Category: World News

BRUSSELS — European Union leadership announced Tuesday their willingness to finance repairs on a crucial oil pipeline crossing Ukraine, hoping this gesture will convince Hungary to drop its opposition to a substantial aid package for the war-torn nation.

The conflict between Ukraine and Hungary has intensified since January, when Russian crude oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia stopped flowing due to damage on the Druzhba pipeline running through Ukrainian land. Ukrainian authorities have pointed to Russian drone strikes as the cause of the pipeline damage.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s nationalist leader, has made accusations against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming he is intentionally disrupting oil deliveries — allegations Zelenskyy firmly rejects. As payback, Orbán has blocked a crucial 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) EU loan designed to support Ukraine’s defense and economic requirements over the next two years. Hungary has also prevented new EU penalties against Russia from moving forward.

In their Tuesday announcement, EU officials confirmed the bloc “has offered Ukraine technical support and funding” for pipeline restoration work.

“The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately,” stated European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Zelenskyy strongly opposes permitting Russian energy to flow through Ukrainian territory, as energy profits have helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s four-year military campaign against his nation.

However, he indicated Tuesday that Ukraine is “undertaking all possible efforts to repair the damage and restore operations.”

Costa and von der Leyen contacted Zelenskyy on Monday, expressing their hope that the EU’s financial and technical assistance offer “can pave the way for overcoming the current blockage and ensure for the rapid repair of the pipeline.”

European leaders have criticized Orbán sharply for initially supporting the Ukrainian loan during December’s summit, only to withdraw his backing later.

They claim his actions violate the core EU principle of “sincere cooperation” among the 27 nations in the union.

Ukraine faces severe financial pressures, with Zelenskyy emphasizing the importance of securing at least an initial funding installment by next month.

Orbán, currently behind in polling before next month’s elections, has built his campaign around depicting Zelenskyy as a major threat to Hungary’s existence.

The Hungarian leader has claimed that Zelenskyy, working alongside von der Leyen, wants to pull Hungary into the conflict, arguing that only his reelection can guarantee Hungary’s continued peace and safety.

NEW YORK (AP) — Social media creator Ariana Afshar, an Iranian American, has been attempting to create content about the opening weeks of Middle Eastern warfare by drawing on viewpoints from people living in Iran.

However, the New York resident faces a significant challenge: Tehran’s government has implemented widespread internet restrictions that have cut off nearly all communication channels from the nation. This digital silence makes it extremely difficult to gather reliable opinions about the growing conflict from within Iran, where Afshar spent her teenage years and maintains family connections.

This communication void has elevated Iranian American content creators who are now using short, shareable videos to explain their homeland’s complex past and the mixed sentiments of its people.

Their material addresses growing American interest, as demonstrated by Google Search Trends data showing online queries such as “why are we at war with iran” jumped by 3,000% during March’s first week.

Several creators and analysts believe this outsized influence of external Iranian voices has deepened existing divisions within the diaspora community, which numbers approximately 750,000 people across the United States, per Pew Research Center data.

“I think it’s a huge problem among the Iranian diaspora, where they speak for Iranians a lot. I don’t want to fall into that,” Afshar explained. She maintains around 350,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok platforms.

Her online presence primarily challenges pro-war viewpoints through her bicultural upbringing experience. When she occasionally connects with family members, they typically remain too frightened to express genuine opinions about the conflict and their government.

“Content creators cannot thoroughly access the people’s opinions in Iran,” Afshar noted.

Creator perspectives vary widely on the conflict. Some endorse military action, arguing that war concerns are minor compared to a regime that eliminated thousands during January’s protest suppression. Others highlight destroyed infrastructure and rising death tolls — including over 165 fatalities from an elementary school attack — as warnings of future devastation, referencing previous American military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The outside media, especially Iranian diaspora, are playing a major role,” explained Babak Rahimi, a University of California San Diego professor specializing in Iranian culture, religion and technology. “It’s the kind of role that is not about really information, but it’s mostly about the circulation of emotions.”

Rahimi noted that most conflicts allow citizens to supplement official news coverage with personal social media accounts that spread widely. However, digital blackouts and government retaliation fears have drastically restricted this in Iran’s case.

Major news organizations including The Associated Press maintain journalists inside Iran, though communication limitations sometimes complicate reporting efforts. AP also relies on satellite images, telephone interviews, witness statements and verified user content for coverage.

Despite these efforts, false information flourishes on social platforms and messaging services like Telegram, where millions follow groups that easily distribute unverified and inaccurate material.

Iranian government sources produce some misinformation, including fabricated firsthand reports aimed at inflaming anti-war American sentiment, according to Houman Hemmati, who supports the conflict and departed Iran with his Persian Jewish family following the 1979 revolution.

Pro-American disinformation has also spread, including footage falsely claiming Iran conducted the school attack. Preliminary U.S. military findings suggest outdated intelligence probably caused the U.S. to execute that strike, based on reports from a U.S. official and another briefed individual.

When Iranians briefly manage to share information, Hemmati observed, it immediately attracts widespread attention, demonstrating the appetite for direct accounts.

“All it takes is for just a little bit to leak out, and those images and stories go viral,” said the 49-year-old Southern California resident, who appears regularly on Fox News and has accumulated over 83,000 X platform followers.

A 35-year-old Iranian New York resident, who requested anonymity to protect relatives in Iran, described how her family’s WhatsApp group between American and Iranian relatives demonstrates the blackout’s impact.

During brief connection windows, the chat serves as a vital news source for information her Iranian relatives struggle to obtain elsewhere.

Her Tehran cousin sent messages when bombing commenced: “Where did they hit?” one asked. “Everything I watch is just smoke and explosions.”

The family conversation has become a debate space about their homeland’s future, with relatives exchanging news articles and social media content presenting different perspectives on American involvement. She emphasized the stark contrast between her U.S.-based family members, who discuss war politics abstractly and passionately, versus those in Iran experiencing daily reality.

A longstanding “narrative war” exists among diaspora members, said 26-year-old content creator Ciara Moezidis, who was born in America and has Iranian extended family.

Her Instagram audience has grown by 2,000 followers since January, when she began posting support for Iranian demonstrators while opposing warfare.

“It’s been incredibly exhausting to navigate this while seeing bombs drop across Iran and not being able to reach our families,” Moezidis stated.

Content creator Zoya Biglary, an Iranian American with more than 600,000 Instagram followers, expressed hope that Iranians will someday witness the external support for their struggle.

“Maybe they’re looking for proof that someone on the outside kind of sees their humanity,” Biglary said.

MOSCOW – The Russian government declared its firm backing of Cuba on Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s remarks that he anticipates having the privilege of “taking Cuba” and stating “I can do anything I want” regarding the Communist island nation.

Russia’s foreign ministry voiced grave concerns about rising tensions surrounding what they referred to as the “Island of Liberty,” though they did not directly name Trump in their statement.

“Russia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the government and fraternal people of Cuba,” the ministry declared.

“We strongly condemn attempts of gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation and the use of illegal unilateral restrictive measures.”

The Trump administration has intensified economic sanctions against Cuba, implementing an oil embargo that has severely damaged the island’s already outdated electrical grid infrastructure.

According to a New York Times report, ousting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel represents a primary U.S. goal. The newspaper cited four sources with knowledge of discussions, reporting that American officials have indicated to Cuban representatives that Diaz-Canel must be removed while allowing Cuba to determine how to proceed.

The Kremlin confirmed ongoing communication with Cuban officials and stated Moscow stands prepared to offer comprehensive aid.

“Today, Liberty Island is facing unprecedented challenges, which have become a direct result of the long-term trade, economic, financial, and more recently, the U.S. energy embargo against Cuba,” Russia’s foreign ministry stated.

Russian officials confirmed they have provided and will maintain “to provide Cuba with the necessary support, including financial support.”

Russia lost a regional partner when the United States removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power, though Moscow has gained from elevated oil prices following U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran, a key Russian strategic ally.

Cuba maintained strong ties with Moscow for many years following the 1959 Communist revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power, lasting until the Soviet Union’s dissolution. In recent years, Russia has resumed supporting the island through both monetary aid and material resources.

BEIRUT (AP) — As Israeli bombardments shake Beirut and ground forces push forward against Hezbollah fighters, Lebanon’s leadership has shattered a longstanding diplomatic barrier by offering unprecedented direct negotiations with Israel — the first such proposal in more than four decades. However, Lebanese authorities insist the violence must cease before any dialogue begins, and that opportunity may already be slipping away.

Hezbollah’s choice to join the broader Iran conflict by launching rocket attacks against Israel has triggered devastating Israeli bombing campaigns across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern districts, resulting in approximately 850 Lebanese deaths and forcing more than one million residents to flee their homes.

The Iranian-supported Hezbollah considers this latest conflict a fight for survival, while Israel threatens expanded ground operations, territorial occupation, and the demolition of Lebanon’s essential civilian infrastructure.

The United States, which previously served as a mediator during earlier conflicts, has demonstrated little appetite for playing that role in the current crisis.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced his willingness to engage in face-to-face negotiations with Israel last week — marking the first such overture since Israel’s 1982 invasion during Lebanon’s civil conflict. Aoun simultaneously requested increased financial support for Lebanese military forces and renewed his pledge to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal, a long-sought goal of both Israeli and American officials.

However, Lebanon demands an end to hostilities before entering any discussions with Israel, according to three Lebanese diplomatic and government sources with knowledge of the situation. These officials requested anonymity because they lacked authorization to speak publicly.

Israeli representatives did not reply to requests for comment regarding the negotiation proposal. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, while visiting an Israeli community struck by Iranian missiles, rejected claims that any discussions were being planned.

The peace accord that concluded Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war mandated the dissolution of all militia groups, yet Hezbollah uniquely retained its weaponry, claiming these arms were essential for defending Lebanon against Israel, which maintained control over southern Lebanon until 2000.

Consecutive Lebanese administrations, including those led by Hezbollah’s political opponents, avoided direct confrontation with the organization, which was commonly perceived as more formidable than Lebanon’s official military. Concerns persisted that any forcible attempt to disarm Hezbollah might reignite civil conflict.

This calculation began shifting in 2024, as Israel eliminated most of Hezbollah’s senior leadership and devastated its military capabilities, potentially creating space for Lebanese officials to assert greater authority.

Aoun, a former military commander, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both assuming office in early 2025, committed to dismantling Hezbollah’s weapons — a stance enjoying broad backing among Lebanon’s conflict-weary citizens.

During the months preceding the war, government forces deployed throughout extensive areas of southern Lebanon and reported dismantling more than 500 Hezbollah storage facilities and military installations. However, it avoided direct confrontation with the group.

Following Hezbollah’s missile barrage against Israel in the days after the unexpected U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran, Lebanon’s government criticized the militant organization, banned its operations, and detained several fighters accused of illegal weapons possession.

Yet by that point, the nation had already descended into another war.

Hezbollah, which has continued launching missile and drone attacks against northern Israel since its initial strike, maintains its position as Lebanon’s sole credible defender.

The group claims Israel violated a 2024 U.S.-mediated ceasefire by continuing regular air attacks that frequently killed civilians and refusing to withdraw from five strategic border locations. Hezbollah likely also feels compelled to assist Iran, its primary backer, during this critical period.

Israel contends that Hezbollah has broken previous agreements requiring disarmament and that the airstrikes targeted potential attack preparations. It has consistently accused Lebanese officials of failing to neutralize the group and warned it would take action itself, potentially at enormous cost to Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated last week that Lebanon’s government “will pay an increasing price in infrastructure damage and territorial loss until the commitment to disarm Hezbollah is fulfilled.”

Hezbollah leaders have condemned the direct negotiation offer with Israel and criticized the government for failing to halt Israeli strikes or end border occupation.

Mahmoud Qamati, a senior member of Hezbollah’s political bureau, called the negotiation offer “a concession and a big mistake” given “the ongoing occupation and aggression.”

“This move would be stabbing the resistance in the back. The state cannot make any promises without the resistance’s approval,” he told the Al Jazeera network.

During previous escalations, Lebanon typically sought assistance from the United States, which maintains influence over Israel and provides substantial aid to Lebanese military forces. However, Washington appears focused on the broader conflict and its global economic implications.

“There is no senior official in the White House focusing on Lebanon,” said Randa Slim, director of the Middle East Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center. Thomas Barrack, serving as White House envoy to Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, characterized Lebanon as a “failed state” last year.

Slim suggested the negotiation proposal was unlikely to succeed or prevent an Israeli invasion.

Israel and the United States had anticipated more decisive action from Lebanon’s military following the previous war, despite its limited resources and financial constraints, and the dangers of directly challenging Hezbollah. They may be reluctant to provide another opportunity.

“They had been very clear with the Lebanese on how important it was to control Hezbollah from doing anything offensively,” said Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a nonprofit organization promoting stronger U.S.-Lebanon relations.

“Hezbollah’s actions have now set back for the time being any resolution of this war and created a lack of confidence by U.S. officials that the (Lebanese armed forces) can control and disarm Hezbollah,” he said.

Israeli forces continue advancing deeper into southern Lebanon in preparation for an anticipated larger ground operation. The Israeli military has targeted and destroyed bridges and critical roadways, and issued evacuation orders for territory extending dozens of miles north of the border.

Lebanon’s government, struggling with a severe, prolonged financial crisis, is working frantically to provide housing and assistance for nearly one million displaced individuals. It is also appealing to the international community to pressure Israel to protect essential infrastructure, including Beirut’s airport and seaport, according to one Lebanese official.

Aoun, previously optimistic about disarming Hezbollah with minimal conflict, continues his intensive diplomatic efforts from the mountaintop presidential palace. Drones patrol overhead, explosions resound in the distance, and smoke clouds rise from the south.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Israeli military forces announced Tuesday they eliminated Ali Larijani, a prominent Iranian security leader who many believed was effectively governing the nation amid ongoing turmoil following the death of Iran’s supreme leader and escalating regional conflict.

The Israeli military also reported killing Iranian General Gholam Reza Soleimani, who commanded a formidable internal security force responsible for suppressing numerous mass demonstrations against Iran’s Shiite religious government.

Iranian officials have yet to verify or dispute these reported deaths. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and additional high-ranking security personnel were eliminated in unexpected joint U.S. and Israeli operations that initiated the current conflict. Khamenei’s successor, his son Mojtaba, has remained absent from public view, with Israeli intelligence suggesting he may have sustained injuries.

Despite the elimination of key leadership figures, the warfare continues unabated as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard maintains its missile attacks against Israel and neighboring Arab Gulf nations. Iran has successfully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway handling twenty percent of global oil trade, causing petroleum prices to surge and destabilizing international markets.

Larijani belonged to one of Iran’s most prominent political dynasties, which news organizations have likened to America’s Kennedy family. His brother Sadeq held the position of Iran’s chief judge, while another sibling, Mohammad Javad, worked as a high-ranking diplomat who provided foreign policy counsel to the deceased Khamenei.

Throughout his career, Larijani maintained conservative positions within Iran’s religious government structure, delivering progressively aggressive statements over the years. During the 1990s, he held Iran’s culture ministry position, implementing stricter censorship policies. From 2008 to 2020, he led the parliamentary body, and recently directed the Supreme National Security Council.

Beyond politics, Larijani authored no fewer than six philosophical works, including three volumes examining German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s theories.

He received appointments to counsel Khamenei regarding nuclear negotiation strategies with the Trump administration and journeyed to Oman for diplomatic meetings just fourteen days before the U.S. and Israeli assault began. Similar to other senior Iranian officials, he faced extensive American sanctions related to violent suppression of January mass demonstrations.

While ineligible for supreme leader status due to his non-clerical background, he was anticipated to serve in a senior advisory capacity, with widespread belief that he was effectively governing as U.S. and Israeli attacks forced Iran’s leadership into hiding.

Seven days ago, following President Donald Trump’s warning to strike Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if Tehran blocked oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz, Larijani issued a response via social media platform X.

“The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran,” he posted. “Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

Scottish Parliament members will cast ballots Tuesday on historic legislation that could make Scotland the first region within the United Kingdom to permit terminally ill adults to receive medical assistance in ending their lives.

The Edinburgh-based legislature has designated this as a conscience vote, allowing representatives to decide based on personal beliefs rather than following party directives. This approach makes predicting the results challenging, with the decision anticipated after 10 p.m. GMT.

As one of four nations comprising the United Kingdom along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland operates under a semi-autonomous government with jurisdiction over numerous policy areas, including healthcare matters.

Should the legislation pass, Scottish residents with six months or fewer to live could request medical assistance to end their lives. The proposal requires confirmation from two physicians that the individual has a terminal diagnosis and possesses the mental competency to make such a decision.

Liberal Democrat representative Liam McArthur, the bill’s author, made an impassioned plea for support from his fellow lawmakers.

“If you believe that dying people should not have to suffer against their will and you have heard, like I have, of the many instances where they have been simply failed by the lack of compassion and safety in our current law, you now have to back this bill,” he said. “It is time to look terminally ill Scots in the eye and make this change.”

Critics of assisted dying legislation contend that vulnerable populations including disabled individuals, seniors, sick patients and those battling depression might face coercion to end their lives to avoid burdening family members.

Scottish National Party Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced her intention to oppose the measure. Several medical associations, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, have also expressed opposition.

“Doctors, psychiatrists, pharmacists and palliative care specialists — the people who would be tasked with implementing this — are asking us not to do it,” Forbes said. “They think this bill is unsafe.”

Parallel legislation seeking to authorize assisted dying in England and Wales faces obstacles in the British Parliament located in London.

While the House of Commons gave approval to The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June, more than 1,000 proposed amendments have stalled progress in the House of Lords. Bill supporters characterize this as deliberate obstruction by opponents, though some chamber members maintain they are conducting essential review to improve the legislation.

The measure appears unlikely to gain passage from both parliamentary chambers before the current session concludes in May. Should this occur, the bill would expire and future assisted dying legalization efforts would need to begin anew.

The British Crown dependencies of Jersey and the Isle of Man have enacted comparable laws awaiting formal approval from King Charles III. While these small territories govern themselves, they depend on the United Kingdom for defense and certain international relations.

Medical assistance in dying operates legally in numerous countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and several U.S. states, with eligibility requirements differing across jurisdictions.

Britain’s upper legislative chamber has approved new restrictions targeting online pornography, extending prohibitions that already exist for physical materials to digital platforms. The House of Lords voted to ban images showing children and violent content from internet pornography sites.

These latest amendments bring online regulations in line with existing laws that already govern traditional pornographic materials, closing what lawmakers saw as a regulatory gap. The United Kingdom has been steadily tightening controls on internet adult content over the past several years.

The legislative efforts have drawn attention from religious leaders and family advocacy groups in the United States, who have expressed hope that American lawmakers might adopt similar measures to restrict online adult content.

The European Union’s foreign policy leader firmly rejected suggestions Tuesday to rebuild diplomatic ties with Russia and resume purchasing inexpensive Russian energy supplies.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, dismissed remarks made by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in a weekend interview with L’Echo newspaper, where he advocated for restoring normal relations with Moscow.

De Wever’s position contradicts established EU policy, which maintains strict sanctions against Russia following its military invasion of Ukraine and seeks to eliminate dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

The Belgian leader claimed that European officials privately support his view but “no one dares to say it out loud.”

Speaking with Reuters in Brussels, Kallas disputed this characterization, stating she has witnessed no such sentiment during high-level discussions.

“I’ve been … behind those closed doors, when we talk about leaders’ meetings, and I don’t see this appetite,” Kallas explained, referencing her participation in European Council gatherings with EU heads of state and government.

The former Estonian prime minister emphasized the importance of establishing clear objectives before engaging with Russia.

“When we talk to Russia, of course, the most important thing is to first agree what we want to talk to them about,” Kallas noted.

She cautioned against premature diplomatic outreach, warning: “If we just go back to business as usual, we will have more of this – more wars. We have seen this before, so we have to be very vigilant and not to actually give Russia what they want because their appetite will only grow.”

Oil prices worldwide have jumped approximately 40% since conflicts involving the United States and Israel with Iran began, reaching levels not seen since 2022.

Following criticism from coalition partners over his weekend statements, De Wever has attempted to clarify his position, indicating he would only support normalized relations after a peace agreement ends the Ukrainian conflict.

French far-right political movements secured notable victories across southeastern regions during Sunday’s initial round of municipal voting, while leadership battles in major metropolitan areas including Paris remain unresolved before next week’s decisive runoff elections.

The electoral contest is being closely watched as an indicator of political sentiment ahead of France’s 2027 presidential campaign.

Approximately 35,000 communities participated in the voting process, with roughly 93% choosing their local leaders outright in the first round, primarily featuring independent candidates without party affiliations.

Participation levels hit just above 57%, surpassing the 2020 election held amid pandemic restrictions but falling short of 2014 numbers, Interior Ministry data shows.

Key developments before the March 22 second round:

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally demonstrated continued regional expansion, especially throughout France’s southeastern territories.

Party deputy leader Louis Aliot secured a decisive victory in Perpignan, his established political base.

Marseille’s current left-leaning mayor Benoît Payan finds himself in a virtual tie with National Rally challenger Franck Allisio heading into the runoff.

Along the French Riviera in Nice, Éric Ciotti, who departed conservative ranks to establish his own far-right movement in 2024 while partnering with the National Rally, positioned himself as the leading contender for the final round.

Right-wing candidates also gained strong footing in Nîmes and the Mediterranean naval hub of Toulon.

Thousands of municipal positions across France await determination, including leadership roles in Paris and other significant urban centers.

Where three or more contenders advanced to runoffs, candidate negotiations to combine voter lists concluded by Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline, potentially improving their chances for victory.

Political partnerships have sparked intense discussions between moderate leftist parties and the radical France Unbowed movement, headed by longtime activist Jean-Luc Mélenchon, which performed well in several metropolitan areas.

France Unbowed previously collaborated with Socialist, Green, and Communist parties, but the coalition fractured amid accusations that the hard-left group tolerated anti-Jewish rhetoric. Critics also blamed the far-left for escalating tensions following last month’s fatal beating of a far-right activist in Lyon.

Despite tensions, some electoral agreements emerged on individual race bases.

In Lyon, France’s third-largest municipality, current Green mayor Grégory Doucet partnered with France Unbowed in a competitive battle against right-wing candidate Jean-Michel Aulas, a business leader and former soccer club executive.

Anti-racism organization SOS Racisme urged mainstream political groups to collaborate against far-right advancement. Group president Dominique Sopo stated: “No alliance should be ruled out if it helps prevent this party from taking control of new municipalities.”

Le Pen’s organization maintains limited influence in several major urban areas, showing weak support in cities like Paris and Lyon.

Paris mayoral competition features left-wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire leading after the initial vote, though the runoff against conservative opponent Rachida Dati promises to be competitive.

Dati, a high-profile politician who recently served as France’s culture minister, aims to break 25 years of leftist control at City Hall. However, her career faces scrutiny as she prepares for a September corruption and influence-peddling trial.

Grégoire, who previously served as deputy to departing mayor Anne Hidalgo, leads a coalition combining Socialists, Greens, and Communists. He declined to partner with France Unbowed, whose candidate also qualified for round two, creating uncertainty about the outcome.

Departing Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who won office in 2014 and secured reelection in 2020, decided against pursuing a third term after guiding the city through the 2015 terrorist attacks and hosting the 2024 Olympics.

Political attention increasingly focuses on the 2027 presidential contest, as municipal elections represent the final nationwide voting before the campaign for France’s highest office begins, offering all parties opportunities to strengthen local foundations. Current President Emmanuel Macron cannot pursue a third consecutive term under constitutional restrictions.

In the northern coastal city of Le Havre, sitting mayor Édouard Philippe, who finished first Sunday, seeks a runoff win that could boost his standing as a potential presidential candidate. The center-right politician served as Macron’s prime minister for three years.

The National Rally views key mayoral victories as demonstrations of the party’s governing capabilities.

Marine Le Pen had been viewed as a top presidential prospect until her embezzlement conviction last year, which included a five-year ban from public office. She is challenging the verdict, with a crucial court ruling expected July 7. Should the ban stand, her protégé Jordan Bardella would become the party’s presidential nominee.

Multiple prominent politicians across the political spectrum have expressed presidential interest, but no clear frontrunner has emerged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in London Tuesday for high-level discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to British government officials. The visit comes as European nations work to maintain global focus on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine while world attention shifts to escalating Middle East conflicts.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte joined the meeting at 10 Downing Street, where leaders focused on peace initiatives for Ukraine and “the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia,” Starmer’s office announced.

The London summit follows recent U.S. decisions to temporarily lift certain Russian oil sanctions aimed at stabilizing global energy markets disrupted by Middle East warfare, which began with joint American-Israeli operations against Iran on February 28.

Zelenskyy condemned Washington’s sanctions relief, arguing it would give Moscow additional resources to continue its assault on Ukraine.

President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to broker a peace agreement ending what he calls Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, causing concern among European leaders who believe Russia may present a serious security threat to the EU within the decade.

However, U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives have stalled, showing little advancement on critical matters as Middle East crises dominate international attention.

Trump has also rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal to assist the United States and Gulf allies in countering Iranian drone attacks, despite Ukraine’s emergence as a global leader in producing advanced, combat-proven drone defense systems.

UK officials report that Russia and Iran are working together on drone technology and strategies in the Middle East region. British and Ukrainian drone warfare specialists have been deployed to help Iran’s neighboring countries defend against drone strikes.

The UK and Ukraine will formalize an agreement combining “Ukraine’s expertise and the U.K.’s industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and innovative capabilities,” according to Starmer’s office. Britain is also financing an “AI Center of Excellence” in partnership with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

“More security and opportunities for Ukraine” are his main goals, Zelenskyy posted on X when announcing his London arrival.

“Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East,” Starmer stated.

“By deepening our defense partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the U.K. and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.”

Russian Defense Ministry officials reported Tuesday that their air defense systems shot down 206 Ukrainian drones during overnight operations across Russian territories, the occupied Crimean Peninsula, and Azov Sea areas. Forty of those intercepted drones were heading toward Moscow, ministry statements indicated.

When questioned about increased Ukrainian drone operations targeting Moscow in recent days, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized Kyiv authorities as “continuing absolutely futile resistance” against Russia’s invasion.

Ukrainian forces’ counteroffensives at eastern and southern front positions have disrupted Moscow’s planned March offensive, Zelenskyy claimed Monday evening.

While his statements could not be independently confirmed, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted Monday that Ukrainian counterattacks “are likely constraining” certain Russian offensive activities.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 178 long-range drones of different types nationwide overnight beginning late Monday, with 154 either intercepted or disrupted electronically while 22 additional drones reached their intended targets.

A Russian attack damaged a Nova Poshta terminal in southern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, injuring eight people, according to regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov. Nova Poshta is Ukraine’s largest private delivery service.

Healthcare facilities across Sudan are facing a dire shortage of medical supplies that could reach critical levels within the next two weeks, according to warnings from the international charity Save the Children.

The organization reports that ongoing conflict in the Middle East has severely disrupted shipping routes and supply chains, leaving approximately $600,000 worth of crucial medications stranded at Dubai ports.

Willem Zuidema, Save the Children’s global director of supply chain safety, explained to Reuters that nearly 90 government-operated medical facilities throughout Sudan depend entirely on their organization’s medication deliveries to serve around 400,000 patients.

“We have a couple of weeks to do this rerouting before the country’s stocks run out. The clock is ticking,” Zuidema stated, warning that patients will lose access to fundamental healthcare services once emergency reserves are depleted.

The stranded medical supplies include critical treatments such as antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, deworming medications, pain relievers, fever reducers, and pediatric injectable medicines. These shipments typically arrive through Port Sudan before being transported overland to regions including Darfur.

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has created widespread disruption to international supply networks, forcing airspace restrictions and halting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher recently highlighted how the Middle East crisis is placing enormous strain on aid distribution systems, with sub-Saharan Africa and Gaza experiencing particularly severe impacts.

The World Health Organization has also issued warnings about increasing medical supply shortfalls affecting various regions of Sudan. WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy noted, “Right now there’s a huge crunch in Sudan, of course, and there’s also a bigger crunch in medical commodities going into certain provinces.”

Financial pressures are intensifying the crisis as transportation expenses surge while aid organizations face significant budget reductions from major donors. Container shipping rates have climbed 25-30% as maritime companies redirect vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, extending delivery schedules by several weeks.

Zuidema warned that the current disruption may prove more damaging than challenges faced during the early phases of the Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 pandemic, primarily because aid organizations have fewer resources available following recent funding cuts.

“Demand will go up, but the means for us to respond — especially with the increasing fuel prices driving up cost — will go down. That’s extremely worrying,” he explained.

Save the Children has experienced a $4 million reduction in their annual budget, bringing their total funding down to $98 million for this year.

Sudan continues to grapple with a three-year internal conflict that has forced millions from their homes and created one of the planet’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

NAIROBI – Two individuals faced formal charges in a Kenyan courtroom Tuesday for allegedly operating an illegal wildlife trafficking scheme involving thousands of live ants.

Zhang Kequn, a 27-year-old Chinese national, was apprehended at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last Tuesday as he tried to board an outbound flight carrying more than 2,000 living ants, according to court records. Immigration authorities had previously placed a stop order on his passport following his successful evasion of arrest in Kenya the previous year.

A second defendant, Charles Mwangi, was brought before the court Monday on accusations of providing live ants to international smuggling networks. Officials connected Mwangi to an ant shipment that authorities intercepted in Bangkok on March 10, which had been sent from Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa.

Both Zhang and Mwangi entered not guilty pleas before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi on charges that include handling protected wildlife species without proper authorization. The magistrate ordered both defendants to remain in jail custody while the case proceeds, with the next court appearance scheduled for March 27.

Collectors who keep ant colonies as a hobby often pay substantial amounts to house them in large glass containers called formicariums, which allow observation of the insects’ intricate social behaviors and organizational systems.

This case follows a similar prosecution last year where four individuals each received $7,700 fines for attempting to smuggle thousands of ants that play important roles in Kenya’s natural environment. Wildlife protection experts noted that such cases represent a shift in illegal animal trade from high-profile targets like elephant tusks to less conspicuous species.

Nigerian police confirmed Tuesday that suspected suicide bombers killed no fewer than 23 individuals and left more than 100 others injured during Monday evening attacks in Maiduguri, located in the country’s northeastern region.

The violence marks one of the most devastating incidents to strike the capital city of Borno state, a region long plagued by conflict, in recent memory.

The following chronology outlines significant fatal attacks that have occurred throughout Borno over the past five years:

Militants believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram launched rocket-propelled grenades into crowded sections of Maiduguri, striking locations including a university campus and a children’s play area, resulting in no fewer than 10 deaths.

Women carrying explosive devices struck a marriage ceremony, burial service, and medical facility in synchronized assaults throughout Gwoza town, claiming at least 32 lives and wounding more than 100 others. While no organization took credit for these attacks, authorities typically link suicide bombing tactics to Boko Haram operations.

An individual detonated an explosive-laden vehicle after ramming into a Nigerian military convoy that was conducting operations against Islamic State fighters in the isolated community of Malam-Fatori, killing the attacker along with numerous soldiers.

A bomber targeting a dining establishment in Konduga town killed at least 10 individuals and wounded multiple others in the blast.

Boko Haram fighters conducted a nighttime assault on Darul Jamal village, killing more than 60 residents who had recently relocated from a displacement camp back to their community.

An explosive device detonated during religious services at a Maiduguri mosque, claiming five lives in what authorities characterized as a probable suicide bombing.

Militants suspected of Boko Haram ties killed seven Nigerian military personnel and took 13 others captive during an ambush targeting troops conducting patrols near Damasak in Borno.

Several suicide bombers struck Maiduguri simultaneously, hitting a medical facility and two commercial markets, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 100 others.

GENEVA — United Nations human rights officials issued a stark warning Tuesday about what they describe as potential “ethnic cleansing” taking place in the occupied West Bank, where more than 36,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced amid accelerated Israeli settlement expansion.

The comprehensive report from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk examines a 12-month period ending in October, documenting escalating violence from Israeli settlers and security forces targeting Palestinian communities.

According to Türk, Israeli officials are “playing the central role in directing, participating in or enabling this conduct,” with the report condemning systematic harassment, intimidation and the destruction of Palestinian agricultural land and residences.

Israeli Foreign Ministry officials and the Geneva embassy have not yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.

The majority of displaced Palestinians come from northern West Bank regions, where Israeli forces launched extensive military operations in early 2025. Israeli government officials justify these actions as necessary to eliminate militant organizations operating in those areas.

The UN document states that the displacement “appears to indicate a concerted Israeli policy of mass forcible transfer throughout the occupied territory, aimed at permanent displacement, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.”

Simultaneously, Israel’s conservative government has accelerated new settlement development throughout the West Bank. While international law widely prohibits such settlements, the Trump administration has shown greater acceptance of the construction projects. Israel’s current leadership includes prominent settler advocates and their political supporters.

UN officials report that Israeli authorities have approved or advanced nearly 37,000 new housing units in occupied east Jerusalem, plus over 27,000 additional units in other West Bank locations.

Türk demanded immediate cessation of settlement activities and reversal of their effects, including complete settler evacuation and “an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territory.”

This construction surge coincides with increased settler attacks on Palestinian civilians. Israeli officials characterize such violence as actions by a small extremist faction, but Palestinian representatives and human rights organizations argue that Israeli military forces rarely intervene to stop these incidents, and perpetrators face minimal consequences.

Three Palestinians died earlier this month during violent confrontations with settlers near Khirbet Abu Falah, located east of Ramallah. In an unusual response, Israeli military leadership issued strong condemnation of the settler violence.

Though occurring after the UN report’s timeframe, Palestinian Authority officials accused Israel of “exploiting the atmosphere of war” and reduced international focus on West Bank issues to increase intimidation tactics, violence and forced population displacement.

MADRID, March 17 – Spain’s energy and competition regulatory authority CNMC announced Tuesday that its forthcoming investigation into last year’s extensive power failure across the Iberian Peninsula will not determine fault or responsibility for the incident.

The widespread electrical outage on April 28 plunged extensive areas of Spain and Portugal into darkness for as long as 10 hours, affecting millions of residents.

During testimony before senators on Tuesday, CNMC Director Cani Fernandez explained that while the investigation will provide recommendations and findings, it will stop short of assigning culpability. Fernandez stated that the current regulatory and technical tools available to CNMC are adequate for proper system oversight.

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon is taking a devastating toll on innocent people, with massive casualties and widespread forced evacuations, United Nations officials reported Tuesday from Geneva.

“Displacement is increasing incredibly quickly. Right now, hundreds of thousands of people left their homes. Many leaving with very little, just the clothes they were wearing,” U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza stated.

The violence erupted on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel, claiming the strikes were retaliation for the death of Iran’s supreme leader. Israeli forces have since launched a major military campaign that has resulted in over 800 deaths across Lebanon while displacing more than 800,000 residents from their communities.

Lebanese government data shows nearly 20 percent of the country’s population is now officially registered as displaced persons, with the U.N. warning that these numbers are expected to climb even higher.

Border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan has reached devastating new levels, with Tuesday’s Pakistani airstrike reportedly claiming more than 400 lives and injuring 265 others at a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, according to Afghanistan’s Taliban government. Pakistani officials dispute this account, stating they targeted a military installation and “terrorist infrastructure.”

The escalating conflict between these South Asian nations, who were once close partners, has unfolded over several months with multiple failed peace attempts.

Key Events in the Conflict:

October 2025: The crisis began on October 12 when dozens of combatants died during nighttime border battles, marking the most severe confrontation since the Taliban assumed control in Kabul. A week later, both countries agreed to halt hostilities following negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Turkey, with plans for additional discussions. However, by October 28, these diplomatic efforts collapsed when neither side could reach an agreement during the second round of mediated talks.

November-December 2025: Violence resumed on November 25 when Pakistani airstrikes killed nine children and one woman across three eastern Afghan provinces, prompting Taliban officials to promise retaliation. Peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia on December 3 also ended without progress, despite involvement from Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, along with Pakistani military, intelligence, and diplomatic representatives.

Early 2026: The conflict intensified dramatically on February 27 when Pakistani forces struck 22 Afghan military positions. Pakistan’s military reported losing at least 12 soldiers while claiming to have killed 274 Taliban officials and fighters within a 24-hour period. By March 3, fighting had spread to multiple border locations, with the United Nations mission in Afghanistan reporting 42 civilian deaths over six days.

Recent Developments: Chinese diplomatic intervention showed promise on March 12, with President Xi Jinping’s mediation efforts helping to reduce tensions. This included a February meeting between China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where Xi’s message to end hostilities was delivered. However, violence continued on March 13 when Pakistan bombed a Kam Air fuel depot near Kandahar airport and struck residential areas in Kabul, resulting in four deaths and more than a dozen injuries, according to Taliban authorities.

The March 17 incident represents the deadliest single attack in this ongoing conflict, with both sides providing conflicting accounts of the target and casualties involved.

A high-ranking Iranian official revealed Tuesday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has turned down diplomatic overtures designed to ease hostilities with the United States.

According to the official, two countries acting as intermediaries had delivered proposals to Tehran calling for reduced tensions and a potential ceasefire with America, but these efforts were rebuffed by Iran’s top leader.

During what was described as Khamenei’s initial foreign policy meeting, the official characterized his position toward seeking retribution against both the United States and Israel as “very tough and serious.” The source did not specify whether the Supreme Leader participated in the session directly or remotely.

BRUSSELS – Europe’s top diplomat says the European Union has learned to anticipate erratic behavior from the United States following a year of surprising policy decisions from Washington.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas spoke with reporters Tuesday about how European leaders have adjusted their expectations when working with American officials.

“Of course, we are allies with America, but we don’t really understand their moves recently,” Kallas explained during the interview.

The Estonian diplomat described how European officials have changed their mindset over the past twelve months since working with the current U.S. administration.

“I think it is pretty clear after this one year that the word that we have to take into account is unpredictability. So we are now more calm because we are expecting the unpredictable things to happen all the time, and take it as it is, put some ice in our hats and be calm and stay focused,” she stated.

Kallas suggested that European leaders have developed a more patient approach to transatlantic relations, preparing themselves for sudden shifts in American foreign policy positions.

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s top foreign policy official emphasized Tuesday that peaceful negotiations must be pursued to maintain open access through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway, responding to President Donald Trump’s requests for allied nations to deploy naval forces in the region during Iran’s ongoing conflict.

Kaja Kallas, who leads EU foreign policy, told Reuters in an exclusive interview that military deployment isn’t the preferred approach for European nations.

“Nobody is ready to put their people in harm’s way in the Strait of Hormuz. We have to find diplomatic ways to keep this open so that we don’t have a food crisis, fertilizers crisis, energy crisis as well,” Kallas stated during the Tuesday interview.

The strait serves as a crucial shipping corridor for global commerce, making its security a significant concern for international trade and supply chains.

Three European allies are working together on a plan to pool their resources for buying military equipment and weapons as global tensions continue to rise due to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The United Kingdom, Finland, and the Netherlands announced Tuesday they are developing a collaborative approach to defense procurement that could be operational by 2027. According to a British government statement, additional unnamed partner countries are also participating in discussions about this new framework.

The announcement comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in London on Tuesday, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also expected to participate in the meetings.

This proposed partnership would work alongside current NATO and European Union defense programs rather than replacing them.

“By joining forces, we get more security with the same resources and we strengthen our alliances as well,” Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen stated in the announcement.

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships with allied nations while building up domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.

Reeves plans to outline her vision for stronger European Union relationships later Tuesday, building on comments she made last month about how European defense collaboration could deliver better value through improved equipment compatibility and shared purchasing power.

Four Israeli officials have confirmed that Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani was among the targets of overnight military strikes conducted by Israeli forces across Iran, though his current status remains unknown.

The officials speaking to Reuters said it remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or wounded in the attacks that took place last night.

Iranian authorities have yet to issue any statement regarding these reports.

Should Larijani’s death be verified, he would represent the highest-ranking Iranian official eliminated since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who perished on the conflict’s opening day.

A former nuclear negotiator who maintained close ties with Khamenei, Larijani was publicly observed in Tehran on Friday participating in Quds Day demonstrations.

That same Friday, the United States announced a bounty of up to $10 million for intelligence on top Iranian military and security leaders, with Larijani among ten individuals connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list.

Israeli news sources have also reported that the strikes aimed at Gholamreza Soleimani, who leads the Basij Resistance Force, along with other high-ranking Basij commanders, though the results of these operations are still under evaluation.

Emergency response teams continue searching through debris at a drug treatment center in Afghanistan’s capital city on Tuesday, following what local authorities describe as a nighttime Pakistani military attack that claimed hundreds of lives at the medical facility.

The overnight strike targeted the rehabilitation hospital, leaving rescue workers to navigate through collapsed structures as they work to recover victims from the destruction.

This report includes a collection of photographs selected by Associated Press photo staff documenting the aftermath and ongoing recovery efforts.

Ukrainian officials reported Tuesday that overnight Russian strikes targeted key infrastructure across the Odesa region along the Black Sea, knocking out electricity to multiple communities in the area’s southern districts.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, announced via Telegram that the bombardment hit industrial complexes, port facilities, and power infrastructure throughout the coastal region. According to Kiper, emergency crews rapidly contained resulting blazes, and the assault produced no casualties.

“Critical infrastructure has been switched to backup power,” Kiper stated.

The strategic port city of Izmail, Ukraine’s largest Danube River shipping hub located directly across from NATO ally Romania, bore the brunt of what local officials characterized as an intense overnight drone bombardment.

Izmail’s mayor reported through social media channels that the strikes caused significant damage to both infrastructure systems and civilian housing throughout the municipality.

Romanian defense officials announced Tuesday they were conducting searches for reported drone debris near the border village of Plauru, situated on the opposite bank of the Danube from the targeted Ukrainian areas.

LONDON, March 17 – British telecommunications regulators announced Tuesday they will continue oversight of BT Openreach’s nationwide broadband infrastructure for an additional five-year period, implementing expanded price controls to boost competition and bring fiber internet to the remaining one-fifth of properties across the country.

The regulatory approach established by watchdog agency Ofcom in 2021 has delivered remarkable results, with nearly 80% of households now able to access full-fiber broadband service – a dramatic increase from fewer than 25% just five years earlier.

While approximately three-quarters of consumers can now choose between two providers – typically Openreach paired with either Virgin Media or a smaller alternative network – Ofcom determined that Openreach maintains substantial market dominance, making complete deregulation premature.

Under the new framework, regulators will impose price limits on what Openreach can charge retail companies such as Vodafone or Sky – which rent access to its network infrastructure – for download speeds reaching 80Mbit/s, expanding from the current 40Mbit/s threshold.

However, pricing for premium high-speed services will continue without regulatory constraints, creating financial motivation for companies to invest in infrastructure capable of delivering faster connection speeds, officials explained Tuesday.

President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing has created uncertainty in U.S.-China relations, though experts believe the delay won’t significantly damage diplomatic progress made since their October meeting.

The postponement demonstrates how the Iranian conflict has disrupted Trump’s international diplomatic priorities, adding military concerns to the existing challenges of trade disputes and Taiwan tensions between the world’s largest economies.

This delay interrupts efforts to reshape bilateral relationships just after both nations finished important trade discussions in Paris on Monday, which were meant to prepare for Trump’s Beijing visit originally planned for late March.

These talks occurred following Washington’s launch of new probes into “unfair trade practices” designed to increase trade pressure on nations worldwide, including China, after the Supreme Court overturned Trump’s global tariff policies last month.

“The situation is not in jeopardy, and Beijing still wants to organise the summit, but the U.S.-Iran conflict and the Supreme Court ruling on tariff policies have complicated these efforts,” stated Zhao Minghao, an international relations specialist from Shanghai’s prestigious Fudan University. “It makes U.S.-China interactions this year more difficult because of Trump’s ‘war of choice’ in Iran.”

Zhao noted that the delay could also provide opportunity for additional trade measures.

“The White House says it will continue its tariff policy, but without a doubt, we could see new uncertainties in this regard that impact Beijing’s calculations on dealing with the U.S.,” he explained.

A person with knowledge of the Paris discussions told Reuters before the second day of negotiations that China demonstrated willingness to potentially increase purchases of American agricultural products, including poultry, beef, and crops other than soybeans.

Both countries also addressed the supply of rare earth minerals primarily controlled by China and explored new methods for managing trade and investment relations.

Government-controlled China Daily characterized the discussions in a Tuesday editorial as “constructive,” while cautioning Trump that Beijing’s “openness should not be mistaken for acquiescence.”

“The U.S. side should refrain from taking any further actions that could disrupt or undermine a stable China-U.S. economic relationship. Actions that inject uncertainty — whether tariffs, restrictive measures or unilateral investigations — do just that,” the editorial stated.

American officials have provided conflicting explanations for the postponement. On Sunday, Trump informed Britain’s Financial Times he might delay the meeting unless China assisted in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

However, on Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated Trump may need to postpone due to war coordination responsibilities, not because of requests for China’s help with the strait or trade disagreements.

Nevertheless, analysts say both nations prioritize maintaining stable relations and continuing preparations for an eventual successful visit. They emphasized that for China’s export-dependent economy, managing increasing global economic uncertainty remains the top concern.

“Trump is preoccupied with a war in Iran that has not been resolved as quickly as predicted, so he is keen to ensure that the military and economic fallout from that is contained within the next couple of weeks or so … which means planning a successful visit to Beijing is next to impossible,” explained Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society.

“From China’s perspective, there’s been a lot of concern in Beijing about the lack of preparations from the American side for the summit so Chinese policymakers wouldn’t mind an extra few weeks to prepare for a more substantive visit.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reflected this position on Monday when questioned about Trump’s weekend comments. “Diplomacy between heads of state plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to China-U.S. relations,” Lin stated, noting that both sides were discussing the trip arrangements.

Nigerian authorities are investigating a series of deadly explosions that claimed the lives of at least 23 people and left more than 100 others injured Monday evening in Maiduguri, located in the country’s northeastern region. Officials believe suicide bombers were responsible for what has become one of the most devastating attacks the conflict-torn city has witnessed in recent years.

The blasts occurred in heavily populated areas throughout Maiduguri, which serves as the capital of Borno state. Emergency responders and local residents reported that three separate explosions rocked the city, with detonations occurring at a busy marketplace and near the main entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

“Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Borno police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said in a statement that blamed the attacks on suspected suicide bombers.

While no organization has stepped forward to take credit for the coordinated assault, authorities and residents immediately pointed to the Boko Haram extremist organization as the likely perpetrator. The militant group began its violent campaign in northeastern Nigeria back in 2009, seeking to impose their extreme version of Islamic law across the region.

Over the years, Boko Haram has expanded its operations and now includes thousands of militants operating under various factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, which receives support from the broader Islamic State organization.

Despite being the epicenter of years of violent conflict, Maiduguri had recently enjoyed a period of relative calm, even as surrounding rural areas continued to face regular attacks from extremist forces.

Local residents described the panic and confusion that erupted following the explosions. Mohammed Hassan, who volunteers with a civilian group that supports security forces in their fight against extremists, characterized the scale of the violence. “This attack’s been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years,” Hassan explained. “We’re in dire need of blood,” he added while describing the urgent medical situation hours after the bombings occurred.

Security officials note that extremist groups have recently escalated their offensive operations against Nigerian military installations, resulting in the deaths of multiple high-ranking officers and soldiers while also allowing militants to seize significant quantities of weapons and ammunition from overrun bases.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Emergency workers continued pulling victims from the wreckage of a drug treatment center in Afghanistan’s capital Tuesday, following what Afghan authorities described as a devastating Pakistani airstrike that claimed at least 400 lives at the medical facility.

Pakistani officials have rejected Afghanistan’s claims that they deliberately struck a hospital, asserting that their military operations conducted Monday in eastern Afghanistan avoided all civilian locations.

Monday evening’s attacks represent a significant intensification of hostilities that erupted between the neighboring countries in late February, featuring repeated border skirmishes and aerial bombardments within Afghan territory. Efforts by the international community to broker a ceasefire have been unsuccessful.

Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat announced on X late Monday that the bombing struck the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, which houses 2,000 beds in Kabul, around 9 p.m. local time. He reported that substantial portions of the complex were leveled, with casualties reaching 400 deaths “so far” and approximately 250 wounded. No updated casualty figures were available early Tuesday.

Video footage shared by local news outlets on X depicted security personnel using flashlights to evacuate victims while firefighters battled blazes throughout the destroyed structure’s remains.

The hospital bombing occurred following earlier border exchanges that Afghan officials said killed four people in Afghanistan, as the most severe fighting between these nations in years continued into its third week.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denounced the attack on X, charging Pakistan with “targeting hospitals and civilian sites to perpetrate horrors.” He described the victims as “innocent civilians and addicts.”

“We strongly condemn this crime and consider such an act to be against all accepted principles and a crime against humanity,” he stated in another X post.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, rejected these accusations as unfounded, maintaining that no medical facility was attacked in Kabul.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X early Tuesday that Pakistani forces had “carried out precision airstrikes” against military targets in Kabul and Nangarhar province in the east. He claimed that “technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities” at two Kabul locations were eliminated.

“All targeting has been done with precision only at those infrastructures which are being used by Afghan Taliban regime to support its multiple terror proxies,” he posted.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry earlier labeled Mujahid’s accusations as “false and misleading,” designed to inflame public opinion and conceal what it called “illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism.” The ministry insisted Pakistan’s operations were “precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted.”

The bombing followed a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to intensify counterterrorism efforts immediately. Pakistan maintains that Kabul provides sanctuary to militant organizations, especially the Pakistani Taliban, which allegedly conducts attacks within Pakistani borders.

While the Security Council resolution didn’t specifically mention attacks in Pakistan, it condemned “in the strongest terms all terrorist activity including terrorist attacks.”

Pakistan’s administration alleges that Afghanistan shelters the Pakistani Taliban, designated as a terrorist group by the United States, along with banned Baloch separatist organizations and other militants who regularly attack Pakistani military and civilian targets nationwide. Afghanistan disputes these allegations.

The current violence — the most intense between these neighbors — started in late February when Afghanistan launched cross-border operations responding to Pakistani airstrikes within Afghanistan that Kabul claimed killed civilians. The fighting shattered a Qatar-mediated ceasefire from October that followed earlier battles killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.

Pakistan has announced it is engaged in “open war” with Afghanistan. The escalation has concerned the international community, especially given the region’s continued presence of other militant groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State, which have been attempting to reestablish themselves.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari declared Saturday that Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership crossed a “red line” by deploying drones that wounded several Pakistani civilians last week.

A Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor who gained worldwide recognition when former President Barack Obama embraced him during a groundbreaking 2016 visit has passed away at age 88, according to Japanese media reports.

Shigeaki Mori died March 14 at a Hiroshima hospital, Jiji Press announced Tuesday. The emotional moment when Obama held the tearful survivor at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park became an iconic image from the first-ever presidential visit to the site by a sitting U.S. leader.

Mori was just eight years old on August 6, 1945, when American forces detonated the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, devastating the entire city and rendering him unconscious from the explosion’s tremendous force.

Three decades after surviving the attack, Mori dedicated himself to a lengthy mission to locate victims who had been cremated at his school’s playground. Through his tireless research efforts, he also discovered the identities of 12 Americans who lost their lives in the bombing.

Survivors of the nuclear attacks, called “hibakusha” in Japanese, continue working to preserve the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki despite their aging population and decreasing numbers. These remain the only two cities in history to experience nuclear warfare. Officials estimate approximately 550,000 people have died from the attacks, including those who succumbed to radiation-related illnesses in subsequent years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to London Tuesday for high-level discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, focusing on strengthening defense cooperation between their nations, according to the British government.

The meeting centers on finalizing an enhanced partnership agreement for collaborative development and manufacturing of unmanned aircraft and additional military equipment, Downing Street announced.

Officials indicated that both Ukraine and Britain will explore possibilities for expanding defense technology partnerships with additional allied nations.

NATO’s top official, Secretary General Mark Rutte, is scheduled to join the London discussions with Starmer and Zelenskyy, addressing European security concerns and strategies for achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine, British officials confirmed.

“Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East,” Starmer said in the statement.

A survivor of Monday night’s devastating airstrike in Kabul has described watching helplessly as flames consumed his fellow patients at a drug rehabilitation facility, calling the horrific scene “doomsday.”

Ahmad, a 50-year-old patient who also worked as a volunteer security guard at the hospital, was the lone survivor among 26 men sharing his dormitory when Pakistani forces launched their attack. The men had just finished evening prayers and gathered in their shared living space when the strikes began.

“The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday,” Ahmad said, identifying himself by only his first name.

According to Afghanistan’s Taliban government, the Monday evening assault claimed at least 400 lives and wounded 250 others. However, Pakistani officials dispute targeting the medical complex, stating their military operations focused on armed installations and “terrorist support infrastructure.”

The deadly attack represents the most recent escalation in mounting tensions between the neighboring Islamic countries during the sacred period of Ramadan.

Mohammad Mian, an employee in the hospital’s radiology unit, explained that numerous young patients receiving treatment resided in large shipping containers throughout the facility grounds. He said very few of these residents survived the bombardment.

“It was extremely terrifying,” Mian recalled. “Those who survived were the ones whose rooms were not destroyed and were fortunate. But the places where the bombs were dropped, everyone there was killed.”

Reuters journalists who visited the devastated site Tuesday morning found charred walls on single-story buildings that still showed signs of the intense fires from hours earlier.

Other areas of the complex had been completely flattened into heaps of brick, twisted metal, and splintered wood. Personal items belonging to patients – including pillows, shoes, and clothing – were strewn throughout the wreckage.

In Ahmad’s former dormitory, some bunk beds remained standing against walls, their bedding still neatly arranged, while the destroyed ceiling left the room exposed to open sky above.

Dr. Ahmad Wali Yousafzai, a medical officer at the facility that housed approximately 2,000 patients when the attack occurred, remembered hearing three separate explosions. The force of the blasts threw several of his coworkers from wall to wall, he said.

When fires broke out immediately afterward, screams and pleas for assistance came “from all directions,” according to Yousafzai.

“We were too few in number to save all of them,” the doctor added.

Haji Fahim, who drives ambulances, spent five hours transporting at least eight bodies to the nearby Afghan-Japan hospital following the attack.

“Now we have come again … there are still bodies under the rubble,” Fahim said Tuesday as recovery efforts continued.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Accompanied by horn blasts, bell chimes, and the whoosh of pneumatic brakes, a distinctive rail car emerges from a Budapest maintenance facility to continue its century-long service to Hungary’s capital transit network.

These specialized freight vehicles, called mukis, draw power from overhead electrical lines while navigating Budapest’s extensive tram system — among the world’s most active. However, unlike the hundreds of recognizable yellow passenger cars throughout the fleet, these workhorses don’t transport riders.

The city purchased these wooden-bodied vehicles in 1926 out of urgent need: They hauled cargo and materials to Budapest’s industrial sites after World War I had devastated much of the region’s freight transportation infrastructure.

“Transportation engineers of that era created an electric propulsion system primarily using components salvaged from war-damaged vehicles, along with parts taken from cars already marked for disposal,” explained Ádám Zadravecz, who oversees tram vehicle development and technology at BKV, Budapest’s public transportation authority.

“While freight hauling was their original mission, following World War II, these same vehicles helped clear away wartime debris,” Zadravecz noted.

As Hungary rebuilt, the mukis adapted to new roles. During the 1960s, several of the initial 40-vehicle fleet received snowplow attachments, allowing them to keep tram routes clear during winter months — a duty they continue performing today.

The vehicles also conduct overnight maintenance operations and tow disabled passenger trams back to repair facilities.

Through the decades, various components were swapped out, creating vehicles with mixed parts from different eras. By 2018, the mukis needed major renovation work.

“When originally constructed in the 1920s, these were remarkably basic, no-frills machines,” said Nándor Meixner, who heads vehicle maintenance at Budapest’s Ferencváros facility. “During our restoration project, we focused on improving working conditions for our staff. For instance, we installed an operator’s seat so drivers could finally sit while working.”

The renovation also included adding cabin heating systems.

Even after a full century of modifications, Zadravecz emphasized that the trams’ fundamental character hasn’t changed.

“Operating expenses are practically nothing because these vehicles are incredibly easy to service. Unlike today’s sophisticated electronic systems, there’s very little that can malfunction,” he explained. “Folks joke that you can fix them using just a hammer and file, and they’re absolutely right.”

Operating these vintage vehicles does require specialized instruction, plus what Meixner described as developing an intuitive connection with the machinery.

“Simply knowing how to drive and understanding signals isn’t sufficient — you must truly understand the vehicle’s personality. We always told operators they needed to feel the tram through their entire body,” he said.

From the original 40-vehicle mukis fleet, just six have survived Budapest’s century of changes, with three still actively working.

“These vehicles’ worth comes exactly from their straightforward design and the remarkable fact that they continue existing and serving our needs,” Zadravecz concluded.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — People living in Dubai and Doha, Qatar, were awakened by the sound of explosions on Tuesday morning as military defense systems worked to shoot down fresh waves of Iranian missiles and drones, while Israeli forces conducted new bombing operations against Iran and Lebanon in an escalating Middle Eastern conflict.

Dubai’s international airport temporarily closed its airspace after military officials announced they were “responding to incoming missile and drone threats” targeting the major travel hub.

Israeli defense forces announced early Tuesday they had initiated a “wide-scale wave of strikes” throughout Iran’s capital city while simultaneously intensifying attacks against Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Israeli officials also confirmed two separate Iranian missile barrages launched before sunrise toward Tel Aviv and other locations, plus additional Hezbollah rockets aimed at northern Israel.

Tehran continued targeting energy facilities belonging to Gulf Arab nations, striking an oil installation in Fujairah, a UAE emirate located on the nation’s eastern coastline along the Gulf of Oman that has faced repeated attacks. Government-controlled WAM news agency confirmed no casualties resulted from the drone assault.

In Abu Dhabi, one person died from falling debris after the capital’s air defense systems destroyed an incoming missile, marking the eighth fatality in the UAE since hostilities began, according to official sources.

Tehran’s assault on Gulf states and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway carrying one-fifth of global oil shipments, has sparked growing fears of a worldwide energy shortage. Early Tuesday morning, Iranian forces struck a tanker positioned near Fujairah’s coast, adding to approximately 20 vessels attacked since Israel and the United States initiated military action against Iran on February 28.

As Washington faces mounting pressure regarding climbing oil costs, Brent crude prices stayed above $100 per barrel, representing a more than 40% increase since fighting commenced.

President Donald Trump announced he had requested roughly half a dozen nations to deploy naval vessels to maintain Strait of Hormuz navigation. However, his requests received no immediate commitments, with many countries expressing reluctance to join a conflict lacking a clear conclusion strategy and doubting their ability to exceed U.S. Navy capabilities.

The UAE temporarily closed its airspace early Tuesday after military leaders reported they were “responding to missile and drone threats from Iran.” Officials quickly reopened the airspace, followed shortly by explosion sounds as forces intercepted incoming attacks.

The sudden airspace closure highlighted the difficult situation facing Emirati officials attempting to maintain operations for their major airlines, Emirates and Etihad, while Iranian strikes continue threatening the country.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry confirmed intercepting twelve drones Tuesday morning above the kingdom’s expansive Eastern Province, which houses critical oil infrastructure.

In Qatar, explosion sounds echoed across the capital during early morning hours as defensive systems worked to stop incoming fire. Qatar’s Defense Ministry later announced successfully preventing a missile attack on the city, though a fire erupted in an industrial zone from debris of a destroyed projectile.

Attacks from Iranian-affiliated groups persisted in Iraq, with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad receiving shrapnel damage from intercepted drones.

Embassy air defense systems successfully destroyed all four drones targeting the compound, according to two Iraqi security officials who requested anonymity when discussing intelligence information.

A separate attack hit a residence within Baghdad’s heavily secured Presidential Compound in the al-Jadriya neighborhood, the officials reported. The perpetrators of both attacks remained unclear, though Iranian-allied militias have consistently targeted American installations throughout Iraq since the conflict started.

Israeli military forces announced early Tuesday they had launched fresh attacks across Tehran alongside strikes in Lebanon’s capital targeting Hezbollah militants.

Over 1,300 people have died in Iran since fighting began, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Israeli operations have also forced more than 1 million Lebanese residents to flee their homes — approximately 20% of the nation’s population — according to Lebanese government figures, which report roughly 850 deaths.

Some Israeli ground forces have advanced into southern Lebanon, raising concerns about preparations for a large-scale invasion.

Military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated Monday during a northern border visit that Israel’s army is “determined to deepen the operation until all of our objectives are achieved” and confirmed additional soldiers are reinforcing the military’s Northern Command.

Israel confirmed two Iranian missile volleys fired early Tuesday toward Tel Aviv and an area south of the Sea of Galilee. Additional launches from Lebanon were also documented.

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile strikes. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disturbing global economic stability, pushing up energy costs, threatening food supplies in developing nations, destabilizing vulnerable countries and complicating central bank efforts to reduce consumer prices.

A small number of vessels have managed passage, mainly Iranian but also from countries including India and Turkey, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating: “from our perspective it is open” — excluding the United States, Israel and their allies.

Highlighting the risks of approaching the strait, a tanker anchored off the United Arab Emirates’ eastern shore was struck by a projectile early Tuesday morning.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, operated by British military forces, confirmed the attack, noting the vessel was positioned in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah. Officials reported the tanker suffered “minor structural damage” with no injuries.

On Monday, Trump claimed “numerous countries” had told him “they’re on the way” to assist with Strait of Hormuz security, but no evidence of such deployment emerged.

European nations have criticized the U.S. and Israel for not clearly defining their war objectives and have indicated preference for diplomatic solutions rather than military involvement in the conflict.

Japan and Australia confirmed Monday they had not received requests to help protect the strait and currently have no plans to do so, while Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his nation supports strengthening anti-piracy and defensive operations in the Red Sea but opposes expanding activities in the Strait of Hormuz.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated his country might deploy mine-hunting drones already stationed in the region but “will not be drawn into the wider war.”

HAVANA, Cuba — The entire nation of Cuba lost electrical service on Monday, marking another chapter in the country’s ongoing energy emergency that has left its electrical infrastructure in shambles. This widespread power failure represents the third significant outage to hit the island in just four months.

The latest electrical disruption comes barely a week after another major power failure knocked out service across western portions of the island, leaving millions of residents in darkness.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel disclosed on Friday that the nation has been without petroleum deliveries for more than three months, forcing the country to depend on alternative energy sources including solar panels, natural gas, and deteriorating thermal power facilities. Cuban leadership has attributed the ongoing electrical emergency to what they describe as a U.S. energy embargo, while U.S. President Donald Trump issued warnings in January about potential tariffs against any nation that provides petroleum products to Cuba.

The International Monetary Fund is expressing worry that Ukraine could lose access to a critical $8.1 billion aid package due to legislative delays in the country’s parliament, according to a Bloomberg News report released Tuesday citing an IMF official with knowledge of the situation.

Ukraine’s lawmakers face a deadline at the end of March to approve legislative changes that would increase taxes on both businesses and households, a requirement under the four-year loan agreement that received approval in February, the report indicated.

The IMF previously provided $1.5 billion to Ukraine in February to support government operations as the nation continues its defense against Russia’s invasion, now entering its fifth year.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report, and the IMF has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

According to the anonymous source cited by Bloomberg, IMF staff members under the leadership of mission chief Gavin Gray are scheduled to begin meetings with Ukrainian legislators starting March 18. The source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.

NEWPORT, Wales – Britain’s political landscape could be heading for dramatic transformation as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage positions his populist movement to challenge the country’s established order.

Speaking to Reuters during his party’s policy rollout in Newport, Wales on March 5, the 61-year-old political maverick outlined an ambitious agenda that includes implementing large-scale deportations, abandoning international human rights agreements, and dramatically reducing foreign aid spending.

“The world is changing,” Farage stated, describing his vision for dismantling what he characterizes as a liberal establishment promoting “a progressive, woke ideology” that has caused British citizens to feel embarrassed about their nation.

Reform UK has surged ahead in British opinion surveys, establishing a commanding lead over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government. This momentum has strengthened Farage’s argument that his five-year-old party could capture control in the next general election scheduled by 2029.

The former Brexit champion drew parallels between himself and other global figures he considers agents of change, including his ally Donald Trump, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and Argentina’s Javier Milei, describing them as leaders bringing “very, very big changes” worldwide.

Farage noted a shifting reception during his recent appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, contrasting current interest with previous hostility. “I would say a third of the delegates I met there were genuinely interested in who I was, what I was, what I was trying to do,” he explained. “And next year it will be 50%.”

The Reform leader criticized conventional politicians as outdated, specifically targeting the current prime minister. “Keir Starmer is stuck in a mindset that is 15 years out of date,” Farage declared.

However, the party faces significant obstacles in convincing voters of their governing readiness, holding just eight seats in Britain’s 650-member parliament and lacking substantial government experience. Controversial statements about migrant “invasions” and racism allegations that resulted in member expulsions have alienated some potential supporters concerned about increased social tensions.

Adding to these challenges, a former Reform Wales leader received a prison sentence in November for accepting bribes to deliver pro-Russian speeches, actions the party condemned as “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable.”

Tim Bale, a politics professor at Queen Mary University London, highlighted this paradox: “Reform’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness – namely, Nigel Farage. He’s adored by those who are absolutely determined to vote Reform but hated by those determined to vote against it – and disliked and distrusted by far too many who might otherwise be tempted to move in its direction.”

Reform’s expanding policy framework, gathered through Reuters interviews with Farage and ten current and former advisors, encompasses eliminating diversity programs and climate targets, maximizing domestic oil and gas extraction, drastically reducing Britain’s civil service, and establishing the country as a cryptocurrency center.

Critics have characterized this agenda as merely copying Trump administration policies, a comparison Farage disputes. He describes Reform’s approach as grounded in “simple values” centered on “family, community, country.”

Labour officials have questioned the party’s policy coherence, with one stating: “Reform don’t have a proper policy platform. Their ideas don’t make sense.”

Farage’s advisors frequently discuss sweeping away liberal elites who maintain the “rules-based international order.” Alan Mendoza, Reform’s global affairs chief advisor, emphasized this transformation: “You need to be asking: What is your new destination? Because the old, the old world, has gone. It’s over.”

James Orr, the party’s new policy director and Cambridge University philosophy professor who maintains friendship with U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, offered insight into Farage’s appeal. “I’m hesitant to use the word philosophy about Nigel,” the 47-year-old explained during an interview at a London private club. “He has instincts, not ideology.”

Orr’s skepticism toward elites developed during the 2016 Brexit referendum period, when he described being the “only out-of-the-closet Brexiteer” among Oxford University academics while finding support from “the porters, the butlers, the maintenance department and the gardeners and the groundsmen.”

Farage’s political influences include figures he encountered in Brussels: Italian comedian Beppe Grillo, who co-founded the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, and social media strategist Roberto Casaleggio. A longtime advisor noted Farage’s understanding of digital communication: “Grillo weaponised social media and Nigel gets it. For a man who has never really turned on a computer in his life, he really gets it.”

Both major opposition parties dismiss Reform’s policy development capabilities. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told a party gathering on March 7: “Reform are not serious people and they are not going to solve any of your problems. Reform have absolutely no idea what they want Britain to look like in the 2030s.”

Reform officials emphasize their American connections as potential governing assets. “With this administration, I happen to know most of the members of cabinet on a personal basis and have for many, many years,” Farage told Reuters.

He expressed alignment with Trump on major issues including global security, recognizing “Iran is the bad actor in the Middle East” and understanding “China wants to take over and dominate our lives,” along with shared positions on border control and domestic energy production.

However, Farage rejected suggestions that he copies Trump’s MAGA movement. “To some extent they copy what we were doing back in the run-up to the referendum,” he countered. “I have always gone for bells and whistles and fireworks and fun, and whilst we believe in what we’re doing, we have a good time as well.”

According to sources familiar with Reform operations, party officials regularly travel to Washington seeking financial support and business backing, particularly targeting British businesses and entrepreneurs who have relocated abroad due to UK tax policies. These efforts helped Reform raise 5.5 million pounds in the fourth quarter of last year, contributing to total 2025 donations of 18 million pounds, with Electoral Commission data showing at least two-thirds coming from overseas donors.

Mendoza argued that Britain must demonstrate value to Washington through substantial defense investment and expanded global engagement to maintain meaningful security partnerships, countering Trump administration perceptions of Britain as “a weak and feeble country.”

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK political movement continues to dominate British polling data ahead of upcoming local elections in May and the next national election scheduled by 2029, surpassing both the ruling Labour government and Conservative opposition with a controversial policy agenda.

The populist party has unveiled a comprehensive platform centered around strict border enforcement, economic restructuring, and cultural nationalism.

BORDER ENFORCEMENT AND MASS REMOVALS

Under the leadership of former Goldman Sachs executive Zia Yusuf, who oversees domestic policy, Reform UK proposes launching a comprehensive five-year initiative called “Operation Restoring Justice” designed to locate, detain and remove undocumented immigrants while discouraging future arrivals through rapid enforcement.

The party intends to establish Secure Immigration Removal Centres within 18 months, creating capacity to remove up to 24,000 undocumented individuals monthly. Reform UK estimates it could remove as many as 600,000 asylum seekers, including families with children, during its first term in office.

Reform UK also plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, claiming the Strasbourg-based tribunal prevents Britain from conducting removals. The party would eliminate the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates ECHR protections into British law, replacing it with domestic legislation.

The party, which frequently characterizes unauthorized immigration as an “invasion,” proposes establishing a new Deportation Command modeled after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Simultaneously, Reform UK would attract wealthy foreign investors through a “Britannia investor visa” program, offering 10-year residency permits for £250,000 ($334,000) with exemptions from UK taxation on international earnings.

FISCAL RESTRUCTURING AND JOB CUTS

Former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick leads Reform UK’s economic policy development, proposing a restructured financial framework governed by “strict fiscal rules” to control mounting national debt through targeted spending reductions.

The party would terminate benefit payments to foreign nationals, increase immigration health charges, and limit foreign aid expenditures.

Additional savings would come from eliminating 68,500 government positions, reducing welfare distributions, and shifting new public employees from guaranteed pension benefits to contribution-based retirement plans.

While respecting Bank of England autonomy, Reform UK would seek greater business representation on monetary policy committees. The party would delay tax reductions until achieving “fiscal headroom necessary” but promises cuts when financially feasible.

ENERGY EXPANSION AND CLIMATE POLICY REVERSAL

Richard Tice, a former property developer directing business, trade and energy policy, advocates maximizing domestic oil and gas production while rapidly expanding nuclear power generation.

Reform UK would eliminate net-zero carbon targets and zero-emission vehicle requirements. The party supports “buying British” policies for government procurement and would impose “tight quotas and significant tariffs” to prevent Chinese electric vehicle market dominance.

Reform UK opposes Labour’s 2025 Employment Rights Bill, arguing the legislation destroys youth employment by increasing business costs through expanded sick pay, parental leave, and restrictions on dismissal practices.

HOSPITALITY SECTOR SUPPORT

Under the slogan “save our pubs,” Reform UK proposes reducing hospitality VAT to 10% and eliminating employer National Insurance increases. The party would cut beer duty by 10% and gradually eliminate business rates for all public houses.

EDUCATIONAL NATIONALISM AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman oversees education policy, advocating for a “patriotic, balanced curriculum” to foster British pride while opposing “woke ideology.” The party supports stricter school discipline and prohibiting social and gender transitioning for students.

At the university level, Braverman wants to redirect young people away from “Mickey Mouse courses” by establishing a target for 50% of youth to enter trades, addressing shortages in nursing, construction and caregiving. She has not identified which academic programs Reform UK considers inadequate.

As equalities policy director, Braverman would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion requirements, claiming they promote left-wing ideology, and would repeal the Equality Act of 2010, which strengthened anti-discrimination protections. The party would also abolish the government equalities minister position.

CRYPTOCURRENCY ADVANCEMENT

Reform UK proposes introducing a Cryptoassets and Digital Finance Bill to encourage cryptocurrency adoption, including reduced capital gains taxation on digital assets and establishing a bitcoin reserve fund at the Bank of England.

ROME (AP) — Decomposing bodies continue appearing on shorelines. Family members cannot reach loved ones by phone. Migration camps sit empty after overnight departures.

People attempting to reach Europe are disappearing in massive numbers through what experts call “invisible shipwrecks,” while nations responsible for maritime rescue operations are restricting access to crucial information.

The early months of 2026 represent the most lethal period on record for Mediterranean crossings — with 682 confirmed deaths through March 16 — according to data from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration. However, the actual number of fatalities is likely far greater.

Advocacy organizations face growing challenges in documenting casualties as Italy, Tunisia and Malta have quietly limited access to information regarding migrant rescue operations and maritime disasters along the world’s most dangerous migration corridor. These stories rarely reach major news outlets, partly because the lack of openness makes it difficult for reporters to substantiate claims.

“It’s a strategy of silence,” stated Matteo Villa, a migration and data specialist at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies think tank.

The group Refugees in Libya along with other advocacy organizations have raised urgent concerns since late January, documenting over 1,000 missing persons following Cyclone Harry’s impact on the area. Government officials have neither confirmed nor disputed these figures.

Following the storm, more than 20 decomposed remains appeared on beaches in Italy and Libya, while additional human remains were observed floating at sea.

For relatives of missing migrants, the uncertainty creates unbearable anguish.

“Europe should know that these people who got drowned in the sea have family members, have dreams, have passions,” Josephus Thomas, a Sierra Leone migrant and community organizer in Tunisia’s coastal community of El Amra, explained to AP.

Even the U.N.’s migration division struggles increasingly to confirm reports of deaths in these “invisible shipwrecks” due to diminishing information availability.

During the previous year, at least 1,500 individuals were documented as missing whose circumstances IOM could not substantiate, according to Julia Black, who oversees the organization’s Missing Migrants Project. This problem continues into 2026.

“We started a new secondary data set of what we are calling unverifiable cases because it’s just become so many,” Black explained. This year alone, they have documented over 400 missing cases they cannot confirm.

Numerous humanitarian groups that previously helped bridge information gaps can no longer perform this function due to widespread funding reductions and government-imposed limitations throughout the region.

“We’ve seen the restriction of access for humanitarian actors, which is not right. And now we’re seeing even the restriction of information,” Black noted.

The Associated Press made repeated inquiries to officials in Tunisia, Italy and Malta regarding their policies on sharing migrant rescue information at sea. None provided responses.

Mediterranean authorities have progressively limited migrant-related information over time. However, their silence became particularly notable in late January following Cyclone Harry, which brought intense rainfall, 100 kph (62 mph) winds, and 9-meter-tall (30 feet) waves.

Hundreds of individuals had left Tunisia’s Sfax coastal area and vanished, based on data collected by Refugees in Libya from migrants in Tunisia and their overseas relatives.

The organization admitted difficulty in providing exact numbers “because there is no central system recording departures, losses, or recoveries,” while warning the death count was probably even higher.

“We are looking at boats that never counted how many kids are inside,” David Yambio, founder of Refugees in Libya, told AP.

AP submitted five email requests to Italian coast guard officials seeking details about missing vessels and search operations but received no replies. A phone representative stated the coast guard lacked “any further verified and confirmed information regarding the circumstances.” AP also submitted a Freedom of Information request, which remains pending.

Coast guard officials also refused to discuss a January 24 alert asking ships traveling between Italy’s Lampedusa island and Tunisia to watch for eight distressed small boats carrying approximately 380 people. Italian journalist Sergio Scandura made this alert public.

Only one confirmed survivor exists from boats reported missing during Cyclone Harry. A merchant ship rescued him from the water on January 22. The man informed crew members he had traveled with 50 others, some of whose bodies were visible in rescue footage. His account allowed their deaths to be counted in IOM’s official records.

The ship’s captain reported the survivor was taken to Malta. Maltese Armed Forces did not respond to numerous inquiries about their role or reports they recovered the man and bodies.

Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry and National Guard have not answered multiple information requests via email and telephone.

Frontex, a European Union border surveillance agency, informed AP it identified eight boats with roughly 160 migrants between January 14 and 24 during the cyclone. Six boats were rescued by Italian forces, but the remaining two boats’ fate stays unknown.

On February 8, migrants held prayers and wept during a memorial service in olive groves near Sfax, assuming their relatives could not survive after weeks without contact.

“All of us here are in deep trauma, are in deep agony,” Dr. Ibrahim Fofana, a migrant in Tunisia whose family members disappeared in late January, said in footage shared by Refugees in Libya. He urged authorities to identify bodies that appeared on Italian shores.

Through mid-2024, Tunisian officials routinely published migrant interception numbers at sea, demonstrating to European partners their compliance with a 2023 agreement to reduce migration in return for financial assistance. However, this deal also preceded harsh enforcement actions against migrants on land, resulting in thousands being detained or abandoned in desert areas.

Organizations like the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, known by its French initials FTDES, which previously compiled and distributed migrant interception data, were also affected by the crackdown.

In June 2024, Tunisia’s Interior Ministry ceased releasing migrant information, claiming security concerns, said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES spokesperson. However, he believes the reasons were political. The statistics contradicted Tunisia’s position that it was not serving as Europe’s border patrol, he explained.

Italy’s information restrictions on migrant rescues predate Tunisia’s policies. Italian coast guard previously published comprehensive monthly migrant rescue data. Monthly reports became quarterly before ending entirely in 2020, Villa noted. In 2022, earlier reports were also deleted from the coast guard’s website.

This year, Italian coast guard has not issued any migration-related press statements despite nearly 5,000 migrants arriving on Italian coasts, according to Italy’s Interior Ministry data.

“It is very clearly a political strategy to repress as much information as possible from the public,” Villa concluded.

The United Arab Emirates temporarily shut down its airspace Tuesday following what military officials described as missile and drone threats originating from Iran, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

The airspace closure coincided with a drone strike that ignited a blaze at an oil storage facility in Fujairah, an eastern emirate along the Gulf of Oman that has faced repeated attacks. Officials reported no casualties from the incident.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces conducted fresh military operations targeting both Tehran and Beirut on Tuesday, with strikes in the Lebanese capital aimed at Hezbollah fighters, according to Israeli military statements.

The escalating conflict has also reached Qatar, where a fire erupted in an industrial zone Tuesday morning after defense systems intercepted an incoming missile, the interior ministry announced. An Associated Press reporter in the area documented explosions as air defense systems near Doha engaged Iranian projectiles.

Dubai residents in the UAE received missile warning alerts around the same timeframe as the Qatar incident.

On Monday, President Donald Trump indicated that multiple nations have committed to assisting with security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, though he criticized some countries for what he characterized as insufficient cooperation in mutual defense arrangements with the United States.

The ongoing warfare has resulted in significant casualties across the region, with at least 1,300 fatalities reported in Iran, 850 in Lebanon, and 12 in Israel, based on official counts from each nation. U.S. military officials report 13 American service members killed and approximately 200 injured.

BANGKOK (AP) — The ongoing conflict with Iran is creating worldwide energy shortages, compelling nations to make difficult decisions about where to reduce consumption or absorb rising costs while managing limited fuel supplies.

Asian countries face the greatest impact due to their heavy dependence on imported energy, with much of it transported through the currently blocked Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway near Iran serves as the primary shipping route for one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquified natural gas trade.

Regional leaders are rapidly implementing adjustments — calculating petroleum stockpiles, reducing energy consumption, vying for available supplies, and attempting to moderate pricing. These measures involve challenging compromises: reducing electricity usage may harm business operations, while prioritizing household cooking gas can damage restaurants and other commercial enterprises.

“Even relatively modest constraints on energy use can create a drag on industrial activity,” said Linh Nguyen, with the consultancy Control Risks. She pointed to Vietnam’s energy-intensive export industries and warned that higher fuel costs or conservation measures could quickly raise production costs or slow factory output.

Experts caution that these same difficult decisions may soon extend beyond Asia to fuel-dependent economies in Africa and other regions as nations compete for limited resources.

“The situation is common across the board,” said Putra Adhiguna of the Jakarta-based Energy Shift Institute. “There is no easy decision for the short term.”

Despite strategic reserve releases, petroleum prices continue climbing, prompting Southeast Asian nations to extend their diminishing energy stockpiles by encouraging homes, companies, and government departments to dramatically reduce electricity consumption.

Philippine authorities have implemented a four-day work schedule to decrease fuel usage and lower government energy consumption by 20 percent. Offices have received instructions to power down computers during lunch periods and maintain air conditioning temperatures at no less than 24°C (75°F). Vietnam has encouraged remote work arrangements, while Thailand’s prime minister has requested officials use stairways rather than elevators.

However, these measures carry significant consequences.

Dieu Linh, a vegetable seller in Hanoi, said even a 10% rise in fuel costs will eat into her thin margins. “If my costs go up by even a little, the profit is almost gone,” she said.

Simultaneously, regional nations are competing for scarce supplies at elevated prices.

Vietnam has requested that refineries and fuel distributors maintain high inventory levels, while Thailand is extending its approximately two-month petroleum reserve and exploring alternative domestic energy options. Both countries are implementing price supports to protect households from increasing costs.

Thailand suspended exports to preserve its limited stockpiles, contributing to shortages that have forced nearly one-third of Cambodia’s approximately 6,000 gas stations to close.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over 80 percent of the liquefied natural gas that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 was destined for Asia, with significant portions going to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Japan’s primary defense mechanism is its extensive strategic petroleum stockpile, containing approximately 254 days’ worth of supplies. This reserve system was established following the disruptions from the 1970s Arab oil crisis.

Japan initiated the release of roughly 45 days’ worth of petroleum reserves this week to prevent fuel price spikes as crude oil imports decrease. The country previously released reserves following Russia’s Ukraine invasion in 2022.

This action will help maintain operations for Japan’s energy-dependent industries, including automotive, steel production, and heavy machinery sectors. Corporations such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Steel require consistent fuel availability.

South Korea intends to release 22.46 million barrels from its stockpiles as part of the International Energy Agency’s largest-ever coordinated reserve withdrawal.

However, experts indicate that accessing reserves represents only a temporary solution.

This will provide refineries “some buffer” against disruptions. But this does not increase a country’s overall supply unless it can buy oil released by other nations, said Muyu Xu of the energy consultancy Kpler.

Should the crisis persist, crude oil shortages may return. The releases might sustain refinery operations for several additional weeks, but companies may need to reduce production if disruptions continue, she explained.

“The fundamental difficulties will not be solved by this action,” said Mika Ohbayashi of the Renewable Energy Institute in Japan, adding that renewable energy was a long-term solution but the Japanese government was uninterested.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month, and Japan’s plans to purchase additional American LNG and restart nuclear facilities are expected to be discussed, according to analysts.

India is giving priority to household requirements for its restricted supply of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, which powers cooking appliances and vehicles.

The country has absorbed more than half of the increase driven by global market disruptions under a federal scheme to keep prices low for poor households, said Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

However, shortages are already affecting restaurants and hotels in the world’s second-largest LPG importing nation, as dining establishments reduce operating hours, temporarily close, or remove slow-cooked curries and deep-fried items from their offerings.

The magnitude of demand in India, the world’s most populous country, restricts how long it can maintain price controls to protect consumers. The situation may deteriorate within a week if government subsidies expire, said Duttatreya Das of the think tank Ember, noting gas supplies were the most immediate concern.

“You can’t store a lot of gas,” Das said, adding that fertilizer factories and small industries will feel the pinch first.

Indonesia, home to 287 million residents and Southeast Asia’s largest population, also confronts difficult decisions.

While government officials have pledged to maintain fuel pricing throughout Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration concluding the Ramadan fasting period, Adhiguna of the Energy Shift Institute said there is “no clarity about what will happen after that,” adding that this implies fuel prices could increase.

Thailand also faces a challenging situation. Ending subsidies that maintain low prices would cause living expenses to surge and potentially trigger panic if reserves decline further, said Areeporn Asawinpongphan of the Thailand Development Research Institute.

Should the conflict persist, Indonesia must choose between maintaining subsidies that protect consumers or reducing expenditures to meet budget constraints. However, this approach could increase inflation. Given Indonesia’s limited 20-day reserve, Adhiguna warned that price changes in Indonesia’s fuel market will occur rapidly.

“It will eventually reach a breaking point,” Adhiguna said.

The European Union is intensifying its long-term renewable energy approach to reduce consumption and control prices across the 27-member alliance, which have increased significantly since the conflict began. Officials convened in Brussels this week to explore methods for enhancing the region’s energy security.

“We are looking at how we can reduce people’s energy bills,” said European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen. “We are working on immediate measures to help businesses and our most vulnerable citizens.”

President Donald Trump voiced his displeasure with several Western nations after they declined his request to deploy naval vessels for escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, while the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel enters its third week.

The vital shipping corridor, which handles approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas transport, remains effectively blocked due to Iranian drone operations and naval mines. This closure has contributed to rising energy costs and growing concerns about inflation worldwide.

Several key U.S. allies, including Germany, Spain, and Italy, have stated they have no immediate intentions to deploy ships to help restore access to the crucial waterway.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained his country’s position during remarks in Berlin, stating: “We lack the mandate from the United Nations, the European Union or NATO required under the Basic Law.” He also noted that Germany was not consulted before Washington and Israel initiated military action.

During a White House gathering in Washington, Trump acknowledged that while many nations expressed willingness to assist, he remained disappointed with certain longtime allies.

“Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren’t,” Trump remarked, declining to name specific countries. “Some are countries that we’ve helped for many, many years. We’ve protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren’t that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me.”

CONTINUED MILITARY OPERATIONS ACROSS THE REGION

Military strikes from both nations showed no signs of decreasing early Tuesday, with Israeli forces announcing they were hitting “Iranian regime infrastructure” throughout Tehran, along with Hezbollah positions in Beirut. This came one day after Israel announced detailed military plans extending at least three additional weeks.

Iran conducted overnight strikes against Israel, demonstrating that more than two weeks into the conflict, Tehran maintains its ability to execute long-distance attacks. Iranian forces also struck the United Arab Emirates, forcing temporary airspace closures and hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, a crucial Emirati oil export hub, for the second straight day.

Monday saw Dubai International Airport, normally among the world’s busiest, shut down for several hours. Oil loading activities in Fujairah were suspended, and operations at Abu Dhabi’s Shah gas field were halted following drone attacks.

Iran has claimed that weekend U.S. strikes on military installations at Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub, originated from UAE territory. Tehran has warned it will attack oil and gas infrastructure in any nation used as a launching point for U.S. operations against the island.

Iranian officials have also threatened to target American industrial facilities throughout the Middle East and advised residents near U.S.-owned facilities to evacuate.

Early Tuesday, rockets and at least five drones struck the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, according to Iraqi security officials, who described it as the most severe attack since hostilities began. Two American officials reported no casualties thus far.

‘WE WERE SHOCKED’

Trump revealed Monday that Iran’s retaliatory attacks against neighboring countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait caught his administration off guard.

“They (Iran) weren’t supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East,” he explained. “Nobody expected that. We were shocked.”

Despite this claim, intelligence sources indicate Trump received warnings that striking Iran could provoke retaliation against U.S. Gulf partners, according to one U.S. official and two sources with knowledge of intelligence briefings.

Oil markets climbed more than 2% during early Tuesday trading, recovering some of Monday’s losses due to supply concerns, while Asian stock markets also rebounded following Monday’s decline.

The conflict has resulted in at least 2,000 deaths across the Middle East since U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran on February 28, including at least 200 Iranian children, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

At an Iranian burial ground Monday, Marzia Rezaei mourned her son Erfan Shamei, who perished in an explosion at a military training facility just days before his scheduled leave.

“Just an hour before he was martyred, he spoke with me and then I never saw him again. He was supposed to come today,” she said.

A dramatic transformation has occurred in South Asian geopolitics as Pakistan now wages military campaigns against the very group it helped create and support for over thirty years – the Afghan Taliban.

The latest escalation occurred Monday evening when Pakistani forces conducted an airstrike targeting Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul, representing the most recent episode in growing hostilities between these neighboring nations.

Taliban officials claim the strike against a drug treatment facility resulted in at least 400 deaths and 250 wounded individuals. However, Pakistani authorities dispute these casualty figures, stating their forces “targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.”

The deteriorating relationship has reached such severity that Pakistan’s defense minister described the mounting tensions as an “open war” between the two Islamic nations last month. Additional Pakistani airstrikes occurred on February 22, targeting militant positions throughout Afghanistan.

These aerial and ground operations struck Taliban military facilities, command centers, and weapons storage sites across multiple border regions, following what officials described as Afghan attacks on Pakistani frontier forces.

Previous border confrontations in October resulted in dozens of military casualties before diplomatic intervention by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia established a temporary ceasefire agreement.

This current animosity represents a complete reversal from Pakistan’s historical backing of the Taliban movement. During the 1990s, Islamabad actively supported the Taliban’s emergence as part of a strategy to gain “strategic depth” in its regional competition with India.

When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan initially celebrated the development. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan proclaimed that Afghans had “broken the shackles of slavery.”

However, Pakistan’s expectations of Taliban cooperation quickly proved unrealistic.

Pakistani officials now assert that leaders and fighters from the militant organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from Afghan territory. They also claim that separatist insurgents seeking independence for Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province use Afghanistan as a sanctuary.

Data from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, an international monitoring organization, shows militant activity has increased annually since 2022, with both TTP and Baloch insurgent attacks growing more frequent.

Afghan Taliban leadership consistently denies permitting militants to use their territory for cross-border attacks against Pakistan. They counter-accuse Pakistan of harboring Islamic State fighters, which Pakistani officials reject.

The recent February military strikes followed Pakistani security officials’ claims of possessing “irrefutable evidence” linking Afghan-based militants to a series of attacks and suicide bombings targeting Pakistani military and police forces.

These sources identified seven planned or executed militant operations since late 2024 with alleged Afghan connections. One particularly deadly assault in Bajaur district killed 11 security personnel and two civilians, reportedly carried out by an Afghan national and claimed by the TTP.

The TTP, established in 2007 through a coalition of militant groups operating in northwest Pakistan, has become commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban. This organization has conducted attacks on civilian markets, religious sites, airports, military installations, and police facilities while seizing territory along the Afghan border and within Pakistan proper, including the Swat Valley.

The group gained international notoriety for its 2012 attack on schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who later received the Nobel Peace Prize. The TTP previously fought alongside Afghan Taliban forces against U.S.-led coalition troops and provided sanctuary for Afghan fighters within Pakistan.

Despite multiple Pakistani military operations against the TTP achieving limited success, a major offensive concluding in 2016 significantly reduced attacks until recent years.

Military analysts predict Pakistan will likely escalate its campaign, while Afghan retaliation may involve border post raids and increased guerrilla-style cross-border operations targeting security forces.

Although Chinese diplomatic intervention previously helped reduce tensions due to Beijing’s positive relationships with both nations, fighting has resumed amid broader regional conflicts involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

The military balance heavily favors Pakistan on paper. Taliban forces number approximately 172,000 personnel, less than one-third of Pakistan’s military strength. While the Taliban possess at least six aircraft and 23 helicopters, their operational status remains unclear, and they lack fighter jets or an effective air force.

Pakistan’s armed forces include over 600,000 active personnel, more than 6,000 armored combat vehicles, and over 400 military aircraft, according to 2025 International Institute for Strategic Studies data. Pakistan also maintains nuclear weapons capability.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee expressed significant worry Tuesday about escalating energy costs resulting from ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran, warning that the Asian financial center will experience economic turbulence alongside the broader region.

During a Tuesday news briefing, Lee outlined government efforts to maintain steady energy access while improving public information sharing regarding supply chains and fuel pricing.

“There are, of course, risks because the conflict is creating disruption to the supply of oil,” Lee stated, noting that officials are actively working to reduce potential impacts and track price changes.

“The government has also been in touch with local airlines and also will be meeting fuel suppliers, petrol fuel suppliers, so as to ensure that they will know their social responsibility,” Lee explained.

The ongoing Middle Eastern turmoil has created worldwide business uncertainty and pushed energy prices upward, particularly affecting aviation companies through increased jet fuel expenses and supply concerns. Many carriers have responded by implementing higher fuel surcharges while others have reduced flight schedules.

Hong Kong’s national airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, has continued its halt of all service between Hong Kong and both Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia through March 31.

Despite acknowledging these challenges, Lee suggested the Middle Eastern crisis “highlighted the strengths of Hong Kong” and could generate fresh business prospects for the Chinese territory.

“Investors and businesses looking for diversification at the same time looking for investment security will definitely look to Hong Kong,” he said.

A Los Angeles federal jury has found a former Syrian prison administrator guilty of torture charges, marking a significant legal victory in the pursuit of justice for Assad-era crimes, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was found guilty on four counts including conspiracy to commit torture and three individual torture charges stemming from his time overseeing Damascus Central Prison, commonly called Adra Prison, according to federal prosecutors.

The defendant served as prison director from 2005 through 2008 and had entered a not guilty plea to all charges. Following Monday’s verdict, Alsheikh’s attorneys expressed their disappointment and stated that he “will pursue all appellate and post-trial relief.”

Federal prosecutors also secured convictions against Alsheikh for deceiving U.S. immigration officials about his criminal history, illegally securing permanent residency status, and making fraudulent attempts to become a naturalized American citizen.

The charges, filed in late 2024, alleged that Alsheikh directed prison staff to inflict serious physical and psychological harm on political detainees and other inmates. Federal authorities said he sometimes participated directly in these abusive acts.

According to the Justice Department, these torture practices were designed to suppress resistance to Assad’s government.

Court records show Alsheikh maintained various roles within Syria’s security establishment and held membership in Assad’s Syrian Ba’ath Party. In 2011, the now-deposed Syrian leader named him provincial governor of Deir Ez-Zour.

Each of the four torture-related convictions carries a potential 20-year prison sentence, while the immigration fraud charges could result in up to 10 years behind bars. Alsheikh will remain detained while awaiting sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled.

The Assad family’s control over Syria ended in late 2024 when rebel forces successfully completed a rapid military campaign. The country’s civil war, which lasted more than ten years, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, created a massive refugee crisis, and devastated Syrian cities.

Current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously commanded al Qaeda forces, assumed power following Assad’s removal and has worked to strengthen relationships with Western nations.

KABUL, March 17 – The deputy spokesman for Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced Tuesday that a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul resulted in the deaths of at least 400 people and left 250 others wounded.

Pakistani officials dismissed these allegations as inaccurate and deceptive, stating they “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” during Monday evening’s operation.

The conflicting accounts highlight ongoing tensions between the neighboring countries as both sides offer dramatically different versions of what occurred during the strike on Afghanistan’s capital city.

A United Nations human rights specialist believes Haiti now has its best opportunity to combat widespread gang violence, thanks to an expanded international security force beginning deployment and leadership committed to offering alternatives to young gang members.

William O’Neill, the UN’s human rights expert for Haiti who recently visited the country, stated Monday that “We’re in a place now where the next few months are going to be crucial.” He added, “And I think it can turn around, because the gangs, at the end of the day, are not that powerful.”

The UN Security Council authorized a significantly larger 5,550-member force on September 30th through a US-Panama sponsored resolution, granting expanded authority to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti. This initiative aims to transform the existing Kenya-led multinational force, which arrived in June 2024 with approximately 1,100 troops, into a “gang suppression force” with arrest powers that the current mission lacks.

O’Neill informed UN reporters that support operations and other components of the gang suppression force are already establishing themselves in Haiti, with initial troop deployments scheduled for early April. Additional contingents will arrive in subsequent months, with the complete force expected to be operational by September. Several units from the current Kenya-led mission, including forces from El Salvador, Guatemala and Jamaica, are anticipated to remain.

Gang influence has expanded dramatically following President Jovenel Moïse’s 2021 assassination. These criminal organizations now dominate 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, and have extended their operations throughout rural areas, engaging in theft, kidnapping, sexual violence and rape. Haiti has remained without a president since the assassination, while Haitian police and the UN-backed multinational force have been unable to contain the violence.

O’Neill called on the UN Security Council to implement sanctions against additional gang leaders and corrupt officials and business leaders connected to criminal organizations. He emphasized that stopping the weapon flow, primarily from the United States, is crucial because “the gangs literally run out of bullets, and they lose their strength.”

The Haiti specialist, appointed by the UN high commissioner for human rights, expressed frustration that nearly five years after Moïse’s death, gang power has continued growing. However, he now feels “more than hope” with the incoming gang suppression force and a prime minister leading a Cabinet focused on delivering results for citizens, particularly creating opportunities for youth and gang members.

Currently, he noted, gang leaders constantly use social media to display expensive jewelry and designer athletic clothing while boasting about their activities. “Kids see this and they say, ‘That’s how I become rich, that’s how I become a big shot.’”

However, O’Neill referenced a disturbing video released recently showing a gang leader using a baseball bat to attack 10 to 15 young boys lying on the ground because they were suspected of attempting to leave the gang territory.

He suggested that removing several key gang leaders could significantly impact violence reduction, as others motivated by money and power would receive a clear message.

“Haiti is facing a difficult yet promising moment. If we can help Haiti address insecurity, fight corruption and impunity and protect human rights, then everyone will prosper,” O’Neill concluded. “We just can’t let them down.”

BAGHDAD — The American diplomatic compound in Baghdad faced a coordinated assault early Tuesday morning when militants fired rockets and launched at least five unmanned aircraft at the embassy, according to Iraqi security officials who characterized the incident as the most severe attack since regional hostilities commenced in late February.

A Reuters correspondent observed no fewer than three drones flying toward the embassy complex. The facility’s C-RAM defense system successfully intercepted two of the aircraft, but a third penetrated the compound’s defenses and struck within the embassy grounds, causing flames and smoke to rise from the impact site.

The sound of an explosion echoed through Iraq’s capital city, according to another Reuters witness on the scene.

Embassy officials could not be reached for comment as their mobile phones appeared to be turned off when contacted by Reuters.

Pro-Iranian militia groups have been targeting American assets throughout Iraq as payback for the ongoing conflict that started on February 28.

Just one day earlier, the Iran-affiliated organization Kataib Hezbollah confirmed the death of a high-ranking commander and official spokesman, while Popular Mobilization Forces reported that aerial bombardments resulted in the deaths of at least eight of their fighters in al-Qaim, an Iraqi border town near Syria.

In response to the embassy attack, Iraqi military personnel have been positioned throughout sections of the capital city and have sealed off Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone, the secure area that contains government offices and foreign diplomatic missions, including the American embassy.

Crude oil markets experienced a sharp upward swing Tuesday morning, with prices climbing more than 2% as traders remained concerned about global energy supplies amid the continuing conflict involving Iran.

Brent crude futures climbed $2.48, representing a 2.5% increase to reach $102.69 per barrel by early GMT trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude advanced $2.42, or 2.6%, settling at $95.92.

This uptick reversed Monday’s significant declines, when Brent futures dropped 2.8% and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude tumbled 5.3% after some shipping vessels managed to navigate through the contested waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a critical passage for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas commerce, has faced major disruptions due to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, now entering its third week. These developments have sparked widespread concerns about potential energy shortages, escalating fuel costs, and increased inflation pressures.

Multiple U.S. allies declined President Donald Trump’s Monday request to deploy naval vessels for protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting sharp criticism from Trump, who condemned Western partners for showing ingratitude following decades of American support.

“The risks remain stark: It only takes one Iranian militia to fire a missile or plant a mine on a passing tanker to reignite the entire situation,” IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.

Meanwhile, Iran has requested that India release three oil tankers that were confiscated in February, as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at ensuring safe transit for Indian-flagged vessels and India-bound shipments through the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, according to three sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters.

The practical shutdown of the strait has compelled the United Arab Emirates, which ranks as the third-largest oil producer within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, to halt production operations, cutting its output by more than 50%, two sources confirmed to Reuters.

In response to mounting energy costs, the International Energy Agency’s leadership has proposed that member nations consider releasing additional oil supplies, supplementing the 400 million barrels they have already committed to withdrawing from strategic reserves.

Several financial institutions have revised their long-term price forecasts upward, anticipating extended supply disruptions. Bank of America increased its 2026 Brent crude projection to $77.50 per barrel from the previous $61 estimate, while Standard Chartered elevated its forecast to $85.50 from $70.

Bank of America explained in their analysis that their updated projections consider two scenarios with equal probability: a rapid resolution restoring normal shipping flows by April that would bring Brent prices near $70, or extended disruptions continuing into the second quarter that could push prices toward $85.

Israeli officials announced they have comprehensive military plans extending at least three additional weeks as their forces conducted overnight strikes targeting locations throughout Iran.

The Cuban government made a surprising announcement Monday, welcoming Cuban Americans and other exiles to invest in and own businesses on the Communist-controlled island, despite decades of hostility between the two sides.

Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, who leads the foreign commerce ministry, declared on state television that “there are no limitations” for Cuban exiles seeking to invest in their homeland.

This represents a dramatic reversal for Cuba, which has historically viewed the exile community with deep mistrust, particularly since many Cuban Americans have long supported the U.S. trade embargo against the island nation.

The announcement comes as Cuba faces a severe economic crisis, worsened by U.S.-imposed oil restrictions and sanctions that have resulted in widespread power outages and shortages of essential goods including fuel, food, and medical supplies.

While Cuban nationals living on the island have been permitted to establish private businesses since 2021, those residing outside the country were previously barred from such opportunities.

“We have reiterated on several occasions that Cuba’s doors are open to investment from the Cuban community residing abroad. And when we say that, we’re not just referring to small ventures. We’re also referring to the possibility of investing in larger projects,” Perez-Oliva Fraga stated.

The deputy prime minister indicated that exiles could “participate fully in the various areas of the country’s development,” with the scope depending on the size of their business ventures.

Cuban officials expressed particular interest in agricultural investments, similar to arrangements with Vietnamese companies that produce rice on the island under agreements where the government retains land ownership.

The timing of this policy change is notable, occurring just days after Cuba confirmed it had initiated discussions with the United States, while Trump administration officials have privately indicated they would seek economic opportunities as part of any future agreement.

More than one million Cubans have left the island since 2021, creating the largest migration wave since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution and representing a significant pool of potential investors that remains largely unused.

Cuba also announced it was eliminating barriers for U.S. companies seeking to invest, though officials acknowledged that American laws still prohibit such trade and investment under the ongoing economic embargo designed to pressure the Havana government.

President Donald Trump has recently intensified pressure on Cuba by cutting off Venezuelan oil shipments and threatening tariffs on any nation that sells oil to the island, further damaging Cuba’s already struggling economy.

Trump escalated his statements Monday, claiming he expected to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form” and asserting that “I can do anything I want” regarding the neighboring country.

CHISINAU, March 16 – Water supplies have been completely shut off to Moldova’s second-largest city after a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian power facility caused widespread environmental contamination, government officials announced Monday.

The attack on the Novodnistrovsk hydroelectric station in southern Ukraine on March 7 resulted in an oil leak that has contaminated the Dniestr River system, affecting water quality across the border in Moldova. Balti, home to 90,000 residents, along with three smaller communities, will remain without water service for at least another 12 hours extending into Tuesday, according to Moldova’s Environment Ministry.

Educational institutions have been forced to close, with students switching to remote learning as authorities work to address the crisis.

Moldovan officials implemented a 15-day environmental emergency on Sunday as the full scope of the contamination became clear.

“We declared environmental alert and are acting to protect our people,” President Maia Sandu stated on social media. “Russia bears full responsibility.”

Sandu, who has set a goal of bringing Moldova into the European Union before 2030, directly blamed Moscow for the river pollution. The leader of one of Europe’s most economically disadvantaged nations has consistently criticized Russia’s 2022 military invasion of Ukraine and has accused the Kremlin of attempting to overthrow her administration. Russian officials counter that Sandu is promoting anti-Russian sentiment.

Since Sandu took office in 2020, the European Union has offered substantial financial assistance to Moldova. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced the bloc’s readiness to provide support in addressing the pollution crisis.

“This is a reminder that Russia’s war does not stop at Ukraine’s borders,” Kos posted on X. “We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova.”

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Three devastating explosions rocked Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri Monday evening, resulting in numerous deaths and hundreds of injuries in what authorities suspect were coordinated suicide attacks.

The deadly blasts struck the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital along with two busy commercial areas — the Post Office market and Monday Market — according to Sirajo Abdullahi, who leads operations for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency in the region.

“There are casualties and they are still managing the causalities at the hospital,” Abdullahi stated. “We can’t give the actual figure until we count.”

The attacks occurred in Borno state’s capital, an area that has endured more than ten years of violent insurgency from the homegrown extremist organization Boko Haram.

Witness Bagoni Alkali, who helped transport injured victims for medical care, described the horrific scene to reporters.

“Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department,” Alkali reported.

“While I could tell you so many people have died, to be honest, many lost their lives at the scene immediately after the bomb exploded. It’s disheartening,” he continued.

Mohammed Hassan, a volunteer who regularly supports security forces in their fight against armed extremists, recovered ten bodies from the market locations.

“Many victims were rushed to the emergency ward, but some died at the hospital. We’re in dire need of blood,” Hassan explained. “This attack’s been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years.”

So far, no organization has taken credit for the suspected bombing campaign.

Earlier Monday, Nigerian military forces successfully fought off assaults by suspected Islamic militants on Maiduguri’s outskirts during the early morning hours, according to an official military statement.

Nigeria continues to face ongoing security challenges from various armed factions, particularly across the country’s northern regions.

Extremist jihadi organizations, including Boko Haram and its affiliated groups, have intensified their assault on Nigerian military installations throughout the northeast this month. However, such attacks within Maiduguri itself have become uncommon in recent years following increased military operations in Borno state, the center of Nigeria’s 17-year battle against armed extremist movements.

Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum issued a statement Monday strongly denouncing the explosions.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” Zulum declared.

The governor urged citizens to stay calm, continue their daily routines, and alert security forces about any suspicious activities or movements in their communities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued orders for American diplomatic personnel stationed around the globe to lobby international partners into formally labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Lebanese organization Hezbollah as terrorist entities, according to confidential State Department communications obtained by Reuters.

The March 16 instruction, distributed to every American diplomatic facility worldwide, directs embassy staff to communicate this request to foreign officials “at the highest appropriate level” before March 20. The document specifies that these lobbying activities should be synchronized with Israeli diplomatic efforts.

The Trump White House is working to gain support from hesitant international partners for its military actions, particularly after many nations received no advance warning about the American-Israeli air campaign that began two weeks earlier.

Demonstrating the challenges facing this diplomatic push, multiple American allies announced Monday they would not deploy naval vessels to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, declining Trump’s request to help maintain access to the crucial oil transport route.

The diplomatic cable emphasizes urgency, stating: “With the elevated risk of attack from Iran and its partners and proxies, all governments must move expeditiously to diminish the capabilities of Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist groups from attacking our respective nations and citizens.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard represents an elite military branch tasked with safeguarding the country’s Shiite Muslim religious leadership while maintaining significant control over Iran’s economic sectors. Both the Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim militant organization based in Lebanon, already carry terrorist designations from Washington and several other nations.

While the State Department communication lacks specific details about the heightened threat level, it references Tehran’s previous attacks against neighboring Middle Eastern countries and calls for coordinated international response.

The cable argues: “We assess that the Iranian regime is more sensitive to collective action than unilateral action, and that joint pressure is more likely to compel behavior change by the regime than unilateral actions alone.”

Officials believe such international designations would intensify pressure on Iran’s government while restricting its capacity “to sponsor terror activities” globally.

A State Department representative stated: “President Trump is focused on securing peace in the Middle East. The IRGC, Hezbollah, and other Iranian backed proxies destabilize governments and undermine regional peace.”

North Korea’s state media announced Tuesday that the country’s newly elected parliament will gather for its inaugural session this Friday, March 22, to discuss potential constitutional changes and evaluate progress on a comprehensive five-year national strategy.

The Supreme People’s Assembly serves as the nation’s legislative body and oversees government policy across all sectors, though its decisions typically rubber-stamp measures already approved by the dominant Workers’ Party leadership.

Officials and experts in South Korea are closely monitoring whether North Korea’s constitutional amendments might formally classify South Korea as a distinct and enemy nation, which would undermine Seoul’s efforts to promote diplomatic engagement and peaceful reunification.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, the roster of newly elected parliamentary representatives includes Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister, who analysts view as a key spokesperson for the leader on international matters.

The legislative session will select the head of the State Affairs Commission along with other top government positions while considering constitutional modifications, the state news agency reported.

Lawmakers will also examine progress on implementing a new five-year strategic plan that the Workers’ Party approved last month, which featured Kim’s commitment to expanding the country’s nuclear arsenal and building more advanced long-range missile systems.

Notably absent from the list of 687 newly elected representatives from the March 15 election was Kim Jong Un himself.

Kim maintains control over the nation through his roles as Workers’ Party general secretary, State Affairs Commission president, and supreme commander of the military forces. Political observers anticipate he will secure reappointment to lead the Commission.

Moscow’s mayor announced Monday that Russian defense systems successfully intercepted 67 Ukrainian drones that were targeting the Russian capital, according to official reports from the city.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially reported 38 drone interceptions on Monday morning. Throughout the day, he provided updates via Telegram posts, revealing that defense forces had shot down an additional 29 drones beginning around 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT).

The mayor also disclosed that defense systems had destroyed approximately 250 Ukrainian drones attempting to reach Moscow during the previous 48-hour period.

Russia’s Defense Ministry provided separate figures, stating that air defense forces had eliminated 59 Ukrainian drones between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. across various regions of the country, with 13 of those drones specifically aimed at Moscow.

A heated debate erupted in Israel’s parliament after Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi disclosed that President Trump’s direct intervention led to the removal of a major provision from the country’s media reform legislation.

Speaking to the Knesset committee overseeing the media reform bill, Karhi explained that the decision came straight from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following conversations with the U.S. president. “The prime minister decided to remove it because this is a demand that came from the president of the United States,” Karhi stated during the session.

The eliminated provision would have mandated that international streaming services operating in Israel allocate a percentage of their local earnings toward funding original Israeli content. Major platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Disney+ would have been subject to this requirement.

Karhi informed committee members that this issue arose during broader economic discussions between Israel and the United States. “This is a demand from the United States as part of negotiations for an economic agreement,” he explained to lawmakers.

The proposed requirement had gained significant support from Israel’s entertainment industry. Advocates argued that international streaming services now directly compete with Israeli broadcasters while facing fewer regulatory requirements. Local television networks already must invest substantial portions of their revenue in domestic programming to support Israel’s entertainment sector.

Opposition lawmakers immediately challenged both the decision and the degree of American influence over Israeli lawmaking. Yesh Atid party member MK Shelly Tal Meron expressed outrage during the proceedings: “The most shocking thing is that the president of the United States is determining Israel’s broadcasting law. What are we even sitting here for?”

Industry representatives attending the committee meeting to support the provision reacted with dismay. Many warned that eliminating this requirement removes a crucial funding source for Israeli productions during a time when international platforms increasingly dominate the market.

ACT organization CEO Giora Vala directly confronted lawmakers during the heated discussion. “Are we the fifty-first state of the United States?” Vala questioned as the room erupted in shouting.

This controversy emerged within Israel’s comprehensive effort to modernize its media oversight system. Karhi’s reform initiative aims to restructure current regulations and create a new supervisory body for both traditional broadcasters and digital platforms.

Government supporters maintain that Israel’s regulatory framework was built for an era dominated by television channels and hasn’t adapted to the rapid growth of global streaming and online content distribution.

However, opposition members and media oversight organizations express concern that portions of the reform could undermine regulatory independence and shift the power balance between government and media companies.

The streaming investment clause’s removal adds an unexpected international element to the domestic policy debate. U.S. concerns about Israeli regulations affecting American businesses had emerged previously. In May 2025, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee cautioned Israeli officials against policies that might damage major American corporations operating there.

During those statements, Huckabee specifically mentioned companies like Chevron and streaming platforms including Netflix, encouraging policymakers to carefully consider measures affecting American businesses. Karhi’s committee remarks indicated these concerns remained active in ongoing Israeli-American discussions.

For Israel’s television industry, the implications are straightforward. International streaming platforms will continue serving the local market without any legal obligation to support Israeli content creation. Industry producers warn that without such requirements, local creators may face increasing challenges as global platforms expand and audiences shift toward digital streaming.

The timing of this change is particularly significant since the government had previously endorsed the bill with the investment clause intact. The legislation successfully passed preliminary review and cleared first and second Knesset readings with the streaming requirement still included. Only during committee review was the provision eliminated following Netanyahu’s directive.

Committee deliberations on the remaining reform elements are scheduled to continue over the coming weeks as lawmakers examine other sections before the bill returns for final Knesset consideration.

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile’s newly elected conservative President José Antonio Kast has moved quickly to fulfill one of his most prominent campaign pledges.

Just days after taking office, Kast traveled to the northern border region of Chacalluta on Monday to launch construction of a barrier designed to prevent unauthorized border crossings from Peru. The area has become a major entry point for migrants seeking to reach one of South America’s most economically stable countries.

Kast outlined his comprehensive ‘Border Shield’ initiative, which includes building physical obstacles such as trenches and fencing along Chile’s northern frontier. The plan also calls for drone surveillance and military personnel to monitor the border zone.

The initial work appeared modest, with a single bulldozer visible cutting through desert terrain to create a trench.

However, Kast emphasized the significance of the moment, telling reporters that “for all of Chile, this is a milestone.”

“We have taken clear and concrete decisions to close our border to illegal immigration, drug trafficking and organized crime,” he stated. “We want to implement this without any delay.”

Similar to his political ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, Kast has utilized executive authority during his first week in office to sign multiple orders focused on strengthening border enforcement and removing individuals who entered the country without authorization.

Chile has experienced significant demographic changes, with its immigrant population growing by 100% from 2017 to 2024. Officials estimate that more than 300,000 undocumented foreigners currently reside in Chile, with many originating from Venezuela.

While many newcomers are families escaping political turmoil and economic hardship, criminal organizations from Venezuela and other nations have also established operations in Chile recently. Despite Chile maintaining relatively low murder rates compared to regional neighbors, incidents including vehicle thefts, abductions, and targeted killings have become more common, creating public anxiety and leading some citizens to associate these problems with recent immigration.

Kast’s election represents Chile’s sharpest conservative shift since 1990, when the nation returned to democratic governance following nearly two decades of military dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet — a regime Kast supported during his younger years.

Iraqi officials confirmed Monday that an unmanned aircraft struck a prominent Baghdad hotel without resulting in any injuries or significant property damage.

The Al-Rasheed hotel, situated within Baghdad’s heavily secured Green Zone, was hit by the drone as witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke in the area, according to security officials. The Green Zone serves as home to various government facilities and the United States embassy.

Iraq’s interior ministry revealed following their investigation that the unmanned aircraft had struck the hotel’s upper perimeter fence. Ministry officials expressed strong opposition to any efforts aimed at targeting foreign diplomatic personnel operating within Iraq.

Security officials also reported that two Katyusha rockets were launched toward the American embassy compound in Baghdad during the same timeframe.

The Trump administration is set to reveal an international alliance of countries committed to providing naval escorts for vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. government sources. The announcement could come within days as part of Washington’s broader strategy to protect the crucial shipping lane during heightened tensions with Iran.

American officials indicate that deliberations continue regarding the timing of when these maritime protection operations would commence – whether during the current standoff with Iran or following its resolution.

On Sunday, foreign ministers from Britain and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which represents six regional nations, released a unified declaration stating that GCC member countries have the right to implement any measures deemed necessary to protect their security, stability, territories, and populations.

According to Ynet’s reporting, President Trump confirmed ongoing conversations with multiple nations about monitoring the strategic waterway while encouraging their participation in defending this essential trade route. Trump noted that “Israel is working with the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz.”

Meanwhile, European nations are evaluating potential contributions to efforts aimed at preserving safe passage through the waterway.

“It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that’s why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side,” stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during remarks to reporters before an EU foreign affairs gathering in Brussels.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a recent phone call. In a post on social media platform X, Macron described urging Iran to cease its regional activities.

“I called on him to immediately end the unacceptable attacks that Iran is carrying out against countries in the region,” Macron wrote, emphasizing that “freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible.”

WASHINGTON – American military officials announced Monday that roughly 200 U.S. service members have sustained injuries during the ongoing conflict with Iran, marking an increase as the confrontation moves into its third week.

The updated casualty figures represent a rise from previous reports, with Reuters having documented approximately 150 wounded troops just last week, underscoring the risks posed by Iran’s counter-offensive operations.

According to U.S. Central Command’s official statement, most personnel experienced relatively minor trauma, with 180 service members having resumed their regular assignments.

Beyond those injured, 13 American military personnel have lost their lives since Iranian forces began launching counter-strikes against U.S. military installations after hostilities commenced on February 28.

Tehran’s offensive operations have extended beyond military targets, with strikes hitting diplomatic facilities, commercial hotels, airport infrastructure, and energy systems throughout Arab Gulf nations.

American forces have conducted operations against more than 7,000 Iranian targets throughout the campaign. Former President Trump revealed last week that U.S. forces targeted military installations at Kharg Island, Iran’s critical petroleum export hub responsible for processing 90% of the nation’s oil shipments.

MADRID (AP) — During a diplomatic encounter on Monday, Spain’s King Felipe VI acknowledged that his nation’s historical colonization of the Americas contained significant wrongdoing and moral problems, offering a more diplomatic approach to ongoing tensions with Mexico regarding centuries-old colonial injustices.

The monarch delivered these comments during a conversation with Mexico’s Spanish ambassador, Quirino Ordaz, at a Madrid museum showcasing an exhibit focused on women’s roles in pre-Columbian Mexican society.

Reflecting on Spain’s historical conquest activities, Felipe VI stated: “There are things that, when we study them, we come to know them, and well, with our current values, they obviously cannot make us feel proud.”

“But they must be understood in their proper context, not with excessive moral presentism, but with an objective and rigorous analysis,” he said.

These symbolic statements from the Bourbon monarch follow years of diplomatic friction between the two nations stemming from Mexico’s insistence that Spain formally apologize for its 1519-1521 Mexican conquest, which led to widespread deaths among the country’s pre-Hispanic communities.

Former Mexican leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador sent correspondence to both King Felipe and Pope Francis in 2019, requesting that Spain “publicly and officially” acknowledge the wrongs committed during Mexico’s conquest period. Spain’s rejection of this demand deteriorated governmental relationships between both countries.

Diplomatic relations further soured in 2024 when current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum excluded King Felipe from her inauguration ceremony due to the royal palace’s continued refusal to offer a formal apology. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterized this exclusion as “unacceptable,” leading Spain to boycott Sheinbaum’s inauguration entirely.

However, diplomatic ice began melting last autumn when Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares recognized the “pain and injustice” experienced by Mexico’s Indigenous communities under Spanish colonial rule. These statements occurred at the opening of the same museum exhibition the king visited Monday.

“There has been pain, pain and injustice toward the indigenous peoples to whom this exhibition is dedicated,” Albares said.

Sheinbaum viewed the foreign minister’s statements positively, describing them as initial progress and noting that “this is the first time that a Spanish government authority has spoken of regretting the injustice.”

The king’s recent statements do not represent an official royal palace apology from Spain. Sheinbaum indicated Monday that she requires time to evaluate his comments.

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador’s government announced Monday the mobilization of 75,000 military and law enforcement personnel across four violence-plagued provinces, where authorities have instituted nighttime curfews prohibiting residents from venturing outside between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Authorities reported 253 arrests for curfew violations since the restrictions began Sunday evening in Guayas, El Oro, Los Rios and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas provinces. The two-week emergency measure encompasses Guayaquil, the nation’s largest city, but excludes the capital Quito and the tourist destination of the Galápagos Islands.

Interior Minister John Reimberg announced Monday that military forces utilized approved artillery strikes against three designated targets, though he declined to elaborate on the specific nature of these operations. “Let whatever must fall, fall — and whoever must fall, fall,” he declared to reporters, emphasizing that no casualties were documented during these missions.

The South American nation faces an escalating battle against drug-fueled violence as competing criminal organizations wage war for dominance over Pacific coast shipping facilities crucial for transporting cocaine to American markets.

Government data from the Ministry of the Interior reveals Ecuador experienced its most deadly year on record in 2023, with homicides reaching 50 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

Murder rates have surged fivefold since the coronavirus pandemic began, driven by Colombian and Mexican trafficking networks fighting over smuggling corridors while forming alliances with domestic criminal groups.

President Daniel Noboa recently renewed emergency powers that authorize military forces to conduct joint operations with civilian police and search private residences without obtaining warrants.

The conservative president has pointed fingers at neighboring Colombia, claiming its administration fails to adequately combat criminal organizations operating across their shared border. This January, Noboa imposed import duties on Colombian goods, vowing to maintain these penalties until cross-border security conditions improve.

This month, Ecuador’s armed forces announced a collaborative strike with U.S. forces targeting a Colombian narcotics training facility, deploying unmanned aircraft, helicopters and naval vessels in the assault.

Military officials identified the compound as being situated within Ecuadorian territory and controlled by Comandos de la Frontera, a faction that broke away from FARC following the rebel group’s 2016 peace agreement with Colombia’s government.

Human rights organizations have criticized Noboa’s aggressive approach, arguing his hardline tactics have failed to decrease criminal activity while endangering innocent civilians.

A controversial incident last year highlighted concerns about the president’s anti-crime strategies when eleven military personnel received sentences exceeding 30 years for kidnapping four minors, whose remains were discovered near a Guayaquil-area military installation.

Afghan Taliban officials accused Pakistan of conducting an airstrike that struck a drug treatment facility in Kabul on Monday, resulting in an unknown number of casualties, while Pakistani authorities denied hitting civilian targets.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated on social media platform X that their forces had struck “military installations” and “terrorist support infrastructure” in both Kabul and Nangarhar provinces.

According to Pakistani officials, the targeted locations housed weapons stockpiles and equipment utilized by Afghan Taliban forces and “Fitna al-Khawarij” militants, which is Pakistan’s designation for extremist fighters.

Pakistan’s military has not yet provided an official response to requests for additional information.

Cross-border hostilities between the two countries began escalating last month when Pakistan launched aerial attacks into Afghanistan, claiming they were aimed at militant bases. Afghan authorities condemned these operations as violations of their territorial sovereignty and responded with retaliatory strikes.

The issue of militant activity has become a major source of tension between the neighboring countries, which were once allies but are now adversaries. Pakistani leadership maintains that Afghanistan serves as a safe haven for extremists who carry out attacks against Pakistan, while Taliban representatives reject these accusations and argue that addressing militancy is Pakistan’s domestic responsibility.

WASHINGTON – American diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have reportedly resumed direct communication through a previously established channel, according to sources cited by Axios on Monday.

The news outlet reported that officials familiar with the situation confirmed the renewed contact between the two representatives, though the depth and substance of their exchanges remains unclear. This represents the first documented direct dialogue between the nations since military operations began involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

According to Axios sources, Araghchi initiated contact by sending text messages to Witkoff. However, a U.S. official told the publication that Washington was “not talking” to Tehran, suggesting limited engagement from the American side.

Earlier reporting from Drop Site News had indicated that Witkoff was the one reaching out to the Iranian minister through messages. That outlet quoted Iranian officials who claimed Araghchi was disregarding communications from Witkoff.

The conflicting reports highlight the sensitive and complex nature of any diplomatic contact between the two countries amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Officials in Abu Dhabi confirmed Monday that a blaze erupted at a major oil and gas facility following an unmanned aircraft strike, with no casualties reported thus far, according to the emirate’s media office.

The incident occurred at the Shah energy complex, which ranks among the globe’s most significant facilities of its type and sits approximately 180 kilometers (111.85 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi.

Authorities were actively responding to the situation at the facility on Monday, working to address the fire caused by the aerial attack.

BRUSSELS, March 16 – European Union member nations and parliamentary representatives reached an impasse Monday over continuing interim regulations that dictate how major technology companies including Google and Meta identify and address child sexual exploitation material online.

The existing framework, which allows companies to voluntarily scan for and eliminate such harmful content while being exempt from stringent digital privacy regulations, has operated since 2021 but is set to lapse on April 3rd.

A representative from Cyprus, currently leading the EU’s rotating presidency, expressed disappointment with the outcome. “Regrettably the European Parliament insisted on amending the scope of the interim measure in a way that, in the view of the vast majority of member states, would have made this measure ineffective,” the spokesperson stated. “Today’s development creates a vacuum.”

Parliamentary members recently demanded that the temporary regulations exclude end-to-end encrypted messaging from oversight requirements, alongside additional modifications to the proposed framework.

The European Union implemented these interim measures after being unable to reach consensus on permanent legislation addressing this contentious issue, which has created tension between those advocating for enhanced online safety protocols and privacy rights defenders concerned about potential government overreach.

Comprehensive legislation targeting child sexual abuse material, initially proposed by the European Commission in 2022, remains stalled amid ongoing disagreements between opposing factions who have raised objections to fundamental aspects of the proposal.

Major technology corporations have actively opposed any mandates requiring messaging platforms, application marketplaces, and internet service providers to identify and eliminate both existing and newly created exploitative images and videos, as well as instances of online predatory behavior.

A new collection of photographs has been released showing the current situation on the ground in the Middle East, as military operations involving the United States and Israel against Iran continue into their third week.

The visual documentation has been assembled by Associated Press photography editors to provide a comprehensive look at the ongoing conflict in the region.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s entire population of 11 million people was left without electricity Monday as authorities confirmed a total power grid failure amid the nation’s worsening energy and economic struggles. The Caribbean island attributes its current difficulties to what it calls a U.S. energy embargo, implemented after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs in January against any nation providing oil to Cuba.

Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines posted on X that the nation’s electrical infrastructure experienced a “complete disconnection” and announced they were looking into the cause.

Last Friday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel revealed the nation hasn’t received any oil deliveries for over three months, forcing reliance on solar energy, natural gas, and thermoelectric facilities. The power shortage has forced authorities to delay medical procedures for tens of thousands of citizens.

Just over a week ago, another major power failure struck the island’s western region, cutting electricity to millions of residents.

Essential oil deliveries from Venezuela stopped flowing after the United States took action against the South American nation in early January, including the arrest of former president Nicolás Maduro.

Although Cuba manages to produce 40% of its own oil and generates some electricity domestically, these resources fall short of meeting the population’s needs as the electrical infrastructure continues deteriorating.

President Díaz-Canel revealed Friday that Cuban officials are currently engaged in discussions with the U.S. government as the crisis continues to worsen.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s health has taken a turn for the better, allowing doctors to move him from intensive care to a less critical unit at a Brasilia hospital, according to his wife Michelle Bolsonaro.

The 70-year-old ex-president showed significant improvement over a 24-hour period, with medical tests revealing decreased inflammation levels since his admission to the ICU on Friday due to pneumonia complications, Michelle Bolsonaro announced on her Instagram account.

“We remain confident he will overcome this moment too,” Michelle Bolsonaro said.

Medical staff at DF Star hospital reported on Sunday that Bolsonaro’s kidney function had shown improvement, though they had planned to keep him in intensive care due to his pneumonia diagnosis. The hospital has not yet issued a statement regarding his move to the semi-intensive care unit.

The former president, who held office from 2019 to 2022, was brought to the medical facility on Friday from the correctional facility where he is currently incarcerated, serving a 27-year term for orchestrating a coup attempt in 2023.

The controversial former leader was moved from the federal police headquarters to an expanded cell in January. Bolsonaro’s family members and political supporters have made numerous appeals to Brazil’s Supreme Court requesting permission for him to complete his sentence under home confinement.

This hospitalization marks another in a series of medical episodes for the right-wing politician, who has required hospital care on several occasions following a stabbing incident during a campaign rally prior to the 2018 presidential race.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, is anticipated to launch a presidential campaign this year, challenging current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Jair Bolsonaro faces convictions on multiple charges, including orchestrating an armed criminal organization and attempting to violently dismantle democratic institutions. The former president maintains his innocence regarding all accusations.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Four separate explosions shook Nigeria’s northeastern capital of Maiduguri on Monday evening, according to security officials and local residents who witnessed the incidents.

The detonations occurred in the capital city of Borno state, an area that has been plagued by insurgent violence. Local sources reported that three of the explosions happened in Maiduguri’s downtown area – one near a postal facility, another close to a marketplace, and a third in the vicinity of a medical facility. A fourth blast was reported in the Kaleri district, security officials and residents told Reuters.

Authorities have not yet determined what triggered the explosions, and neither police nor military officials provided immediate statements about the incidents.

Earlier on Monday, Nigerian military forces issued a statement confirming they had successfully fought off attacks launched by suspected Islamic militants on Maiduguri’s outer areas during the early morning hours.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Four people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when a controlled demolition operation went catastrophically wrong Monday in Kenya’s capital city, according to government officials.

Military personnel and emergency responders are currently searching through the debris for anyone who may remain trapped, the Interior Ministry reported. Photos from the scene showed emergency workers transporting victims away from the wreckage on medical stretchers.

Officials have not yet explained what caused the demolition operation to fail so disastrously, resulting in the casualties.

The structure was among multiple buildings “earmarked for removal under the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project,” according to the ministry’s official statement.

While rescue teams successfully pulled at least two survivors from the wreckage, an Associated Press reporter present at the Blue Estate community in Shauri Moyo witnessed at least three fatalities being recovered from the debris. Government officials confirmed the death count reached four.

Such structural failures occur frequently throughout Nairobi, where the demand for housing far exceeds supply and corrupt construction companies regularly ignore safety standards or completely disregard building regulations.

Following a series of eight building failures that claimed 15 lives across Kenya in 2015, the president mandated a comprehensive review of structures nationwide to determine code compliance. The National Construction Authority’s investigation revealed that 58% of Nairobi’s buildings were deemed unsafe for occupancy.

The White House announced Monday that President Donald Trump’s upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping may face postponement as Trump dedicates his attention to ongoing military operations involving Iran.

The potential delay of Trump’s planned March 31 to April 2 visit to China threatens to heighten diplomatic friction between Washington and Beijing, particularly as the Iran conflict adds another layer of complexity to already strained relations over trade and Taiwan disputes between the world’s largest economies.

Following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel, Iran has issued warnings about attacking ships navigating through critical waterways, despite Iranian vessels continuing to pass through at typical volumes. Trump has appealed to multiple countries, including China, for assistance in ensuring safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global daily oil shipments.

So far, Trump’s appeals for help have met with limited response. China, which brought in approximately 12 million barrels of oil per day during the opening months of 2026 – more than any other nation – has yet to formally address Trump’s assistance request.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters about the situation: “The president looks forward to visiting China. The dates may be moved. As commander-in-chief, it’s his number-one priority right now to ensure the continued success of this operation, Epic Fury. So we’ll keep you posted on the dates as soon as we can.”

In a Sunday interview with the Financial Times, Trump indicated he might delay the China meeting if Beijing refuses to assist with resolving the Strait of Hormuz situation.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” Leavitt clarified the administration’s position: “I don’t think the meeting is in jeopardy, but it’s quite possible the meeting could be delayed.”

Shipping data analyzed by Reuters reveals that Iranian oil continues moving through the Strait of Hormuz at nearly regular levels, although broader Middle Eastern exports have plummeted by over 60% since hostilities began. According to U.S. Energy Department statistics, China receives the majority of Iran’s oil exports.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained Monday that any trip postponement stems from war coordination responsibilities rather than disagreements over China’s strait assistance or trade issues.

“The President wants to remain in DC to coordinate the war effort,” Bessent stated. “Traveling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal.”

Chinese foreign ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. Beijing typically doesn’t announce specific dates for Trump’s visit or reveal Xi’s schedule details well in advance.

Despite uncertainty about timing, summit preparations continue moving forward. White House staff maintained logistical planning for the trip Monday, while Bessent conducted discussions in Paris with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to establish potential trade and other agreements for the Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing.

These Paris negotiations, which started Sunday, saw Chinese representatives express willingness to consider additional purchases of American agricultural products, including poultry, beef, and various non-soybean crops, according to one source ahead of the second day of meetings. The discussions also covered rare earth mineral supplies predominantly controlled by China and new strategies for managing bilateral trade and investment.

Both Treasury Department and U.S. Trade Representative office spokespeople declined to provide details about the ongoing talks.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian addressed Trump’s comments during a routine press briefing: “Head of state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to China-U.S. relations.” Lin confirmed that both nations are maintaining communication regarding the visit arrangements.

BRUSSELS – Nine European nations have sounded the alarm about a Russian natural gas tanker floating without power in the Mediterranean Sea, warning European Union officials that the vessel could trigger a major environmental catastrophe.

Italy and France led the group of countries in sending an urgent message to the European Commission on Monday, expressing grave concerns about the current state of the ship and its dangerous cargo.

“The precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo, gives rise to an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster in the heart of the Union’s maritime space,” the correspondence obtained by Reuters stated.

According to Russia’s transportation department, the ship known as Arctic Metagaz was transporting liquefied natural gas from Murmansk, an Arctic port, when it came under assault from Ukrainian naval drones that were reportedly launched from Libya’s coastline earlier this month. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed their involvement in any such operation against the vessel.

JERUSALEM – Fragments from Iranian ballistic missiles and pieces of Israeli defense systems that intercepted them scattered around Jerusalem’s historic Old City on Monday, landing near some of the world’s most revered religious locations, according to Israeli authorities.

Officials reported no injuries or significant structural damage at either the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the elevated complex known as the Al-Aqsa compound to Muslims and Temple Mount to Jews – a contested location considered sacred by both religions.

Police released photographs showing three officers removing what looked like a large circular metal missile component from a red-tiled rooftop near the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the traditional location where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and entombed, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.

Additional images revealed officers cordoning off a section of the Al-Aqsa compound’s courtyard, which also contains the iconic golden Dome of the Rock, with small debris pieces scattered across the ground.

“Jerusalem District police, bomb disposal teams, and Border Police units have secured the sites and are currently working to eliminate any remaining risk to the public,” authorities stated in an official announcement.

A European Union border patrol vessel went down Monday in waters near Megisti, Greece’s easternmost island, leaving four of five people aboard injured, according to Greek officials.

Those on the boat included four Estonian citizens – among them Estonia’s ambassador to Greece – plus one Greek coast guard officer working with Frontex, the EU’s border patrol agency. Coast guard crews and a nearby catamaran rescued all five from the water and transported them to Kastellorizo’s medical facility.

The four hurt passengers were subsequently flown by Greek Air Force Super Puma helicopter to a Rhodes hospital for treatment. Officials have not yet determined what caused the vessel to go down.

PRAGUE – Czech President Petr Pavel delivered sharp criticism Monday against his government’s decision to slash military spending, joining a chorus of disapproval that includes the United States and other NATO partners questioning the country’s commitment to alliance defense goals.

The controversy stems from budget cuts approved by Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ populist ANO party, which assumed control in December. The administration pushed through a revised 2026 spending plan that allocates 154.8 billion crowns ($7.28 billion) to the defense ministry, representing just 1.73% of the nation’s gross domestic product – a reduction from the previous administration’s proposal.

While government officials claim their defense allocation reaches nearly 2.1% of total spending, the nation’s fiscal oversight body has raised red flags, noting this figure incorporates questionable items such as road construction projects that likely fail to satisfy NATO standards.

During a Monday meeting with Finance Minister Alena Schillerova, Pavel – who previously served as a NATO official – expressed his strong opposition to the spending reductions, according to a presidential office statement.

“According to the president, it is not justifiable that defence expenditures stagnate or even decrease at a time of growing security threats,” the official statement declared.

Pavel has repeatedly cautioned that inadequate defense spending could damage relationships with allied nations, though he has indicated he will not use his veto power to block the budget.

Schillerova acknowledged that Pavel “did not hide” his desire for increased military funding, but she stood by the administration’s financial plans.

Babis has argued that resources must be directed toward other critical areas, particularly healthcare initiatives. He maintains that the Czech Republic will still fulfill its NATO obligation to spend 2% of GDP on defense.

The budget approval by Czech lawmakers last Thursday prompted U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker to post on social media platform X that all alliance members “must pull their weight,” echoing similar concerns voiced by the American ambassador in Prague.

NATO’s European member nations face mounting pressure to boost their military investments. Alliance countries committed last year to increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, plus an additional 1.5% for other defense-related investments over the coming decade. However, Babis has acknowledged that his country is not positioned to achieve this ambitious new benchmark.

AMSTERDAM – Dutch authorities announced Monday that four young men arrested following a bombing at a Rotterdam synagogue will face terrorism charges for their alleged role in the Friday morning attack.

According to prosecutors, the suspects – ranging in age from 17 to 19 years old – deliberately targeted the Jewish house of worship with the goal of terrorizing the local Jewish population.

“The acts were meant to instill fear in the Jewish community,” the prosecutors said.

Law enforcement officials took the four individuals into custody shortly after they allegedly set fire to the synagogue during the early morning hours on Friday. The arson attack resulted in an explosion at the religious facility.

MOSCOW – Russia’s highest-ranking military official announced Monday that his country’s forces have seized a dozen Ukrainian communities during the opening two weeks of March, according to reports from Russian government-controlled media outlets.

General Valery Gerasimov, who serves as the chief of Russia’s General Staff, made these claims while visiting troops in the southern theater of operations. The top commander stated that Russian military units are conducting offensive operations along every front line of what the Kremlin refers to as its special military operation in Ukraine.

The announcement comes as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues into its third year, with both sides claiming territorial gains and losses across multiple fronts.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian law enforcement officials have taken into custody legislator Arnel Belizaire following accusations of terrorism financing and conspiring against national security, according to authorities.

This capture represents another chapter in Belizaire’s troubled legal history within a nation where influential political leaders have historically avoided consequences for their actions. Several of these figures have connections to funding and backing criminal organizations that maintain control over roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital city.

The country’s National Police revealed the arrest Sunday evening, bringing to a close their search for the prominent politician that began approximately two months earlier.

Previously, Belizaire dismissed the warrant for his arrest as politically motivated harassment. Legal representation for him could not immediately be confirmed.

Just days before his capture, Belizaire had completed registration for his newly formed political organization ahead of the scheduled general election.

The United States had already designated Belizaire for “significant corruption” in the previous year, implementing travel restrictions that prevent him and his close family from entering American territory.

Belizaire’s legal troubles date back to the early 2000s when he faced arrest on unlawful firearms possession, resulting in imprisonment. After breaking out of custody and being recaptured, he managed another escape during Haiti’s catastrophic 2010 earthquake.

Following his 2011 election to Haiti’s legislative body, authorities detained him again after discovering his earthquake-related escape. However, he gained freedom through political intervention.

Years later, Belizaire faced another arrest on weapons trafficking allegations, though prosecutors ultimately dismissed those charges.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an unprecedented military intervention to combat South Africa’s escalating crime crisis, authorizing 2,200 soldiers to join police operations for an entire year.

The dramatic decision highlights the struggles faced by Africa’s most developed economy as it battles persistently high levels of violent criminal activity.

Under South Africa’s Constitution, Ramaphosa must inform Parliament when ordering military deployments. In his official notification to legislators, the president explained that troops will support police in addressing two primary criminal threats: violence perpetrated by criminal gangs and illicit mining operations controlled by organized crime networks.

The military presence on city streets will continue from March 1, 2024, through March 31, 2027, according to Ramaphosa’s announcement.

Despite initial concerns from some opposition politicians about operational costs, the president’s decision has received broad support. Communities exhausted by ongoing violence actually celebrated when soldiers appeared on streets in Johannesburg, the nation’s largest city, during the initial deployment last week.

Military personnel will operate across five of the country’s nine provinces, including Gauteng province, which serves as the economic center and home to Johannesburg, and Western Cape province, where Cape Town, the second-largest city, is situated.

Additional military operations will take place in North West, Free State, and Eastern Cape provinces.

According to Ramaphosa, the deployment specifically targets assistance for police dealing with gang-related violence and unauthorized mining activities.

Criminal gang warfare results in hundreds of deaths annually throughout South Africa, particularly in impoverished communities called the Cape Flats surrounding Cape Town, the country’s premier tourist destination.

Government officials estimate approximately 30,000 unauthorized miners work within South Africa’s 6,000 abandoned gold and mineral mines. These mining operations frequently involve armed and dangerous groups defending their territories under the control of criminal organizations, according to authorities.

Ramaphosa identified gang violence and illegal mining as the two forms of organized crime posing the greatest threats to South Africa’s democratic institutions and economic progress.

Police leadership, who will oversee the soldiers during law enforcement activities, have established four primary operational goals: decreasing criminal activity in designated problem zones, apprehending suspects, seizing illegal weapons and explosives, and confiscating illegal drugs.

This marks not the first occasion South Africa has utilized military forces for crime prevention, though it represents the most extended deployment in recent memory. During 2023, Ramaphosa authorized more than 3,000 soldiers for a one-month operation in specific high-crime locations.

Later that same year, military deployment occurred following a series of truck attacks on major highways that raised concerns about potential widespread civil disorder.

A new Human Rights Watch investigation released Monday alleges that El Salvador is secretly holding some of its own citizens who were deported from the United States, keeping them in detention without court appearances or disclosure of their locations.

The human rights organization based in New York documented cases involving 11 Salvadoran nationals who were among more than 9,000 people sent back to their home country since early January 2025 during President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The United States should stop casting people into the black hole of El Salvador’s prison system,” stated Juanita Goebertus, who serves as HRW’s Americas Director.

The deportations have been carried out under Trump’s use of the Alien Enemy Act from 1798, an rarely-utilized wartime statute that allows removal of immigrants deemed security threats without standard legal procedures.

Human Rights Watch noted that neither American nor Salvadoran authorities have provided proof that the detained individuals have gang connections, despite US allegations that some are linked to the MS-13 organization.

Reuters reached out to El Salvador’s government for response to the HRW findings but did not receive immediate comment.

Legal representatives and family members have disputed any gang associations for the detained men and report being kept in the dark about where their relatives are being held.

The human rights organization conducted interviews with 20 family members and attorneys representing the 11 deported Salvadorans between mid-March and mid-October 2025. All were taken into custody immediately upon arrival, and none have appeared before judicial authorities or been permitted family communication.

The report indicates that several of the 11 affected individuals were transported to El Salvador in March 2025 alongside 252 Venezuelan nationals and placed in CECOT, a maximum-security detention facility.

Human Rights Watch found that among the more than 9,000 people sent from the US to El Salvador since January 2025, only 10.5% had been found guilty of violent or potentially violent offenses in American courts.

The practice of deporting Venezuelans to El Salvador has generated significant opposition from human rights organizations and triggered court challenges.

Since March 2022, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has maintained a state of emergency that continues today, leading to widespread arrests and the elimination of standard legal protections.

A new survey from Peru reveals that left-wing presidential hopeful Alfonso Lopez Chau is making substantial progress against the two conservative candidates currently leading the field ahead of next month’s national election.

According to polling data from Datum Internacional, Lopez Chau has increased his support to 6.5 percent, up from 5.1 percent in previous measurements. The economist and former central bank official represents the left-wing Juntos por el Peru party.

Meanwhile, the current frontrunners Rafael Lopez Aliaga and Keiko Fujimori captured 11.4 percent and 10.9 percent support respectively in the survey. Given the poll’s error margin of plus or minus 2.5 percent, these results suggest the possibility of a statistical dead heat among the top contenders.

The polling was carried out between March 6-10 and announced Sunday during programming on America Television. Retired air force general and former intelligence chief Wolfgang Crozo ranked fourth with 5.1 percent backing.

Fujimori, making her fourth presidential bid, is the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, who served a 16-year prison sentence for violations of human rights.

The survey found that 36.7 percent of Peruvian voters remain undecided or plan to abstain from voting, a decrease from the previous 38.5 percent but still significantly higher than the 18 percent recorded at the same point before Peru’s 2021 presidential contest.

Peru’s political landscape has been marked by ongoing turmoil, with eight different presidents holding office since 2018. The nation will conduct its election on April 12, with analysts predicting no candidate will secure a first-round victory, leading to a runoff election scheduled for June.

The winning candidate will take office at the end of July. Despite the political uncertainty, Peru’s economy has demonstrated stability as the world’s third-largest copper producer with significant dependence on mining operations.

Recent government statistics indicate Peru’s economy grew 3.54 percent compared to the previous year in January, driven by increased output of copper, zinc, gold and silver.

A United Nations investigation has determined that Israel’s bombing of an Iranian prison facility last year constitutes a war crime, according to findings presented Monday in Geneva.

The strike on Tehran’s Evin prison in June killed more than 70 individuals during aerial warfare between Israel and Iran, according to Iranian officials. The facility, notorious for housing political dissidents, has sustained additional damage from recent U.S.-Israeli military operations, creating serious concerns for inmates including a British couple.

Sara Hossain, who leads the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, addressed the U.N. Human Rights Council with her findings. “We found reasonable grounds to believe that, in carrying out the airstrikes on Evin prison, Israel committed the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against a civilian object…,” Hossain stated. She reported that 80 individuals perished, including one minor and eight women.

The investigation’s conclusions, delivered to the Council on Monday, drew from victim and witness interviews, satellite analysis, and additional documentation.

Israeli representatives were absent from the council proceedings, having withdrawn from participation in the body that monitors violations and launches investigations. Israeli government offices, including the prime minister’s office, Foreign Ministry, and military, did not respond to requests for statements.

Hossain expressed alarm over rising civilian casualties in Iran and warned that current bombing operations might prompt Iranian authorities to intensify their suppression of opposition voices, noting increased executions following last year’s attacks.

“The core lesson drawn from our investigations in this context is clear: external military action does not provide accountability or bring meaningful change. Instead, it risks intensifying domestic repression …,” she explained.

Mai Sato, another U.N.-designated rights specialist focusing on Iran, raised additional concerns about prisoners, including those detained during widespread January demonstrations. She reported that families cannot reach imprisoned relatives, while food and medical supplies become increasingly scarce in detention facilities.

Iran’s diplomatic representative, Ali Bahreini, demanded international condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli attacks, claiming they have resulted in more than 1,300 Iranian deaths.

Two children died and 10 people suffered injuries when Pakistani military forces fired mortar rounds into Afghanistan’s Khost province overnight, according to Afghan officials who reported the violence Monday as border hostilities entered their third straight week.

Mustaghfar Gurbaz, who speaks for the provincial governor, confirmed that the mortar bombardment from Pakistan destroyed multiple residential buildings in villages throughout the southeastern region.

The deadly incident followed Pakistan’s report Sunday that an Afghan mortar strike hit a residence in the northwestern Bajaur district, resulting in four family members’ deaths and injuring two others, including a young child aged 5. Local residents and Pakistani officials stated their military retaliated Monday by attacking Afghan border positions where the previous day’s assault originated, inflicting significant casualties.

Afghan authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the retaliatory strikes.

These border confrontations, which have featured several Pakistani aerial bombardments targeting Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul, represent some of the most severe violence between the neighboring countries in recent memory.

Pakistani leadership has characterized the current situation as an “open war.” President Asif Ali Zardari declared that Afghanistan’s Taliban government violated a “red line” when they deployed drone aircraft that injured multiple Pakistani civilians during the previous week.

Pakistan’s air force responded to those drone incidents over the weekend by bombing equipment storage facilities and what they termed “technical support infrastructure” located in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, claiming these sites supported attacks within Pakistani territory. Kabul officials confirmed Pakistan struck two separate locations: an unoccupied security installation and a drug treatment facility that sustained minimal damage.

Afghanistan’s administrative Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi declared overnight in Kabul that protecting national sovereignty becomes every citizen’s responsibility when territorial integrity faces violation.

During discussions with political commentators and journalists, Hanafi expressed sorrow regarding civilian deaths from recent Pakistani military actions, stating that warfare had been forced upon Afghanistan.

Pakistan, however, maintains that Kabul provides sanctuary to extremist organizations, specifically the Pakistani Taliban, which allegedly conducts terrorist operations on Pakistani soil. Afghan officials reject these accusations, insisting they prohibit their territory from being utilized for attacks against neighboring nations.

The current military confrontation began in late February when Afghanistan initiated cross-border assaults responding to Pakistani airstrikes within Afghan territory that Kabul claimed killed innocent civilians. These clashes shattered a Qatar-mediated truce established in October following earlier violence that resulted in dozens of military personnel, civilian, and suspected militant deaths.

PARIS (AP) — Beijing issued a stern warning Monday regarding President Donald Trump’s recent trade policy actions, expressing fears they could undermine bilateral economic relationships following diplomatic meetings in the French capital.

During the discussions, Li Chenggang, serving as China’s international trade representative, voiced Beijing’s deep concerns about new manufacturing investigations targeting foreign production that the Trump administration initiated following the Supreme Court’s rejection of previous tariff measures.

“We are concerned that the possible results of such investigations may interfere with or damage the hard-won and stable China-U.S. economic and trade relations,” Li stated to members of the press.

These diplomatic talks were designed to lay groundwork for Trump’s anticipated journey to China, scheduled for approximately two weeks from now, although the president has indicated the trip might face postponement. Li avoided discussing the visit’s timing and declined to field reporters’ questions.

The ongoing Iran conflict has surfaced as a potential obstacle precisely when Washington and Beijing were rebuilding their partnership after a destructive tariff battle that saw import duties climb into triple-digit territory. Both nations subsequently reached agreement on a twelve-month ceasefire.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, heading the American delegation in Paris, indicated that any postponement of Trump’s China visit would not stem from disputes over the Iran situation or initiatives to reestablish access through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for international maritime commerce.

Should Trump proceed with the China trip, it would mark his first presidential visit to the nation since his 2017 journey during his initial term. The visit would occur five months following his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

European allies are declining President Donald Trump’s appeal for military assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that Iran has effectively shut down following recent U.S.-Israeli military operations.

The strategic waterway, which handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, was blocked by Iran using drones, missiles, and mines after Tehran retaliated against attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces.

NATO member countries, many of whom have faced Trump’s criticism in recent months, are showing hesitation about getting involved in the confrontation with Iran, despite typically being cautious about defying Washington.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressed skepticism about the request during remarks in Berlin on Monday. “What does Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful U.S. navy cannot do?” Pistorius questioned, dismissing Trump’s warnings about potential consequences for NATO members who refuse to assist.

“This is not our war, we have not started it,” Pistorius stated.

A German government spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, emphasized that the situation falls outside NATO’s scope and that Germany will not participate. “Neither the United States nor Israel consulted us before the war, and Washington explicitly stated at the outset of the war that European assistance was neither necessary nor desired,” Kornelius explained.

However, some European officials indicated limited willingness to contribute to a solution.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas revealed that the bloc is exploring options with the United Nations, potentially modeling efforts after agreements that have allowed Ukrainian grain exports during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The European Union is also considering whether to expand its existing Middle East naval operation, Aspides, which currently safeguards vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, to cover the Strait of Hormuz region, according to Kallas.

Greece, however, which oversees the Aspides mission, announced through government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis that it will restrict its Middle Eastern involvement to Red Sea operations only.

China’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Beijing is engaging with all parties involved in an effort to reduce tensions surrounding the strait.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to collaborating with allies on a joint approach to ensure safe passage through the waterway, though he acknowledged the challenges ahead and reiterated that the United Kingdom would avoid involvement in a broader conflict. Starmer mentioned that Britain possesses autonomous mine-detection technology that could prove useful.

Denmark’s position suggested the EU should pursue reopening the strait regardless of disagreements with the conflict itself. “Even if we don’t like what’s going on, I think it’s wise to keep an open mind on whether Europe in some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Several other European nations firmly rejected involvement. Spain indicated it would avoid any actions that might intensify the conflict, while Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warned that deploying military vessels to a combat zone would constitute joining the war.

“Italy is not at war with anyone and sending military ships in a war zone would mean entering the war,” Salvini told reporters in Milan.

Tehran has requested the return of three oil tankers that Indian authorities captured last month, according to sources familiar with ongoing discussions between the two nations about securing safe maritime routes through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Indian officials detained the Iran-connected vessels in February near their territorial waters, claiming the ships had disguised their identities and participated in unauthorized fuel transfers at sea.

According to an Iranian government source, Tehran has also requested medical supplies and pharmaceutical equipment as part of the negotiations. Iran’s diplomatic representative in New Delhi held discussions with Indian foreign affairs officials on Monday regarding these matters.

The sources requested anonymity given the delicate nature of the diplomatic talks.

Neither India’s external affairs ministry, Iran’s embassy in New Delhi, nor Tehran’s foreign ministry provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Iranian authorities recently permitted two Indian liquefied petroleum gas carriers to navigate through the strait, with one vessel arriving back at India’s western coast on Monday. Maritime traffic has virtually ceased in the waterway since regional warfare began.

When questioned about discussions to guarantee safe passage for Indian ships, foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated Monday that recent vessel movements demonstrated a “history of engagement, of dealing with each other.”

During his regular press conference, Jaiswal emphasized that no formal exchanges were taking place.

Following the commencement of American and Israeli military operations against Iran in late February, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes throughout the region, including attacks on vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz that resulted in three Indian crew members’ deaths and one person missing.

Indian officials reported Monday that no fewer than 22 Indian-registered ships and 611 Indian maritime workers remain stranded in Gulf waters.

An Indian government source revealed that six of the trapped vessels carry LPG cargo, and the country prioritizes their safe return to address domestic cooking fuel shortages. Approximately 90% of India’s LPG imports originate from Gulf nations.

Indian maritime authorities confiscated the tankers Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia and Stellar Ruby, alleging the vessels had falsified their identities and movements while conducting prohibited ship-to-ship fuel transfers.

While Stellar Ruby flies an Iranian flag, the remaining two ships are registered under Nicaraguan and Malian flags.

A February 15 Indian Coast Guard criminal complaint obtained by Reuters alleged that Asphalt Star smuggled heavy fuel oil that was transferred to Al Jafzia, while bitumen was moved to Stellar Ruby. All three vessels currently remain anchored near Mumbai.

During the seizure period, Iranian state broadcasters quoted the National Iranian Oil Company denying any association with the three captured tankers.

Jugwinder Singh Brar, whom Washington accuses of operating a shipping network that facilitates Iranian oil transportation, confirmed he served as a consultant for all three seized vessels and maintained their operations were legitimate.

“We were transporting bitumen and there is nothing illegal in doing this. My ships have been there for 40 days and I have faced losses,” Brar stated in a telephone interview, adding he was unaware of any negotiations concerning the tankers.

Representatives from President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” conducted discussions with Hamas officials in Cairo over the weekend, working to preserve the Gaza ceasefire amid mounting pressures from the ongoing Iran conflict, according to three sources who spoke with Reuters.

This marks the first reported diplomatic contact between the Palestinian militant organization and Trump’s newly-established international oversight body since U.S. and Israeli forces began their bombing campaign against Iran. The Board of Peace, which Trump personally leads, has been given responsibility for managing post-conflict Gaza operations.

In what appears to be a direct outcome of the Cairo discussions, Israel announced Sunday its intention to reopen the Rafah border crossing – the only pedestrian passage between Gaza and Egypt – which had been closed since the Iran military operations commenced. One source indicated this Israeli decision stemmed directly from the weekend talks.

Before the Iran conflict erupted, Trump’s Gaza reconstruction and peace strategy represented his primary Middle East policy achievement.

During the Cairo meeting, Hamas delegates cautioned Trump’s representatives that the organization might withdraw from previous ceasefire commitments if Israel continues enforcing the new Gaza restrictions implemented during the Iran war, sources revealed.

Israeli authorities closed all Gaza border points when military operations launched on February 28, citing safety concerns for crossing operations. While limited merchandise and humanitarian supplies later resumed flowing, the Rafah pedestrian crossing on Gaza’s southern border remained shuttered until Sunday’s announcement promised its reopening this week following completed “security assessment” procedures.

Previous Reuters reporting indicated that discussions regarding Hamas disarmament – intended as a central component of Trump’s next-phase planning – have been suspended since the Iran conflict began.

According to one source, Aryeh Lightstone, an American assistant to Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff, participated in the Hamas discussions on behalf of the Board of Peace. Two additional sources confirmed Lightstone’s scheduled involvement, though they could not verify his actual attendance.

Additional diplomatic sessions are anticipated this week. All sources requested anonymity due to lack of authorization for public statements.

A U.S. official confirmed Lightstone’s participation in Gaza-focused Cairo meetings during recent days, while declining to verify any direct Hamas contact. The official added that American negotiators continue engaging regional allies to advance Trump’s comprehensive 20-point Gaza framework.

Israeli government officials have not responded to inquiries about whether the Rafah reopening decision resulted from the Cairo diplomatic session. Hamas representatives declined comment requests.

Trump’s Gaza strategy commenced with an October ceasefire arrangement that left Israeli forces controlling over half the territory, while Gaza’s 2 million-plus residents remain concentrated in a narrow Hamas-controlled coastal area.

The peace initiative had shown increased progress during the month preceding the Iran conflict, including fresh reconstruction commitments and the initial Rafah reopening.

Israeli military forces have maintained Gaza operations throughout the broader regional conflict, including Sunday strikes that resulted in 12 fatalities, among them nine police personnel. Military officials cite ongoing Hamas threats and hostile fire as justification for continued attacks.

A Palestinian official familiar with the Cairo negotiations stated that Hamas believes Israel is using the Iran war as cover to abandon commitments under Trump’s peace framework. Israeli authorities dispute this characterization.

The success of Trump’s Gaza plan depends significantly on whether Hamas fighters will surrender their weapons in exchange for amnesty provisions, a crucial step designed to enable reconstruction efforts and additional Israeli military withdrawals.

None of the sources indicated whether weapons surrender discussions would feature in this week’s scheduled Cairo meetings.

MULTAN, Pakistan — A deadly building collapse claimed the lives of at least eight women and left more than 50 others injured Monday when a shop’s roof caved in during a government welfare distribution in eastern Pakistan, according to police and emergency responders.

The tragedy unfolded in Rahim Yar Khan, located in Punjab province, when more than 100 women had assembled to receive government financial aid in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that concludes the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Emergency worker Ashiq Mahmood explained that the structural failure occurred after the shop owner directed some women to climb onto the roof while others stayed inside the building, causing the roof to buckle under the excessive weight.

The women were there to collect funds from the Benazir Income Support Program, a government initiative honoring the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who died in a 2007 assassination involving gunfire and explosives. This program distributes financial aid to millions of Pakistan’s poorest families, with eligible households receiving quarterly payments of 13,000 rupees, equivalent to approximately $45.

Such dangerous overcrowding incidents frequently happen throughout Pakistan during Ramadan, as government organizations, charitable groups, and private companies hand out food supplies and monetary assistance to impoverished families. A similar tragedy struck in 2023 when at least 11 women and children lost their lives in a deadly crowd surge at a Ramadan aid distribution facility in Karachi, where hundreds of people had rushed to obtain assistance outside a manufacturing plant.

Dutch authorities are examining a second explosion in Amsterdam that struck an office building Monday, with the same extremist organization taking credit for both this incident and a recent bombing at a Jewish educational facility, according to police officials.

Law enforcement representatives confirmed they are working to determine whether the office building has any connection to Amsterdam’s Jewish community.

The blast resulted in a small fire that building security personnel quickly put out, causing only minimal damage to the structure, police reported. Investigators are working to verify if both incidents are truly connected to the same group.

Sienna Investment Managers, the company that oversees the damaged building, has not responded to requests for comment.

The earlier incident on Saturday targeted a Jewish school and also resulted in minor damage. Both Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten publicly denounced that attack.

The organization has additionally taken responsibility for previous attacks on synagogues in Rotterdam and in the Belgian city of Liege. These incidents have already prompted increased security measures at Jewish facilities throughout Amsterdam.

Justice Minister David van Weel stated Saturday that authorities cannot rule out connections between the Amsterdam and Rotterdam explosions, though he stopped short of confirming the group’s social media claims.

Fears about potential attacks targeting Jewish communities worldwide have increased amid recent military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, followed by Tehran’s retaliation.

Israeli military forces have advanced into additional areas of southern Lebanon as part of an expanded ground operation targeting Hezbollah strongholds, military officials announced Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, confirmed during a press briefing that troops were operating in “new locations that our troops were not operating yesterday.”

Shoshani characterized the latest military actions as “limited and targeted,” but refused to specify how far into Lebanese territory the forces would penetrate or whether troops would establish permanent positions.

The Israeli military has maintained five positions in southern Lebanon following a November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Additional forces were deployed after Hezbollah launched a rocket barrage on March 2, escalating tensions and drawing Lebanon deeper into a widening regional conflict.

According to Hezbollah, their March 2 attack was a response to the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader on February 28, marking the beginning of what they call a U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Israel has countered with an intensive aerial bombardment campaign across Lebanon.

The conflict has resulted in more than 800 Lebanese deaths and displaced over 800,000 people from their homes, particularly in southern regions and areas surrounding Beirut, the capital.

Lebanese security sources reported to Reuters that Israeli troops surrounded the strategically important southern Lebanese town of Khiyam over the weekend. The town sits approximately 6 kilometers north of the Israeli border.

Israeli forces have gained effective control of Khiyam and are now moving westward toward the Litani River, according to sources. This advancement could potentially place significant portions of southern Lebanon under Israeli control while severing connections to the rest of the country.

Israeli military leadership has justified the ground offensive, which began after the March 2 rocket attacks, as a defensive strategy to shield Israel from ongoing Hezbollah assaults. Officials report that Hezbollah has been launching an average of at least 100 rockets and drones daily.

Two Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in combat operations within southern Lebanon during the current military campaign.

Israeli officials indicated Sunday that Israel and Lebanon are anticipated to engage in discussions in the coming days to negotiate a lasting ceasefire agreement that would require Hezbollah’s disarmament.

While Beirut began assembling a negotiating team last week for potential talks, Lebanese officials told Reuters over the weekend that they have not received confirmation regarding the scheduling of such meetings.

The November 2024 ceasefire agreement required Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon while Lebanese military forces would assume control of the region. In return, Israel was to halt its bombardment of Lebanese territory.

Israeli officials maintain that Lebanon has failed to honor its commitments under the agreement, leading Israel to continue conducting nearly daily airstrikes against what it identifies as Hezbollah positions and weapons facilities.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared Monday that his nation will avoid getting pulled into an expanded conflict with Iran, while simultaneously working alongside international partners to develop a coordinated strategy for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

During a press conference, Starmer acknowledged the challenging nature of restoring access to the waterway but emphasized its importance for stabilizing global energy markets. The Prime Minister indicated he has been in discussions with European, Gulf, and American allies regarding a plan to ensure navigational freedom, clarifying that NATO would not lead such an operation.

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Starmer for initially declining to back U.S.-Israeli military actions against Tehran. Over the weekend, Trump suggested that Britain, along with China, France, Japan, and South Korea, should deploy naval vessels to the region to help reopen the shipping route.

The British government announced its first domestic financial assistance related to the crisis: a 53-million-pound ($70.30 million) aid package targeting vulnerable households that depend on heating oil, which has seen dramatic price increases due to the ongoing conflict.

“Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the (oil) market. That is not a simple task,” Starmer explained to journalists.

“So we’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact,” he continued.

The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman typically handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transportation. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel.

While confirming that Britain was “taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war,” Starmer emphasized the country’s limited military involvement.

When questioned about Britain’s military capabilities after withdrawing its final minehunter from the region this month, the Prime Minister noted that autonomous mine-detection systems remain deployed in the area.

Starmer explained that Britain and its partners are evaluating available resources for a collective contribution, seeking to involve as many nations as possible in the effort.

Addressing his relationship with Trump, Starmer revealed they discussed the strait situation during a Sunday evening phone call. He dismissed concerns that the conflict had strained relations with America, describing their conversation as occurring “in the way that you would expect between two allies and two leaders” and affirming his “good relationship” with the U.S. president.

Oil shipment activities have restarted at a major United Arab Emirates port facility following a drone strike that caused operations to halt earlier Monday, according to two industry sources speaking to Reuters.

The Fujairah port, situated along the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, serves as a crucial shipping point for approximately 1 million barrels daily of the UAE’s Murban crude oil – representing about 1% of worldwide petroleum demand.

Emergency response crews worked to extinguish the fire that erupted in the emirate’s petroleum industrial area, according to a statement from Fujairah’s government media office. Officials confirmed no injuries occurred during the incident.

This temporary shutdown represents the second significant interruption at the important fuel distribution center within recent days. The facility had just returned to normal operations Sunday after recovering from another drone attack that occurred over the weekend.

These incidents occur amid ongoing tensions as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran creates challenges for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman that typically manages one-fifth of global oil transportation.

A deadly shelling struck a village in northern Yemen on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least 10 people, with six of the victims being children, while more than 30 others sustained injuries, government officials reported Monday. Yemen’s government is pointing the blame at Iran-backed Houthi rebels for the fatal bombardment.

According to the Information Ministry, the rebels launched their attack against civilians who had come together for iftar, the traditional evening meal that ends the daily fast during Ramadan, in Hajjah province. While the Houthis maintain control over most of this province, certain sections remain under the authority of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which operates from Aden.

Details surrounding Sunday’s bombardment remain murky, and Houthi representatives have refused to provide any statement regarding the incident.

Hajjah province has been a battleground between Houthi forces and government troops since Yemen descended into civil conflict in 2014. That year marked when the Houthis took control of Sanaa, the capital city, along with large portions of northern Yemen, forcing the government into exile. The following year saw a Saudi-led coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, step in militarily in hopes of reinstating the government.

This ongoing war has brought Yemen’s economy to near-total collapse and created “severe” food shortages in northern regions, including Hajjah, the World Food Program reports.

In an official statement, the Information Ministry warned that fatalities could climb higher, noting that several of those injured remain in critical condition.

TOKYO (AP) — Government weather officials in Japan declared Monday that cherry blossom season has officially begun after confirming the first blooms in three cities across the country.

Meteorological experts inspected designated Somei Yoshino cherry trees in Kochi in southwestern Japan, along with Gifu and Yamanashi in the nation’s central region. They confirmed finding more than five blossoms on each monitored tree, meeting the threshold needed to make the seasonal announcement.

Kochi’s cherry tree bloomed ahead of the others for the third consecutive year, appearing six days sooner than typical, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The trees in Gifu and Yamanashi flowered nine days ahead of their usual schedule.

“Low rainfall during the winter and longer hours of sunshine might have helped the early blooming,” Shinobu Imoto from Kochi Meteorological Agency explained to TBS television.

The beloved cherry blossoms, known as “sakura” in Japanese, typically reach full bloom from late March through early April, coinciding with the nation’s new academic and business calendar year. Countless Japanese citizens participate in traditional activities like strolling and having outdoor meals beneath the flowering trees.

However, recent years have brought challenges as areas surrounding popular cherry blossom destinations have reported problems including trash accumulation, excessive noise, and other complications related to too many tourists visiting these sites.

For hundreds of years, sakura blossoms have held significant cultural importance throughout Japanese society.

LONDON, March 16 – The United Kingdom is coordinating with international partners to develop a joint strategy for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring safe passage through Middle Eastern waters, though the effort presents significant challenges, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday.

Speaking to the press, Starmer emphasized the critical importance of clearing the waterway for global economic stability. “Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the (oil) market. That is not a simple task,” the Prime Minister stated.

The British leader outlined efforts to build an international coalition to address the shipping crisis. “So we’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact,” Starmer explained.

French voters participated in the initial round of mayoral elections on Sunday, offering insights into the nation’s current political climate ahead of next week’s runoff contests.

The far-right National Rally achieved notable victories in its established territories, securing Perpignan in the opening round and placing second in Marseille. A potential win in Marseille, the country’s second-most populous city, would represent a significant milestone for the party.

However, the party’s influence remains confined to specific regions. In France’s largest metropolitan areas beyond its Mediterranean base, the National Rally struggled to gain traction, earning less than 8% support in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, Strasbourg and Bordeaux. This pattern indicates the party’s efforts to broaden its mainstream appeal have not yet succeeded in wealthy, diverse urban areas.

The hard-left France Unbowed party, under Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s leadership, exceeded predictions and demonstrated continued strength despite facing campaign challenges. The party secured Saint-Denis, the Paris region’s second-largest municipality, in the first round and appears positioned to win Roubaix in northern France.

These victories occurred despite recent setbacks, including controversy surrounding the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon and antisemitism allegations following Mélenchon’s comments about individuals with Jewish-sounding names.

The party’s success creates complications for moderate left-wing groups as they prepare for next year’s presidential race. How Socialists and Greens approach potential partnerships with France Unbowed in upcoming runoffs will signal the left’s unity or division heading into national competition.

Environmental parties, which capitalized on global climate activism to win major cities in 2020, faced difficulties replicating their previous success. Economic pressures and international tensions appear to have shifted voter priorities away from environmental concerns. This change was evident as Strasbourg’s Green mayor finished third, while Green candidates in Bordeaux and Lyon face uncertain prospects in next Sunday’s decisive votes.

President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition, historically weak at the local level, entered these elections with limited expectations following disappointing 2020 results. However, one contest held national importance: former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s campaign to regain his Le Havre mayoral position.

Philippe exceeded polling forecasts by capturing 43.8% of first-round votes, positioning himself favorably against Communist and National Rally opponents in the runoff. Success would strengthen his credentials as a leading centrist candidate for the 2027 presidential election and potentially pressure other potential candidates, including former prime minister Gabriel Attal, to support his bid.

In Paris, left-wing parties appear likely to maintain their quarter-century control of the capital. Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire topped the first round with 38% support, leading conservative opponent Rachida Dati by more than 10 percentage points, effectively endorsing the environmental policies of the departing mayor.

The Paris race’s surprise came from nationalist candidate Sarah Knafo, who has built international recognition and attended U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Her 10% vote share qualified her for the second round, illustrating the strategic dilemma facing traditional conservatives before the presidential election: whether to isolate the far right and risk electoral defeat, or pursue collaboration with these groups.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders announced Monday they are exploring ways to maintain access through the Strait of Hormuz as the three-week conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to drive up global energy and commodity costs.

Speaking before a gathering of foreign ministers from the 27-member alliance in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of keeping the waterway accessible. “It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that’s why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side,” Kallas stated.

President Donald Trump has reached out to international partners including France, China, Japan, South Korea and Britain, requesting assistance in securing the strait for worldwide maritime commerce.

According to Kallas, the EU is considering two primary approaches: extending their existing Aspides naval operation from the Red Sea into the Persian Gulf, or establishing a voluntary alliance where member countries would provide military resources as needed.

The conflict, which began with February 28 airstrikes conducted by Israel and the United States, has caused global energy costs to surge, with Brent crude oil prices climbing more than 40%. Beyond petroleum, the war has disrupted international supply networks, impacting Indian pharmaceuticals, Asian semiconductors, and Middle Eastern oil-based products including fertilizers.

Maritime vessels are either stranded in the Gulf or taking significantly longer routes around Africa’s southern coast. Aircraft transporting goods from Middle Eastern locations remain grounded. Extended fighting increases the likelihood of product shortages and price hikes across numerous sectors.

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated his country is collaborating with European, Indian and Asian allies on a potential international escort mission for ships traversing the strait, though he stressed such action must occur “when the circumstances permit” and fighting has decreased.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the need for the United States and Israel to clarify “when they consider the military aims of their deployment to have been reached.” Speaking before joining his EU counterparts in Brussels, he added, “we need more clarity here” from both nations.

Wadephul also characterized the Iranian government as presenting a serious threat to regional stability, shipping freedom and the global economy, stating “this danger definitely must not continue.” He expressed support for sanctions targeting those responsible for blocking the strait, though he provided no additional specifics.

The German minister suggested that once U.S.-Israeli objectives become clear, discussions should focus on establishing “a security architecture for this whole region,” which would include dialogue with Iran.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel noted the EU has not committed to military involvement. “The fact is, for the moment, the EU is not directly part of the situation. So we need to decide if we are going to be part or not. That’s an important decision,” Bettel explained.

The Aspides mission was originally created to counter shipping attacks in the Red Sea by Somali pirates and Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels, who have not yet entered the current conflict. Saudi Aramco operates pipeline infrastructure that circumvents the Strait of Hormuz, delivering oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

“If we want to have security in this region, then it would be easiest to actually already use the operation that we have in the region and maybe change a bit,” Kallas explained. “There is also talk of coalition of the willing in this regard, but we also need to see what could be the fastest to provide this opening for the Strait of Hormuz, but of course, as you can see, it’s not easy.”

EU officials are concerned about a possible refugee crisis emerging from Iran if hostilities persist. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed this concern in a Sunday statement: “Although for now, the conflict has not translated into immediate migratory flows toward the EU, what the future holds remains unclear and necessitates the full mobilization of every migration diplomacy tool we have at our disposal.”

As the conflict with Iran stretches into its third week, President Trump is calling on NATO member nations and China to provide assistance in securing the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, as oil prices soared to nearly $105 per barrel on Monday.

The president’s appeal comes as the ongoing military engagement continues to impact global energy markets and shipping routes through one of the world’s most important oil transit points.

BRUSSELS – The European Union plans to target nine individuals with sanctions over alleged war crimes linked to the massacre in Bucha, Ukraine, according to France’s top diplomat.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced the sanctions decision Monday while arriving for a gathering of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels.

The sanctions relate to war crimes accusations stemming from the Bucha massacre that occurred during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

BAKU – An Azerbaijani court handed down a 10-year prison sentence Monday to a French national convicted of conducting espionage activities for his home country, according to reports from Russian state media RIA.

Officials in Azerbaijan say Martin Ryan, who was taken into custody in December 2023, was engaged in gathering classified intelligence regarding the nation’s defense partnerships with Turkey and Pakistan.

Authorities also allege Ryan worked to identify and enlist French-speaking residents of Azerbaijan to serve as informants for France’s intelligence services.

The defendant entered a partial guilty plea to the espionage charges brought against him.