, and Vietnam seeing $21 million in departures. Indonesia bucked the trend, attracting $59 million in net inflows during the same timeframe.

Looking ahead, Lui warned that emerging Asian markets will likely continue experiencing volatility as conflicting news reports and heightened geopolitical tensions persist.

“Unlike the Liberation Day scenario during which the U.S. can unilaterally decide on the tariff threshold, the current energy shock may take longer to normalize given the disruption to the production facilities in the Middle East,” he said.

Credit rating agency S&P Global is cautioning that Hungary’s next government will face tough financial decisions following the country’s April 12 parliamentary election, requiring cuts to social programs to stabilize public finances amid global economic pressures.

The European nation’s budget shortfall has already hit nearly 40% of its yearly projection within the initial two months of this year, as longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban has increased government spending before facing voters. The veteran politician confronts his most serious electoral challenge in his 16-year tenure.

According to S&P Global, failure to rebalance the country’s medium-term financial outlook following the elections, combined with mounting external economic pressures, could result in a credit rating downgrade.

“We would anticipate that the incoming government after the 2026 election (regardless of the government composition) will need to engage in consolidation efforts to rein in the trajectory of social spending,” S&P told Reuters in an emailed reply to queries.

Prime Minister Orban has maintained that no austerity measures will be necessary after the election to address the budget gap, which has surpassed government projections in recent years and is projected at approximately 5% of economic output.

His center-right challenger Peter Magyar is counting on rapidly accessing billions of euros in European Union funding, implementing anti-corruption measures, and introducing a wealth tax to strengthen government finances.

S&P noted that recent worldwide economic difficulties are putting downward pressure on its 2.5% growth projection following three years of economic stagnation. Goldman Sachs reduced its Hungarian growth forecast to 1.6% from 1.9% on Monday, citing the global energy price surge.

“Our current negative outlook to Hungary’s ‘BBB-‘ rating reflects the potential risk that its fiscal performance could prove materially weaker than our forecasts,” S&P said.

The rating agency indicated that the energy price crisis could increase both inflation and government costs for Hungary due to the economy’s heavy reliance on energy. S&P does not anticipate Hungary will receive funding from the EU’s pandemic recovery program because of timing limitations.

Fitch Ratings stated earlier this month that addressing sluggish economic growth and the decline in public finances and policy credibility would be the primary obstacles for Hungary’s incoming government following greater-than-expected fiscal stimulus before the election.

BAGHDAD – A deadly rocket assault targeted a Kurdish military facility north of Erbil on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of six Peshmerga soldiers and injuries to 22 others, according to military and security officials in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The attack struck the base in the northern region of Iraq’s Kurdistan territory, though authorities have not yet determined who was responsible for the deadly strike, sources confirmed.

The incident represents another violent episode in the ongoing instability affecting Iraq’s Kurdish region, where Peshmerga forces serve as the primary military defenders of the autonomous territory.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Citizens across Denmark headed to voting stations Tuesday for a national election, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen campaigns for a third consecutive term leading the Nordic nation following tensions with President Donald Trump regarding Greenland’s future status.

Over 4.3 million eligible voters participated in selecting members of the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament based in Copenhagen, which serves four-year terms.

The prime minister announced the election last month, moving up the timeline by several months in what appears to be a strategic decision to capitalize on her firm stance during the Greenland dispute with the United States, hoping this would resonate with voters in the EU and NATO member nation.

During her current tenure, Frederiksen’s popularity had declined amid rising living costs — an issue that has dominated campaign discussions alongside retirement benefits and potential wealth taxation.

The 48-year-old Social Democratic leader has built a reputation for backing Ukraine against Russian aggression while maintaining strict immigration policies — a stance that reflects Denmark’s political direction over the past twenty years.

Responding to right-wing pressure and citing concerns about potential migration increases due to Middle Eastern conflicts, Frederiksen recently proposed measures including an “emergency brake” mechanism for asylum requests and enhanced oversight of undocumented criminals. Her administration had previously announced plans allowing deportation of foreign nationals sentenced to one year or more for serious offenses.

Two center-right candidates are vying to replace Frederiksen as prime minister. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen from the Liberal (Venstre) party, currently serving in her government, represents one challenge from a party that has led multiple recent governments.

The second challenger is Alex Vanopslagh, age 34, from the opposition Liberal Alliance, advocating for reduced taxes, streamlined bureaucracy, and ending Denmark’s opposition to nuclear energy. However, Vanopslagh’s recent acknowledgment of past cocaine use during his party leadership may have damaged his electoral prospects.

On the far right, the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party appears positioned for a strong comeback after performing poorly in the 2022 elections.

Analysts expect no party to secure a clear majority. Denmark’s proportional representation framework typically creates coalition governments formed by multiple parties from either the left-leaning “red bloc” or right-wing “blue bloc” following extensive negotiations.

Frederiksen’s departing three-party coalition marked the first cross-partisan government in decades. Whether this election produces similar results remains uncertain, with the centrist Moderate party led by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen potentially holding decisive influence.

Despite consuming significant government attention recently, Greenland has not featured prominently in campaign messaging due to widespread consensus on its relationship with Denmark.

Frederiksen stated in January that American control of Greenland would effectively destroy NATO. However, the diplomatic crisis has cooled considerably.

Following Trump’s retreat from tariff threats against Denmark and other European nations opposing U.S. control of the Arctic territory, America, Denmark, and Greenland began technical discussions regarding an Arctic security agreement.

Denmark’s unicameral parliament contains 179 seats, with 175 allocated to mainland Danish representatives and two each for delegates from sparsely populated Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the kingdom’s other semi-autonomous territory.

A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake rocked the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Tuesday, prompting emergency alerts in the capital city, the United States Geological Survey reported.

Emergency sirens blared throughout Nuku’alofa as residents responded to the seismic event, though officials confirmed no immediate damage or injuries occurred. Video from the Tonga Broadcasting Commission captured residents gathering on rooftops in the capital while warning sirens echoed across the city.

Local emergency officials with the Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office initially activated tsunami protocols, directing residents in coastal zones to evacuate to elevated areas and move away from shorelines.

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly clarified that “there is no tsunami threat because the earthquake is located too deep inside the earth.”

According to USGS data, the seismic event occurred at an extraordinary depth of approximately 238 kilometers (148 miles) below the surface, with its center located roughly 150 kilometers from Neiafu.

The island nation frequently experiences significant geological activity due to its position along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a region known worldwide for intense seismic and volcanic phenomena that regularly produces earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Ukrainian authorities reported Tuesday that overnight Russian aerial assaults claimed the lives of three civilians and wounded 16 others across multiple regions of the country.

The strikes occurred just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a warning about an anticipated large-scale Russian offensive, based on intelligence reports his government had received.

In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, regional officials confirmed one fatality and five wounded from the combined drone and missile bombardment that targeted the area.

“Russia launched a massive combined strike on Zaporizhzhia using drones and missiles,” stated Governor Ivan Fedorov through the Telegram messaging platform.

Fedorov detailed extensive property damage throughout Zaporizhzhia, including harm to six apartment complexes, two residential homes, a retail establishment, various non-residential structures, and an industrial facility. The governor shared images on social media showing emergency crews battling blazes in a tall residential building and another structure completely consumed by flames.

The eastern Poltava region suffered two deaths and 11 injuries from the assault, according to local leadership. Officials there reported damage to residential properties and a hotel from the strikes.

A proposed $11.6 billion military satellite network that Germany wants to develop independently is creating tension within the European Union, with lawmakers expressing concerns about divided efforts and wasted resources.

The German initiative would operate alongside the EU’s own $12.3 billion IRIS² satellite system, which serves as a cornerstone of the bloc’s strategy to achieve greater defense independence.

EU representatives speaking to Reuters warned that Germany’s separate project could damage efforts to strengthen shared defense capabilities, particularly as Europe adjusts to reduced American military support under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the European Parliament’s security and defense committee, expressed worry about the potential consequences.

“If Germany now builds a purely national architecture that is not integrated into IRIS², there is a risk of weakening European structures,” Strack-Zimmermann stated.

The German proposal calls for launching 100 satellites in low-Earth orbit dedicated solely to military communications. This contrasts with the broader EU initiative, which plans to deploy 290 satellites by 2029 to create a comprehensive space-based communication network.

Defense experts note that Germany’s satellite constellation would use technology similar to Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starshield platform, which has proven crucial for Ukraine’s military communications during the ongoing conflict.

While both the German and EU systems would match Starshield’s capabilities, IRIS² – which will handle both military and commercial communications – would still be significantly smaller than Starlink’s approximately 10,000 satellites.

A German government representative said Berlin continues to track the IRIS² development, noting it “has the potential, where appropriate, to complement national initiatives in fulfilling sovereign tasks.”

The spokesperson explained that Germany’s proposed network would meet specific military needs with capability requirements and performance standards that were “entirely different” from IRIS².

The disagreement highlights ongoing challenges within the 27-nation EU as it tries to balance individual country priorities with collective goals while managing costs and maintaining strategic unity.

Strack-Zimmermann warned that running parallel systems could create “duplicate structures, fragmented standards, and ultimately less strategic impact for more money,” particularly given growing security concerns from the Ukraine war.

“The decisive point is compatibility, connectivity and European integration,” she emphasized, stressing that individual nation projects must work within EU frameworks.

Italy is also exploring its own low-Earth orbit satellite network for both military and civilian purposes, though this project remains in early planning stages and trails behind Germany’s more advanced proposal.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier declined to comment on individual member state investments, calling them national decisions.

“By investing in IRIS², member states can be part of a common European effort that benefits from shared resources and expertise. This helps develop advanced satellite communication technologies more efficiently and at a larger scale,” Regnier explained.

Financial concerns are also mounting among lawmakers in both Germany and the EU.

“The (German) taxpayer will ultimately pay the bill,” said Jeanne Dillschneider, a Green Party member on the Bundestag’s defense committee.

Christophe Grudler, a European Parliament member from the Renew Europe party who focuses on defense and space issues, cautioned against wasteful spending.

“Fragmentation is rarely the most efficient use of public resources,” Grudler noted, adding that “a smaller, isolated constellation would come with limitations in coverage and scalability.”

However, Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party backed Berlin’s independent approach.

“Given the capabilities of potential adversaries to disrupt or even destroy satellites, redundancy – in military terms, reserves – is not a waste of money but a requirement of responsible national security policy,” stated AfD defense policy spokesperson Ruediger Lucassen.

OHB CEO Marco Fuchs argued that IRIS², which depends on public-private partnerships, doesn’t provide the specialized focus needed for military operations.

“If there is a genuine military requirement, you cannot simply say: ‘I’ll rent it from private companies and wait to see how the conditions turn out,’” Fuchs commented following his company’s earnings report last week.

While Airbus expressed interest in receiving a proposal request from Berlin, a company spokesperson refused to address duplication concerns.

Despite IRIS² supporters arguing it will decrease EU reliance on foreign providers and ensure compatibility across member nations’ military systems, analysts point out that full operation won’t begin until the 2030s.

“Europe must accelerate,” Grudler urged, though he noted that national systems were unlikely to fill the gap any faster.

Global financial markets faced fresh turbulence Tuesday as a short-lived rally quickly evaporated following escalating Middle East tensions, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to delay threatened military action against Iran’s electrical grid.

The temporary market boost from Trump’s postponement of bombing threats lasted less than 24 hours before investor confidence crumbled again. Oil prices shot back above $100 per barrel for Brent crude as geopolitical fears resurged.

Tehran rejected claims that diplomatic talks were underway with Washington, while ongoing energy supply disruptions continued to rattle global markets. Asian stock indices managed modest gains in overnight trading, but both U.S. and European market futures declined amid volatile conditions.

The U.S. dollar recovered previous losses while Treasury bond yields continued their upward trajectory. Despite Trump extending his weekend deadline by five days for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, tensions remain elevated with no clear resolution in sight for the Middle Eastern conflict.

Israeli military officials reported that Iran fired multiple missile barrages at Israel, activating air raid warnings across several regions including Tel Aviv, where residents heard explosions from defensive interceptor systems.

The ongoing energy crisis has forced nations worldwide to implement emergency measures for fuel procurement and consumption reduction. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced Tuesday via social media that the country will begin tapping into joint oil reserves held by producer nations before the end of March.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung launched a national energy conservation initiative, directing government agencies to reduce their fleet vehicle usage significantly.

In energy trading developments, Iranian crude oil is being marketed to Indian refineries at prices above ICE Brent rates, following Washington’s temporary sanctions relief aimed at addressing the supply shortage, according to three industry insiders.

Economic data from Japan revealed that core inflation dropped below the central bank’s 2% benchmark in February, marking the first such decline in nearly four years. This development complicates the Bank of Japan’s messaging strategy as officials work to increase historically low interest rates.

Upcoming market indicators include preliminary purchasing managers’ index data for the eurozone, United Kingdom, and United States, all scheduled for release Tuesday.

Tuesday’s key market events include UK, eurozone, and U.S. preliminary PMI reports for March, speeches by European Central Bank officials Pedro Machado, Piero Cipollone, and Philip Lane at various venues, and remarks from Federal Reserve official Barr.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — While President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that America is negotiating with Iran to halt current military operations, Iranian forces simultaneously launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and several Gulf Arab nations.

Trump also extended his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, postponing threatened airstrikes against Iranian power facilities. This extension temporarily lowered oil prices and lifted stock markets.

The postponement provided temporary relief following weekend exchanges of threats between Washington and Tehran that could have left millions without electricity across Iran and Gulf regions, potentially destroying water desalination facilities critical to desert countries and raising concerns about nuclear facility strikes.

However, Iran disputes Trump’s characterization of ongoing negotiations, flatly rejecting claims that discussions are underway.

“No negotiations have been held with the US,” Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X, adding that “fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel would maintain its military operations against Iran and Lebanon despite U.S. ceasefire considerations.

“There’s more to come,” he said.

Early Tuesday, Iran launched three separate missile waves toward Israel, with the Israeli Home Front Command confirming impacts in northern regions.

Israeli forces simultaneously bombarded southern Beirut neighborhoods, claiming they were destroying facilities operated by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant organization.

The attacks affected multiple Gulf nations. In Kuwait, air defense debris damaged electrical infrastructure, creating power outages lasting several hours. Bahrain activated missile warning systems, while Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 19 Iranian drones aimed at its oil-producing Eastern Province.

Oil markets initially dropped below $100 per barrel following Trump’s negotiation claims. However, this decline proved temporary, with Brent crude prices returning to $104 per barrel during morning trading, representing a 40% increase since the conflict began February 28.

Trump originally established a Monday evening deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face power plant attacks, but extended this timeframe by five additional days.

Iran has permitted limited vessel passage through the strait connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters, while maintaining its policy of targeting ships associated with the United States, Israel, or their allies.

Iranian leadership remains suspicious of Washington’s intentions, partly because Tehran was engaged in negotiations with America before the surprise offensive that initiated current hostilities. Iran was also conducting talks last year when U.S. and Israeli forces struck its nuclear installations, triggering a 12-day conflict.

Trump’s deadline extension coincides with thousands of Marines heading toward the region, sparking speculation about potential American efforts to capture Kharg Island, located off Iran’s coastline and essential to its petroleum operations.

American forces bombed this Persian Gulf island over a week ago, targeting defensive systems while reportedly preserving oil infrastructure.

Iran has warned it might deploy mines throughout the Persian Gulf if U.S. ground forces appear imminent, which would complicate amphibious operations and endanger all regional shipping.

The postponement might align with Marine arrival schedules, expected Friday, according to analysis from the New York-based Soufan Center think tank.

“As Trump has in the past, he could be moving military assets into place, in this case to prepare for an invasion and seizure of Kharg Island, while using negotiations as a cover until those assets are fully combat-ready.”

The center also observed that “Trump could be actively seeking an offramp. Whether Iran reciprocates is yet to be seen.”

While Trump has stated no intentions to deploy ground troops inside Iran, he hasn’t eliminated this possibility. Israel has indicated its ground forces might participate in the conflict.

Iran’s Health Ministry reports casualties exceeding 1,500 deaths. Israeli losses include 15 fatalities from Iranian attacks. At least 13 American military personnel have died, along with more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states.

Optimism emerged Monday that the ongoing Iran conflict might begin to de-escalate after President Donald Trump announced his administration was engaged in meaningful discussions with Tehran, though Iran has rejected claims that any negotiations are occurring and violence persists across the region.

Trump postponed his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, announcing the United States would delay attacks on Iranian power facilities for an additional five days to give American diplomats time to meet with what he called a “respected” Iranian official.

Tehran officials responded by stating the American president had retreated “following Iran’s firm warning.”

Financial markets experienced significant relief Monday as oil prices stabilized after dramatic declines before Trump’s statement. Trading has been extremely volatile since the conflict started due to questions about its duration.

Casualties have climbed to over 1,500 deaths in Iran, more than 1,000 in Lebanon, 15 Israeli fatalities and 13 American service members killed, along with numerous civilian deaths throughout the Gulf area. Displacement has affected millions across Lebanon and Iran.

Recent developments include:

Israeli forces conducted an early Tuesday morning attack on a residential building in Bchamoun, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Beirut, resulting in at least two deaths according to preliminary figures from Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

The ministry reported five additional injuries from the strike.

The attack occurred without advance notice and targeted an area beyond Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Israeli military forces had previously issued evacuation warnings.

Video footage shared online depicted at least one apartment unit completely consumed by flames.

During the same early Tuesday timeframe, Israeli forces targeted multiple locations in southern Lebanon, including an Amana company fuel station in Rashidieh near the coastal city of Tyre, creating a massive fireball visible from a distance.

No immediate casualty reports were available from these strikes.

Israeli forces have consistently targeted Amana fuel facilities since the Hezbollah conflict resumed on March 2, claiming these locations serve as part of the organization’s “economic infrastructure” supporting military operations.

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) — Three months have passed since a ceasefire halted intense military confrontations between Cambodia and Thailand, yet evidence of warfare remains deeply etched into this ancient temple perched on a 1,722-foot cliff in the Dangrek Mountains.

The millennium-old sacred site has become a casualty of the decades-long territorial dispute between these Southeast Asian nations, placing the historic structure at serious risk.

Constructed by the Khmer Empire that also built the famous Angkor Wat temple complex 100 miles to the southwest, Preah Vihear earned UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2008 and represents a treasured cultural monument for Cambodians.

Following two major periods of warfare last year, significant portions of the structure have been compromised, with Cambodian authorities warning that certain sections could potentially crumble.

The location where visitors previously marveled at intricate stone carvings and breathtaking views across Cambodia’s lowlands now features scattered rubble, bomb craters, and charred remains of burned plants.

“The temple has turned quiet, and its beauty looks so sorrowful because of the tragedy,” Hem Sinath, archeologist and deputy director-general of the National Authority for Preah Vihear, told Associated Press journalists visiting earlier this month.

Tourist access has been suspended due to unstable walls and concerns about unexploded weapons remaining in the area. Barriers and warning signs mark potential landmine locations, a familiar danger for Cambodians following civil conflicts that concluded in the late 1990s. Conservation workers, maintenance crews, and military personnel continue operating at the site, where Thai forces remain visible across the border.

Cambodia’s Culture Ministry reported in January that all five prominent gateway structures sustained damage, with three nearly destroyed completely. An ancient northern stairway that had been restored through American-funded conservation efforts took repeated hits from bombardment.

Last week’s ministry statement documented temple damage at 142 locations during July fighting, plus 420 additional sites damaged during more intense December combat.

“Experts have predicted that during the upcoming rainy season, some structures on the verge of collapsing could finally fall,” Hem Sinath said.

Independent damage assessments from outside organizations remain unavailable.

Information Minister Neth Pheaktra blamed Thai military forces for using inaccurate intelligence to justify border incursions and intentionally harming the temple.

“Preah Vihear temple belongs to all humankind. It is not an enemy of Thailand,” he wrote.

International regulations prohibit attacks against significant historical landmarks like this temple, though Thailand contends that Cambodia turned the site into a military installation by placing weapons, storing munitions, and operating surveillance equipment there, eliminating its wartime protections. Thai forces targeted a tall construction crane at the location, claiming it functioned as military communications equipment.

Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree has maintained that Thai military units aimed exclusively at military objectives.

Cambodia rejects claims that its armed forces operated from the temple, with the Culture Ministry stating the site remains under civilian administration and that security personnel were present solely to safeguard the cultural landmark.

Both countries point fingers at each other for initiating the conflicts that erupted in July and December. Cambodia reports that over 640,000 residents fled border areas during the fighting, with nearly 37,000 still unable to return home.

The temple, called Phra Viharn by Thai people, has remained central to border disagreements since the 1950s. The International Court of Justice determined in 1962 that the temple and surrounding two-square-mile area belonged to Cambodia, reconfirming this decision in 2013.

For many years, the site attracted tourists from both countries, with numerous international visitors entering through Thailand before border closures.

UNESCO’s 2008 recognition of the temple as a Cambodian heritage site intensified Thai resentment, while rising nationalism fueled by domestic Thai politics led to periodic armed confrontations at the temple in 2008 and 2011.

Rebuilding the temple presents enormous challenges. Hem Sinath worries that weakened structures might collapse during monsoon season, which typically starts in late May or early June and lasts through October.

India, China, and the United States have participated in earlier restoration work, but funding has been suspended since fighting began.

Hem Sinath explained that urgent new projects needed to prevent further deterioration face obstacles due to safety and security concerns while the ceasefire remains unstable.

“We have a plan; we want to do a repair — the sooner the better, but as you see, it depends on the situation along the border,” he said.

SYDNEY, March 24 – European Union officials and Australia completed negotiations Tuesday on a comprehensive free trade agreement, marking Europe’s push to broaden its export destinations and strengthen economic relationships outside its usual trading sphere.

The newly finalized deal includes several key provisions across multiple industries:

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Import duties will be eliminated immediately for major European exports including wine and sparkling wine varieties, select fruits and vegetables along with their processed forms and juices, chocolate products, sugar, candy, ice cream and numerous processed farm goods.

European cheese imports will see tariff elimination phased in over three years.

Europe will reciprocate by removing import duties on most Australian farm products including wine, nuts, fruits and vegetables, honey, olive oil, the majority of dairy items, wheat, barley and seafood.

Australian beef, lamb, sugar, rice, wheat gluten, skimmed milk powder and natural butter will receive either new quota volumes or expanded existing quota arrangements for reduced-tariff access.

EUROPEAN PRODUCT PROTECTIONS

The agreement provides full protection for certain EU ‘geographical indications’ – special names for products like Pecorino Romano or Ouzo – following brief transition periods.

For other products including feta or gruyere, Australian producers who have continuously used these terms for at least five years may continue using them provided they clearly label the product’s actual origin.

Australian Prosecco wine producers may continue domestic sales but must halt exports after a 10-year period.

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

Australia will completely open market access for all European passenger vehicles and most other automobiles, with only select truck categories facing gradual duty removal over a brief timeframe.

The luxury car tax threshold for European electric vehicles will increase to A$120,000 ($83,600) in Australia. This change will exempt roughly 75% of EU electric vehicles from luxury car taxation.

STRATEGIC MINERALS

Europe will eliminate tariffs on Australian critical mineral and hydrogen imports. Australia will open investment opportunities in these sectors to European companies.

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

The agreement facilitates European companies’ service sales in Australia, particularly in professional and business services, maritime shipping, and financial services. Both nations will reduce discriminatory practices and expand opportunities for service providers and investors.

INVESTMENT PROVISIONS

European investors will receive the most favorable treatment given to any foreign investor in Australia, with most receiving treatment equivalent to domestic Australian investors. Companies from both regions will be able to establish and operate businesses freely in each other’s territories.

President Donald Trump announced Monday that diplomatic communications are taking place with Iranian officials, while giving the Islamic Republic an additional five days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before potential military action against its energy infrastructure.

The President’s shift toward diplomacy, coming during the fourth week of the ongoing conflict, helped lower oil prices and boost stock markets. This development provides temporary relief following a weekend of escalating threats between Washington and Tehran that could have left millions without power across Iran and Gulf nations, while potentially damaging critical water desalination facilities.

During a press briefing, Trump indicated Iran desires “to make a deal,” revealing that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted discussions Sunday with an Iranian official. While Trump declined to identify the Iranian representative, he clarified that no communication occurred with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iranian officials quickly disputed these claims. “No negotiations have been held with the US,” posted Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on X, stating that “fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets.”

According to Trump, any potential agreement would require Iran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile, which remains central to its controversial nuclear program. Tehran has historically rejected such conditions, maintaining its sovereign right to uranium enrichment for civilian applications.

Princeton University professor Robert Goldston, who specializes in arms control and fusion energy research, noted that Iran has completed approximately 99% of the centrifuge operations needed to create weapons-grade uranium sufficient for nine nuclear devices. International Atomic Energy Agency data from June 2025 shows Iran possessing 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of highly enriched uranium.

Regional powers Turkey and Egypt have initiated contact with both sides, marking the first coordinated mediation attempt by major Middle Eastern nations.

The conflict, initiated by the United States and Israel, has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths, destabilized global markets, driven up energy costs, and threatened major international aviation routes.

Trump’s weekend ultimatum threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power facilities unless the country ended its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This waterway previously handled one-fifth of global oil trade before the war began. The original deadline was set to expire late Monday evening in Washington.

The President stated the five-day extension depends on “the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

Speaking later during a Tennessee appearance, Trump revealed his administration has been in negotiations “for a long time” with Iran.

“They want peace,” Trump declared. “They’ve agreed they will not have a nuclear weapon, you know, etc., etc. but we’ll see.” He expressed confidence about a “very good chance” for an agreement this week, attributing progress to his threats against Iranian energy infrastructure.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged awareness of U.S.-Iran discussions.

“We, the U.K., were aware that was happening,” Starmer confirmed Monday without providing specifics.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly spoke with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan by telephone. Turkey has previously served as a mediator in Tehran-Washington communications.

While Turkey’s Foreign Ministry declined Monday comments about message relay activities, Turkish officials confirmed Sunday that Fidan had contacted counterparts from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, and the European Union, plus U.S. officials, seeking conflict resolution.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi announced Cairo delivered “clear messages” to Iran emphasizing conflict de-escalation, according to his office. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reported “constant efforts and communications” with all involved parties.

An Egyptian official, speaking anonymously due to authorization restrictions, confirmed that the U.S. and Iran exchanged communications through Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan over the weekend to prevent energy infrastructure attacks.

A Gulf diplomat, also speaking anonymously, indicated Egypt and Turkey are spearheading de-escalation initiatives.

“For now, it appears they managed to avert an energy catastrophe” that would follow Trump’s attacks on Iranian facilities and Iran’s retaliation, the diplomat noted.

Following Trump’s diplomatic pivot, Iran’s semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies characterized the American president as retreating from confrontation.

“Since the start of the war, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, but Iran’s clear response has been that it will continue its defense until the required level of deterrence is achieved,” Tasnim reported. “With this kind of psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to prewar conditions nor will calm return to energy markets.”

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had vowed retaliation if Trump executed his threats, promising strikes on power facilities serving American bases, “as well as the economic, industrial and energy infrastructures in which Americans have shares.”

Parliament speaker Qalibaf previously stated Iran would target vital regional infrastructure, including desalination plants essential for Gulf nations’ drinking water supplies.

The Revolutionary Guard-affiliated Fars news agency published a target list including the United Arab Emirates’ nuclear facility. Over the weekend, Iran fired missiles at Israel’s Dimona city, near a facility linked to its suspected nuclear weapons program, though no damage occurred.

As the U.S. deploys additional amphibious assault vessels and Marines to the Middle East, Iran’s Defense Council warned against ground operations, stating they would “lead to the mining of all access routes.”

While Trump has denied plans for ground troop deployment in Iran, he hasn’t completely ruled out the option. Israel has suggested possible ground force participation in the conflict.

Israel conducted fresh strikes Monday on Tehran, targeting infrastructure according to Israeli statements. Multiple explosions were reported across various locations, though immediate damage assessments were unavailable.

Israel continues battling Iran-affiliated Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, who have launched hundreds of rockets into Israeli territory. Recent Israeli operations have struck Beirut apartment complexes and destroyed bridges crossing southern Lebanon’s Litani River.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the bridge targeting as “a prelude to a ground invasion.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued strikes against Iran and Lebanon despite U.S. ceasefire considerations.

“There’s more to come,” Netanyahu declared.

Officials report Israeli attacks have killed over 1,000 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million residents.

Iran’s Health Ministry reports domestic casualties exceeding 1,500, while Iranian strikes have killed 15 people in Israel. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, along with more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab nations.

The US dollar experienced significant declines against major world currencies Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone planned military strikes on Iran’s electrical infrastructure, easing concerns about extended conflict in the Middle East region.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the United States and Iran have had “very good and productive” discussions regarding a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.” Iranian officials, however, have disputed these claims, denying any direct diplomatic engagement.

These conflicting statements have left financial markets uncertain, despite an initial surge following Trump’s announcement of a five-day delay in the planned bombing. Market participants remain concerned about ongoing disruptions to approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz due to regional tensions.

The British pound retreated 0.5% to $1.33925 after Monday’s nearly 1% gain, while the euro declined 0.2% to $1.1593 following a 0.4% increase in the prior session.

The dollar index, tracking the US currency against multiple trading partners, climbed nearly 0.2% to 99.35 after reaching close to a two-week low Monday.

“The news overnight is giving a breather to volatility at least, but it’s difficult to see that this is going to trigger a risk-on trend,” said Rodrigo Catril, a currency strategist at National Australia Bank.

Catril noted that Trump’s previous policy decisions have made traders cautious, with uncertainty about whether this represents genuine diplomatic progress or merely stepping back from market-disrupting threats.

The Australian dollar dropped 0.2% to $0.6993 during early trading, retreating from a six-week peak. New Zealand’s currency fell 0.23% to $0.5845.

Crude oil prices moved higher after Monday’s dramatic 10% plunge, with Brent crude futures climbing back above $100.94 per barrel as supply concerns continue affecting market sentiment.

“The key question is whether participants see this as a genuine extension that brings a deal closer, or simply a delay that prolongs uncertainty,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.

“The U.S. dollar has seen selling on the back of the move lower in crude and the broader repositioning in risk. However, there is little conviction in the move, and conditions remain ripe for sharp reversals.”

The Japanese yen held steady at 158.61 against the dollar after Japan reported core consumer inflation of 1.6% in February. This figure fell short of the Bank of Japan’s 2% inflation target for the first time in nearly four years, creating challenges for the central bank’s interest rate policy decisions.

BANGKOK (AP) — Nations throughout Asia are reverting to coal-fired power generation as military conflict in Iran threatens the flow of oil and natural gas shipments through vital maritime corridors.

Asian nations face particular vulnerability due to their dependence on imported energy resources, with significant volumes transported through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical passage handling approximately one-fifth of worldwide oil and natural gas commerce.

Liquefied natural gas represents natural gas that has been cooled to liquid state for simplified storage and transportation. Energy officials have championed LNG as a transitional fuel during the move away from oil and coal toward cleaner power sources. American officials have worked to expand LNG exports throughout Asian markets. While LNG burns more cleanly than coal, it continues to release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, particularly methane.

The ongoing conflict has prompted nations to return to coal power to compensate for LNG supply gaps. India is increasing coal consumption to satisfy elevated summer electricity demands. South Korea has removed restrictions on coal-generated electricity. Indonesia is emphasizing the use of its domestic coal reserves. Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are expanding their coal-powered electricity generation.

Increased coal consumption threatens to intensify smog conditions in metropolitan areas, delay the transition toward renewable energy sources and boost the region’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy specialists indicate that coal serves as a temporary solution, while renewable energy represents the permanent answer. Ongoing dependence on coal leaves Asia vulnerable to future supply disruptions, according to Julia Skorupska from the international Powering Past Coal Alliance.

“This kind of crisis is a real sort of warning,” she said.

Coal remains central to Asia’s emergency energy strategies. The fuel’s widespread availability throughout Asia positions it as the standard backup option when renewable sources or natural gas prove insufficient, explained Sandeep Pai, an energy specialist at Duke University.

China, leading both coal consumption and production globally, has constructed unprecedented coal power generation facilities since 2021 to strengthen its energy independence. National policy continues to support coal utilization, despite the country’s extensive clean energy infrastructure providing some alternatives.

India, ranking second in coal consumption and production worldwide, is preparing for an intense summer season and will increase coal dependency to satisfy peak electricity demand of 270 gigawatts — almost double Spain’s total electricity generation capacity. The country maintains approximately three months’ worth of coal reserves, with certain stockpiles designated for small enterprises.

Two recent Indian liquefied petroleum gas shipments exceeding 92,700 tons successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz. These imports will probably supply industries like fertilizer manufacturing rather than electricity production, Pai noted.

Coal supporters including Michelle Manook from FutureCoal argue the supply shortage would be more severe without coal availability and future utilization should be calculated. “The lesson has to be diversity,” she said.

Pauline Heinrichs, who researches climate and energy issues at King’s College London, highlights China’s increased coal usage to compensate for hydroelectric power shortages caused by drought conditions, worsening emissions that fuel climate change.

“You learn to respond to shocks generated by certain insecurities by reproducing the insecurity,” she said.

Compounding the challenge for import-dependent nations, Indonesia, the world’s top exporter, is prioritizing domestic consumption over international sales. This development could restrict regional availability and drive global prices upward, said Putra Adhiguna from the Energy Shift Institute.

Coal pricing follows global markets, exposing importing countries to price fluctuations and supply interruptions. Increased coal usage does not ensure affordable or dependable electricity, noted Russell Marsh from E3G.

Vietnam already confronts this price instability. The country boosted imports following weather-related supply shortages, but Indonesian supplies now face uncertainty, prompting consideration of coal imports from the United States and Laos, according to energy market analyst Argus Media.

The benchmark price for coal utilized in Asia, known as Newcastle coal from Australia, has increased 13% since the conflict started.

Rising prices will also impact Southeast Asia, the world’s third-largest coal-consuming region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, which are increasing coal power generation.

Current increases in coal usage will delay and potentially undermine long-term initiatives to eliminate coal-fired electricity.

Indonesia was already experiencing difficulties meeting objectives to decommission coal facilities ahead of schedule, with financing obstacles predating the Iran conflict.

Coal power in Indonesia cost 48% more in 2024 compared to 2020 due to deteriorating facilities and increased expenses, according to the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis or IEEFA. Government subsidies to the national utility increased 24% to $11 billion, representing approximately 5% of the national budget.

Jakarta has encouraged LNG adoption to facilitate a transition away from coal. However, the renewed coal dependence “sends a signal” that converting to natural gas “is not as easy as it sounds,” Adhiguna explained.

South Korea has committed to decommissioning most coal facilities by 2040 and reducing emissions by half by 2035. Nevertheless, the country is permitting increased coal usage during periods of low air pollution and LNG shortages.

In 2023, South Korea required substantial renewable energy expansion — approximately 8 gigawatts of new wind capacity annually — to achieve carbon neutrality objectives, Agora Energiewende reported. Progress has been limited, with renewable sources providing only 10% of electricity in 2024, compared to a global average of 32%, according to IEEFA.

During the past 11 years, South Korea has allocated $127 billion to fossil fuel projects. This amount exceeds renewable energy spending by 13 times, with 60% of export financing supporting LNG and $120.1 billion spent on fuel imports in 2024 alone, said Joojin Kim from Solutions for Our Climate.

South Korea maintains plans to eliminate coal usage, but recent policy changes could extend beyond the current crisis, Kim warned. “The concern is not just the decision itself. It is the precedent it sets.”

For nations with limited coal resources, such as Thailand, the effect on electricity costs would be minor, since coal represents too small a portion of generating capacity, explained Jitsai Santaputra from The Lantau Group. Domestic coal comprises less than 10% of Thailand’s energy portfolio.

Coal combustion creates fine particles that penetrate deeply into lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing risks of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic respiratory conditions, according to the World Health Organization, or WHO.

This represents a widespread problem throughout Asia, particularly during seasons when agricultural burning occurs.

All 1.4 billion Indians breathe air containing particle concentrations the WHO considers dangerous, according to research by the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago. The government has suspended air-quality regulations, permitting restaurants to burn coal to address natural gas shortages.

Vietnam also experiences serious air pollution, with PM2.5 levels significantly exceeding WHO guidelines. The country is encouraging electric bicycle adoption and has established goals to reduce coal consumption.

Lan Nguyen, a shop owner in Hanoi, said she understands coal remains necessary for electricity generation currently, but expresses concern for her asthmatic son’s health. “I worry for my son’s lungs every day,” she said.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Following years of stalled discussions, the European Union and Australia have finalized the terms of a comprehensive trade agreement on Tuesday, resolving disputes that had derailed talks two years earlier over beef market access and naming rights for products like prosecco wine.

The signing ceremony took place at Australia’s Parliament House, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to formalize the deal that has been in development since 2018.

Both regions are pursuing this partnership as they work to expand their trade relationships beyond China and shield themselves from potential shifts in American trade policies.

“Today marks a defining moment in the relationship between Australia and the European Union,” Albanese told reporters.

“After eight years of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark trade deal,” he added.

Beyond trade, the two leaders unveiled a military cooperation agreement and announced plans to begin discussions about Australia potentially joining the Horizon Europe research funding initiative as an associate member.

One significant provision requires Australian wine producers to stop using the “prosecco” label for exports within a decade of the agreement’s implementation, protecting the traditional Italian sparkling wine designation.

For Australian livestock producers, Europe will establish import quotas totaling 30,600 metric tons for red meat products, with more than half entering duty-free.

The arrangement will also help guarantee Europe’s access to essential raw materials from Australia.

Global financial markets experienced a dramatic turnaround Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s decision to delay planned military strikes against Iran’s electrical infrastructure and extend his deadline by five additional days.

The announcement came after Trump’s initial Saturday demand that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The president cited constructive discussions with Iranian representatives as the reason for the extension, though Iranian officials have disputed these claims.

Investment markets, which had been experiencing significant volatility at the week’s start, responded positively to news of the postponement. Investors appeared relieved by the reduced prospect of immediate military escalation in the region.

“It’s a negotiating tactic… I don’t think that the U.S. administration wants to see oil at $150 because they themselves provoked it,” explained Rajeev De Mello, who serves as chief investment officer at GAMA Asset Management.

The market response was swift and substantial. Stock prices climbed while crude oil futures dropped significantly. Additionally, the dollar weakened and government bond yields declined as traders adjusted their positions.

Asian markets carried this momentum into Tuesday’s trading session. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, gained 1.3%, while Australian shares rose 0.7%. Japan’s Nikkei index posted particularly strong gains of more than 2%, recovering most of Monday’s 3.5% loss.

Energy markets showed mixed signals Tuesday. After Monday’s dramatic 10% decline, oil prices recovered modestly. Brent crude futures increased 1% to reach $100.94 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 1.9% to $89.84.

However, analysts cautioned that uncertainty remains high given the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict and potential for sustained elevated energy costs.

“Markets are not out of the woods,” warned Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. “Price action could remain choppy into Friday’s revised deadline… The key question is whether participants see this as a genuine extension that brings a deal closer, or simply a delay that prolongs uncertainty.”

The geopolitical developments also influenced expectations for central bank monetary policy. U.S. Treasury yields stabilized Tuesday after sharp overnight declines, reflecting reduced investor expectations for aggressive interest rate increases by major central banks this year.

The two-year Treasury yield remained relatively stable at 3.8498% after falling more than 6 basis points in the previous session. The benchmark 10-year yield stood at 4.3400%.

Market participants have essentially eliminated expectations for Federal Reserve rate increases this year, anticipating rates will remain unchanged. The Bank of England is now expected to raise rates only twice this year, down from four previous expectations. European Central Bank rate hike projections have similarly been reduced.

“Unless the Strait (of Hormuz) is reopened very quickly, we are still more likely than not to see higher interest rates and a meaningful increase in oil importers’ costs in the coming weeks,” noted Kit Juckes, head of FX strategy at Societe Generale.

Currency markets reflected the improved risk sentiment, with the U.S. dollar weakening as demand for safe-haven assets decreased. The euro traded at $1.1603 after gaining 0.4% overnight, while the British pound maintained strength near Monday’s two-week high at $1.3420.

The dollar showed slight gains against the Japanese yen, rising 0.04% to 158.54. This came as new data revealed Japan’s core consumer inflation rate dropped to 1.6% in February, falling below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the first time in nearly four years.

Precious metals also benefited from the market uncertainty, with spot gold prices increasing 0.6% to $4,431.65 per ounce.

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been moved to a standard hospital room in Brasilia while recovering from pneumonia, according to his medical team on Monday.

The health update for the far-right former leader coincided with Brazil’s attorney general recommending he be allowed to complete his prison sentence at home rather than behind bars.

The 71-year-old politician, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, is currently serving a 27-year prison term for his role in orchestrating a coup attempt in 2023.

Dr. Brasil Caiado informed media in Brasilia that no release date has been set for Bolsonaro’s hospital discharge. The former president was admitted to medical care on March 13 after becoming sick while at the Papuda correctional facility in Brazil’s capital. He was placed in semi-intensive care three days after his admission.

The controversial former leader had been moved from federal police headquarters to an expanded cell in January. Bolsonaro’s relatives and supporters have consistently petitioned Brazil’s Supreme Court to permit him to complete his prison term, which began in November, from his residence.

In a ruling released Monday, Attorney General Paulo Gonet sided with Bolsonaro’s family request and recommended to Justice Alexandre de Moraes that the former president be sent home with electronic monitoring to complete his sentence.

“The clinical evolution of the former president, as shown by the medical team that took care of him in the latest incident, recommends” house imprisonment, Gonet said in his decision.

Justice de Moraes, who presided over Bolsonaro’s coup-related case, has not yet made a ruling. He typically follows Gonet’s recommendations.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un announced his nation will permanently establish itself as a nuclear-armed state while taking an aggressive position against South Korea, which he labeled as the country’s greatest enemy, according to state-controlled media reports released Tuesday.

During an address Monday before Pyongyang’s ceremonial legislative body, Kim criticized the United States for what he termed worldwide “state terrorism and aggression,” seemingly referencing Middle Eastern conflicts, and declared North Korea would take a stronger position in opposing Washington as anti-American feelings grow. However, Kim avoided directly naming U.S. President Donald Trump and stated that “whether his adversaries choose confrontation or peaceful coexistence is up to them, and we are prepared to respond to any choice.”

These remarks echoed statements Kim made during last month’s ruling Workers’ Party Congress, where he attacked Seoul while keeping diplomatic channels open with the Trump administration, pushing Washington to abandon demands for North Korean nuclear disarmament before negotiations could begin.

State media reported that the Supreme People’s Assembly, which wrapped up its two-day meeting Monday, approved constitutional amendments without revealing specific details. Observers had anticipated the changes would formally designate South Korea as a perpetual adversary and eliminate language about shared Korean heritage. This follows Kim’s hardline position after announcing in 2024 that North Korea would drop its historical objective of peaceful reunification with the South.

Foreign policy experts suggest Kim’s attacks on South Korea demonstrate his belief that Seoul, which facilitated his initial Trump meetings in 2018 and 2019, no longer serves as a helpful mediator with Washington but instead blocks his efforts to expand regional influence. Kim has also demonstrated concern about South Korean cultural influence, launching intensive efforts to prevent its entertainment and language from affecting North Korean citizens while strengthening his dynasty’s totalitarian control.

During his address, Kim praised his country’s swift nuclear weapons and missile development over recent years, describing it as the “right” decision to address future dangers and “hegemonic pursuits” by “gangsterlike” imperial powers, language North Korea typically uses for the United States and its partners.

“The dignity of the nation, its national interest and its ultimate victory can only be guaranteed by the strongest of power,” Kim stated. “The government of our republic will continue to consolidate our absolutely irreversible status as a nuclear power and will aggressively wage a struggle against hostile forces to crush their (anti-North Korean) provocations and schemes.”

Kim has ended all substantial diplomatic contact with Washington and Seoul following the breakdown of his second Trump summit in 2019 due to American-imposed economic penalties against North Korea.

Kim has recently focused on strengthening ties with Russia, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial military supplies to assist Moscow’s Ukrainian invasion, potentially receiving assistance and weapons technology in return. With the conflict possibly nearing conclusion, analysts believe Kim may attempt to maintain flexibility by adopting a more cautious approach toward Washington to keep future negotiations possible, ultimately seeking American sanctions relief and unofficial acceptance as a nuclear nation.

Nevertheless, some specialists think that joint American and Israeli operations against Iran and the elimination of Tehran’s former supreme leader may have increased Kim’s requirements for resuming talks with Washington.

COPENHAGEN – Danish citizens cast ballots Tuesday in a national election that could deliver Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen another term in office, despite her party facing potential historic losses amid economic pressures that have undermined her progressive agenda.

Polling data indicates Frederiksen’s Social Democratic Party is tracking toward its poorest electoral performance since the pre-World War II era, with many Danish voters criticizing her administration for failing to adequately safeguard their comprehensive social welfare system. Additional concerns center on voter fatigue following nearly seven years under her leadership.

The 48-year-old prime minister scheduled the election well ahead of the required October deadline, which political observers attribute to her attempt to leverage increased public support following President Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, including his refusal to dismiss potential military action.

However, the Greenland controversy has since shifted to conventional diplomatic channels and been overshadowed by domestic policy debates, including proposals for wealth taxation and immigration reform discussions.

Frederiksen has built her campaign around assertions that her experienced and decisive leadership approach will guide Denmark’s 6 million residents through challenging relations with Washington and coordinate European responses to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“I know that sometimes I express myself a bit bluntly,” she stated at a recent campaign rally. “But given the times we live in, it is perhaps very good that there are some things that cannot be misunderstood: that Russia should not be allowed to win or that Greenland is not for sale.”

Since assuming power in 2019, Frederiksen became Denmark’s first leader in over four decades to successfully unite left and right political factions, though her current coalition appears likely to surrender its parliamentary control.

Political commentator Hans Engell noted that “To a large degree, this election is about Mette Frederiksen,” explaining that while some citizens consider her the appropriate leader during turbulent times, others perceive her governing style as overly controlling.

Her Social Democratic Party, which had lost support among leftist voters due to strict asylum policy changes, has seen polling numbers climb from December’s 17% low point to approximately 21% following the Greenland diplomatic crisis.

Nevertheless, the progressive coalition remains unlikely to secure the 90 parliamentary seats required for majority control in Denmark’s 179-member Folketing, with current projections suggesting around 85 seats for the left-leaning alliance.

Despite this shortfall, Frederiksen maintains frontrunner status to lead the next government, as her left-wing partners appear committed while conservative opposition remains divided, with political allegiances returning to traditional ideological boundaries.

Central campaign themes include Frederiksen’s plan to restore wealth taxation to finance educational and social welfare investments, representing her effort to demonstrate a return to progressive policies.

Under Denmark’s parliamentary structure, governments can function without majority support provided they avoid having a majority actively opposing them.

The conservative opposition is headed by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen from the Liberal Party, while former Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen could prove decisive. Rasmussen leads the centrist Moderate Party and currently serves as foreign minister, positioning him as a potential power broker.

Rasmussen’s decision to support either Frederiksen’s coalition or a right-leaning alternative may ultimately determine government formation.

Twelve political parties are competing in the election, with four additional seats designated for representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands potentially playing crucial roles in the outcome.

Political analysts are particularly monitoring voting patterns in Greenland, looking for indicators of potential instability in the Nuuk government, which could complicate ongoing trilateral discussions between Danish, American, and Greenlandic officials regarding future policy coordination.

Polling locations open at 8 a.m. local time and close at 8 p.m., with preliminary results expected shortly after voting concludes.

Pakistan is stepping forward as a diplomatic go-between in the growing crisis involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to reports from The Financial Times.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s top military commander, contacted President Donald Trump by phone on Sunday to discuss the Iranian situation and propose Pakistan’s services as a mediator. The following day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Pakistani authorities have yet to officially confirm these diplomatic contacts.

According to The Financial Times, Munir is spearheading this diplomatic effort by “leveraging Islamabad’s longstanding ties with Tehran alongside his reported rapport with US President Donald Trump to facilitate back-channel diplomacy.” The publication noted that Munir’s conversation with Trump aimed to reduce escalating Middle Eastern tensions.

Notably, President Trump has recently described Munir publicly as his preferred field marshal on multiple occasions over recent months.

Pakistani leadership has suggested their capital city could serve as an impartial location for discussions between American and Iranian officials, presenting their nation as a trustworthy and discreet diplomatic facilitator.

This diplomatic outreach occurs during a crucial period in the US-Israeli military operations against Iran, with ongoing hostilities raising alarm about regional stability and potential disruptions to worldwide energy supplies.

President Trump declared on Monday that he was suspending his threatened attacks on Iranian energy and military installations, announcing a five-day ceasefire period for both nations to engage in negotiations.

Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran and maintains strong relationships with Gulf nations, has carefully avoided taking sides in this conflict.

Experts observe that Pakistan’s approach reflects both strategic international considerations and internal factors, including the country’s substantial Shia Muslim community and deep-rooted cultural and trade connections with Iran.

During a recent gathering with prominent Shia religious leaders in Rawalpindi, Munir declared that Pakistan would not accept violence resulting from conflicts originating in other nations. The meeting centered on how religious authorities could contribute to national security and social unity.

These statements follow military strikes on Tehran by Israeli and American forces that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In response to these attacks, deadly demonstrations broke out across multiple Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Gilgit, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Meanwhile, Pakistani leadership appears to recognize a chance to restore the country’s diplomatic significance on the world stage.

Through assuming a mediating position, Pakistan could enhance its global reputation while potentially gaining strategic or economic benefits from Washington.

Sources within the government and security apparatus indicate that Munir has communicated Pakistan’s readiness to enable discussions while promising both parties that Pakistan can establish private communication channels that few other nations could provide under current circumstances.

This effort expands upon previous indications from Sharif and military officials showing their preparedness to support diplomatic initiatives designed to ease tensions.

Currently, Pakistan is striking a delicate balance by publicly advocating for moderation and denouncing civilian harm while privately increasing diplomatic engagement.

With tensions remaining high, Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts underscore an important truth: in an increasingly divided region, moderate nations may be crucial for maintaining vital communication pathways.

A Jewish resident who has lived in Cyprus for years tells reporters that the Mediterranean island continues to be a haven where Israeli and Jewish visitors feel secure, even amid concerns about increasing criminal activity and demographic changes following the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel.

In an interview from Larnaca, a resident named Shely explained that Cypriots have affection for Israel and that Jewish tourists from Israel, America, and Britain still consider Cyprus a safe and friendly place to visit. He noted the island serves as a natural meeting place for Israelis due to its close location to Israel, requiring just a 40-minute flight.

According to Shely, some Jewish tourists have questioned whether they should conceal religious symbols like yarmulkes or refrain from speaking Hebrew publicly. His response to such concerns is negative.

“I always recommend to them, just, you know, be proud,” he said. “No one’s going to do anything. You’re incredibly safe here.”

While he admitted there were some demonstrations and graffiti incidents in the immediate aftermath of the conflict’s start, Shely noted these manifestations vanished relatively quickly.

Government statistics indicate a slight uptick in criminal incidents reported across Cyprus, though crime rates continue to be lower than most European nations.

Meanwhile, Shely observed that attitudes on the island have become more nuanced as additional residents from various Middle Eastern nations—beyond just Israel—have relocated there in recent years. He connected this migration pattern to increased serious criminal activity and mentioned that some local residents have voiced concerns.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that many Cypriots continue to regard Israelis positively, especially those who establish permanent residence and contribute to the local economy. He noted that following conflict periods in Israel, Cyprus typically experiences an increase in Israeli residents seeking stability and peaceful conditions for raising families.

“We are seeing so, so many Israelis looking for shelter here,” he said. “Sometimes, you know, you want to raise your kids in a place where there’s less war.”

President Donald Trump has declared a temporary five-day suspension of planned American military attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure following diplomatic discussions aimed at achieving a “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East.

Through a Truth Social post, Trump revealed that the United States conducted “very good and productive conversations” with Iran during the previous 48 hours. The president characterized these diplomatic exchanges as “in-depth, detailed, and constructive” while noting that negotiations would extend through the remainder of the week.

Trump stated his willingness to “postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” throughout the five-day window. However, he emphasized that this decision remains conditional and “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

This diplomatic shift represents a notable change from Trump’s more aggressive position taken Saturday evening, when he issued Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening that the United States would “obliterate” Iranian power facilities if his demands went unmet.

However, an Iranian news outlet, referencing an unidentified source, denied that any negotiations have occurred between Tehran and President Trump.

After Trump’s initial ultimatum, Tehran issued its own warning, stating it would “irreversibly destroy” vital infrastructure throughout the Middle East, including crucial water supply systems, should the United States proceed with Trump’s threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power facilities unless the Strait of Hormuz reopened within the two-day timeframe.

Prior to Trump’s announcement of the strike suspension, the Israel Defense Forces had projected “several more weeks of fighting” against Iran and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Major European capitals now sit within striking distance of Iranian missiles, security experts warn, following Tehran’s unsuccessful attack on a British-American military installation in the Indian Ocean.

The failed missile strike against the Diego Garcia base has demonstrated Iran’s ability to launch weapons across a 4,000-kilometer range, placing cities like Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London within potential reach of Iranian forces.

Benjamin Touati, who leads ELNET-Israel, described the attempted attack as part of a larger strategic transformation in the region. “The Middle East stands at a decisive turning point, even as tensions continue to escalate. The outcome of the conflict is increasingly clear; what remains uncertain is its cost, its duration, and the shape of the new regional order that will emerge,” Touati explained to reporters.

According to Touati, current tensions stem from developments that began well before recent events. “This transformation did not begin recently. The region has been evolving since October 7, 2023, and even earlier with the Abraham Accords and the growing Iranian threat—not only to Israel, but to Gulf states as well,” he noted.

The distance calculations are sobering for European leaders. Diego Garcia sits roughly 3,800 kilometers from Iran’s southeastern border, while Paris lies approximately 4,200 kilometers from Tehran and less than 3,500 kilometers from northwestern Iran. “The strike toward Diego Garcia carries implications far beyond its immediate tactical significance,” Touati observed, adding that the message to Europe is clear: “Europe is within range.”

However, counterterrorism specialist Daniele Garofalo cautioned against assuming immediate operational threats based solely on missile range demonstrations. “On the technical level, three layers must be separated: theoretical range, actual operational capability, and political decision to employ,” Garofalo told reporters.

Despite the symbolic importance of Iran’s long-distance missile launch, Garofalo emphasized that current intelligence assessments remain measured. “There is no evidence that Iran currently possesses a confirmed capability to reliably strike European targets,” he stated.

Even with missiles capable of reaching 4,000 kilometers, Garofalo explained that multiple factors must align before a genuine threat emerges. “If one assumes a vector in the 4,000 km class that is truly operational, some portions of Europe … fall within a theoretical reachability perimeter. However, theoretical reachability does not equal a credible threat of an imminent strategic strike,” he pointed out.

A successful long-range attack would require “vector reliability, penetration capability, targeting, a resilient C2 [command and control] chain, launch preparation, survivability management of launchers, and political willingness to accept a NATO response,” according to Garofalo’s analysis.

These missile range concerns coincide with growing disagreements between Washington and European allies regarding security measures for the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has advocated for stronger protective actions for maritime shipping lanes, while multiple European nations have shown reluctance to expand their military commitments in the region.

The strategic waterway serves as one of the planet’s most vital energy transit points, with approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments and substantial liquefied natural gas volumes passing through daily. Any interruption to commercial traffic through this corridor would immediately impact worldwide energy costs and European economies that rely heavily on energy imports.

European leadership has therefore prioritized economic stability over military escalation. Policy discussions across several capitals have focused on strengthening maritime monitoring, expanding intelligence cooperation, and providing protective escorts for commercial shipping. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have responded favorably to calls for protective action in the strait, though specific implementation details—including potential military measures—remain undisclosed.

This measured response reflects both political sensitivities and desires to prevent geographic expansion of the conflict. The gap between Washington’s push for stronger deterrence and Europe’s focus on risk management has contributed to perceptions of increasing transatlantic tensions over Hormuz security strategies.

Garofalo characterized the European stance as careful rather than uninvolved. “Public signals point in the opposite direction of a rapid Europeanization of the Hormuz theater,” he observed.

European governments will likely pursue gradual measures rather than dramatic changes, Garofalo predicted. “In practice, more presence and more prudence, not necessarily more combat,” he said. His assessment suggests European nations may enhance surveillance, intelligence sharing, and maritime protection without committing to major military deployments.

Touati, however, argued that evolving circumstances may demand more decisive action. “This is no longer a regional issue; it is a strategic challenge with global implications,” he stated.

The missile demonstration and maritime tensions reflect broader geopolitical changes, according to Touati. “The Iranian regime continues to escalate on multiple fronts—threatening regional stability, targeting moderate Sunni states in the Gulf, disrupting global economic flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and now extending its reach toward Europe itself,” he warned.

These differing assessments highlight broader uncertainty about appropriate European responses. Some analysts stress risk containment, while others warn that hesitation could invite further escalation.

Touati suggested that recent developments should prompt urgent reconsideration of European defense strategies. “Is this not the moment to move from concept to reality?” he questioned. The Diego Garcia attack is widely viewed as both a warning and provocation designed to discourage European intervention, he added.

Beyond direct missile threats, analysts increasingly emphasize hybrid warfare risks. Garofalo noted that indirect attacks may pose more realistic dangers for Europe. “If Iran chose indirect retaliation on European soil, the most likely form would not be a direct missile. It would be a hybrid package,” he warned.

Potential hybrid threats include “cyber operations against energy, healthcare, shipping, logistics, telecoms, finance, and public systems,” along with “limited sabotage or arson,” and “attacks on Israeli, Jewish, US, or Iranian dissident targets,” according to Garofalo’s analysis.

He also highlighted concerning operational patterns already documented. “The Iranian threat in Europe does not necessarily pass through ‘classic cells’—it often passes through criminal proxies, facilitators, and opportunistic tasking.”

Security monitoring should focus on “interfaces between hostile intelligence, organized crime, infiltrated diaspora, pre-operational surveillance, and cyber access,” Garofalo advised. “If I must put it bluntly—the real warning is not the lone fanatic. It is the convergence between gangs, Iranian intelligence, cyber access, and target selection,” he explained.

Questions about European preparedness also factor into current discussions. Using Italy as an example, Garofalo pointed to existing defense capabilities while identifying civilian readiness gaps.

“Italy is not exposed. On the military side, Italy is part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture and ballistic missile defense.” However, he noted that “public doctrine, widespread civil preparedness, alert culture, urban sheltering, population-institution exercises, and crisis communication are not at the level of a country truly preparing for a regular long-range threat.”

Touati framed the challenge in broader strategic terms. “Ultimately, Europe faces a deeper structural challenge. For decades, it has lived without war on its soil. This has shaped both its strategic culture and its reflexes,” he said.

“The question is no longer theoretical: Will Europe recognize this strategic momentum and prepare for what may be an unavoidable reality? Is Europe ready?” Touati asked.

The Diego Garcia incident, maritime tensions, and transatlantic policy differences underscore how the conflict’s effects are becoming increasingly worldwide. While no immediate threat to Europe has materialized, the combination of long-range missile capabilities, hybrid warfare scenarios, and strategic disagreements indicates that the continent now has closer connections to a conflict previously considered distant.

Israeli military officials have determined that a farmer’s death resulted from their own artillery fire rather than enemy attack, according to findings released one day following the tragic incident.

The investigation, conducted under the leadership of Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and other high-ranking military officials, revealed that Ofer “Pushko” Moskovitz died when Israeli artillery shells mistakenly hit kibbutz Misgav Am instead of their intended target in southern Lebanon. The artillery support was meant to aid Israeli troops conducting operations across the border.

Military investigators discovered that five artillery rounds struck various locations within the kibbutz community. Two shells hit a residential building, two more struck vehicles positioned near the community store, and the fifth shell hit Moskovitz’s vehicle directly. Officials stated that the chain of mistakes leading to this tragic outcome should never have happened and remains under continued examination.

The investigation revealed that artillery crews fired the rounds at an improper angle while failing to follow established protocols, causing all five shells to impact the Misgav Am ridge area rather than reaching enemy targets. Military leadership indicated they would review these conclusions and implement necessary changes across affected units.

Military officials have informed Moskovitz’s family of the investigation results and expressed deep regret over the incident while offering condolences to both the family and the broader Misgav Am community. A more detailed and transparent follow-up investigation will take place, with results being shared with the family first before public release.

Community members remembered Moskovitz as a prominent and respected leader within Misgav Am, describing him as a dedicated farmer, community spokesperson, and central figure in local affairs. Residents said his passing would leave a lasting impact on the entire Galilee region.

During a recent television interview with N12, Moskovitz had spoken passionately about his deep connection to the land, explaining that farming represented their entire way of life and that they remained committed to building a future in that location. He had expressed his dream that future grandchildren would someday walk through the orchards and understand them as his personal legacy.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — American military officials confirmed Monday that the United States has positioned advanced surveillance drones in Nigeria as the West African nation confronts an increasingly complex array of security threats.

The deployment involves MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, which joined 200 American military personnel who arrived in Nigeria last month to conduct training operations and provide intelligence support. These sophisticated drones are capable of reaching altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet and remaining airborne for more than 30 hours at a time. The aircraft have been extensively utilized by both U.S. military forces and the CIA across Middle Eastern operations, including missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen during American combat operations in those regions.

Nigeria, which holds the distinction of being Africa’s most densely populated nation, is currently grappling with a complicated security situation, particularly across its northern territories. The country faces threats from several prominent Islamic extremist organizations, including Boko Haram and a splinter group that has aligned itself with the Islamic State and operates under the name Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP. Additional concerns include the IS-connected Lakurawa organization, along with various criminal networks that focus on kidnapping operations for financial gain and unauthorized mining activities.

An AFRICOM representative from the U.S. Africa Command explained to The Associated Press that American personnel “are working alongside their Nigerian counterparts to provide intelligence support, advisory assistance, and targeted training in support of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

Both the military personnel and the MQ-9 aircraft are operating from Bauchi Airfield, a recently constructed airport facility located in Nigeria’s northeastern region, according to the spokesperson. Officials have not disclosed the exact number of drones currently deployed to the location.

Each MQ-9 drone carries a price tag of approximately $30 million and comes in specialized variants designed for land-based and maritime operations. While these aircraft possess strike capabilities, AFRICOM officials emphasize that their mission in Nigeria will be limited exclusively to intelligence collection and training purposes.

This military deployment represents part of a fresh security cooperation agreement established following President Donald Trump’s assertions that Christians are being specifically targeted during Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis. American forces conducted strikes against Islamic State positions on December 26.

Previously, the United States maintained a significant drone installation in neighboring Niger, but operations ceased after the country’s military leadership forced American troops to withdraw.

Recent violence struck earlier this month when three suspected suicide attacks claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals and injured 108 others in Maiduguri, which serves as the capital of Borno state. While no organization has taken credit for the attacks, investigators suspect Boko Haram involvement, given the group’s 2009 launch of an insurgency campaign across northeastern Nigeria aimed at imposing their extreme interpretation of Islamic law.

The security situation has deteriorated further with the involvement of additional militant organizations from the broader Sahel region, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its first documented attack on Nigerian territory last year.

United Nations statistics indicate that more than 40,000 people have lost their lives since Boko Haram’s insurgency commenced. Security analysts argue that the Nigerian government’s efforts to safeguard its population remain inadequate.

Security officials reported early Tuesday that aerial bombardments struck facilities operated by Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation forces in Anbar province’s western region, resulting in the deaths of two militants and injuries to five additional personnel.

The Popular Mobilisation forces represent a coalition composed largely of Shi’ite militia organizations that receive support from Iran, according to security sources who provided details about the attack.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been transferred out of intensive care following his hospitalization for bronchopneumonia, according to a Monday report from Brazilian news outlet G1.

The former president had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Brasilia since March 13, where he was being monitored for the lung infection.

G1 reported the development based on information provided by Bolsonaro’s physician.

The Trump administration is discreetly considering Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a possible diplomatic partner and even potential future leader, according to a Monday report from Politico that cited two administration officials.

According to the report, some White House officials view Ghalibaf as someone they could effectively work with to lead Iran and engage in negotiations with the Trump administration during the next phase of ongoing tensions.

JOHANNESBURG — In a solemn ceremony on Monday, South Africa laid to rest the remains of dozens of indigenous Africans whose bodies had been excavated and transported to European institutions for scientific study more than a century ago.

At least 63 individuals from the Khoi and San peoples were finally given proper burials after their remains were returned from European museums. This repatriation represents part of a broader continental effort to reclaim human remains and cultural artifacts that were taken from Africa.

The Khoi and San peoples are recognized as southern Africa’s original inhabitants, who fought against colonial forces before many were killed by European colonizers.

These particular remains had been excavated between 1868 and 1924, then given to The Hunterian Museum at Scotland’s University of Glasgow. Additional remains had been stored at South Africa’s Iziko Museums since the 1920s.

President Cyril Ramaphosa participated in the reburial ceremony alongside museum officials and traditional community leaders. He explained that the return of these remains resulted from discussions between the Scottish university and South African officials that began in 2022.

The president described the ceremony as an effort to restore human dignity to these individuals.

“The sale of human remains of Indigenous peoples for study in Europe was rooted in racism and used to advance theories of European racial superiority,” Ramaphosa stated. “They were dug up and turned into commodities and specimens, displayed under the cold gaze of pseudoscience.”

Ramaphosa also emphasized that most European nations should take greater steps to recognize the harm inflicted on Africans during the colonial era and should explore providing reparations to their former colonies.

WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump enters the fourth week of military action against Iran, he delivered cautiously optimistic news Monday about potential diplomatic progress, sparking market rallies while Iranian leadership strongly disputed his assertions.

Trump announced via social media before markets opened that he would postpone his weekend threat to strike Iran’s electrical infrastructure for five days, pushing back his Monday evening deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The crucial shipping lane handles roughly 20% of global oil transport and has remained closed throughout the conflict, driving fuel costs higher worldwide.

The president explained his decision to delay attacks on Iran’s essential infrastructure stemmed from what he described as productive weekend discussions between his representatives — son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — and unidentified Iranian officials he called “respected.”

Trump’s statement ignored Iran’s warning that critical Gulf region infrastructure, including energy production and water desalination plants necessary for drinking water supplies, would face “irreversible destruction” if he followed through on his bombing threats. These escalating threats had triggered significant sell-offs in Asian financial markets as Trump’s deadline approached.

“All I’m saying is we are in the throes of a real possibility of making a deal,” Trump told reporters Monday morning before departing Florida for Memphis, Tennessee aboard Air Force One. “And I think, if I were a betting man I’d bet for it. But again, I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

Within two hours of Trump’s comments, before his aircraft reached Tennessee, Iranian officials flatly rejected claims of any diplomatic contact with Washington and characterized Trump’s remarks as market manipulation tactics.

“No negotiations have been held with the US,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, wrote on X. “And fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry echoed similar sentiments, describing Trump’s announcement as merely an attempt “to reduce energy prices and to buy time for implementing his military plans.”

Regional experts note that ending the conflict now would mean Trump abandoning military action without fully accomplishing his declared mission objectives.

Throughout recent weeks, Trump has provided varying justifications for initiating the conflict while facing Democratic criticism for destabilizing the global economy, and polling data shows Americans remain split along partisan lines regarding the military engagement.

The president has established specific goals requiring achievement: weakening Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantling its defense manufacturing infrastructure, eliminating Iranian naval forces, preventing nuclear weapons development, and securing Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.

Combined U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have advanced some objectives, though analysts question Trump’s ability to credibly claim complete success — especially regarding permanently eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons potential.

Intelligence agencies and nuclear monitoring organizations estimate approximately 970 pounds of weapons-grade uranium remains buried under debris at three Iranian nuclear facilities severely damaged during June’s limited U.S. military operation in the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict.

Trump indicated Monday that retrieving Iran’s enriched uranium would be part of any potential agreement with the Islamic Republic, though he provided no implementation details beyond stating the U.S. military would “take it ourselves.”

“Trump’s war choice has not accomplished his military goals,” Aaron David Miller, former State Department Middle East negotiator and current Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow, posted on X. Miller observed that Iran retains the ability to attack regional allies and maintain Strait of Hormuz control. “No nukes; no enrichment, good luck with that. A singularly incompetent use of America’s power.”

Trump carefully avoided firm commitments Monday while highlighting positive energy market responses to his morning social media announcement about ongoing diplomatic discussions.

“The price of oil will drop like a rock, as soon as a deal is done. I guess it already is today,” Trump stated. “Now we have a very serious chance of making a deal. That doesn’t guarantee anything. I’m not guaranteeing anything. I’m not going to come out here in a week or two weeks, and have you all say, ‘Oh, you said…’ — I didn’t say anything.”

Last week, Trump authorized additional U.S. military deployments to the region as his administration considers options for securing Strait of Hormuz control to ensure safe oil tanker passage from Gulf nations to Asian markets.

The military moved three additional amphibious assault vessels and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East last week, according to Associated Press and other news organizations. This deployment followed redirecting another amphibious group carrying 2,500 Marines from Pacific operations to Middle East assignments. These forces will supplement over 50,000 U.S. troops already stationed regionally.

While Trump has ruled out ground invasion plans for Iran, he maintains that all military options remain available. The incoming Marine reinforcements are expected to require several weeks to reach Middle East positions.

“We are witnessing how a conflict that began over politics and security is moving to be defined by energy and economics,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based policy organization. “It’s hard to ignore the logic inherent in the president’s own commentary, which both calms markets but also buys time for Marines to arrive.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will sit down with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra Tuesday as both nations work to finalize a free trade agreement that has been under discussion since 2018.

The renewed effort to complete this deal occurs during ongoing Middle East conflicts and rising global trade tensions, as the European Union seeks to strengthen its economic position relative to the United States and China, building on a recent agreement reached with India in January.

Negotiations broke down in 2023 primarily due to disputes over European Union import quotas for meat products and agricultural sector protections. However, recent indications point to fresh progress, creating optimism that an agreement might be completed during this diplomatic visit.

“We look forward to welcoming President von der Leyen tomorrow,” Albanese stated in parliament Monday, noting that a free trade agreement with the EU would help strengthen Australia’s economy and create employment opportunities.

“I’m sure it will be a great success.”

Von der Leyen is scheduled to deliver remarks to parliament Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Trade Minister Don Farrell expressed confidence that negotiators could reach an agreement serving the national interest, while EU trade leader Maros Sefcovic indicated discussions were progressing positively.

Australia seeks expanded quotas for meat exports to European markets, while the EU wants reduced tariffs on manufactured products, especially automobiles, and improved access to Australia’s critical mineral resources to decrease reliance on China.

Australian news outlets report the agreement would eliminate the existing 5% import duty on European vehicles, which could reduce prices for BMW and Mercedes models sold in Australia.

Commercial exchange between the regions is significant, with total goods trade reaching 47.2 billion euros ($54.5 billion) in 2025, creating a 26.5 billion euro surplus for the EU.

Services trade totaled 38.1 billion euros in 2023, generating a 17.9 billion euro surplus also favoring the European bloc.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that her administration is working to bring back international investigators to resume their work on the decade-old case involving 43 missing students from Guerrero state.

The five-member independent investigation team, called the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), was originally formed in 2014 through a partnership between Mexico’s government and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to examine the students’ disappearance.

For over eight years, the GIEI uncovered significant flaws in the investigation process, leading to the freedom of multiple former suspects. However, when their agreements ended in 2023, the experts chose not to renew their involvement, claiming the government was obstructing their investigation efforts.

According to Angela Buitrago, one of the investigators who spoke with Reuters, discussions are underway to determine what conditions would need to be met for the GIEI team to rejoin the investigation. She indicated the experts have expressed willingness to return while they wait for specific terms to be established.

During her regular morning briefing, Sheinbaum revealed that her government has requested United Nations assistance in creating a new investigative structure.

The renewed investigation would feature more comprehensive examination of cellular phone data from September 26, 2014 – the night the students vanished – along with expanded search operations in new locations, according to the president.

The case involving students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College continues to stand as one of Mexico’s most infamous human rights violations.

The independent experts’ early findings suggested coordination between law enforcement officers, military personnel, and criminal organizations.

However, after numerous detentions and official commitments over the years, no individual has received a conviction for any crimes connected to this case.

This month, a Tamaulipas state judge commanded military forces to provide case-related documents. The GIEI had consistently sought access to these materials throughout their involvement, with limited success.

Sheinbaum criticized this judicial ruling on Monday, describing it as “highly questionable.” She pointed out that the matter is currently under Supreme Court review and maintained that the defense ministry has already provided all necessary documentation.