Category: World News

Multiple members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team have applied for asylum in Australia following their refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem during an international tournament, sparking urgent efforts by activists to protect them from forced repatriation.

The situation unfolded during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where Iranian players remained silent during their national anthem before their opening match against South Korea. This act was widely viewed as a protest against Iran’s government amid ongoing political tensions and the regime’s crackdown on demonstrators.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that five Iranian players received humanitarian visas, posting photos on social media with the athletes, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari. However, one player, Mohaddeseh Zolfi, later reversed her asylum request after her family allegedly faced threats in Iran.

“After speaking with her teammates, the player came to this decision and contacted the Iranian Embassy,” Burke stated. “In Australia, people are free to change their minds, and we respect that decision.”

The controversy began when Iranian state television officials condemned the players’ silent protest, with one presenter calling them traitors and saying their wartime actions represented “the height of dishonor.” Under mounting pressure, the team was forced to sing the anthem and perform a military salute during their second match against Australia.

Following their tournament elimination, some players appeared to signal distress by flashing phone lights as supporters gathered around their team bus, urging them to seek asylum. This moment triggered a social media campaign and online petition with 10,000 signatures calling on Australia to prevent the athletes from returning to Iran.

The campaign gained international attention, prompting President Trump to post on Truth Social, calling on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to help the players and offering U.S. asylum if Australia failed to act.

Iranian officials reacted angrily to Australia’s decision to grant humanitarian visas. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called it “psychological warfare” and interference in Iran’s “family affairs,” while the prosecutor’s office formally demanded the players’ return.

Concerns intensified when a message circulated on social media from the family of star player Golnoosh Khosravi, urging her not to return to Iran due to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns in the country.

According to supporters, up to 11 delegation members initially refused to board flights, though exact numbers remain disputed. Some team members traveled to Malaysia, where they reportedly remain under surveillance by Iranian embassy and sports ministry security personnel.

Medis Tavakoli, a clinical psychologist in Madrid monitoring the situation, told The Media Line: “In the current hard situation, psychologically we are supporting one another so that no one feels alone, because we know our situation does not matter to many people in the world.”

The five players granted Australian humanitarian visas are captain Zahra Ghanbari, Mona Hamoudi, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, Zahra Sarbali, and Fatemeh Pasandideh.

This represents the first time in recent decades that multiple Iranian national team members have sought refuge abroad and refused to return home. Supporters express concern not only for the athletes caught between countries but also for their families facing pressure in Iran.

The remaining players and staff in Malaysia continue under close watch while Iranian expatriate groups attempt to persuade them against returning, even as flight suspensions to Iran complicate their situation.

Iranian forces and Hezbollah militants conducted coordinated rocket attacks against Israel spanning from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, sending approximately 200 projectiles toward Israeli territory in strikes that targeted both northern communities and the Jerusalem region.

More than 100 rockets struck northern Israel on Wednesday during the synchronized assault, which activated emergency sirens throughout multiple communities and left five individuals wounded when a projectile hit a residential building in the Northern Galilee region.

First responders reported that the rocket strike caused significant damage to the home and resulted in five casualties. United Hatzalah stated that four of those injured received treatment for anxiety-related symptoms as emergency teams arrived at the location.

The emergency organization also noted that rocket fragments and debris scattered across multiple urban areas during the bombardment, while responders discovered a wildfire that ignited in a wooded region after missile remnants landed there.

Warning sirens echoed across northern Israel as the incoming rockets approached, prompting civilians to seek shelter in protected areas while emergency personnel managed reports of strikes and falling debris.

Military officials report that Hezbollah has fired approximately 200 rockets toward Israel since Wednesday, with roughly 120 projectiles penetrating Israeli airspace while about 80 failed to reach Israeli borders.

Emergency alerts were triggered throughout greater Jerusalem, the Shfela region, and the Jordan Valley on Thursday morning following missile launches originating from Iran.

Israeli defensive systems successfully intercepted the approaching missiles, with no immediate casualties reported from the Thursday morning strikes.

Emergency command centers documented reports of one impact on a roadway near Har Gilo and interceptor debris falling in Jerusalem’s Mamilla district.

On Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that the military was strengthening its northern positions. Zamir stated that additional forces, including the Golani Brigade, would be sent to the area.

Based on military preparations, the IDF is organizing an operation involving approximately 1,000 strikes within Lebanon, with particular emphasis on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, which serves as a Hezbollah stronghold.

Prior to the assaults, Israeli officials informed CNN they anticipated a “significant expansion” of attacks from Lebanon and Iran as regional tensions continued to intensify.

MOSCOW – The leader of the United Nations’ nuclear monitoring organization held talks Thursday with Russia’s top nuclear energy executive about preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, according to the Russian state corporation.

Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency, traveled to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials and is scheduled to sit down with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday, according to the TASS news agency.

Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom announced that its chief executive Alexei Likhachev met with Grossi to address key matters. “On the eve of the meeting, the head of the state corporation (Rosatom) Alexei Likhachev and the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi discussed strategic issues concerning the enforcement of the non-proliferation regime and the development of nuclear energy in the world,” the company stated.

Rosatom did not provide additional information about what was discussed during their conversation.

BEIRUT (AP) — Following evacuation warnings to civilians, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on a densely populated residential and commercial area in central Beirut, claiming they were targeting Hezbollah facilities. The military operation struck a structure in the Bashoura neighborhood on two occasions, representing the nearest assault to the city center since the conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran commenced.

This report features a collection of photographs selected by Associated Press photo editors.

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military announced Thursday it will not pursue charges against five soldiers who faced accusations of physically and sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner, in an incident that was partially recorded on video.

The controversial ruling concluded a divisive case that has split Israeli society since the soldiers’ detention in 2024 at the Sde Teiman military facility. Their arrest sparked outrage among far-right government officials and extreme nationalist groups, who staged violent protests at the prison.

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the military’s decision, human rights advocates condemned it as overlooking serious abuse within Israel’s wartime detention system.

“Israel’s military advocate general just gave his soldiers license to rape — so long as the victim is Palestinian,” declared Sari Bashi, who leads the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, following the case dismissal. She characterized the ruling as “the latest in a long line of actions that whitewash abuses against detainees whose frequency and severity have worsened since Oct. 7, 2023.”

Netanyahu endorsed the outcome, stating that “the state of Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters.”

The dropped criminal charges detailed allegations that the soldiers dragged a Palestinian detainee across the floor, trampled on him, used a taser, and committed sexual assault by penetrating his rectum with an object. Medical treatment at an Israeli hospital revealed the prisoner had suffered broken ribs and rectal injuries requiring surgical repair before his return to detention.

Public awareness of the abuse allegations intensified when Israeli media aired leaked surveillance footage of the incident in August 2024.

The recording depicted masked soldiers removing a handcuffed detainee from where he lay face-down with other Palestinians in an enclosed area, then moving him to a section they blocked from view with protective barriers.

Military legal officials justified Thursday’s dismissal by arguing the video evidence failed to demonstrate abuse severe enough for criminal prosecution and had been inappropriately disclosed to news outlets. They also cited the Palestinian victim’s release to Gaza as creating uncertainty about his availability to provide testimony during trial proceedings.

Following months of questions about the video’s leak, Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi — the military’s chief legal officer — revealed in November 2025 that she had authorized its public release. She explained her intention was to demonstrate the severity of the abuse and justify the military’s obligation to conduct an investigation.

After facing intense criticism from Netanyahu’s administration, she suddenly stepped down and vanished, prompting an urgent search that located her on a Tel Aviv beach without her phone. Authorities later retrieved the device, potentially containing evidence related to her case, from the ocean.

The Associated Press had previously examined claims of harsh treatment and abuse at Sde Teiman prior to the surveillance footage becoming public.

The detention center was established following the October 7, 2023 attacks to house Palestinians detained during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The classified facility rapidly became controversial as staff members and former detainees reported instances of mistreatment and torture, leading Israeli civil rights organizations to petition the nation’s highest court for its closure.

Israel has faced ongoing criticism for allegedly failing to prosecute soldiers for offenses against Palestinians, with such accusations increasing during the Gaza conflict. Israeli officials maintain their forces operate within military and international legal frameworks and conduct thorough investigations of reported misconduct.

International divisions deepened Thursday as the United States and its Western partners faced off against Russia and China during a heated United Nations Security Council session focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.

During the meeting of the 15-nation council, which the U.S. currently leads, Moscow and Beijing attempted to prevent discussions regarding a committee responsible for monitoring and implementing UN sanctions against Iran. Their effort failed by a vote of 11-2 with two countries abstaining.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz criticized Russia and China for attempting to shield Iran from scrutiny by obstructing the work of what’s known as the 1737 Committee.

“All member states of the United Nations should be implementing an arms embargo against Iran, banning the transfer and trade of missile technology, and freezing relevant financial assets,” Waltz stated.

“The U.N. provisions to be re-imposed are not arbitrary, but instead, narrowly scoped to address the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs and Iran’s ongoing support for terrorism,” he added.

Waltz alleged that both nations opposed an effective sanctions committee “because they want to protect their partner, Iran, and continue to maintain defense cooperation that is now once again prohibited.”

The American envoy highlighted that the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency recently confirmed Iran remains the sole non-nuclear weapon state globally to produce and stockpile uranium enriched to 60 percent levels, while denying IAEA inspectors access to these materials.

Russia’s UN representative Vasily Nebenzya countered that the United States and allies had “whipped up hysteria surrounding supposed plans Iran had to get a nuclear weapon” without IAEA verification.

“This was done in order to undertake yet another military venture against Tehran and to ensure great escalation of the situation in the Middle East and beyond,” he declared.

China’s delegate Fu Cong labeled Washington the “instigator” of the Iranian nuclear crisis, saying it had “resorted to blatant use of force against Iran during the negotiation process, which rendered the diplomatic efforts futile.”

President Donald Trump has pointed to Iran’s nuclear development as grounds for military action against the country. He claimed this month that Iran was just two weeks away from obtaining nuclear weapons before U.S. forces targeted three major nuclear facilities in June, though intelligence sources reportedly question this assessment.

Both Britain and France supported reinstating Iranian sanctions during the Security Council session, citing Tehran’s failure to address nuclear program concerns. France noted the IAEA could no longer verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities and stated Tehran possessed enough nuclear material for ten weapons.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States is conducting high-level discussions with Cuban officials, asserting that Cuba is anxious to negotiate an agreement that would reduce tensions between the neighboring countries amid the island nation’s worsening economic struggles.

While Cuba’s leadership has rejected claims that formal negotiations are taking place, they have not specifically refuted media reports suggesting that American officials have been meeting with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of Cuba’s former leader Raul Castro, who remains highly influential at age 94.

Cuba’s chief diplomatic representative to America indicated his nation is “ready to engage with the U.S.” regarding bilateral relationships, provided that Cuba’s independence and self-governance rights are honored, according to Thursday’s Los Angeles Times coverage.

“We are sure that it is possible to find a solution,” stated Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera in her interview with the publication.

Should these discussions be occurring, they would coincide with America’s intensification of economic penalties against Cuba through an almost complete petroleum embargo, following the January 3 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces, which eliminated a vital Cuban partner from leadership.

DOES RAUL CASTRO STILL HOLD POWER?

Raul Castro participated in the revolutionary struggle with his elder sibling Fidel that overthrew an American-supported government in 1959 and remained his brother’s dedicated defense secretary for many years. He rose to the presidency initially as an interim leader when Fidel became sick in 2006, then permanently assumed control when Fidel stepped down in 2008. Following Fidel’s passing in 2016, Raul became the sole unifying figure among supporters of the Cuban revolution.

He continues to maintain power despite relinquishing the presidency in 2018 and Communist Party leadership in 2021, now holding the ceremonial position of army general.

During his 2018 inauguration, current President Miguel Diaz-Canel declared that Raul Castro “will lead the most important decisions for the present and future of the nation.”

This influence was demonstrated as recently as December 2025, when Cuba’s Communist Party was preparing to select Diaz-Canel’s replacement at a crucial party congress this year. Raul Castro suggested delaying the congress indefinitely due to Cuba’s economic difficulties, and the party’s Central Committee unanimously supported his recommendation.

WHO IS RAUL GUILLERMO RODRIGUEZ CASTRO?

Nicknamed “El Cangrejo” or “The Crab” due to his hand condition, Rodriguez Castro, age 41, is considered among his grandfather’s most trusted advisers. Having served as Raul Castro’s former security detail, he remained close to his grandfather during Raul Castro’s presidential term, often appearing in Interior Ministry military dress. Reports indicate he holds the military rank of lieutenant colonel.

Cuban authorities did not respond to inquiries regarding Rodriguez Castro’s background or potential involvement in diplomatic discussions.

Axios reported on February 18, citing three anonymous sources, that Rodriguez Castro was conducting confidential discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Miami Herald reported on February 26, based on unnamed sources, that officials connected to Rubio met with Rodriguez Castro during a regional Caribbean Community conference in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Trump administration has been conducting confidential, senior-level discussions with multiple individuals within Raul Castro’s close circle, US Representative Mario Díaz-Balart informed the Miami Herald.

Rodriguez Castro is the child of Raul’s daughter Deborah Castro Espin and the deceased General Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja, who led the military business organization GAESA. Throughout Raul Castro’s presidency, GAESA gained control over the government’s most significant enterprises, including hospitality, finance, logistics, and retail sectors. Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja passed away from cardiac arrest in 2022 at 62. Media sources indicate Rodriguez Castro may have assumed responsibilities within his deceased father’s enterprise.

This family background positions Rodriguez Castro at the convergence of Cuba’s political authority and its most influential economic entity, potentially making him a valuable intermediary for Washington.

Rodriguez Castro has never made public statements or participated in media interviews.

WHAT ABOUT ALEJANDRO CASTRO ESPIN?

If “El Cangrejo” is serving as an unofficial communication channel between Havana and Washington, he would be fulfilling a comparable function to his uncle and Raul Castro’s son, Alejandro Castro Espin, who led previously confidential negotiations that represented a significant policy change by the United States regarding Cuba during Barack Obama’s administration.

Family connections seem crucial. Neither of the younger Castro family members held formal diplomatic positions. Raul Castro similarly served as a trusted advisor to his older brother Fidel.

Alejandro Castro Espin, 60, is thought to have been marginalized after his father stepped down from office, although the Interior Ministry colonel may have been promoted to brigadier general.

Aerospace manufacturer Boeing has secured a substantial $289 million agreement with Israel to supply up to 5,000 precision-guided bombs, according to a source who spoke with Reuters on Tuesday.

The agreement is separate from current U.S.-Israeli military operations targeting Iran, with weapon deliveries not expected to commence for another 36 months, Bloomberg News previously reported, citing an individual with knowledge of the deal.

When approached for comment by Reuters, Boeing representatives declined to provide any statement.

The aircraft manufacturer’s Small Diameter Bomb represents a precision-guided weapon system that Israeli aircraft can deploy against targets located more than 40 miles away.

Two major international energy corporations, Chevron and Shell, are reportedly on the verge of finalizing substantial oil production agreements with Venezuela, marking the first significant petroleum contracts since U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in January, according to five sources familiar with the negotiations.

These agreements would enable both energy companies to increase production in highly sought-after oil regions within the South American nation, representing the most significant progress toward what U.S. President Donald Trump has described as a $100 billion initiative to reconstruct Venezuela’s petroleum industry following years of poor management and insufficient investment under both Maduro and former leader Hugo Chavez.

In late January, Venezuela’s National Assembly passed comprehensive changes to the nation’s primary oil legislation. The updated law provides foreign corporations with independence to operate, export, and market Venezuelan petroleum even when serving as minority partners alongside state-owned oil company PDVSA.

Sources indicate that Chevron and Venezuelan energy officials have reached preliminary agreement on terms to expand Chevron’s most significant oil operation, Petropiar, located in the extensive Orinoco Belt region.

Neither Venezuela’s oil ministry, PDVSA, nor Chevron responded to requests for comment.

The agreement would grant Chevron production rights in the Ayacucho 8 region, situated south of the existing Petropiar operation area, sources revealed. This substantial block contains confirmed oil reserves and would enable Chevron to significantly increase its extra-heavy oil production and exports.

According to sources, Chevron seeks to obtain reduced royalty rates for the new territory along with additional tax and trade benefits available to companies under recent legislation designed to develop new oil and gas regions. While PDVSA finished exploration and assessment work in Ayacucho approximately twenty years ago, the area remains mostly undeveloped.

Sources added that Chevron and PDVSA could expand their existing well-cluster production infrastructure from Petropiar into Ayacucho 8, enabling relatively rapid output increases. This project would become Chevron’s fifth oil region in Venezuela.

The development could establish Chevron as the largest private producer in the Orinoco region, which contains more than three-quarters of the country’s total crude reserves. Previously, rival American company ConocoPhillips held the position of top foreign producer in that area before departing Venezuela twenty years ago during widespread nationalizations.

According to a PDVSA document reviewed by Reuters, Chevron and PDVSA produced approximately 90,000 barrels per day of upgraded Hamaca crude and 20,000 barrels per day of vacuum gasoil at Petropiar last month. Venezuela’s overall production stands at roughly 1.05 million barrels per day.

Shell finalized preliminary oil and gas agreements with Venezuela last week during U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s visit to Caracas. Venezuelan officials did not publicly release specifics about these deals or identify the included fields.

Reuters obtained an official summary document revealing that Shell plans to develop the Carito and Pirital fields in the highly desirable Monagas North region in eastern Venezuela. These locations are among the limited areas in the country capable of producing light and medium crude oil plus natural gas, which oil companies value for blending to facilitate exports of Venezuela’s heavy oil.

Shell confirmed via email that it signed multiple agreements with the government, engineering firms Vepica and KBR, and oil-service company Baker Hughes. These agreements “formally articulate Shell’s intent to progress a variety of opportunities with Venezuela,” including offshore gas, onshore oil and gas, exploration, local content and workforce development. The company declined to provide field details or additional information to Reuters.

Monagas North aligns with Shell’s broader natural gas strategy due to its proximity to the country’s onshore gas infrastructure and areas with the highest gas flaring in Venezuela. Shell, M&P, and other companies have previously developed plans to reduce gas flaring by constructing necessary infrastructure to capture, process, and transport gas for export, potentially through Trinidad.

The Punta de Mata area, encompassing Pirital, Carito, and the nearby El Furrial field, generated approximately 94,000 barrels per day of crude and about 1.03 billion cubic feet per day of gas last month, according to independent data. Of that gas production, roughly 350 million cubic feet per day was flared.

Prior to this preliminary agreement, Shell’s sole Venezuelan project was the flagship Dragon offshore development near Trinidad. The company faced challenges advancing this project after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector in 2019. Shell had previously sold its interest in the flagship Urdaneta Oeste oilfield to French company Maurel & Prom in 2018.

PDVSA and the oil ministry are conducting discussions with approximately twelve joint venture partners interested in expanding operations to adjacent fields, established areas, or blocks designated as greenfields requiring infrastructure development.

Other companies seeking to expand their project areas to increase oil and gas production include Spain’s Repsol and M&P, sources reported. Repsol represents the foreign partner with the largest outstanding debt in Venezuela, totaling over $5 billion accumulated during sanctions, the company stated last month.

Chevron and Venezuela’s government are also negotiating the U.S. company’s return of two undeveloped offshore natural gas areas to Venezuela at the Plataforma Deltana project on the maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago, which could be reopened for private investment.

The terms for Chevron to relinquish those stakes remain unclear. Chevron prioritizes oil rather than gas production in Venezuela.

Venezuela initiated a comprehensive review of all oil and gas projects in February, beginning with production sharing contracts signed by Maduro’s administration with lesser-known companies, and recently extending to joint ventures with larger partners. The government is requesting project documentation from participating companies, sources indicated.

PDVSA has assumed control of administration and oil sales for many production sharing contracts during the review, temporarily suspending them. Oil ministry officials have informed oil executives they expect to complete the review by the end of March, sources said.

Oil ministry officials have informed oil executives that inactive projects or those failing to meet investment targets could face contract revocation under the review.

The U.S. government is also thoroughly examining company credentials and sanctions compliance before approving any existing or new partners, separate sources reported.

Officials in Eswatini confirmed Thursday that four additional African migrants have been deported to their country by the United States.

The deportees represent the third shipment of migrants that the Trump administration has transferred to the small African kingdom. These individuals are among more than 40 people who have been sent to various African countries through largely confidential agreements with at least seven nations, drawing criticism from human rights organizations.

The Trump administration has established similar third-country deportation arrangements with Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and South Sudan.

According to a government statement, the most recent arrivals to the landlocked nation of Eswatini consisted of one person from Tanzania, one from Sudan, and two from Somalia, all of whom will eventually be returned to their home countries. Officials did not release their identities or specify their current location.

Beginning last July, the United States has transferred at least 19 individuals across three separate groups to Eswatini as part of its strict immigration enforcement policies. U.S. officials described the initial five-person group sent in July as convicted criminals subject to deportation orders. One Jamaican citizen from that original group was successfully returned to Jamaica in September.

Eswatini’s government announced Thursday that another foreign national has obtained the necessary travel documentation and “will be departing the country shortly.” Officials added that negotiations with other home countries continue for the remaining individuals.

Following the arrival of this latest group, Eswatini’s government stated it “reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the rights and dignity of the third-country nationals are upheld while they remain in the country.”

The deportation program involving Eswatini, a small monarchy adjacent to South Africa where the king maintains absolute authority and faces accusations of suppressing democratic movements, has generated opposition from local civil society organizations.

According to a report published last month by Democratic staff members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has allocated at least $40 million to deport approximately 300 migrants to nations other than their countries of origin across Africa, Central America and other regions.

President Donald Trump expressed concerns Thursday about Iran’s men’s soccer team participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, citing safety worries amid escalating regional tensions.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

The comments follow Wednesday’s announcement from Iran’s sports minister, who indicated his country’s athletes may not be able to compete following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Tehran. These attacks have sparked a broader regional conflict that continues to intensify.

The upcoming tournament, featuring 48 teams, is set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19. Iran’s team has games scheduled in both Los Angeles and Seattle.

Should Iran formally withdraw from the tournament—which hasn’t occurred yet—it would mark the first such decision in modern World Cup history. FIFA would then face the challenging task of securing a replacement team on short notice.

Notably absent from last week’s FIFA planning conference in Atlanta, Iran was the sole qualifying nation that didn’t attend the World Cup preparation meeting.

FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment. The organization notably presented Trump with its first-ever peace prize late last year, as the former president continues his campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The situation has also affected Iranian women’s soccer. This week, Australia provided humanitarian visas to five female Iranian players who requested asylum, expressing fears of persecution if they returned home after refusing to sing their national anthem during an Asia Cup game.

Trump had previously encouraged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to offer sanctuary to the Iranian women’s team members, indicating the United States would step in if Australia declined to help.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, delivered his inaugural public remarks regarding the ongoing conflict on Thursday, though he remained off-camera while a television presenter read his statement.

The religious leader provided no details about his health status or current whereabouts during the address. Intelligence reports from Israel suggest he sustained injuries during the initial stages of the war.

Khamenei is believed to be hiding in an undisclosed, heavily protected facility to evade Israeli assassination attempts. His predecessor and father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in a coordinated Israeli-American strike that marked the beginning of hostilities.

Several significant statements emerged from his address:

Regarding regional military installations, he declared: “These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie.”

On strategic military options, he stated: “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency.”

Describing his father’s death, he shared: “I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom. What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”

Promising vengeance, Khamenei declared: “I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”

He elaborated on planned retribution: “A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children. Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, and some similar cases, holds a special status in this process of accountability.”

Concluding his message, he expressed gratitude to Iranian forces: “Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it.”

POMPEII, Italy (AP) — A haunting new permanent display opened Thursday at the ancient ruins of Pompeii, featuring more than 20 plaster reproductions of people who perished during the devastating Mount Vesuvius eruption nearly 2,000 years ago.

These remarkable casts, described by researchers as “imprints of pain,” preserve the final moments of Pompeii residents who died in 79 AD. The replicas were formed by filling the hollow spaces left behind by decomposed bodies with liquid plaster, creating detailed impressions in the solidified volcanic ash.

“We wanted to give dignity to these people who are like us — women, children, men — who died during the eruption, but at the same time make it understandable, inclusive, and somehow joyful to understand what really happened in Pompeii,” explained Gabriel Zuchtriegel, who directs the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

This casting method, developed by Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1863, accurately captures each victim’s final position, facial expressions of anguish, and even clothing details, creating unparalleled historical records. Modern researchers at the archaeological site continue using this same approach today.

Pompeii stands alone worldwide in offering this type of archaeological evidence, allowing visitors to witness recreations of both destroyed objects and the people who experienced that tragic day firsthand.

Mount Vesuvius claimed approximately 2,000 lives within Pompeii itself, while regional death tolls may have reached 16,000. The ancient city was buried beneath ash that later hardened due to pyroclastic flows.

Archaeological work has uncovered remains of more than 1,000 eruption victims throughout the site. These individuals were discovered trapped inside buildings or shelters, crushed by falling pumice and volcanic rocks, or killed when structures collapsed under roughly 10 feet of accumulated volcanic material.

The 22 featured casts represent the finest preserved specimens found throughout the city, from central districts to entrance gates and escape routes where residents attempted to flee to safety.

“They have a strong emotional impact on visitors and can be very moving,” noted Silvia Martina Bertesago, an archaeologist working at the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

“Through the analyses we can carry out today with increasingly advanced techniques, we can also understand their age and sex, but also whether they had particular diseases or particular types of diet,” she added.

The new exhibition occupies the Palestra Grande porticoes, situated across from the Amphitheatre. Beyond the human remains section, the display includes preserved plants and food items that remained buried for centuries under layers of ash and hardened lava.

MEXICO CITY — Following her administration’s first significant legislative failure, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum minimized the impact of Congress rejecting her constitutional reform package on Thursday, announcing she has a backup strategy to modify the nation’s electoral framework.

The Morena party leader fell short of the required supermajority in the Chamber of Deputies during Wednesday night’s vote after losing support from lawmakers within the allied Green and Workers parties. The rejected measures, which Sheinbaum’s administration characterized as cost-cutting initiatives, were criticized for potentially weakening smaller political parties’ influence.

Since assuming the presidency in 2024, Sheinbaum issued a warning Thursday that the electorate would evaluate whether opposition politicians honored their commitments to back her administration’s legislative priorities.

A central point of contention involved eliminating the proportional representation system that allows political parties to secure congressional seats based on their share of the national vote. This mechanism was established to ensure smaller parties could gain legislative representation even when unable to win specific district contests.

The president had advocated for a system where all congressional members would be chosen directly through voter elections.

The failed legislation also sought to cut election expenses by 25%, affecting both the National Electoral Institute’s budget and funding distributed to political parties. Political analysts warned these modifications could jeopardize Mexico’s electoral operations while strengthening the ruling party’s position.

According to Georgina de la Fuente, who teaches political science at Tecnológico de Monterrey University, the voting outcome demonstrates that “the small parties are not going to give their unconditional support (to Morena), they are not going to put their survival at risk.”

While Sheinbaum indicated she would reveal specifics about her alternative approach on Monday, she emphasized her objective remains unchanged: “to continue reducing privileges.”

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Election results released Thursday by Nepal’s electoral commission reveal that a newly-formed political movement headed by a former rapper has achieved a decisive victory in the nation’s parliamentary elections.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), under the leadership of rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, claimed victory in the nation’s inaugural election following last year’s youth-driven uprising.

Shah’s RSP secured 125 direct election victories and an additional 57 seats through proportional representation voting, totaling 182 seats in the 275-seat House of Representatives, parliament’s influential lower house. The established Nepali Congress party finished as runner-up with just 38 seats.

Nepal’s electoral system allows voters to directly choose 165 House of Representatives members, while the remaining 110 positions are distributed via proportional representation, where parties receive seats corresponding to their vote percentage.

Electoral officials will request party lists for proportional representation seats before reporting to the president, who will convene the new parliament to select a prime minister requiring majority support. The RSP now controls nearly two-thirds of all seats.

Establishing a new government will likely require several days to complete the process.

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

Founded in 2022, the RSP attracted massive electoral support, mounting a serious threat to Nepal’s two traditionally powerful parties — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Last year’s demonstrations against government corruption and ineffective leadership began with opposition to social media restrictions before expanding into widespread anti-government protests. The violence resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators targeted government facilities and police responded with gunfire.

GENEVA (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded Tuesday evening in Switzerland when a postal bus became completely consumed by flames, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries in the town of Kerzers.

Officials from the Fribourg region released a statement indicating that an intentional action may have triggered the deadly blaze that occurred approximately 25 kilometers west of Switzerland’s capital city, Bern. The statement noted that an unspecified “voluntary act could be the cause” of the devastating fire.

Emergency responders who arrived at the scene discovered the postal vehicle completely destroyed by flames. “After rushing to the scene, rescue teams noted that the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames,” regional government officials stated.

Medical teams utilized both ground ambulances and helicopter transport to rush three victims to area hospitals for treatment. Two additional individuals received medical care at the scene of the incident.

While authorities have confirmed that multiple fatalities occurred in the blaze, officials have not yet released the precise death toll. An active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is currently in progress.

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay — The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a military cooperation pact that will permit temporary deployment of American forces and civilian personnel on Paraguayan soil, marking a significant win for the Trump administration’s efforts to bolster U.S. influence throughout Latin America.

The Status of Forces Agreement received overwhelming support from legislators, passing with 53 votes in favor, 8 opposed, and 4 abstentions among the 80-member chamber. Fifteen lawmakers were absent during the vote. The measure now heads to President Santiago Peña, a strong Trump ally in the region, who is anticipated to sign the legislation into law within days.

Originally signed by both nations in Washington this past December, the pact creates a legal structure for American security personnel to operate in Paraguay for training missions, joint military exercises, and humanitarian operations. The agreement also grants the United States criminal jurisdiction over its personnel stationed in the country.

Both the U.S. State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano have characterized the treaty as “historic.” The Paraguayan Senate had already given its approval last week, though that chamber saw more heated debate over potential sovereignty concerns.

Opposition lawmakers raised objections to a controversial clause providing foreign military personnel with immunity from prosecution similar to diplomatic staff protections.

“We believe in international cooperation, but we also believe in strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty,” stated independent congressman Raúl Benítez.

Paraguay’s foreign minister has defended the agreement, stating in December that its primary goal is enhancing U.S.-Paraguay collaboration in combating transnational organized crime and “terrorism.” He emphasized that “there is no possibility of the installation of U.S. military bases” in Paraguay.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also endorsed the SOFA arrangement, describing it as a “historic agreement” that will enhance bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and other mutual security objectives.

The SOFA approval aligns with Washington’s strategy to expand American influence across Latin America under the Trump administration’s national security framework, even as segments of Paraguayan civil society continue voicing opposition.

“The security of a country is not built by importing troops or shielding foreign agents with diplomatic immunities,” declared Peace and Justice Service, a civil organization with operations throughout Latin America, in a statement issued before the final vote. The organization added that the treaty “does not represent progress in security, but rather the formalization of a geopolitics of impunity that undermines the pillars of our national dignity.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court announced Thursday they are closing their probe into whether American sanctions imposed on Venezuela amounted to crimes against humanity.

The case began in 2020 when Venezuelan officials petitioned the ICC to examine what they termed “unlawful coercive measures.” The country argued that financial asset freezes and travel restrictions targeting Venezuelan leaders — initially put in place during Barack Obama’s presidency — had created “widespread suffering” among citizens.

After conducting a preliminary review, prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges.

The prosecutor’s office acknowledged in their announcement that while it was “generally accepted” that the sanctions “may have exacerbated an existing dire humanitarian situation,” investigators could not establish the “necessary intent” required for criminal prosecution.

Officials emphasized that ending this particular investigation has no connection to “the January 2026 events in Venezuela.”

Those events included a rapid military operation by U.S. forces that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, who were subsequently removed from the country. American forces have also conducted multiple operations targeting vessels allegedly transporting narcotics from Venezuelan waters.

This sanctions investigation operates independently from the ICC’s continuing examination of potential crimes by Venezuelan security personnel under Maduro’s administration during their 2017 response to anti-government demonstrations.

The court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan faced complications last year when appeals judges required him to remove himself from the Venezuela case due to conflicts of interest. Khan’s family connection to international criminal attorney Venkateswari Alagendra, who represents Maduro’s administration, created the conflict.

Khan has temporarily stepped away from his position while facing an internal investigation regarding sexual misconduct allegations.

In a separate development Thursday, prosecutors announced they would proceed with examining potential crimes against humanity in Belarus.

Lithuania requested the investigation in 2024, focusing on its neighboring country’s harsh treatment of opposition movements.

Lithuanian officials contend that Belarus’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has forcibly relocated political dissidents across international borders, establishing the court’s authority to investigate. While Lithuania participates in the ICC, Belarus does not.

This decision creates the possibility that Lukashenko and other Belarusian government officials could face ICC charges.

Exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the announcement. “This decision restores hope — that justice will prevail, that those responsible will be held accountable, and that the victims will finally receive truth and justice,” she told The Associated Press.

Two individuals working on behalf of Russian interests deliberately torched a train and railway infrastructure in Latvia during August, according to an announcement Wednesday from Latvia’s State Security Service. This incident represents the most recent example in a growing pattern of attacks on critical European infrastructure that Western officials attribute to Russia.

According to the security service, the perpetrators ignited both the train and several railway relay cabinets — control boxes containing equipment that manages train operations — while recording their destructive actions. The footage was subsequently transmitted to those who ordered the arson, who then exploited it for propaganda by falsely claiming the fires occurred in Ukraine, officials stated.

This August arson attack joins at least 151 documented cases of sabotage and hostile activities throughout Europe that The Associated Press has tracked and Western officials have connected to Russia following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to officials, these attacks aim to weaken European support for Ukraine, create fear and division within European communities, and exhaust investigative resources. Russia frequently employs intermediaries for such operations, with some perpetrators claiming ignorance about their connection to Moscow.

Polish officials reported in November that Russian intelligence services orchestrated multiple sabotage incidents targeting a railway line used for delivering assistance to Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in January that hackers “directly linked to the Russian services” attacked two combined heat and power facilities serving nearly half a million customers, along with numerous wind and solar energy installations.

Danish authorities disclosed in December that Russian cyberattacks during 2024 on a water utility resulted in some residences losing water service, while Norwegian police reported in August that pro-Russian hackers remotely activated a dam valve, causing water to flow out.

These cyber incidents highlight European critical infrastructure’s susceptibility and represent part of a troubling pattern indicating Moscow is taking a “more aggressive posture” toward European nations it considers opponents, according to Ciaran Martin, former director of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre.

This approach includes “cyber-kinetic” operations where Russian-affiliated hackers modify system parameters to create physical consequences — such as changing water flows, Martin explained to AP.

Italian authorities are also examining the sabotage of several high-speed rail lines on the opening day of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. The ANSA news agency reported that infrastructure was burned or severed, affecting thousands of travelers. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that cyberattacks originating from Russia also targeted the Winter Olympics, including Games-related websites, Cortina hotels, and foreign ministry platforms.

France’s high-speed rail network also suffered sabotage in 2024 on the summer Olympic Games’ opening day. Neither Italy nor France has formally blamed Russia for the railway sabotage. The Kremlin has previously denied to the AP any participation in a sabotage campaign.

LONDON — British officials are weighing new military deployment strategies in the Gulf region as Iranian forces intensify their assault on maritime vessels, Defense Minister John Healey announced Thursday.

The announcement comes after the Royal Navy’s final minehunter vessel, HMS Middleton, completed its journey back to Britain on March 1st following its Gulf assignment based in Bahrain. The aging ship, which had served for more than four decades, was no longer deemed seaworthy for continued operations.

“We do have some autonomous mine hunting systems already in the region,” Healey stated. “There are additional options we’re starting to consider that we could deploy alongside allies.”

Intelligence sources revealed to Reuters that Iranian forces have positioned approximately twelve mines throughout the Strait of Hormuz, creating significant obstacles for any potential reopening of this crucial shipping corridor that handles substantial oil and liquefied natural gas transport.

American military forces report successful strikes against Iranian mine-deployment vessels, destroying sixteen of these craft on Tuesday alone.

The volatile situation escalated further Thursday when two oil tankers caught fire at an Iraqi port following what officials suspect were Iranian explosive boat attacks. This incident occurred just hours after three additional vessels sustained damage elsewhere in the Gulf waters.

Healey characterized these developments as a “major escalation from Iran.”

“It is a breach of international law,” the defense minister emphasized. “It’s a very serious situation that is having an impact on oil prices and the cost of living for everyone.”

KYIV – Ukrainian officials announced Thursday they will share combat information with partner countries to help develop artificial intelligence technology for military drones, leveraging knowledge gained from nearly four years of defending against Russia’s invasion.

The announcement reflects a growing global trend of armed forces incorporating automated systems capable of directing unmanned aircraft to targets independently or rapidly processing enormous amounts of intelligence data.

International partners and defense contractors have been requesting access to Ukraine’s combat information, which is essential for teaching computer models to identify patterns, formations, and movement of personnel and equipment during warfare.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the creation of a secure system that allows AI development while protecting classified information, yet still provides continuously updated datasets along with extensive photo and video collections.

“Today, Ukraine has a unique array of battlefield data that is unmatched anywhere else in the world,” he wrote on Telegram.

“This includes millions of annotated images collected during tens of thousands of combat flights.”

Fedorov, known for his technology expertise and close ties to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, explained that Ukraine would benefit from accelerated AI development that could then be deployed against Russian forces.

“We are ready to work with partners on joint analytics, model training, and the creation of new technological solutions,” he stated, emphasizing Ukraine’s goal to expand the use of autonomous military systems.

Following his appointment in January, Fedorov outlined ambitious plans for a comprehensive technology-focused transformation of Ukraine’s extensive defense apparatus.

Ukrainian leadership aims to capitalize on knowledge acquired from what represents Europe’s most significant military conflict since World War II, working to maintain international support and financial assistance as the war enters its fifth year.

This week, Ukraine deployed counter-drone experts to four Middle Eastern countries following requests for assistance in neutralizing Iran’s extensive Shahed drone attacks.

Iran’s parliamentary leader issued stark warnings Thursday about potential strikes on strategic Persian Gulf islands that serve as the nation’s southern maritime border, emphasizing their vital role in Iran’s economic and security framework.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared through social media that Iran “will abandon all restraint” should these islands face assault, holding U.S. President Donald Trump accountable for “the blood of American soldiers.”

Despite representing a minimal portion of Iran’s landmass, these islands hold disproportionate significance due to their petroleum infrastructure and tactical positioning.

The motivation behind Qalibaf’s statements remained unclear, though he joins others who have discussed potential island strikes since the Iran conflict commenced February 28.

Both American and Israeli officials have indicated interest in broadening target lists beyond nuclear and military installations. While Israeli government representatives haven’t openly mentioned the islands, opposition figure Yair Lapid has advocated for attacking Kharg Island’s energy facilities.

“That is what will cripple Iran’s economy and topple the regime,” Lapid posted on X last Sunday.

The compact coral formation sits approximately 21 miles from Iran’s mainland and functions as the central hub handling virtually all Iranian petroleum exports.

Oil revenues constitute a major portion of Iran’s income, with deliveries reaching nations including China. Targeting Kharg would damage not only current leadership but potentially weaken any future replacement government.

Southern sections house massive storage facilities alongside residential areas for thousands of employees. Wildlife including gazelles wander near refineries and storage areas that establish Kharg as among Iran’s most precious and vulnerable resources.

Investment analysts at JPMorgan’s commodity research division cautioned this week about significant economic ramifications from striking the facility.

“The island has often been viewed as a critical vulnerability, yet it has rarely been directly targeted,” their analysis stated. “A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran’s crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.”

Three diminutive islands have remained central to ongoing disputes between Iran and U.S.-allied Gulf nations.

Iranian military took control of these territories in November 1971, shortly after Britain’s Gulf withdrawal and preceding the formation of the United Arab Emirates from local sheikhdoms. Iran continues maintaining armed forces and military installations across the islands.

This territorial disagreement persists as one of the region’s most enduring conflict zones.

The Persian Gulf’s most substantial island lies adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, housing roughly 150,000 inhabitants. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed American forces damaged a desalination facility there March 8 — an allegation Washington hasn’t confirmed.

“Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences,” Araghchi stated in a March 7 social media post. “The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran.”

The water treatment plant serves approximately 30 rural communities.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry, located in the nation hosting America’s 5th Fleet headquarters, reported an Iranian drone “caused material damage” to their desalination infrastructure the following day, though water distribution remained unaffected.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer finds himself in deepening political trouble after government documents revealed he disregarded senior advisers’ concerns when selecting Peter Mandelson, who had connections to Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s U.S. ambassador.

The embattled leader continues facing criticism over Mandelson’s selection and subsequent dismissal, with Wednesday’s release of nearly 150 pages of government records representing just a small portion of thousands more documents yet to be disclosed.

“It’s hard to believe that later releases are going to persuade anybody to see the PM’s decision in a better light,” said Tim Bale, politics professor at Queen Mary University of London. “It’s damning stuff and, if the country weren’t preoccupied with rather more important Middle Eastern matters at the moment, it might even have hastened Starmer’s departure.”

The released materials verified what had been previously reported: Starmer selected the experienced political operative despite his tarnished reputation from past controversies and connections to Epstein.

Mandelson’s background check documentation highlighted in bold text the warning signs Starmer overlooked, detailing how his association with Epstein could create “reputational risk” for the government.

The paperwork also outlined separate reputation concerns regarding Mandelson’s service in a former Labour administration — where he resigned twice due to financial controversies — and his role at Global Counsel, a lobbying company he helped establish.

One document cautioned Starmer that selecting a political figure for the position carried greater risks than appointing a career diplomat, which is Britain’s usual practice.

“If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally,” then-Cabinet Secretary Simon Case advised.

Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September following revelations that he stayed in touch with Epstein — whom he previously described as his “best pal” — even after the financier’s 2008 conviction on sexual offenses involving a minor.

Starmer maintains Mandelson deceived him regarding the scope and nature of his relationship with the convicted sex offender. He expressed regret about appointing him to the diplomatic position.

“It was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein, and I do that,” Starmer said Thursday.

The documents disclosed thus far haven’t provided proof supporting Starmer’s assertion that he was deceived, partly because investigators examining Mandelson requested that communications between the prime minister and Mandelson remain sealed to preserve the investigation’s integrity.

Mandelson faced a brief arrest last month on accusations he shared classified government details with Epstein fifteen years ago. He has rejected any wrongdoing and faces no charges. No allegations of sexual impropriety have been made against him.

Defense attorney Marcus Johnstone, who isn’t involved in Mandelson’s case, suggested civil servants, government attorneys and law enforcement likely engaged in intense discussions behind the scenes before determining which documents to make public. He predicted this struggle will persist as additional batches containing thousands of pages are released over the coming weeks and months.

“We need to remember that the files we are seeing today are only the thin end of the wedge on Mandelson,” Johnstone said. “But we should be under no illusions that what we are currently seeing is anything like the full picture.”

Even after removing Mandelson in September, Starmer encountered fresh questions about his decision-making when extensive files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January revealed additional information about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein. Opposition figures and some Labour Party members demanded the prime minister step down.

Starmer weathered the immediate crisis, though his standing remains precarious, despite having no personal meetings with Epstein and no involvement in his criminal activities.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer Thursday of deceiving Parliament regarding the appointment and urged Labour lawmakers to reconsider his leadership.

“It is very clear that he told lie after lie after lie about the appointment of Peter Mandelson,” Badenoch said. “He wanted to make this all about Peter Mandelson. This is about his judgments.”

Prime ministerial spokesperson Tom Wells stated Thursday that appropriate procedures were followed in evaluating Mandelson, though the screening process requires enhancement.

Starmer has frequently appeared more confident in international affairs than domestic politics, which might offer the political protection he currently needs.

He took a measured approach to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran — declining to participate in airstrikes, which he suggested violated international law, and initially denying American aircraft access to British bases.

Following Iran’s retaliation with missile and drone attacks on neighboring nations, Starmer agreed to allow U.S. planes to use U.K. facilities for strikes against Iran’s missile capabilities, but not other targets.

Starmer’s cautious stance frustrated Trump, who criticized last week that Starmer was “not Winston Churchill.” However, polling indicates his war response generally matches public opinion, which opposes deeper conflict involvement.

“The whole affair, while certainly doing nothing to help him, seems — rightly or wrongly — pretty inconsequential in the grand scheme of things,” Bale said about the Mandelson documents.

BEIRUT – Israeli forces nearly doubled the size of evacuation zones in southern Lebanon on Thursday, just hours after the country’s defense minister announced plans to broaden military operations in the region.

The expanded evacuation orders came one week after Israel began air and ground operations targeting Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant organization that initiated attacks against Israel on March 2. Hezbollah stated these strikes were retaliation for the death of Iran’s supreme leader during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Since those initial attacks, Hezbollah has launched daily rocket and drone strikes against Israel, including a major assault late Wednesday that prompted intense Israeli bombardment of Beirut’s southern neighborhoods.

Israeli military operations have targeted Lebanon’s southern regions, eastern areas, and the capital’s southern districts, resulting in more than 600 deaths. The accompanying mass evacuation directives have forced over 800,000 residents from their homes across these zones.

According to Reuters analysis, Thursday’s new evacuation directives posted by Israeli military officials on social media now affect residents across one-tenth of Lebanon’s entire territory.

The Israeli military spokesman directed southern Lebanon residents to relocate north beyond the Zahrani river, positioned approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israeli border.

Military officials also issued evacuation warnings for a central Beirut neighborhood near high-end dining establishments, announcing plans to target a specific building in that area.

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Wednesday’s Hezbollah rocket and drone offensive was coordinated with Tehran’s simultaneous attack. Israeli defense officials confirmed this marked the first synchronized assault by both entities against Israel since hostilities began.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that military commanders had received orders to expand Lebanese operations.

“We promised quiet and security to the communities of the north, and that is exactly what we will deliver,” Katz stated during a senior military leadership meeting.

Katz issued a warning to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, stating that if Lebanon’s government fails to stop Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, “we will take the territory and do it ourselves,” his office reported.

Lebanon announced last year its intention to establish exclusive state control over weapons, and the cabinet recently banned all military activities not conducted by official Lebanese forces.

Following Wednesday’s coordinated attack, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi called in Iran’s charge d’affaires, stating the joint operation violated the recent decree, according to a knowledgeable source.

Israel reports eliminating several Iran Quds Force members operating in Lebanon, including casualties from Sunday’s strike on a central Beirut hotel.

Thursday’s early morning strike in Beirut claimed 12 lives, Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed.

The attack struck a waterfront sidewalk where dozens of displaced families had erected temporary shelters and were sleeping outdoors.

“Who’s in these tents? There are children, elderly people, and women in them. Israel… what justification will it create for last night’s strike?” questioned Abu Ali, a displaced resident.

“My heart is dead, my heart is dead. I’m not like before, when one would be afraid only for himself,” he shared with Reuters.

The United Nations International Organization for Migration director condemned Thursday’s attack. “Many displaced people who have been forced to make the streets of Beirut their home … Tents and makeshift shelters offer no protection from the dangers of bombardment,” Amy Pope declared in an official statement.

WARSAW, March 12 – Legal abortion procedures in Poland increased by 100% during 2024, and grievances filed with the European Court of Human Rights regarding healthcare providers declining to perform abortions have come to a halt, according to Thursday’s announcement from the Council of Europe.

The Catholic-majority nation implemented extremely restrictive abortion legislation in 2021 during the prior nationalist administration’s tenure, after courts declared pregnancy terminations for fetal defects to be unconstitutional.

Donald Tusk’s pro-European coalition government secured victory in the 2023 elections, campaigning in part on promises to relax these limitations, though lawmakers have yet to reach consensus on new legislation. Nationalist President Karol Nawrocki has indicated his intention to veto any liberalization efforts.

Nevertheless, Tusk’s administration has worked to better implement current laws. Government officials provided guidance to medical facilities and legal prosecutors, making clear that terminating pregnancies for maternal mental health reasons remains lawful, and mandating that all hospitals must offer these services.

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, responsible for monitoring compliance with European Court of Human Rights decisions, stated Thursday that the government’s measures “appear to bring results in practice.”

“The number of lawful abortions has doubled year to year and no complaints have recently been received about the refusal of abortion based on the conscience clause,” the committee stated in its assessment of Poland’s adherence to court decisions regarding legal abortion access.

The committee further observed “that since the introduction of the unconditional obligation of hospitals to provide abortion as a contracted medical service, no complaint has been reported about a refusal of lawful abortion based on the conscience clause.”

Despite these improvements, the committee voiced disappointment regarding the absence of legislative progress on comprehensive pregnancy termination safety measures.

Polish Health Ministry statistics reveal that approximately 900 legal abortions took place in the country’s hospitals during 2024, up from 425 the previous year. Medical facilities performed 411 legal procedures in the first six months of 2025, with complete annual figures still pending.

Prior to the 2021 court decision that restricted access, Polish hospitals conducted over 1,000 abortions each year, with fetal abnormalities accounting for nearly all cases.

Authorities in Kenya have detained a Chinese citizen after discovering more than 2,200 living ants hidden in his travel bags at the country’s busiest airport, marking another case in what officials describe as an increasing pattern of insect trafficking.

Zhang Kequn, age 27, was taken into custody at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday as he attempted to depart Kenya, according to court documents reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. Airport immigration personnel had placed a “stop order” on Zhang’s travel documents following his escape from authorities in the country the previous year.

Collectors who are passionate about ants often spend substantial amounts of money to house colonies in large clear containers called formicariums, providing observers with direct access to view the insects’ intricate social behaviors and organizational systems.

In the previous year, four individuals each received fines totaling $7,700 for attempting to illegally transport thousands of ants that play important roles in Kenya’s natural environment, a case that specialists indicated represents a transition in wildlife trafficking from traditional items like elephant tusks to more obscure species.

Authorities reported that when they examined Zhang’s belongings, they found 2,238 ants total, with 1,948 stored inside test tubes and the remaining insects wrapped in three bundles of “soft tissue papers”.

Officials stated that Zhang had spent two weeks in Kenya and had identified three associates who provided him with the insects.

The Kenya Wildlife Service informed the court that additional time was required to finish their investigation, which includes analyzing an iPhone and MacBook that were confiscated from Zhang.

Wildlife officials also revealed that authorities in Bangkok intercepted a similar shipment of ants on Tuesday that had originated from Kenya, suggesting the presence of an extensive and coordinated ant trafficking operation.

Seven Iranian women’s soccer team members have been granted protection by the Australian government after expressing fears about returning to their homeland, officials announced Wednesday.

Two additional team members – one player and one support staff member – accepted Australia’s humanitarian visa offer, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. This follows five other players who received asylum protection just one day prior.

“I made them the same offer that I made the five players the night before,” Burke explained to the media. “If they wanted to receive a humanitarian visa for Australia, which would have a pathway to a permanent visa, I had the paperwork ready to execute that immediately.”

Australian authorities conducted individual conversations with most team members at Sydney’s airport, explaining their options before the remaining players departed the country. Burke emphasized the careful approach taken during these discussions.

“What we made sure of was that there was no rushing, there was no pressure. Everything was about ensuring the dignity for those individuals to make a choice,” Burke stated during his press conference in Canberra.

Several players consulted with their families before ultimately declining Australia’s protection offer. Those who chose to leave have continued their journey to Iran via Kuala Lumpur.

The safety concerns intensified after Iranian state television branded the team as “wartime traitors” for their refusal to perform the national anthem during their Asia Cup competition in Australia.

The team’s tournament participation coincided with military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Their tournament run ended with elimination on Sunday.

Iranian expatriates in Australia organized demonstrations against their home government, surrounding the team’s transportation on the Gold Coast as they departed for the airport. Additional protesters gathered at Sydney’s airport Tuesday evening during the team’s transfer to international departures.

Iran’s prosecutor general’s office extended an invitation for the remaining team members to return home “with peace and confidence,” according to Iranian news outlets reporting Tuesday.

AMSTERDAM – The International Criminal Court announced Thursday that it has launched a formal investigation into alleged deportation crimes committed by Belarusian officials.

The investigation focuses on accusations that Belarus engaged in acts of deportation that constitute crimes against humanity. While Belarus is not a member state of the international court, Lithuania – which holds membership – initiated the legal proceedings.

Court prosecutors determined they have the authority to pursue the case because evidence indicates that portions of the alleged criminal activities by Belarus took place within Lithuania’s borders, establishing the necessary jurisdictional requirements for the investigation to proceed.

Nepal’s government announced Thursday it will implement cooking gas rationing measures beginning Friday as public anxiety over potential shortages grows amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.

The state-operated Nepal Oil Corporation will limit refills to half-capacity for empty cylinders in an effort to extend current liquefied petroleum gas inventory, according to executive director Chandika Prasad Bhatta.

The rationing decision comes as escalating tensions between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran have disrupted maritime traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz, leading to increased energy costs and reduced production from regional oil and gas suppliers.

Despite government reassurances about adequate LPG availability, citizens have been rushing to refilling stations, creating extensive lines at facilities across the nation.

“The rationing is expected to end the panic and rush for hoarding,” Bhatta explained to reporters.

Nepal relies entirely on India for its fuel imports, including cooking gas supplies. The Himalayan nation consumes approximately 45,000 cylinders monthly, each containing 14.2 kilograms of cooking gas, according to government data.

Corporation officials emphasized that supply chains remain uninterrupted despite regional instability.

“We are getting regular supply of fuel including the cooking gas according to our demands,” Bhatta confirmed.

The rationing policy aims to prevent hoarding behavior while maintaining steady distribution until public concerns subside.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his inaugural public statement Thursday, declaring his nation will seek revenge for fallen fighters and continue blocking a vital oil shipping channel while targeting American military installations overseas.

The combative message, broadcast on Iranian state television, marked Khamenei’s first public comments after taking over following his father’s death. He demanded the United States shut down all regional military facilities and said Iran would maintain its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to apply pressure on adversaries.

The waterway, located along Iran’s coastline, handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments, making it one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.

Thursday witnessed intensified maritime violence as two oil tankers caught fire at an Iraqi port following what authorities described as attacks by Iranian explosive boats. The incidents represent an escalation in assaults that have severely disrupted Middle Eastern oil exports, contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertions of victory in the military campaign he initiated two weeks prior.

Reuters confirmed footage captured from Basra port’s shoreline showing vessels consumed by enormous orange flames illuminating the darkness. Iraqi officials attributed the strikes to Iranian naval forces, with at least one crew member losing their life in the attacks.

Earlier that day, three additional ships suffered damage in Gulf waters. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards took credit for striking a Thai cargo vessel that subsequently burned, claiming the ship had ignored their directives. A container ship also reported being hit by an unidentified projectile near the United Arab Emirates.

The military confrontation, which commenced with coordinated U.S.-Israeli bombing operations in late February, has claimed roughly 2,000 lives and created what the International Energy Agency characterizes as history’s most severe global energy supply crisis.

Despite American and Israeli assertions of successfully eliminating much of Iran’s long-distance weaponry, additional drones were spotted Thursday entering airspace over Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.

Lebanon’s Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization launched its largest rocket barrage into Israel since hostilities began, triggering retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

Crude oil prices jumped back beyond $100 per barrel after declining earlier in the week when Trump predicted a swift conclusion to the conflict. Iranian officials have stated they will prevent oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz until American and Israeli military operations end.

Trump has made multiple attempts this week to reassure energy markets by suggesting the price spike will be temporary.

However, the president has not outlined how the conflict will conclude or presented strategies for reopening the blocked shipping lane. American and Israeli representatives say their objective involves dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities, though Trump has also called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and claimed authority to choose its leadership.

“You never like to say too early you won. We won,” Trump declared at a rally-style event in Hebron, Kentucky, Wednesday evening. “In the first hour it was over.”

Trump claimed America had “virtually destroyed Iran” but added: “We don’t want to leave early, do we? We got to finish the job.”

International businesses are facing significant challenges as the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran creates ripple effects across global markets, according to a Reuters analysis released March 12. The situation is causing energy costs to climb, creating shortages of essential materials, and raising concerns about the dependability of shipping lanes that handle everything from food products to automotive components.

AVIATION INDUSTRY STRUGGLES

Air travel has been severely impacted with thousands of flights being canceled, rerouted or rescheduled across the globe. Missile and drone threats have forced the closure of significant portions of Middle Eastern airspace, including Qatar’s aviation corridors.

The aviation sector is experiencing its most severe disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic, with Dubai International Airport – the world’s busiest passenger hub – seeing operations significantly hampered. Other regional airports serving as crucial connection points for international flights are also under strain.

Some stranded passengers are turning to private aircraft to escape the Gulf region, while others are taking lengthy overland journeys to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hoping to secure flights home from there.

The crisis has also blocked a major oil shipping route, causing jet fuel costs to spike dramatically. This has led to higher airfares on multiple routes and growing concerns about a potential widespread decline in travel bookings.

Time-critical air freight has suffered major setbacks, with shipments including perishable foods and aircraft components stuck in transit as the Middle East situation reduces cargo capacity and increases shipping costs.

AIRLINE SECTOR IMPACTS

The closure of Gulf region airspace has quickly affected airline operations worldwide and caused stock prices in the industry to tumble.

Flight costs between Asian and European destinations have increased substantially, with carriers like Wizz Air and Lufthansa modifying their flight paths. Ryanair has reported increased bookings for shorter domestic routes.

Jet fuel expenses, which represent airlines’ second-highest cost after employee wages, have doubled since the conflict began, creating additional financial pressure on carriers.

Airlines that typically use financial hedging to protect against sudden oil price increases are still implementing fare increases, fuel surcharges and flight reductions as they deal with an unprecedented rise in refining costs.

The conflict is making flying conditions more dangerous for pilots, who face increased risks from drone activity in affected airspace.

Middle Eastern airspace restrictions have particularly hurt Indian airlines, which depend on the region as a vital pathway to Europe and the United States, especially after Pakistan prohibited Indian carriers from using its airspace last year.

DUBAI TOURISM CONCERNS

The conflict threatens the Middle East’s carefully developed reputation as a secure, upscale travel destination, following years of substantial investment from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. The region’s tourism industry generates approximately $367 billion each year.

The situation has highlighted how dependent international air travel has become on a small number of major hubs, with Dubai leading as the world’s busiest international airport.

Many retail establishments in Dubai and other prominent Middle Eastern commercial centers were either closed or operating with minimal staff during the past week.

MILITARY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

American forces have deployed various weapons systems against Iranian positions, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth aircraft, and – for the first time in actual combat – inexpensive single-use attack drones based on Iranian technology.

The Pentagon also utilized artificial intelligence services from Anthropic, including its Claude systems, during military operations.

However, the Pentagon recently classified the AI company as a “supply-chain risk,” preventing government contractors from using its technology for U.S. military projects. This decision came after extended disagreements over the company’s security requirements, which the Defense Department considered excessive.

President Donald Trump held meetings with leadership from seven defense contractors on March 6, as the Pentagon works to replace equipment and supplies used in U.S. operations against Iran and other recent military actions.

METALS AND MATERIALS SHORTAGES

Qatar’s Qatalum smelting facility started shutting down operations last week, while Aluminium Bahrain announced it had stopped shipments and declared force majeure due to inability to transport materials through the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf area produces roughly 8% of the world’s aluminum supply.

Aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange rose dramatically following this news, while physical aluminum costs in Europe and the United States reached their highest levels in several years.

Indonesian nickel producers, who depend on the Middle East for three-quarters of their sulfur supplies, may need to reduce output as Gulf shipping faces increasing disruption from the conflict.

RETAIL AND FOOD SECTOR EFFECTS

Clothing shipments for major retail chains became stranded at airports in Bangladesh and India as the conflict affected flight operations, Reuters reported last week.

South Asia serves as a major garment production center, with fast fashion companies worldwide depending on factories in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan for continuous supplies of new shirts, dresses and pants.

The crisis is adding stress to the luxury goods sector, which was already working to recover from reduced consumer demand. Companies such as Richemont and Zegna are considered particularly vulnerable.

Indian restaurants and hotels have warned of potential disruptions and possible closures as the Iran conflict restricts cooking gas supplies, leading authorities to establish a committee to review industry concerns.

India’s bottled water industry is also seeing some producers increase prices for distributors, as war-related supply disruptions affect everything from plastic containers to caps, labels and packaging materials.

Higher oil prices have increased polymer costs, which are derived from crude oil and essential for plastic bottle manufacturing.

TECHNOLOGY SECTOR CONCERNS

South Korean government officials have cautioned that an extended conflict could interrupt supplies of crucial semiconductor manufacturing materials from the Middle East, including helium, which is vital for chip production and has no suitable alternative.

Drone attacks that damaged some of Amazon’s data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have raised questions about technology supply chains and major tech companies’ expansion plans in the region.

BANKING SECTOR RESPONSES

Citigroup and Standard Chartered have instructed Dubai employees to work remotely, Reuters reported citing sources, as financial institutions respond to Iranian threats against Gulf banking operations connected to the U.S. and Israel.

HSBC has temporarily closed all Qatar branches indefinitely, according to a customer announcement, stating the action was taken to protect employee and customer safety.

WARSAW – Polish law enforcement officials report that a mining employee discovered an unidentified drone at a western Poland mining facility on Thursday.

According to police authorities, the unmanned aircraft was located by a worker during regular operations. A police representative stated the device “does not look like civilian drone” and confirmed investigators have not yet determined the specific model or type.

The discovery has prompted an ongoing investigation as officials work to identify the origin and purpose of the mysterious aircraft found at the mining location.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian officials announced Thursday they will make public a classified intelligence document that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims contains evidence his primary political rival accepted unlawful financial support from Ukraine.

The embattled leader is confronting the most serious electoral threat of his political tenure in the upcoming April 12 election, with polling data showing him behind center-right challenger Péter Magyar and his Tisza party.

With the voting date drawing near, Orbán — who has cultivated friendly ties with Moscow — has intensified his anti-Ukraine messaging, alleging that Kyiv, the European Union, and the Tisza party are collaborating in a plot to remove his administration and replace it with one more sympathetic to Ukrainian interests.

The Hungarian leader has made repeated assertions that Ukraine has provided financial backing to Tisza, though he has not offered proof to support these claims. During a television appearance on ATV last week, Orbán stated that Ukraine had given “significant” amounts of money to Tisza for developing technology platforms and organizing voter outreach activities.

Magyar has rejected these accusations.

Orbán insisted his statements were “not assumptions, but facts” documented in a national security committee analysis, and urged reporters to push for the document’s public release.

“I don’t think the state would withhold this information from you,” Orbán said.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Orbán’s chief of staff Gergely Gulyás confirmed that “the declassification process is underway,” adding the document would be made available “in the foreseeable future.”

Facing an election just one month away, with citizens frustrated by economic stagnation, deteriorating public services, and persistent corruption scandals, Orbán has framed the election outcome as critical to Hungary’s survival.

Orbán’s campaign strategy centers on warning voters that a new administration would devastate Hungary’s finances through Ukrainian support against Russia’s military offensive, while forcing Hungarian young people into deadly combat roles. This messaging campaign, filled with false information, has extensively utilized artificially generated images and videos.

Hungarian authorities have spent taxpayer money on nationwide billboard displays showing a digitally altered photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a menacing grin. The text declares: “We won’t let Zelenskyy have the last laugh!”

In contrast, Magyar, a 44-year-old attorney who previously worked within Orbán’s Fidesz party, has raised concerns about potential Russian intelligence interference designed to benefit Orbán in the election.

The Tisza party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Orbán’s administration has firmly rejected EU monetary and weapons assistance for Ukraine, and pledged to block any EU efforts to admit Ukraine as a member.

Hungary recently prevented new EU penalties against Russia and stopped a massive 90-billion-euro ($104-billion) loan package for Kyiv in response to disruptions in Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine.

Orbán has also positioned military personnel at critical energy facilities throughout Hungary, claiming Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.

Last week, masked Hungarian Counter Terrorism Center operatives arrested seven Ukrainian state bank workers and seized two armored trucks containing 40 million U.S. dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold.

The banking officials were sent back to Ukraine after being held for more than 24 hours, but the cash and gold, valued at approximately $82 million, remained in Hungarian custody.

This incident sparked outrage from Ukraine, which explained the shipment was traveling from Austria to Ukraine through Hungary as part of routine inter-bank operations. Ukraine’s foreign minister condemned Hungary for “state terrorism” and “taking hostages.”

BERLIN, March 12 – Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized Thursday that diplomatic negotiations represent the only viable path forward for addressing security concerns in the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.

Speaking during his official visit to Turkey, Wadephul stressed the importance of collaborative efforts. “A reliable and sustainable solution can only be achieved through diplomatic channels, and that is why I believe … that we should pool our common interests from the Gulf region, but also here in the neighbourhood,” he stated.

The critical waterway has become increasingly dangerous following Iranian retaliatory attacks against U.S.-Israeli actions, with strikes targeting vessels navigating the strait. These assaults have brought commercial shipping traffic from non-Iranian vessels to virtually a complete halt through what serves as the primary export route for Middle Eastern oil, compelling regional producers to reduce their output levels.

During a joint press briefing with his Turkish counterpart, Wadephul outlined broader regional stability goals. “Together, we must find a way out of this war and, at the same time, develop an initial idea of what a future security architecture for the region might look like,” he declared.

A high-ranking member of an Iranian opposition organization operating from Paris stated Thursday that the current U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran will fail to remove the nation’s religious rulers, contending that only widespread domestic revolt combined with internal resistance movements could achieve regime change.

The nearly two-week military operation has resulted in approximately 2,000 Iranian casualties, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while significantly damaging the country’s military infrastructure and security forces.

Tehran has retaliated with its own strikes, creating turmoil in worldwide energy markets and transportation systems while expanding hostilities throughout the Middle East region. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has strengthened its control and issued warnings about suppressing any domestic unrest.

Mohammad Mohaddesin, who serves as foreign policy chief for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed reporters about the military campaign’s limitations.

“The 12-day war in June, and the current war, now in its 12th day, proved that bombings cannot overthrow the regime,” Mohaddesin stated during his press briefing.

“Even if you have 50,000 armed soldiers on the ground, you need the support of Iranian people. You need a popular uprising. The combination of this 50,000 or 20,000 or any other number with a popular uprising, then you have this power to overthrow the regime,” he explained.

Mohaddesin dismissed the possibility of American ground forces being deployed as unrealistic.

The NCRI, which goes by the Farsi designation Mujahideen-e-Khalq, remained on the U.S. terrorist organization list until 2012.

Iranian authorities have prohibited the group’s activities within the country, and its domestic support level remains uncertain. Nevertheless, alongside its main competitor—monarchist supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the deposed shah’s exiled son—it represents one of the few opposition movements capable of mobilizing followers.

While Mohaddesin conceded his organization lacks the capacity to single-handedly topple Iran’s government, he predicted that large-scale demonstrations similar to January’s protests, which authorities violently suppressed, would return after the bombing campaign ends and could ultimately tip the scales.

“I cannot say how many months or a year, but … this is the track of overthrowing the regime,” he stated.

Israeli leadership has indicated that weakening Iran’s security infrastructure to enable the Iranian population to determine their own future represents one of their military goals.

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese residents from the country’s southern regions are evacuating their communities to escape Israeli military strikes aimed at Hezbollah positions, finding temporary refuge in public buildings throughout Beirut including sports venues and educational facilities.

The mass displacement illustrates how the broader conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is creating humanitarian consequences throughout the Middle East region.

The Associated Press photo editors have compiled a visual documentation of these events.

WASHINGTON – An American diplomatic compound in Iraq came under drone attack Tuesday, according to a Washington Post report citing unnamed security officials and internal State Department communications.

The attack targeted a diplomatic support center that serves as a logistics hub for U.S. diplomatic personnel, located close to Baghdad’s airport and Iraqi military installations, the newspaper reported.

According to the Post’s reporting, casualty information was not immediately available. Federal agencies including the White House, State Department, and Pentagon have not yet provided official statements regarding the incident.

The Washington Post indicated that half a dozen drones were directed at the Baghdad compound, with one successfully striking the American facility while air defenses intercepted the remaining five. A security source, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the situation, told the Post they had no information about potential casualties.

Internal State Department communications referenced in the Post report indicated the drone impacted an area near a guard tower, prompting officials to issue “duck and cover” instructions to personnel at the location.

The newspaper attributed the attack to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, described as a coalition of Iranian-supported armed groups, based on information from the security official.

The incident occurs during ongoing military operations between the United States, Israel, and Iran that commenced February 28. Iran has conducted counter-strikes against Israeli targets and American military installations in Persian Gulf nations. Iran’s United Nations representative claims the U.S.-Israeli operations have resulted in over 1,300 civilian deaths.

Israeli officials report 11 civilian fatalities from Iranian attacks, while U.S. military sources confirm seven American service members have died. Reuters reported earlier Tuesday that up to 150 U.S. military personnel have sustained injuries during the conflict.

President Trump has defended the military actions as necessary to counter what he described as immediate Iranian threats, pointing to the country’s nuclear and missile development programs, its backing of Hamas and Hezbollah, and other “menacing activities.” Iranian leadership has rejected nuclear weapons development claims and condemned the attacks as violations of national sovereignty.

Commercial vessels navigating waters near the Strait of Hormuz are broadcasting false Chinese identities in their tracking systems to protect themselves from potential Iranian attacks, according to marine traffic analysis.

Marine tracking data reviewed by news organizations reveals that no fewer than eight ships operating in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman regions have modified their destination broadcasts to include phrases like “CHINA OWNER” and “CHINA OWNER&CREW” since hostilities with Iran escalated.

“The main goal of vessels publicly identifying themselves as ‘Chinese’ while transiting the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz is primarily to reduce the risk of being attacked rather than to facilitate passage through the strait itself,” explained Ana Subasic, who analyzes trade risks for Kpler, the company that operates MarineTraffic.

The strategy appears designed to exploit Iran’s reluctance to target Chinese-connected shipping, given Beijing’s neutral position in the conflict and substantial economic relationships with Tehran, according to Subasic.

Kun Cao, who works as a client director for consulting company Reddal, described the tactic more bluntly: “The message is more like ‘do not mistake me for the kind of ship you said you would hit.’”

Shipping companies face mounting anxiety over Iranian military actions against commercial vessels throughout the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. By Thursday, Iranian forces had damaged no fewer than 19 merchant ships since the conflict began.

Most of the eight vessels displaying Chinese messages actually sail under different national flags, including Panama and the Marshall Islands. However, Cao noted that flag registration often bears little relationship to actual ownership in modern commercial shipping operations.

While many cargo ships do maintain genuine Chinese connections through ownership structures, crew composition, or cargo destinations, the actual protective value of claiming Chinese ties remains uncertain, according to Rico Luman, a transportation economist with Dutch bank ING.

Ship crews manually input destination signals into their vessel’s transponder systems, which broadcast the information publicly via GPS tracking, Subasic explained. These messages typically indicate the ship’s next planned port stop and help coordinate navigation safety and harbor operations.

Because these signals lack real-time verification systems, “some vessels occasionally use it to display additional information or signals, such as references to ownership or nationality,” Subasic said.

This protective strategy mirrors earlier behavior during Houthi attacks in Red Sea shipping lanes, where vessels similarly broadcast Chinese connections to deter strikes from the Iranian-supported militant group.

Chinese government departments and major state-controlled companies, including the nation’s biggest banking institutions, have been issued advisories in recent days instructing them not to install OpenClaw artificial intelligence software on workplace computers due to security concerns, according to a Bloomberg News report published Wednesday that cited sources with knowledge of the situation.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.

A commercial oil tanker sustained damage from an unidentified projectile while conducting fuel transfer operations at an Iraqi port facility late Monday night, according to the vessel’s management company.

The Zefyros, managed by Greece-based Benetech Shipping SA, was struck during fuel transfer operations with another tanker, the Safesea Vishnu, at Iraq’s Umm Qasar port facility. The incident occurred at 11:41 p.m. local time on March 11.

“All 23 crew members are safe and accounted for. They have been evacuated and were brought to shore,” Benetech Shipping said in a statement, adding the vessel’s condition was being assessed.

The shipping company has not released additional details about the nature of the projectile or the extent of damage to the vessel. An assessment of the tanker’s condition is currently underway.

BRUSSELS, March 12 – European officials are calling on Washington to recognize the European Union as a collaborative partner rather than part of the problem when addressing global manufacturing imbalances, following the Biden administration’s decision to investigate alleged unfair trade practices involving the EU and 15 additional nations.

According to a European Commission representative, Brussels shares Washington’s worries about excessive production capacity worldwide, but maintains that Europe is not contributing to these structural issues.

“The EU is a market-driven economy with open markets and transparent policies. As such, the EU does not consider itself a contributor to structural excess capacity, but rather a partner in addressing global distortions,” the spokesperson said.

The statement comes as tensions between traditional allies continue over international trade policies and economic competition from other global powers.

DUBAI/TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON, March 11 – Military forces from the United States and Israel continued exchanging strikes with Iranian forces throughout the Middle East on Wednesday, as Tehran’s embattled leadership cautioned that security personnel stand ready with “fingers on the trigger” to suppress any resurgence of domestic unrest.

After Tuesday witnessed some of the most intense bombardments of the regional conflict to date, both sides launched fresh attacks against enemy positions across Israel, Lebanon, and Gulf nations as the warfare entered its twelfth day.

The ongoing hostilities have effectively shut down critical maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off approximately 20 percent of global fossil fuel exports from the oil-rich Gulf region. Despite crude prices spiking Monday, energy markets have since declined and stock indices recovered as traders anticipate President Trump may pursue a swift resolution to the conflict.

Market confidence received an additional boost from reports that the International Energy Agency plans to authorize the largest strategic petroleum reserve release in its history to help stabilize oil costs, according to Wall Street Journal sources, though Reuters has not independently confirmed this development.

However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to continue blocking Gulf oil exports until American and Israeli military operations cease. Cross-border attacks between the opposing forces showed no signs of diminishing.

Revolutionary Guard officials reported launching missiles Tuesday evening targeting the U.S.-operated Al Udeid facility in Qatar and Iraq’s Al Harir installation in Kurdistan, followed by unmanned aircraft strikes against American personnel at the Al Dhafra air facility in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain’s Juffair naval station. Iranian media announced Wednesday morning that additional assaults had been carried out against U.S. military positions in Bahrain.

An unmanned aircraft hit a significant American diplomatic compound in Iraq Tuesday, though a U.S. official and internal State Department communication confirmed no casualties occurred and all personnel were safely accounted for.

IRANIAN ROCKET ATTACKS SEND ISRAELIS TO BOMB SHELTERS

Throughout Tuesday night and early Wednesday, millions of Israeli citizens repeatedly sought refuge in protective shelters as military officials announced Iran had fired missiles toward Israeli territory, demonstrating Tehran’s continued ability to target Israel after nearly two weeks of combat.

Explosive sounds from defensive systems intercepting incoming projectiles echoed through the pre-dawn hours as warning sirens wailed and Israelis rushed to secure locations and shelters. Authorities provided no immediate confirmation whether any missiles successfully reached their targets.

Iran’s most recent offensive roughly aligned with fresh Israeli bombardments targeting Beirut, designed to eliminate the Iran-supported organization Hezbollah, which has launched attacks into Israel from Lebanese territory in support of Tehran’s government.

The previous evening, Tehran citizens contacted by Reuters described what they characterized as the conflict’s most devastating night of aerial bombardment.

“It was like hell. They were bombing everywhere, every part of Tehran,” one resident reported by telephone, requesting anonymity for safety concerns. “My children are afraid to sleep now.”

Achieving a rapid conclusion to hostilities would seemingly rule out removing Iran’s current leadership, which organized massive public demonstrations Monday supporting newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a hardline figure selected to replace his father, who died during the war’s opening day.

Numerous Iranians desire political transformation, with some publicly celebrating the elder Khamenei’s death, occurring weeks after his security apparatus killed thousands to crush anti-government demonstrations.

TEHRAN ISSUES PROTEST WARNINGS

Yet little protest activity has emerged during the warfare, and Iran has moved to further restrict internal opposition following Trump’s call for Iranian citizens to exploit the opportunity created by U.S. and Israeli attacks to rebel against their rulers.

Anticipating potential anti-government demonstrations, Iranian police commander Ahmadreza Radan cautioned that “anyone taking into streets at the enemy’s request will be confronted as an enemy not protestor.”

“All our security forces have their fingers on the trigger,” Radan stated on government television.

Iran additionally detained numerous individuals, including one foreign citizen, accused of espionage activities for the nation’s “enemies,” the Intelligence Ministry announced Tuesday.

The White House Tuesday repeated Trump’s warning to strike Iran forcefully over Tehran’s efforts to halt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command reported that 16 Iranian mine-deploying vessels had been “eliminated” near the waterway Tuesday.

Over 1,300 Iranian civilians have perished since American and Israeli aerial campaigns began February 28, according to Iran’s United Nations representative Amir Saeid Iravani. He reported nearly 8,000 residences destroyed, along with 1,600 “commercial and service centers” and numerous medical, educational, and energy infrastructure facilities.

Dozens have also died in Israeli operations against Lebanon, while Iranian strikes against Israel have claimed at least 11 lives.

Iran has targeted American military installations and diplomatic missions throughout Arab Gulf nations while also hitting hotels, forcing airport closures, and damaging petroleum infrastructure.

Beyond seven U.S. servicemembers killed in the fighting, Pentagon officials Tuesday estimated approximately 140 American military personnel have sustained injuries.

SEOUL – A devastating aviation disaster that claimed 179 lives in December has exposed decades of safety violations and cost-cutting measures by South Korea’s transportation authorities, according to a damning government audit released Tuesday.

The fatal incident occurred when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 encountered a bird strike, forcing an emergency belly landing at Muan International Airport. The aircraft slid off the runway and collided with a concrete barrier supporting navigation equipment, killing nearly all passengers and crew. Only two flight attendants seated in the aircraft’s tail section survived the crash.

Investigators from the Board of Audit and Inspection discovered that transportation officials constructed a 7.9-foot-tall concrete wall to hold the airport’s localiser – equipment that guides aircraft during landing – as a way to save money on earthwork expenses. However, authorities failed to properly evaluate safety regulations before installation.

International aviation guidelines require localiser support structures to be frangible, meaning they must crumble easily when hit by aircraft to minimize damage and casualties.

The audit revealed systemic problems spanning multiple airports and decades. Transportation ministry officials improperly authorized 14 non-compliant localiser installations across eight airports, including facilities at Muan, Gimhae and Jeju. For up to 22 years, the ministry granted operating licenses and conducted routine safety inspections that incorrectly concluded breakaway standards were satisfied.

Beyond the structural issues, auditors identified significant deficiencies in bird strike prevention protocols and other critical safety management areas. The investigation documented 30 instances of misconduct or procedural violations by ministry officials.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport responded that it “humbly accepted” the audit conclusions and pledged to implement comprehensive corrective actions, including localiser upgrades and enhanced bird strike prevention measures.

Representatives from Korea Airports Corp and Jeju Air were unavailable for comment regarding the findings.

A separate government-commissioned analysis suggested the tragedy might have been prevented without the concrete embankment at the runway’s end, according to an opposition legislator who referenced crash simulations included in that report during January testimony.

Aviation authorities have yet to release their complete investigative findings to the public, missing their one-year deadline for publishing a preliminary progress report.

Muan International Airport remains shuttered following the December disaster, with no announced timeline for resuming operations.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s recently elected parliament is scheduled to conduct its inaugural ceremony this Saturday, March 14, according to an official announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday.

In last month’s general election, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party emerged victorious, securing 191 out of 500 parliamentary seats. The People’s Party came in second place with 120 seats, while Pheu Thai captured 74 seats.

The parliament’s initial session is planned for March 15, when lawmakers will select a speaker and deputy speaker, according to Siripong Angkasakulkiat, who serves as deputy leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and spoke with Reuters earlier in the week.

Siripong indicated that parliament will most likely conduct voting for a prime ministerial candidate on March 19.

The victorious Bhumjaithai Party has announced intentions to establish a coalition government alongside the third-place Pheu Thai party and additional smaller political parties. This alliance would control a total of 290 parliamentary seats.

According to Bhumjaithai’s Siripong, the newly formed government is anticipated to commence operations in April.

BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese mother was preparing her family’s pre-dawn meal during Ramadan when Israeli jets began bombing southern Lebanon in response to rocket and drone attacks launched by Hezbollah.

The family quickly gathered their belongings and fled toward Beirut, joining tens of thousands of others escaping another deadly confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2. Their typical one-hour journey from Nabatiyeh stretched to 15 grueling hours due to the massive exodus.

“I am against giving pretexts to Israel,” said the 45-year-old woman, who requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation from Hezbollah supporters in her community.

“I am totally against Hezbollah’s decision to start with the first strike,” added the woman, who now shares a converted school shelter in the Lebanese capital with her husband, two children ages 17 and 12, and her mother-in-law.

Just 15 months following the end of the previous Israel-Hezbollah conflict that concluded with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024, the Iran-backed militant organization and political party finds itself confronting growing grassroots opposition from within its own support base and mounting pressure from Lebanese officials.

The renewed hostilities began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missiles and drones at Israel for the first time in over a year, coming two days after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran sparked broader Middle Eastern warfare.

Massive displacement has followed Israeli warnings to residents of southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs that their areas would face targeting.

This latest round of violence strikes Shiite communities still recovering from the previous war’s devastating impact. That conflict claimed over 4,000 Lebanese lives and inflicted $11 billion in damages, according to World Bank estimates.

Breaking from past patterns where public criticism of Hezbollah was rare due to fear, some Lebanese Shiites are now openly holding the militant group responsible for their current hardships as they endure homelessness, living in public spaces or with others during cold weather while observing Ramadan fasting.

Hussein Ali faces his second forced evacuation from his Haret Hreik home in Beirut’s southern suburbs in under two years. The vegetable vendor lost his apartment during the last Israel-Hezbollah war and now fears history repeating itself.

“No one wanted this war,” said the man, who currently resides in the school shelter and depends on aid for survival. “People haven’t recovered from the previous war.”

Following Lebanon’s civil war conclusion in 1990, militias faced disarmament requirements, but Hezbollah received exemption due to its fight against Israel’s southern Lebanon occupation.

The Lebanese government now seeks to dismantle the group’s military wing and eliminate its status as an independent armed force operating beyond state authority.

This transformation became evident on March 2 when the Lebanese government voted to declare Hezbollah’s military operations illegal, with 22 of 24 Cabinet ministers supporting the measure; only the two Hezbollah ministers opposed it. Even ministers from Hezbollah’s closest ally, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal group, backed the decision.

“The government confirms that the decision of war and peace is only in the hand of the state,” Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared, adding that the government “orders the immediate ban on all of Hezbollah’s military activities as they are illegal and it should be forced to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state.”

Lebanese army forces have begun enforcement actions, arresting three Hezbollah members last week for weapons transportation at a checkpoint, though the individuals were released on bail Monday.

Government officials have accused Hezbollah of repeatedly making unilateral military decisions that should fall under state control. On October 8, 2023, the organization began attacking Israel one day after Hamas’s Iranian-backed assault on southern Israel triggered the Gaza war.

Currently, the group has joined the conflict to support Iran following the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and in response to what it claims are Israeli violations of the November 2024 ceasefire.

Lebanese journalist Ali al-Amin, a vocal Hezbollah critic, noted that while some people now voice more criticism of the militant group than previously, many remain silent due to safety concerns.

“Criticism could have a high cost and not all people express their opinions,” said al-Amin, a Shiite Muslim from south Lebanon, explaining that many impoverished Shiites depend on aid that Hezbollah or the allied Amal group could terminate.

Previously, individuals who criticized Hezbollah on social media sometimes faced physical intimidation from supporters and were compelled to record retractions claiming they were mistaken.

However, the organization retains significant support. Backers argue that Hezbollah’s decision to attack was warranted because Israel failed to honor the November 2024 ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire implementation, Israel has maintained nearly daily airstrikes against Hezbollah, killing approximately 400 people, including numerous civilians, while preventing reconstruction of damaged areas.

“We cannot tolerate that anymore,” said Ali Saleh, who was forced to leave his southern village near Nabatiyeh. “I pray for God to protect our young men and make them victorious against Israel.”

Even the Shiite woman who condemned Hezbollah’s initial strike acknowledged that inaction might have produced identical results.

“If we attack they will attack us and if we don’t attack they would have attacked us,” she explained.

Sadek Nabulsi, a Lebanese University political science professor whose views align with Hezbollah, dismissed the recent complaints as routine and argued they don’t indicate weakening grassroots support for the Iranian-allied militants. Similar outcries occurred during the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ending in 2024 and the monthlong 2006 conflict, he noted.

“Hezbollah’s base of support is known for … tolerating pain,” Nabulsi stated. “If you look at this base of support, despite all the harsh conditions, it is still coherent, patient and waiting for salvation.”

PARIS (AP) — A carefully selected collection of photographs showcasing the most striking moments from Paris Fashion Week has been assembled by Associated Press photo editors.

The visual compilation captures the essence of the renowned fashion event, featuring the latest designer presentations and runway highlights from the fashion capital of the world.

SANTIAGO, Chile — Ultraconservative leader José Antonio Kast officially assumed Chile’s presidency Wednesday, ushering in the South American country’s most dramatic conservative turn since democratic rule was restored three decades ago.

The 60-year-old political veteran, who draws inspiration from Trump-style policies, secured a decisive December victory over communist candidate Jeannette Jara by campaigning on tough crime measures and strict immigration enforcement — themes that mirror approaches taken by his American political model.

Kast’s presidency begins as Chile finds itself positioned between competing global powers: the United States working to rebuild Latin American influence and China, which serves as Chile’s primary trade partner along with much of the region.

“U.S.–China rivalry in Latin America has moved from rhetoric to implementation,” explained Mariano Machado, who analyzes risks for Verisk Maplecroft.

According to Machado, Kast’s swearing-in generates significant expectations, with attention focused on potential closer White House ties and the new government’s ability to manage relationships with other important allies.

Though Kast has stayed quiet on divisive domestic and foreign policy matters, he has reached out to Donald Trump’s team and commended American efforts that led to capturing former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

These diplomatic signals became more pronounced when Kast suddenly halted the presidential transition after disagreeing with departing President Gabriel Boric about a proposed undersea cable linking Chile and China. The infrastructure plan faced harsh U.S. opposition and worsened already strained relations between Boric’s government and Washington.

Chilean-American relations have significantly soured during Trump’s second presidency. Boric frequently criticized his American counterpart, once describing the Republican’s governing approach as resembling a “new emperor.”

Trump has clearly favored Kast over Boric, demonstrated by inviting the president-elect to last weekend’s Miami “Shield of the Americas” conference, which gathered regional conservative leaders including El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Argentina’s Javier Milei.

“Everything indicates a very significant alignment of Chile with the directives emanating from Washington,” observed Gilberto Aranda, a University of Chile political expert.

Kast barely lost Chile’s 2021 presidential race to Boric in the final round. His previous campaign’s opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage — combined with his praise for former dictator Augusto Pinochet — was widely rejected by Chilean voters then.

Four years later, his aggressive positions on crime and immigration attracted approximately 60% of voters in a nation struggling with rising organized crime and disappointed by Boric’s unmet promises.

“The defining theme of José Antonio Kast’s future government is a sense of emergency, particularly in ​​security,” Aranda noted, explaining that “the economy and immigration are also framed within this narrative of social decline” attributed to immigrant arrivals.

Kast has expressed admiration for Bukele’s anti-crime strategies, even visiting El Salvador’s massive 40,000-person prison facility last year. He has promised to make illegal immigration a criminal offense, expand mass deportations, and construct “fences and walls” along Chilean borders.

Political observers believe the new administration’s early effectiveness will determine its trajectory over the next four years, as it must work with a split Parliament to maintain stability and advance key initiatives.

“If there is volume, traction and a clear direction in the first 100 days, the political establishment generally seeks alignment or at least avoids hindering the administration’s priorities,” Machado explained. “If that clarity isn’t seen in the first 100 days … the opposite happens.”

Kast’s decision to suspend the transition process just one week before taking office — unprecedented since democracy returned — could damage his incoming administration’s reputation, suggesting “very polarized and discordant times are coming,” Aranda warned.

“The future ruling party will need the consent of Congress to pass laws, and a very strained relationship from the outset could negatively impact subsequent dialogue in Congress,” he concluded.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Devastating mudslides triggered by days of torrential rainfall have claimed at least 50 lives across three districts in southern Ethiopia, with 125 additional people still unaccounted for, local authorities reported Thursday.

The deadly slides struck communities in the Gamo Zone, impacting Gacho Baba District, Kamba District, and Bonke District after a solid week of intense precipitation, according to Mesfin Manuqa, the zone’s disaster response director.

Rescue teams managed to extract one survivor from the debris during ongoing search operations, Manuqa confirmed.

Abebe Agena, who serves as communication chief for Gacho Baba District, reported that the majority of victims were discovered entombed in mud. Officials have not yet determined the total number of families impacted by the disaster.

South Ethiopia Regional State President Tilahun Kebede conveyed his condolences regarding the tragedy and issued urgent warnings for residents to relocate to elevated areas as precipitation persists.

“Given that it is the rainy season and these types of disasters could happen again, I am calling on communities living in the highlands and flood-prone areas to take the necessary precautions,” he said.

Such catastrophic slides and flooding from intense storms occur frequently throughout Ethiopia, particularly when seasonal rains arrive.

This July, another devastating mudslide triggered by severe weather conditions resulted in 229 fatalities in Ethiopia’s southern region.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that his nation continues to wait for White House approval on a substantial drone manufacturing partnership that Kyiv first put forward last year, as nations rush to upgrade their aerial defense capabilities following recent Middle East conflicts that revealed weaknesses.

According to Zelenskyy’s social media statement, the potential agreement between the United States and Ukraine would encompass multiple drone varieties and defensive systems designed to work together as one comprehensive network, capable of defending against massive swarms containing hundreds or thousands of Iranian-made Shahed drones and missiles.

“We have not yet had the opportunity to sign this document,” Zelenskyy stated.

Since launching its invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, Russia has deployed tens of thousands of Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones against Ukrainian targets. In one of its largest overnight attacks, Russia unleashed over 800 drones and decoy devices. Iran has also used similar drone technology to strike Middle Eastern targets following joint American-Israeli military operations.

Ukraine has become a leader in creating affordable drone defense systems, with some costing only several thousand dollars, fundamentally changing traditional air defense strategies.

Zelenskyy suggested that ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts might encourage American leadership to approve the drone manufacturing proposal.

Ukraine is eager to secure long-term international backing for its continued resistance against Russian forces, and drone production partnerships could provide Kyiv with additional negotiating power in future discussions with Moscow.

American-facilitated peace negotiations aimed at ending Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II remain suspended due to the Middle Eastern crisis.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy traveled to NATO ally Romania, with plans to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris the following day. This visit comes as new data shows Russian oil revenues supporting its Ukrainian invasion have increased since Middle Eastern hostilities began.

According to the nonprofit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Russia’s daily oil sales income during the Middle Eastern conflict has averaged 14% higher than February levels, boosted by sharp crude price increases. These oil profits remain essential for Moscow’s military operations.

Macron’s office indicated that discussions with the Ukrainian president will concentrate on combating Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that circumvent international sanctions but prove difficult to intercept.

In Bucharest, Zelenskyy planned meetings with Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, plus a visit to a Ukrainian F-16 pilot training facility.

Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has shipped substantial grain quantities through Romania, while Bucharest has supplied energy assistance to Kyiv as Russian forces target Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The world-renowned chef behind one of Denmark’s most celebrated restaurants has stepped away from his leadership role amid mounting accusations of workplace misconduct and staff mistreatment.

René Redzepi, who built the three-Michelin-starred Noma into a global culinary destination famous for its groundbreaking “New Nordic” cooking style, announced his departure after facing intensifying scrutiny over his treatment of employees at the Copenhagen establishment.

For years, Redzepi has faced criticism regarding his management practices, including allegations of staff mistreatment and his restaurant’s long-standing practice of utilizing unpaid interns to operate the high-end dining establishment. Noma achieved the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List on five separate occasions.

The situation reached a breaking point recently when social media criticism intensified and a New York Times report published detailed accounts from former staff members describing abusive treatment, just before the launch of a Noma pop-up location in Los Angeles.

Financial backers withdrew their support for the California venture, which debuted Wednesday amid a small group of demonstrators protesting outside. The exclusive dining experience carries a price tag of $1,500 per person. Shortly afterward, Redzepi posted his resignation announcement on Instagram.

“I have worked to be a better leader and Noma has taken big steps to transform the culture over many years,” he stated on Thursday. “I recognize these changes do not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.”

In 2016, Denmark’s then-Queen Margrethe II honored Redzepi with knighthood in the Order of Dannebrog.

Representatives for Noma, Redzepi, and the Danish royal family’s media office did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tensions escalated in the Middle East early Wednesday as Iran continued its assault on regional energy infrastructure, striking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz while Israel and Iran engaged in mutual attacks amid growing fears of a worldwide energy shortage.

Tehran has essentially halted maritime traffic through the critical waterway along its coastline, a narrow passage that carries approximately 20% of global oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Iranian forces have simultaneously launched strikes against petroleum facilities and refineries across Gulf Arab states, apparently seeking to inflict sufficient economic damage globally to force the United States and Israel to cease their military operations.

During the early morning hours Wednesday, Kuwaiti forces reported shooting down eight Iranian unmanned aircraft over the oil-producing nation, while Saudi Arabia announced intercepting five drones approaching the kingdom’s massive Shaybah petroleum complex. Meanwhile, a projectile struck a cargo vessel near the United Arab Emirates coastline in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli forces, who initiated military action alongside the United States on February 28, announced launching a fresh round of strikes against Tehran, following multiple bombardments the previous day that local residents characterized as among the most intense of the conflict. Explosions also echoed through Beirut and southern Lebanon after Israel declared beginning new operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah militia positions.

The bombardment ignited a structure in central Beirut’s crowded Aicha Bakkar neighborhood, with flames consuming the upper floors of the multi-level building. No immediate casualty reports emerged from the unexpected attack.

An earlier Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon claimed five lives in the Nabatieh area, while two additional deaths occurred in strikes across the Tyre and Bint Jbeil regions, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. A Red Cross volunteer also succumbed Wednesday morning to injuries received Monday when Israeli forces hit his rescue team during an evacuation operation.

Close to 500 individuals have perished in Lebanon since Hezbollah initiated the current fighting phase with Israel by launching rockets northward following the beginning of American and Israeli operations against Iran.

Israeli authorities issued warnings about three Iranian strikes across the nation early Wednesday, with alarm systems activating in Tel Aviv and other locations, though no immediate casualties were reported.

Beyond targeting Saudi petroleum installations, the kingdom’s defense officials confirmed destroying six ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, a significant American-Saudi military facility in eastern Saudi Arabia. Officials also reported intercepting and eliminating two drones above Hafar al-Batin, a major eastern province city.

Within the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces struck a container vessel with a projectile near Ras al-Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost emirate bordering the strait, according to a British military monitoring service.

The monitoring group stated that the “extent of the damage is currently unknown but under investigation by the crew.”

The United Arab Emirates announced early Wednesday that its defensive systems were actively countering incoming Iranian attacks. The prosperous Gulf state — which hosts the commercial and transportation center of Dubai — reported that Iranian strikes have resulted in six fatalities and 122 injuries within its borders.

Bahrain activated warning sirens early Wednesday, alerting citizens to approaching Iranian attacks. These alerts followed Tuesday’s Iranian strike on a residential structure in the capital city Manama that killed a 29-year-old woman and injured eight others.

Petroleum prices stayed below Monday’s peak levels, but Brent crude, the global benchmark, remained approximately 20% higher Wednesday compared to pre-war levels, with consumers worldwide experiencing increased costs at gas stations.

The oil price surge has destabilized international financial markets due to concerns that the conflict could disrupt global petroleum and natural gas supplies for an extended period.

Amin Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Arabia’s petroleum corporation Aramco, cautioned Tuesday that continued inability for oil tankers to navigate the strait “that will have a serious impact on the global economy.”

American military officials reported Tuesday eliminating 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, although U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that no confirmed reports existed of Iran placing mines in the passage, a scenario experts had anticipated before the conflict began.

Beyond the nearly 500 Lebanese deaths, Iran has reported over 1,300 casualties within its territory, while Israel has confirmed 12 fatalities.

The United States has lost seven military personnel with eight others sustaining serious injuries.

Numerous foreign citizens have evacuated the Persian Gulf region since hostilities commenced, including more than 45,000 British nationals, the British Foreign Office reported. Approximately 40,000 individuals have returned to the United States, the State Department confirmed.

Regional tensions escalated as Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf nations’ oil infrastructure and maritime assets, prompting Saudi Arabia and other countries to activate their air defense systems to intercept the attacks.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced Wednesday that six Iranian women’s soccer players will stay in the country after receiving humanitarian visas, though one team member who initially sought asylum has decided to return to Iran instead.

President Trump posted on social media that no evidence exists of Iran placing explosives in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil shipments. The U.S. military reportedly destroyed over a dozen Iranian mine-laying boats Tuesday to prevent attempts at blocking the strategic passage.

Tehran’s threats to shut down the vital shipping route have triggered oil market instability and supply concerns, particularly affecting Asian nations that rely heavily on petroleum from the region.

Israeli forces targeted a structure in central Beirut as part of ongoing operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group that has been launching attacks on Israel in solidarity with Tehran.

Qatar’s foreign affairs minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi told Al Jazeera in a Wednesday interview that his nation will no longer mediate between Iran and Western countries while under attack from Iranian forces.

Al-Khulaifi pointed out that both Qatar and Oman have faced attacks despite their efforts to “build bridges between Iran and the West.”

“We will not be able to fulfill that role under attack, and that’s something the Iranians need to understand,” al-Khulaifi stated. “The regional countries are not an enemy of Iran, and the Iranians are not understanding that idea.”

Russian officials reported damage to their consulate in Isfahan from airstrikes that hit the central Iranian city. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Sunday attack on the nearby governor’s building caused “no casualties or serious injuries.”

“Windows were shattered in the office building and residential apartments, and several employees were thrown back by the blast wave. Fortunately, there were no casualties or serious injuries,” Zakharova explained.

Video footage from Beirut shows flames consuming two floors of a multi-story building in the densely populated Aicha Bakkar neighborhood following an unannounced strike. The targeted structure sits several buildings from Dar al-Fatwa, Lebanon’s top Sunni Muslim religious institution.

Saudi defense officials reported early Wednesday that they eliminated five drones approaching the kingdom’s major Shaybah oil facility in the Empty Quarter desert, plus two additional drones in the Eastern Province. Kuwait announced it shot down eight drones over its territory.

The Iranian women’s soccer team situation unfolded amid dramatic scenes at their Sydney hotel and airport, where Iranian-Australian protesters tried to prevent the athletes from returning home due to safety concerns. Burke confirmed that six players accepted asylum offers and received humanitarian visas, while one reversed her decision to stay.

A container vessel was struck by a projectile early Wednesday near the UAE coast in the Strait of Hormuz, according to British maritime authorities. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center said the incident occurred off Ras al-Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost region bordering the strait.

Officials noted the “extent of the damage is currently unknown but under investigation by the crew.” Ship traffic through the narrow Persian Gulf entrance, which handles twenty percent of global oil and gas trade, has essentially stopped.

MOSCOW, March 12 – The Russian government issued a public appeal Thursday urging Israel and the United States to halt their military operations against Iran and pursue diplomatic negotiations instead.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, addressed reporters saying her country “will continue to take steps to end the escalation in the Middle East as soon as possible and resolve any contradictions by peaceful means.”

The Russian official also made serious allegations about civilian casualties, stating: “The number of victims of the illegal military action of Washington and Tel Aviv among the civilian population of Iran, according to the authorities, is in the thousands.”

Canadian officials have formed a special committee to examine whether medically-assisted death should be extended to individuals suffering from mental illness. The current law restricts such procedures to patients facing terminal physical conditions.

Opponents of the potential expansion raise concerns about the committee’s composition, claiming it consists primarily of advocates who favor broadening access to assisted dying. These critics predict the panel will recommend moving forward with the controversial proposal.

If no legislative action is taken to block the change, the expanded policy will automatically become law in 2027. The timeline puts pressure on lawmakers to either accept the committee’s eventual recommendations or take steps to halt the implementation.

MOSCOW — Nineteen individuals received lengthy prison sentences Thursday after a Moscow court found them guilty of participating in a horrific terror attack that claimed 149 lives and injured more than 600 people at a concert venue last year.

The devastating assault occurred on March 22, 2024, at the Crocus City Hall, where four armed attackers opened fire on audience members who had gathered to watch a popular rock band perform. After the shooting, the perpetrators ignited the building, creating additional chaos and casualties in what became one of Moscow’s most deadly attacks in recent memory.

An affiliate of the Islamic State organization took credit for the brutal incident.

The court imposed harsh penalties on all defendants: fifteen received life imprisonment, while one was sentenced to 22 and a half years behind bars. The remaining three individuals each received sentences of 19 years and 11 months.

Proceedings commenced in August 2025 within a military tribunal, which is standard procedure for terrorism-related cases. Authorities conducted the trial without public access, citing safety and security reasons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with other government officials, has alleged Ukrainian involvement in the attack, though they have not provided supporting evidence. Ukrainian leadership has categorically rejected these accusations.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, the nation’s primary criminal investigation body, stated that the assault was “planned and carried out in the interests of the current leadership of Ukraine in order to destabilize the political situation in our country.” The agency also pointed out that the four main suspects attempted to escape toward Ukraine following the attack.

Law enforcement apprehended the four primary suspects, all citizens of Tajikistan, within hours of the incident. When they later appeared before a Moscow court, they showed visible signs of having been severely beaten during their detention.

Among the other defendants were three individuals who provided a vehicle to the suspected gunmen, a landlord who rented them an apartment, and ten additional people facing terrorism-related charges, according to the independent Russian news outlet Mediazona.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Recent military operations by American and Israeli forces have caused harm to no fewer than four Iranian cultural landmarks, including historic palaces and a centuries-old mosque, sparking widespread concern about how expanding conflicts threaten protected heritage sites crucial to Iranian culture and global history.

The rapid pace and scope of destruction has prompted Iran and Lebanon to urgently petition UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural organization, this week for expanded protection of additional heritage locations.

UNESCO has confirmed verified harm to Tehran’s ornate Golestan Palace from the Qajar period, along with Isfahan’s 17th-century Chehel Sotoun palace and the Masjed-e Jāme, Iran’s most ancient Friday mosque. Additional confirmed destruction occurred near structures in the Khorramabad Valley, home to five ancient caves and a rock shelter containing evidence of human settlement from 63,000 B.C.

Video footage from March 3 obtained by the Associated Press showed Golestan Palace with broken glass from mirrored ceilings covering floors, alongside damaged archways, destroyed windows and scattered decorative elements beneath glass-mosaic walls.

UNESCO reported it had previously shared exact geographical locations of these heritage locations with all conflict participants “to take all feasible precautions to avoid damage.”

Cultural site destruction has extended beyond Iran throughout the Middle East and other regions, with UNESCO documenting harm to Israel’s White City, Lebanon’s Tyre, and additional locations.

Such collateral destruction of heritage sites has become commonplace in modern warfare for years, including battles between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, where numerous locations have suffered damage or complete destruction.

“What is happening is clear to all: In these increasingly modern conflicts, it’s civilians who pay the price, it’s civilian infrastructure that pays the price, and we’ve all seen the destruction of priceless historical heritage,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said this week.

Human rights organizations share similar concerns, cautioning that Iran’s conflict has not only claimed over 1,000 lives but disrupted institutions and historic locations that communities depend upon.

“It causes harm to civilians because it damages or destroys a piece of their history that can be significant both to the world and also to a specific region or community,” said Bonnie Docherty, senior researcher in the arms division at Human Rights Watch. “It undermines the sort of shared identity of a local community, which can often be important for bringing people together.”

Arash Azizi, who spent his childhood in Iran before relocating to America as an adult, explained that his family’s limited travel budget meant exploring domestic historical locations. This experience, he says, shaped his understanding of cultural identity and heritage.

“At times where school kids are killed, when human life is at stake, when the stakes are very high, people might think, ‘What are a couple of broken tiles or broken glasses?’” the 38-year-old New York resident said.

“I think this is the wrong attitude,” he added. “We need a cultural context. We need to know who we are, and where we come from, and what does it all mean?”

For Shabnam Emdadi, a 35-year-old Iranian American also in New York, the destruction at Isfahan’s Safavid-era Chehel Sotoun Palace holds deep personal significance. She visited there with her father several years before his death.

“Those Iran trips with him were my most fond memories of him at his happiest, where he felt most at home and alive, and I’ll never forget them,” Emdadi said. “Which is why every day when I see the damage of these sites that are the core of my memories, I feel like I am also losing a piece of him.”

Responsibility for the destruction remains uncertain between U.S. or Israeli military actions. Pentagon officials declined to comment. Israeli Defense Forces stated they were “unfamiliar” with allegations of UNESCO site damage.

One advocacy organization highlighted U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent statement that America’s military approach would avoid “stupid rules of engagement.”

“That’s an extremely important statement because it’s those rules of engagement that embody international humanitarian law, which is not just the protection of cultural heritage, but the protection of all civilian populations and structures, including your hospitals, your schools, etc.,” said Patty Gerstenblith, president of the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield, an international organization dedicated to protecting heritage in conflict, disaster and crisis.

The damaged locations represent part of nearly 30 Iranian sites receiving special protection through UNESCO’s World Heritage designation.

Additional famous landmarks receiving similar protection include China’s Great Wall, Egypt’s pyramids, India’s Taj Mahal and America’s Statue of Liberty.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee makes annual designations for sites deemed “of outstanding value to humanity” and intervenes when locations face destruction or damage threats. The program offers countries technical support and professional training for site preservation.

The Trump administration announced last July its intention to withdraw from UNESCO again as it reduces American participation in certain international organizations.

The White House referenced similar reasoning from 2018, claiming U.S. participation doesn’t serve national interests and accusing the organization of supporting anti-Israel rhetoric. The withdrawal becomes effective in December.

TOKYO, March 12 – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has suspended her scheduled government activities and withdrawn to her official residence after developing what appear to be cold-like symptoms, according to a Thursday report from Japan’s Jiji news agency.

The Prime Minister’s decision to halt her official engagements comes as a precautionary measure following the onset of the illness symptoms.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered the most severe oil supply crisis in global history, according to the International Energy Agency’s announcement Thursday. This declaration came just one day after the agency authorized an unprecedented release from emergency oil reserves to counter shortages and surging fuel costs.

March has seen worldwide oil production plummet by 8 million barrels daily, the IEA reported in its monthly market analysis. The dramatic reduction stems from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway near Iran’s coastline, following the commencement of U.S. and Israeli aerial bombardments against Iran on February 28.

Oil-producing nations throughout the Persian Gulf region, including Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, have slashed their combined output by no less than 10 million barrels per day. This reduction represents nearly 10 percent of global oil consumption, the IEA noted.

The organization warned that these production losses could escalate further without swift restoration of maritime shipping routes.

“Shut-in upstream production will take weeks and, in some cases, months to return to pre-crisis levels depending on the degree of field complexity and the timing for workers, equipment and resources to return to the region,” the agency said.

On Wednesday, the IEA, which provides guidance to developed nations, authorized the release of an unprecedented 400 million barrels from member countries’ strategic petroleum reserves. This action aims to counter the dramatic increase in worldwide crude oil prices that began with the U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, with American stockpiles providing the majority of the released supply.

Thursday saw continued upward pressure on oil prices as Iran intensified its strikes against energy infrastructure and transportation networks throughout the Middle East. These escalating attacks have heightened concerns about an extended conflict and ongoing disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude oil, which reached $119.50 per barrel on Monday marking its peak since mid-2022, climbed more than 6 percent on Thursday to approach $98 per barrel.

BEIJING, March 12 – Railway service connecting China and North Korea’s capital cities resumed Thursday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a suspension six years ago, marking China’s push to strengthen border infrastructure and diplomatic relations with its neighbor.

The K27 train departed Beijing Railway Station Thursday morning and is scheduled to reach Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m. Friday after traveling 24 hours and 41 minutes along a route that curves around the northern edge of the Bohai Sea, including a stop in the Chinese border town of Dandong, according to China’s railway officials.

A Chinese foreign ministry representative described the two nations as “friendly neighbours” during Thursday’s press briefing, explaining that cross-border rail service promotes people-to-people exchanges. The spokesperson emphasized China’s support for enhanced communication between the countries to encourage such interactions.

The pandemic outbreak in 2020 led to the service interruption.

North Korea maintains strict limits on foreign visitors, with tourism largely restricted to Russian groups operating under special arrangements, according to travel companies that organize visits to the isolated nation.

The capital-to-capital rail service will run four times weekly in each direction – on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – China’s railway authority announced. Ticket sales are limited to business visa holders, and Thursday’s inaugural journey sold out completely, though seats remained available for the March 18 departure, a Beijing travel company reported.

A shorter rail route connecting Dandong to Pyongyang will provide daily service in both directions. The first train departed the northeastern Chinese city of Dandong at 10 a.m. Thursday, arriving in North Korea’s capital at 6:07 p.m., state news agency Xinhua reported.

Air travel between the countries also ceased during the pandemic. North Korea’s national airline Air Koryo reestablished flights to China in 2023 and currently provides twice-weekly service between the capitals on Tuesdays and Saturdays, according to the carrier’s online booking system.

BRUSSELS, March 12 – A leading European Union trade official warned Thursday that any new American tariffs must align with the trade agreement negotiated between the two economic powers at a Scottish resort last year.

Bernd Lange, who leads the European Parliament’s trade committee, stated that while Washington’s decision to launch fresh ‘Section 301’ trade practice investigations was anticipated, the move lacks clear assurance that the U.S. will honor the previously negotiated terms.

“We will see where the investigations lead to, but anything that departs in substance from the Turnberry Deal will not be acceptable,” Lange posted on social media platform X. The agreement was reached at President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course.

The European Parliament continues to debate whether to approve the trade deal through an official vote.

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese authorities are investigating serious abuse allegations at the American Dara Academy, a boarding school that promoted itself to U.S. families as an economical option for combining Quran studies with American-style education. The institution attracted parents, particularly those with West African heritage, who sought quality religious schooling for their children at reasonable costs.

However, the academy now faces scrutiny over claims of severe physical mistreatment, leading to mass student withdrawals and the shutdown of one facility where most alleged incidents occurred, sources close to the investigation report.

Students who spoke with The Associated Press described disturbing treatment by school supervisors, including repeated beatings of rule-breaking students in what was termed a “magic room.” According to these accounts, children were forced to remove clothing down to underwear or completely, then made to crouch while holding heavy stones with outstretched arms. When stones dropped, the beatings intensified.

Senegalese officials have confirmed an active investigation involving the national police force (gendarmerie), child welfare services, and the Justice Ministry, according to sources familiar with the case.

In late January, law enforcement detained the school’s director along with three staff members, parents and knowledgeable sources reported. The director was subsequently released to home confinement.

AEMO, Senegal’s child protection agency, has not responded to media inquiries. Gendarmerie spokesman Ibrahima Ndiaye acknowledged receiving abuse reports but stated the Justice Ministry now handles the case.

School officials who were detained declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Specific criminal charges remain undisclosed.

“Authorities are caring for the children, and anyone found culpable will face charges,” stated Aminata Diagne, Justice Ministry spokesperson, regarding the abuse investigations.

The academy served 311 students across two locations in Senegal, with 120 holding U.S. citizenship. The student body primarily consisted of American-born children of West African descent, along with some from European nations including France, Britain, and Belgium. Few students originated from West Africa itself.

A January 12 formal complaint from the U.S. Embassy in Dakar to Senegalese officials detailed severe physical punishment reports from multiple American students. The document named the school director, who holds dual American-Guinean citizenship, plus three administrators as perpetrators.

The Associated Press confirmed the complaint’s legitimacy through interviews with numerous parents and case officials. These sources requested anonymity to safeguard their children and due to authorization restrictions.

Student testimonies described staff members striking them with wooden implements on legs, backs, and private areas while forcing them into painful positions.

Some reported metal rods being used on body areas that wouldn’t show visible damage. Occasionally, blows targeted their heads, students said.

While hospitalization requirements remain unclear, some students sustained scarring across multiple body parts.

According to the embassy complaint and informed sources, administrators threatened students against speaking with U.S. officials or police, claiming their American parents could face immigration arrest and deportation.

Government agencies have disclosed minimal case details or potential charges.

Parents told the AP they selected the American Dara Academy for its religious-academic combination at approximately $300 monthly, covering tuition, housing, and food.

Operations included two sites: one in Dakar, the capital, and another in Toubab Dialaw, a coastal community 34 miles away.

The now-closed Toubab Dialaw high school campus, where most alleged abuse occurred, resembled an active construction zone with temporary trailers, no plumbing, irregular electricity, and improvised metal latrines. Despite conditions, classes continued there, investigation sources confirmed.

Following embassy family notifications, approximately two-thirds of students—roughly 250 children including about 100 Americans—left the school and returned home, parents and investigation sources reported. Remaining students relocated to the better-equipped Dakar campus.

The AP interviewed dozens of parents, many contacted by the U.S. embassy regarding alleged mistreatment. None reported their children disclosing abuse.

One anonymous parent protecting their child’s identity said they withdrew their children and await their U.S. return. Their children weren’t among those allegedly abused.

“During my week-long initial school visit, I genuinely believed I was placing them somewhere secure,” the parent said.

Senegalese family law permits home corporal punishment through “correction rights” for parental figures, though criminal law prohibits violence causing serious harm.

While banned in schools for children under 14, the law doesn’t explicitly cover older students, private institutions, or religious schools, where “correction rights” may still apply.

UN and children’s advocacy reports indicate continued corporal punishment practices.

Prosecution decisions and additional actions remain uncertain.

The investigation proceeds while former dormitory residents are dispersed—some returned home, others remaining at school awaiting resolution.

Police maintain tight security around the Dakar school building.

Authorities in London have taken the rare step of prohibiting a pro-Iranian demonstration planned for this Sunday, marking the first time British police have used such powers in over a decade.

Law enforcement officials announced the decision to block the Al Quds march, an annual event organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commission in central London. Police described the group as supportive of Iran’s government.

The decision represents an extraordinary measure, as British authorities maintain a high threshold for blocking demonstrations. Officials stated the potential for public disorder was severe enough to warrant the unprecedented action, which also extends to any opposing rallies.

According to the Islamic Human Rights Commission’s previous social media posts, the demonstration was intended to show solidarity with Palestinian liberation efforts.

Law enforcement noted that past Al Quds events have led to criminal charges for supporting terrorist organizations and committing anti-Semitic hate crimes. Despite the prohibition, officials warned they anticipate a “challenging, potentially violent weekend.”

“We have taken into consideration the likely impact on protests of the volatile situation in the Middle East, with the Iranian regime attacking British allies and military bases overseas,” authorities stated in their Tuesday announcement.

“We must also consider that the security services have been publicly clear about the threats we are facing on UK soil from the Iranian regime,” the statement continued.

London police have faced intense scrutiny regarding their management of recurring large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Critics and supporters remain divided over free speech rights, support for banned organizations, and effects on Jewish communities.

Just last week, British authorities detained four individuals suspected of assisting Iranian intelligence operations, including surveillance activities targeting Jewish community members and locations in London.

While officials cannot legally prevent a stationary gathering, they indicated any such assembly by the Islamic Human Rights Commission would face stringent restrictions.

SEOUL, March 11 – A senior aide to South Korea’s president indicated Wednesday that the nation’s artificial intelligence partnership with the United Arab Emirates could expand significantly once Middle Eastern tensions diminish, as the UAE seeks to bolster its military defense systems.

Ha Jung-woo, who serves as the senior presidential secretary for AI, told reporters that enhanced collaboration appears likely. “We expect that cooperation (with the UAE) could accelerate further. Through this process, we believe there will be many opportunities for us to create together,” Ha stated during a media briefing.

The official noted that ongoing regional instability has created additional security concerns for the UAE. “Given the very complex situation currently unfolding in the Middle East, there is also a growing need for the UAE to significantly strengthen its defence capabilities,” Ha explained, while emphasizing that discussions with UAE officials have persisted despite the “very difficult environment.”

The foundation for this partnership was established last year when South Korea committed to participating in the United States-supported Stargate initiative, which aims to construct an enormous artificial intelligence data facility in the Gulf nation.

Following a high-level meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, South Korea pledged assistance in developing computational infrastructure and energy systems for what would become the globe’s most extensive AI data center complex outside American borders.

The Korean commitment encompasses building an electrical grid for the UAE’s Stargate facility utilizing nuclear energy, natural gas, and sustainable power sources, while simultaneously expanding AI sector collaboration across investment, infrastructure development, supply networks, and scientific research.

As the headquarters for major semiconductor manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea is positioning itself as a regional artificial intelligence center, with President Lee making AI investment a priority to stimulate economic growth amid concerns over potential U.S. trade restrictions affecting the broader economic landscape.

Republic of Congo’s longtime President Denis Sassou Nguesso will face six opposition challengers when voters head to the polls on March 15, as the 82-year-old leader seeks to extend his grip on power for another five years in the oil-rich Central African nation.

The former paratrooper first took control in 1979 and has ruled for more than 40 years with only a brief interruption during the 1990s. Political analysts expect Sassou Nguesso to easily win reelection, as the opposition remains divided and several major parties are boycotting the contest while key potential rivals are either imprisoned or living in exile.

Here’s a look at the six candidates challenging the incumbent president:

JOSEPH KIGNOUMBI KIA MBOUNGOU

The 73-year-old veteran legislator from the Lekoumou department in southwestern Congo leads the political organization La Chaîne and is mounting his fifth presidential campaign since 2002. Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou received just 0.62% of votes in the previous 2021 contest. His current campaign emphasizes the importance of political transformation and economic diversification, with particular focus on decreasing the country’s dependence on oil revenues while addressing widespread poverty.

UPHREM DAVE MAFOULA

At 43 years old, economist Mafoula is attempting his second straight presidential run after competing in 2021 as the youngest candidate in that race, earning 0.52% of the vote. His policy agenda prioritizes governmental reform initiatives, employment opportunities, and addressing regional disparities across the country.

MELAINE DESTIN GAVET ELENGO

The youngest presidential hopeful at 35, Elengo works as an engineer in the petroleum industry and is running for the first time. He positions himself as representing a younger generation ready to bring political transformation to Congo. His campaign highlights government transparency, judicial independence, and development that benefits all citizens.

MABIO MAVOUNGOU ZINGA

The 69-year-old former customs official and ex-parliamentarian is running his first presidential race representing the Alliance party, which brings together multiple opposition organizations. Zinga has promised to combat government corruption and secure the release of imprisoned opposition figures Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and André Okombi Salissa, who were detained following the controversial 2016 election and subsequently received 20-year sentences for allegedly threatening state security.

VIVIEN ROMAIN MANANGOU

University professor Manangou, 43, teaches public law and is making his inaugural presidential attempt as an independent candidate. His policy platform emphasizes reforming government institutions, strengthening public financial management, and fostering national cohesion.

ANGUIOS NGANGUIA ENGAMBE

Approximately 60 years old, Engambe leads the Party for Action of the Republic and is pursuing the presidency for the fourth time after previous attempts in 2009, 2016, and 2021, when he captured only 0.18% of votes. His campaign messaging focuses on healing political rifts and encouraging broader citizen engagement in the democratic process.

Swiss authorities are examining whether an intentional act sparked a deadly bus fire that claimed at least six lives in a town near the country’s capital.

Frédéric Papaux, a police spokesperson for the Fribourg region, confirmed that investigators are looking into whether a “voluntary act” triggered Tuesday evening’s blaze in Kerzers, located approximately 15 miles west of Bern.

The incident also left five people wounded and brought back memories for residents of a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at the Swiss ski destination of Crans-Montana that claimed 41 young lives.

Christa Bielmann, a Fribourg police representative, explained to Swiss broadcaster SRF: “There is information circulating that a person poured flammable liquid over themselves on the bus and that this caused the fire. But this is part of the ongoing investigation and is being clarified.”

Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his grief on X Tuesday evening, writing: “It shocks and saddens me that once again people have lost their lives in a serious fire in Switzerland. The circumstances are being investigated. I offer my condolences to the families of those who died in Kerzers. And my thoughts are with the injured and the rescue workers.”

Martial Pugin, communications chief for Fribourg cantonal police, ruled out terrorism as a motive when speaking to broadcaster RTS Wednesday morning.

The transit vehicle belongs to PostBus, which operates under the national postal service. Swiss media footage captured flames consuming the entire bus.

PostBus released a statement expressing their sorrow: “We are deeply moved by this tragic news. Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and all their families.”

Regional officials reported that emergency responders discovered the vehicle completely consumed by fire upon arrival at the scene.

Medical teams transported three critically injured individuals to area hospitals via ambulance and helicopter, while two others received treatment at the location, according to police reports.

Papaux confirmed the death toll of at least six people, noting that victim identification may require several days to complete.

Crews removed the destroyed bus overnight, and normal traffic flow resumed by Wednesday morning.

BUCHAREST – Romania’s President Nicusor Dan has scheduled a meeting of the nation’s highest defense council for Wednesday to evaluate an American request for military base access related to operations involving Iran, according to political sources.

The defense council will convene for its first session of the year to examine security consequences stemming from Middle Eastern conflicts, effects on Romania’s energy sector, and “the temporary deployment of military capability on Romanian territory.”

Political sources indicated that this deployment reference relates to an American request for access to the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base, though they provided no additional details.

Several European Union nations have responded differently to regional tensions – countries like France, Greece and Italy have deployed naval vessels to Cyprus following attacks by Iranian-manufactured drones on a British installation there, while other nations permit military base usage.

Approximately 1,000 American service members continue to be stationed in Romania. Last year, the United States pulled roughly 1,000 troops from Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu air base as America shifted focus toward its domestic borders and Indo-Pacific operations.

NATO maintains a permanent allied force of about 3,500 troops in Romania, which includes American soldiers.

Most European Union leadership has denounced Iranian attacks throughout the region and called for cessation of hostilities along with diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Romania maintains a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine, and Russian drones have crossed this boundary while targeting Kyiv. Additionally, naval mines from the conflict in the Black Sea continue to disrupt crucial commercial and energy shipping lanes.

DAKAR, Senegal — Parliament members in Senegal have given final approval to legislation that significantly increases penalties for homosexual conduct in this predominantly Muslim West African country.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko introduced the legislation to parliament last month, with the new law characterizing homosexual conduct as “against nature.” The measure increases prison terms for those found guilty from the current range of one to five years to a new range of five to 10 years behind bars.

The parliamentary vote was decisive, with 135 legislators supporting the measure while none opposed it. Only three members chose to abstain from voting.

The updated legislation also establishes penalties for what it terms the “promotion” or “financing” of homosexuality, targeting organizations that advocate for sexual and gender minority rights.

Financial penalties have been increased substantially, with maximum fines now reaching 10 million CFA francs (equivalent to $17,609). However, lawmakers maintained the classification of these offenses as misdemeanors rather than upgrading them to felonies. Government ministers defended the changes during parliamentary debate, claiming the existing 1966 legislation was insufficiently strict.

The revised law includes provisions that penalize individuals who make accusations of homosexual conduct “without proof” against others.

Islamic advocacy organizations have staged public demonstrations supporting the legislation in recent weeks, while law enforcement has intensified enforcement actions against suspected gay individuals, resulting in at least twelve arrests.

The legislation represents the fulfillment of a campaign pledge made by the prime minister, who had previously attempted unsuccessfully to advance similar measures while serving in opposition.

LONDON, March 12 – The ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered the most severe oil supply shortage in global history, according to the International Energy Agency, which made the announcement Thursday following their decision to authorize a record release from emergency oil reserves.

Gulf nations in the Middle East have slashed their combined oil output by no less than 10 million barrels daily – representing nearly 10% of global oil consumption – due to the ongoing warfare, the agency reported in their most recent monthly market analysis. The IEA warned that unless maritime transport operations resume quickly, these production cuts will likely expand further.

Political leaders in Taiwan reached a breakthrough Thursday, giving their government the green light to move forward with signing agreements for four major U.S. weapons packages after defense officials warned of serious consequences for delays.

The disagreement over Taiwan’s military spending has created tension with the United States, which serves as the island nation’s primary supporter and weapons provider, even without official diplomatic relations, as Taiwan faces ongoing territorial claims from China.

While President Lai Ching-te’s administration has pushed for parliamentary approval of $40 billion in additional military spending, opposition parties controlling the majority of legislative seats have raised concerns about the proposals’ clarity, stating they won’t approve “blank cheques” despite their support for national defense.

Opposition groups have put forward alternative, lower-cost proposals, but defense officials emphasized that the formal letters of offer and acceptance for the weapons systems must be signed with the United States or Taiwan risks losing its position in the manufacturing and delivery schedule.

During Thursday’s session of parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committee, legislators from both sides reached consensus that the government should proceed with signing the agreements ahead of schedule, even if spending proposal reviews remain incomplete.

The military equipment covered by these agreements includes TOW anti-tank missiles, M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, Javelin missiles manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo informed reporters Tuesday that the HIMARS agreement expires March 26, covering 82 systems included in an $11-billion U.S. arms package designated for Taiwan.

According to ministry officials, this Sunday marks the deadline for signing agreements covering the remaining weapons systems.

A bipartisan coalition of 37 U.S. legislators expressed their concerns about the delayed plans to senior Taiwan lawmakers last month.

The Trump administration’s push for allies to boost their defense spending has found strong support from Lai and his government officials.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded strict disciplinary measures against government officials who failed to properly recover victims’ remains from a devastating 2024 airline disaster, according to his office on Thursday.

The president expressed remorse and extended sympathies to families after a follow-up investigation revealed that body parts from seven victims had remained unrecovered for more than a year following the Jeju Air tragedy that claimed 179 lives, a presidential spokesperson announced during a briefing.

Lee has directed government agencies to investigate why these remains, alongside 648 personal belongings and 155 aircraft fragments, were neglected for such an extended period, according to the official.

Authorities have yet to release their complete investigation findings to the public, missing their initial one-year target date.

While the transportation department issued an apology Monday regarding the recovery delays, grieving families have condemned officials for abandoning remains and personal effects in outdoor storage facilities and are demanding accountability.

“We are appalled by the transport ministry’s late and inadequate apology, which the families say is like killing the victims a second time,” a family spokesperson stated Monday.

A different family representative praised Lee’s Thursday announcement, calling it “due time” for officials to demonstrate accountability.

The fatal December 2024 incident occurred when a Boeing 737-800 aircraft encountered bird strikes, performed an emergency belly landing, and slid beyond the runway at Muan International Airport. The plane collided with a concrete barrier supporting navigation equipment, killing nearly all passengers and crew. Only two cabin crew members seated in the aircraft’s rear section survived.

Thursday’s presidential directive follows a government audit published this week that revealed the transportation ministry had permitted defective airport safety infrastructure for over twenty years, contributing to the crash’s severity.

The audit determined that a solid concrete structure beneath navigation equipment at Muan airport – instead of the breakaway design mandated by international aviation standards – worsened the death toll.

Investigators also uncovered decades of inadequate certifications and overlooked safety inspections at similar installations across multiple airports nationwide.

DUBAI, March 11 – Four people sustained injuries Wednesday when two unmanned aircraft crashed near Dubai International Airport, according to officials from Dubai’s media office, marking another incident in an ongoing regional conflict that has severely impacted worldwide aviation operations for nearly two weeks.

“Authorities confirm that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) a short while ago,” officials announced on social media platform X, noting that flight operations continue without disruption.

Among those hurt in the incident were nationals from Ghana, Bangladesh, and India. Two Ghanaian citizens and one Bangladeshi citizen received treatment for minor wounds, while an Indian national suffered more serious injuries requiring additional medical attention.

The regional warfare involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began February 28 has created massive disruptions for international aviation, forcing carriers worldwide to cancel flights, adjust schedules, and find alternate routes. Middle Eastern airspace, including Qatar’s, remains largely closed due to ongoing missile and drone threats. The conflict has simultaneously triggered an energy shortage, driving fuel costs significantly higher.

While major UAE carriers including Emirates from Dubai and Etihad from Abu Dhabi have partially restored service since the crisis began, both airlines continue operating well below normal capacity. Wednesday’s drone incident represents another setback for DXB, recognized globally as the busiest international passenger hub, which processed close to 100 million travelers in the previous year.

BEIJING (AP) — Despite global focus on conflicts in Iran, China has continued advancing its domestic agenda with worldwide implications during its most significant annual political gathering.

While Beijing acknowledges the war’s effects on energy markets and international relations, the world’s second-largest economy remains focused on its technological competition with America rather than military conflicts elsewhere.

This priority became clear Thursday when the National People’s Congress approved a comprehensive five-year development plan during the conclusion of its yearly session, China’s most important political gathering. The plan reinforces China’s commitment to economic transformation and technological leadership. Government-controlled media portrayed China’s unwavering focus on economic progress as providing global stability during uncertain times.

“A stable and developing China injects more stability and certainty into a world fraught with change and turbulence,” the official People’s Daily newspaper said in a front-page column on Wednesday. Additional state-controlled outlets repeated similar themes.

These official statements avoided mentioning U.S. President Donald Trump, whose trade policies and military interventions from Venezuela to Iran are disrupting the international framework established after World War II. China openly supports this existing system while advocating for modifications to better serve developing nations alongside wealthy countries.

Trump plans to travel to Beijing in three weeks for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During its final session, the National People’s Congress also approved three pieces of legislation, including measures affecting ethnic minorities. These votes follow ceremonial procedures with near-universal approval, demonstrating support for the Communist Party’s national vision. The five-year plan received approval with 2,758 supporting votes, one opposition vote, and two abstentions.

“We are forging ahead at full speed in building a great country,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at an annual news conference during the Congress.

Economic experts argue China should prioritize putting more money in consumers’ pockets to increase domestic spending and decrease reliance on export-driven growth.

While Chinese leadership agrees conceptually, the approved five-year plan emphasizes technology as the central focus, confirming it remains the government’s top priority. Experts anticipate consumer spending improvements will occur slowly through expanded social services and healthcare benefits, while government investment flows into artificial intelligence, robotics and related fields.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang revealed an economic growth target of 4.5% to 5% for 2026 when Congress began, providing officials flexibility to pursue long-term objectives rather than achieving higher short-term targets.

The development plan avoids promising overall carbon emission reductions, instead committing to lower “emissions intensity” — measuring pollution relative to economic output. This approach allows total emissions to increase alongside economic expansion.

Officials set the intensity reduction goal at 17%, which analysts say could permit emissions to rise 3% or higher. “International good practice is to move away from intensity targets towards absolute emission reduction targets,” said Niklas Hohne of the NewClimate Institute in Germany.

China typically establishes modest targets, and its rapid solar energy expansion plus other clean technologies may reduce emissions regardless. As the world’s largest greenhouse gas producer, Chinese officials have consistently argued that population size and economic scale must factor into pollution assessments.

A comprehensive ethnic minorities law approved by Congress strengthens what opponents describe as government assimilation policies, emphasizing development of “a common consciousness of the Chinese nation.”

Officials claim the legislation aims to build stronger community bonds and shared economic development among ethnic populations. The law reflects Xi’s approach promoting unity over distinct ethnic cultures and languages.

“It puts a death nail in the party’s original promise of meaningful autonomy,” said James Leibold, a professor at Australia’s LaTrobe University who has studied China’s changing policies towards its ethnic minorities.

Official proposals and suggestions for reducing working hours in various ways attracted significant social media attention during this year’s Congress.

Many focused on establishing a “right to rest,” including proposals allowing employees to ignore work communications outside business hours. Most Chinese workers receive just five paid vacation days annually. Yu Miaojie, an economist and Congress representative, suggested increasing minimum statutory leave from five to 10 days.

These proposals’ popularity demonstrates concerns about China’s demanding workplace environment. Providing workers additional leisure time also represents a strategy for boosting consumer spending by creating more opportunities to spend money.

Officials in Taiwan are raising concerns that Beijing’s recently enacted ethnic unity legislation may provide Chinese authorities with expanded legal authority to pursue Taiwanese individuals they classify as separatists, according to warnings issued Thursday.

The legislation, which China’s parliament approved this week, is designed to foster a unified national identity among the nation’s 55 minority ethnic communities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs. While Taiwan isn’t specifically referenced in most of the law’s text, it does include a provision encouraging residents on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to embrace Chinese identity.

Beijing already maintains existing statutes targeting supporters of Taiwanese independence, including 2024 guidelines that impose severe penalties on what it terms “diehard” activists – potentially including capital punishment – despite having no legal authority over the island.

The new statute mandates that Chinese citizens “shall protect the country’s sovereignty” and references President Xi Jinping’s declaration that all citizens must “consciously uphold national unity, national security, and social stability.”

Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council addressed reporters in Taipei before the law’s passage, warning that such provisions could “spill over into becoming a legal basis for handling cross-Strait issues.”

When questioned about whether Beijing might use the legislation to target independence advocates, Shen responded: “It is highly possible.”

“How exactly one is supposed to promote unification or promote unity is left vague and hollow, but the punishments are concrete,” Shen added.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office declined to provide comment on the matter.

Taiwan has consistently criticized what its government describes as Chinese “lawfare” – Beijing’s practice of enacting legislation to justify targeting perceived separatists, including those living abroad.

The new statute contains provisions stating that individuals and organizations outside China’s borders may face legal consequences for undermining “ethnic unity and progress or inciting ethnic separatism.”

“Many of the Chinese communists’ actions are nominally presented as measures for maintaining domestic stability, but in reality they could also be transformed into long-arm jurisdiction,” Shen explained, referencing Beijing’s attempts to enforce its laws internationally.

According to Taiwanese officials, this legislation represents a tactical evolution from Beijing’s previous approach. Rather than simply opposing specific ideologies like Taiwan independence, the new law threatens punishment for those who fail to actively promote Chinese unity.

“In the past, you’d be punished for supporting Taiwan independence. Now, you also have to actively support unification, or you’ll get into trouble as well,” explained a senior Taiwanese official who requested anonymity due to the matter’s sensitivity.

Escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have led to a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, creating significant disruptions to international shipping routes that handle approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas traffic.

Since hostilities began on February 28, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued threats targeting any vessel attempting passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The attacks began on March 1 when three separate incidents occurred. The Marshall Islands-flagged crude carrier MKD VYOM suffered a fatal casualty when a crew member was killed after the ship was struck by a projectile while traveling 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, Oman, according to vessel manager V.Ships.

That same day, the Gibraltar-flagged fuel supply vessel Hercules Star was hit by projectiles 17 nautical miles northwest of the UAE’s Mina Saqr port in Ras Al Khaimah, causing a fire that was later extinguished, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. Additionally, the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight, which faces U.S. sanctions, was attacked near Oman’s Kumzar, forcing crew evacuation according to Oman’s maritime security center.

March 2 saw the U.S.-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative struck twice while in Bahrain’s port, resulting in fire and crew evacuation, UKMTO stated.

The following day brought damage to two more vessels near the UAE’s Fujairah port – the Marshall Islands crude carrier Libra Trader and Panama-flagged bulk vessel Gold Oak both sustained minor damage approximately 7-10 nautical miles offshore, UKMTO confirmed.

March 4 witnessed the Maltese-flagged container vessel Safeen Prestige suffering projectile damage while navigating toward the strait’s northern section, two nautical miles from Oman. The strike ignited an engine room fire, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel, shipping sources reported.

On March 5, the crude tanker Sonangol Namibe was damaged by an explosion while anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, according to U.S. representative company Sonangol Marine Services. Iraqi port security officials indicated preliminary findings suggest an Iranian remote-controlled explosive boat was responsible for the attack on the Bahamas-flagged vessel.

March 6 brought another incident when a tugboat operating with the previously damaged Safeen Prestige was hit by projectiles six nautical miles north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO reported.

The next day, UKMTO cited an unnamed third party reporting a suspected drone strike 10 nautical miles north of Saudi Arabia’s Jubail, which resulted in most crew members being evacuated.

March 11 proved particularly devastating with multiple attacks. The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck by a projectile 11 nautical miles north of Oman, causing a fire that forced crew evacuation, according to Bangkok-based owner Precious Shipping’s statement.

The Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty received minor damage from a projectile strike 25 nautical miles northwest of the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah. Meanwhile, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth sustained hull damage from a projectile hit 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, though no environmental impact occurred and crew members remained safe, maritime risk management firm Vanguard and UKMTO reported.

The same day concluded with attacks on two fuel tankers near Iraq – the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and Maltese-flagged Zefyros. These incidents prompted Iraqi authorities to halt all oil port operations completely, according to port officials and state media. One port security official confirmed recovering the body of a foreign crew member from the water.

Japan commemorated Wednesday the 15th anniversary of one of its most catastrophic natural disasters, as the nation’s leadership advocates for expanded atomic energy programs.

On March 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered massive tsunamis that decimated northeastern coastal communities, claiming over 22,000 lives and displacing nearly 500,000 residents, with most evacuations stemming from tsunami destruction.

The disaster’s impact was particularly severe in Fukushima, where approximately 160,000 people evacuated their communities following radioactive contamination from the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. Today, roughly 26,000 former residents have not returned, either because they’ve established new lives elsewhere, their original communities remain restricted, or they harbor ongoing radiation fears.

At precisely 2:46 p.m. Wednesday — the exact time the earthquake struck 15 years ago — the nation paused for a commemorative moment of silence.

Speaking at a Fukushima memorial service, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi committed to maximizing regional reconstruction efforts over the coming five years while continuing to share “the valuable lessons we learned from the huge sacrifice of the disaster.”

Takaichi has championed accelerated nuclear reactor reopenings and promoted atomic energy as a reliable power source, following Japan’s significant 2022 policy shift that abandoned a decade-long plan to eliminate nuclear power.

In tsunami-affected coastal areas, survivors made early morning pilgrimages to shorelines, offering prayers for deceased family members and others whose bodies were never recovered.

The earthquake and tsunami damaged or demolished over one million residential, commercial, and educational structures throughout Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and neighboring coastal regions. While essential infrastructure has been reconstructed, population exodus has slowed community and economic revitalization efforts.

The Fukushima Daiichi facility lost electrical power and cooling capabilities, resulting in meltdowns across three of its six reactors. These reactors contain a minimum of 880 tons of melted nuclear fuel debris, though radiation levels remain too hazardous to fully assess internal conditions.

Comprehensive melted fuel debris extraction has been postponed until 2037 or beyond.

Decontamination operations have generated enormous quantities of mildly radioactive soil — sufficient to fill 11 baseball stadiums — throughout the affected region.

Officials have committed to relocating this contaminated soil and have proposed incorporating some material into highway construction and other infrastructure projects, though public opposition has emerged.

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government announced Wednesday it will release documentation concerning the selection of Peter Mandelson for the U.S. ambassadorship, amid an ongoing police probe into possible wrongdoing connected to his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Parliamentary pressure has compelled Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration to make public thousands of records regarding the choice to appoint Mandelson to this crucial diplomatic role as Donald Trump begins his second presidential term, notwithstanding Mandelson’s previous association with the disgraced financier.

Officials indicate the released materials will demonstrate that Mandelson provided misleading information about how close his relationship with Epstein actually was.

The 72-year-old Mandelson, a veteran Cabinet official, former diplomat and prominent Labour Party figure, was taken into custody at his London residence on February 23 on charges of suspected public office misconduct. He remains free while the police continue their inquiry, with no bail restrictions imposed.

Mandelson has consistently maintained his innocence and faces no formal charges. No allegations of sexual impropriety have been made against him.

According to Cabinet minister Darren Jones, the “first tranche of documents” will become available Wednesday afternoon.

The materials are being made public in stages following examination by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. Law enforcement has requested that certain files remain sealed to protect their ongoing criminal probe of Mandelson.

Starmer dismissed Mandelson from his position in September following initial disclosures about his Epstein connections, yet continues to face political backlash for originally selecting him for the Washington assignment.

Records from an extensive collection of Epstein-related files released by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January indicated that Mandelson shared confidential market information with the convicted criminal during his tenure as the U.K.’s business secretary following the 2008 economic downturn.

This information included a classified government analysis exploring methods for Britain to generate revenue, such as divesting government properties. Evidence also suggests Mandelson promised to influence fellow government officials to lower taxes on banking executive bonuses.

MARSEILLE, France – Campaign advertisements focusing on public safety by a far-right National Rally contender have energized supporters in Marseille’s mayoral contest, with one backer saying the messaging has swayed previously hesitant family members.

Franck Allisio’s promotional materials, set to stirring background music, pledge to expand the municipal police force threefold, install twice as many surveillance cameras, and establish law enforcement stations throughout every neighborhood to “restore joy” to Marseille residents.

Current polling data shows Allisio running neck-and-neck with sitting Socialist Mayor Benoit Payan before Sunday’s initial voting round, giving the RN party an unprecedented opportunity to control France’s second-most populous city.

The Mediterranean port city, renowned for its ancient harbor and coastal scenery, has emerged as ground zero in officials’ fight against a national cocaine epidemic, as documented in a 2024 senate study.

Public safety ranks as voters’ primary concern before France’s dual-stage municipal elections scheduled for March 15 and March 22, according to polling data, potentially favoring the RN’s hardline crime policies.

Allisio’s competitive position in Marseille mirrors nationwide patterns, with surveys indicating the RN – an anti-immigration organization historically associated with racial prejudice and antisemitism – might capture the presidency in 2027.

“We must secure victory in the municipal contests, and afterward our objective is the presidential race,” stated RN supporter Marie-Helene Martin, who works as an educator.

An Ifop survey from March revealed that Allisio’s chances depend on the number of opponents advancing to the runoff. Should leftist groups unite behind one nominee, Payan would likely prevail by ten percentage points. However, a four-way split could create a closer contest.

Municipal leaders in France possess restricted authority over local safety matters, overseeing city police departments that have fewer capabilities and resources than federal law enforcement.

Despite these limitations, both Allisio and Payan have positioned crime prevention as their campaign centerpieces.

“Clearly we have become the narcotics capital,” Allisio stated to Reuters. “We are experiencing an explosion in drug trafficking, and confronting this situation, for years… nothing has been accomplished.”

Payan rejected claims of negligence, highlighting improvements to the local police department.

“The far right is exploiting anxieties,” he explained to Reuters. “In the end, it’s not tackling the security problem, since what it suggests is essentially nothing or entirely impractical.”

Government statistics indicated a 4.1% drop in total criminal activity in Marseille during the previous year compared to 2024, and law enforcement records show drug-connected homicides decreased following a 2023 spike, though narcotics-related murders have alarmed citizens.

Claire Duport, a researcher with the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictive Trends, noted that while drug-associated violence wasn’t increasing in Marseille relative to earlier decades, killings had evolved from targeted revenge to more random attacks.

“The sense of danger is understandable – it simply doesn’t reflect broader patterns,” she explained.

To strengthen his public safety credentials, Payan has recruited Amine Kessaci, a prominent 22-year-old anti-narcotics advocate who lost two siblings in drug-connected killings, to join his campaign team.

Speaking from the left-wing alliance offices, Kessaci told Reuters that the RN’s proposals would not address the underlying social factors driving drug-related violence that the Socialists intended to tackle.

“We’re going to counter drug trafficking through healthcare, through education, through transportation, through housing,” he said.

In La Busserine, among the northern areas most impacted by narcotics violence, some locals also criticized the RN’s messaging. Fadella Ouidef, who does volunteer work at the community social center, expressed annoyance that security dominated campaign discussions.

“The far right always controls the conversation… All they can articulate is security, security, security,” said the mother of four, who worried the implicit message suggested Arab and Black residents were “the troublemakers.”

A quarter-hour stroll away, four young people were distributing drugs to sporadic customers near a towering, rundown apartment complex called “Le Mail.” Ouidef mentioned she stays away from Le Mail, but feels comfortable in the multicultural La Busserine neighborhood, where she has resided for 17 years.

“If the National Rally gains control… it will be catastrophic,” Ouidef said, expressing concerns about potential RN reductions to social programs and describing drug addiction as an urgent public health crisis.

“They believe that by generating more social difficulties, they’ll produce more security, but they’ll quickly discover it will generate more hardship and more crime,” she said. “People like them have no interest in people like us.”

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Legislators in South Korea approved new legislation Thursday designed to oversee the nation’s commitment to invest $350 billion in American projects, a deal struck last year to prevent the highest tariffs threatened by the Trump administration.

Government leaders had pushed for swift approval of the controversial legislation, first introduced in November, as concerns grow over the country’s export-reliant economy. Officials worry about President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and potential economic consequences from his conflict with Iran.

The legislative vote occurred just hours after Trump’s administration escalated trade tensions by launching a fresh probe into manufacturing practices in several nations, including China and key allies South Korea and Japan. This investigation could lead to additional import duties if American officials determine these practices are unfair.

Trump and his advisors have indicated they plan to implement new tariffs to recover revenue losses following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down his broad emergency tariffs.

The Korean legislation, which received approval by a vote of 226 to 8, establishes a government-controlled entity to oversee the promised American investments. This organization will evaluate and choose projects using guidance from both Korean and American trade officials.

Several legislators voiced opposition before the vote, citing concerns about Trump’s latest trade investigations and potential effects from Middle Eastern conflicts. These issues have highlighted South Korea’s economic vulnerability due to its dependence on exports and imported energy.

“We cannot be the money machine Trump wants us to be,” said Son Sol, a member of the minor opposition Progressive Party. She argued the legislation fails to provide lawmakers adequate authority to examine and block investments that might harm Korean business or public welfare.

After months of difficult negotiations, South Korea reached a final agreement with the United States in November. The deal commits Seoul to investing $200 billion in American semiconductor and other advanced technology sectors, plus an additional $150 billion in shipbuilding. In return, Washington agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Seoul from 25% to 15%.

The arrangement, which emerged from a breakthrough during an October meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, also limits Korean investments to $20 billion annually to safeguard the nation’s foreign currency reserves.

Lee’s liberal Democratic Party introduced the bill in November but encountered opposition from lawmakers concerned about economic consequences. The legislative delay angered Trump, who threatened in January to restore tariffs on Korean automobiles, pharmaceuticals and other products to 25%, putting additional pressure on opposition members to advance the legislation.

ROME – Italy’s defense ministry confirmed Thursday that one of its military installations in northern Iraq came under missile attack during overnight hours, though all personnel escaped without harm.

The strike occurred at the Italian facility located in Erbil, within Iraq’s Kurdish region. Ministry officials posted on social media platform X just after midnight Thursday, stating: “A missile hit our base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all fine.”

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto maintained ongoing communication with top military leadership throughout the incident, according to ministry statements.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed through his own social media post that Italian service members had successfully moved to protective bunker facilities and remained “well and safe” following the attack.

The targeted facility houses approximately 300 Italian military personnel whose mission involves providing training assistance to Kurdish regional security forces, the defense ministry’s website indicates.

WASHINGTON — American military forces are rapidly adapting their defensive strategies after facing unprecedented swarms of low-cost Iranian drones that have challenged traditional air defense systems.

Iran’s massive drone offensive put U.S. capabilities to the test, with the Islamic Republic deploying so many unmanned aircraft simultaneously that several penetrated American defenses. The attacks resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members at a military operations facility in Kuwait.

While military officials and defense analysts emphasize that American forces have successfully intercepted most Iranian drones and significantly degraded Iran’s drone production capacity, concerns remain about the cost-effectiveness of current defense methods. Critics have pointed out the economic inefficiency of using multi-million-dollar missiles to destroy drones worth only tens of thousands of dollars.

U.S. troops now face the challenge of rapidly implementing more economical defense solutions against Iran’s Shahed drones, which operate at low altitudes and produce a distinctive buzzing sound similar to motorcycles before striking their intended targets.

“We are crushing them — there’s no doubt about it — but if even one drone gets through our defenses and hurts an American, for me, that is enough to warrant fixing the problem,” explained drone warfare specialist Brett Velicovich, a former U.S. Army Predator drone operator who now co-owns a drone manufacturing business.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine reported Tuesday that Iranian drone launches have decreased by 83% since the conflict began on February 28. Military leaders revealed that Iran deployed over 2,000 drones in the initial days following the first U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Caine informed journalists that American forces have been targeting Iran’s military and industrial facilities “to deny them the ability to continue to generate those one-way attack drones.”

“We also have struck several one-way drone factories to get at the heart of their autonomous capability,” he stated.

The U.S. and allied nations have deployed hundreds, possibly thousands, of Patriot missiles throughout the Middle East to counter Iranian missiles and drones. However, military experts note a shift toward using attack helicopters and machine gun systems as more economical alternatives for drone interception, a strategy President Donald Trump has acknowledged.

“Now we have low-cost interceptors effectively combating Iranian drones,” the Republican president announced Monday.

The military is also deploying an anti-drone system called Merops, which has proven effective against similar Russian drones in Ukraine. This system uses drones to combat other drones, can be transported in a pickup truck, and employs artificial intelligence for navigation when electronic communications are disrupted.

Defense experts suggest that while the U.S. military has monitored the Ukraine-Russia conflict, it has been sluggish in updating its weapons and strategies to address the emerging drone threat.

“This is going to be a big wake-up call for how the U.S. military defends its citizens and fights wars forever,” Velicovich observed. “Because it’s sort of like we’re the best military on the planet, but stuff’s still getting by us.”

Pentagon officials have acknowledged in classified congressional briefings their difficulties in stopping Iranian drone waves, leaving American personnel and Persian Gulf allies exposed. Notable targets including a Dubai skyscraper and regional airports have suffered strikes.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last week that “thousands of Iranian missiles and drones have been intercepted and vaporized.” However, he admitted, “this does not mean we can stop everything.”

The Shahed drones, available in large quantities, have demonstrated their ability to overwhelm air defense systems and cause significant damage. Despite their relatively slow speed of 180 kph (110 mph), these drones can travel up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and carry 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of explosives.

Traditional U.S. military drone operations have focused on sophisticated reusable aircraft like the Predator, which launch missiles and return to base. Ukraine’s experience has shown that deploying numerous inexpensive drones that carry explosives directly to targets can be highly effective.

“There is going to be a learning curve, but the more that the Ukrainians can provide us in terms of guidance and expertise I think the better off we all are,” said Brandon Blackburn, a former CIA targeting officer with Middle East counterterrorism experience.

Ryan Brobst, a defense strategy researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, noted that social media posts from U.S. military and allied forces show increased use of less expensive weapons like aircraft machine guns and laser-guided rockets against Iranian drones.

He referenced a United Arab Emirates military video showing an Apache helicopter destroying a Shahed drone with a large-caliber machine gun.

“The United States has made significant strides in counter-UAS warfare over the past few years,” Brobst commented, referring to unmanned aerial systems. “But it’s also true that we can still learn more from Ukraine.”

Northwestern University professor William Reno, who conducts Ukraine military training research for the Pentagon and regularly visits the country, observed that Ukraine has developed inexpensive drone defense methods using .50-caliber machine guns mounted on pickup trucks or fast-moving interceptor drones.

“The long-run effect will probably be that it’s going to focus minds wonderfully on thinking more seriously about cheap stuff that comes through the air,” Reno explained.

For decades, American military doctrine has emphasized air superiority in any conflict, but the focus was primarily on higher altitudes where fighter jets and bombers operate. Drone warfare now requires military planners to consider low-altitude airspace control.

“Ukraine was the wake-up call,” Reno stated.

According to Jerry McGinn, a former Defense Department official who specialized in manufacturing and industrial policy and currently works at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. military already operates several low-cost drone programs.

One such program is the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS, which American forces are deploying in Iran. The U.S. military described these American-made, single-use attack drones on social media as being “modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones.”

“It’s not public on how effective they’ve been or how they were used,” McGinn noted. “But there’s very much a focus in the U.S. of learning from the experience in Ukraine.”

GOMA, Congo — Multiple drone explosions devastated the center of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, resulting in at least one confirmed death, according to M23 rebel representatives and local witnesses.

The aerial assault targeted Lake Kivu and struck a private home situated approximately 50 meters (164 feet) away from where former Congolese President Joseph Kabila Kabange resides.

The M23 rebel organization accused the Congolese government of orchestrating the deadly bombardment. Government officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the allegations.

While M23 representatives claim three individuals perished in the strike, this casualty count remains unverified. Local witnesses report observing only one fatality.

Among the victims was Karine Buisset, a French citizen working for UNICEF, who died when the drone hit her residence, according to both M23 officials and area residents.

French President Emmanuel Macron offered his sympathies to the deceased woman’s relatives.

“I call for respect for humanitarian law and for the personnel on the ground who are committed to saving lives,” he posted on X.

Fighting has intensified throughout January 2025 between Congo’s military forces and the Rwanda-supported M23 movement, following the rebel group’s rapid territorial gains across eastern regions and capture of strategic urban centers. In February, another drone attack claimed the life of a high-ranking M23 spokesman and operations leader.

The ongoing violence continues despite peace efforts led by the United States and Qatar, creating a massive humanitarian emergency that has forced over 7 million people from their homes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Persistent Iranian strikes targeting maritime traffic and energy facilities drove crude oil beyond $100 per barrel Thursday, while U.S. and Israeli forces continued bombardments against the Islamic Republic amid an ongoing conflict with no resolution in view.

Tehran struck a cargo vessel near Dubai’s coastline, ignited fires close to Bahrain’s main airport, launched drone strikes at a significant Saudi petroleum facility, and compelled Iraq to suspend all operations at the nation’s oil export terminals following an assault on Basra port along the Persian Gulf.

The Islamic Republic disregarded a United Nations Security Council measure passed the day before calling for cessation of strikes against neighboring Gulf states, with fresh assaults also documented in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Warning alarms sounded in the pre-dawn hours across Jerusalem after Israeli officials reported efforts to intercept incoming missiles fired from Iran. The nation simultaneously declared it had initiated a “wide-scale wave of strikes” targeting Tehran. In Lebanon, where Israeli forces claim to be engaging Iran-affiliated Hezbollah fighters, 11 individuals perished in two early morning bombardments.

Following the February 28 assault on Iran by the United States and Israel that triggered the current war, Tehran has launched a strategy designed to create sufficient worldwide economic pressure to force them to cease their military operations.

Beyond striking energy installations throughout the region, Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean that handles approximately one-fifth of global oil transportation.

With shipping through the Strait essentially halted, Brent crude oil prices, the global benchmark, climbed an additional 9% Thursday to exceed $100 per barrel, representing a 38% increase since hostilities began.

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for an end to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on Gulf neighbors, though Tehran displayed no indication of altering its approach.

Thursday morning brought news of a container vessel struck by projectile fire off Dubai’s coast, causing minor fire damage, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center. Officials confirmed the ship’s crew remained unharmed.

In Bahrain, an early Iranian assault triggered extensive fires on Muharraq Island, location of the nation’s primary airport. Officials advised residents to remain inside and seal windows to avoid smoke exposure. The airport houses aviation fuel storage, while additional tanks in the vicinity support the kingdom’s petroleum sector.

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry reported an Iranian drone crashed into a residential structure, injuring two civilians, while the UAE announced activating air defenses twice to shield Dubai from incoming attacks, and emergency crews extinguished flames at a Dubai Creek Harbor tower following a drone impact.

Saudi Arabia confirmed intercepting a drone aimed at Riyadh’s diplomatic district and reported downing additional drones in the kingdom’s eastern regions, including at least one attempting to strike the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter desert.

After an attack on Iraq’s Basra port that claimed at least one life, officials announced Thursday they were compelled to cease operations at all national oil terminals.

Farhan al-Fartousi, director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, explained the assault targeted a vessel in the Persian Gulf port’s ship-to-ship transfer zone.

Air raid sirens and powerful explosions echoed through Jerusalem and surrounding Israeli areas shortly after midnight. Israeli military officials announced they were responding with another “wide-scale wave of strikes” in Tehran.

Nighttime rocket launches from Iran and Hezbollah forced Israelis into shelters across multiple regions, including Tel Aviv and the northern Lebanese border area.

An Israeli strike Thursday hit a vehicle in Ramlet al-Bayda, a prominent beachfront tourist district of Beirut where numerous displaced individuals have sought refuge. Eight people died and 31 sustained injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli military representatives told The Associated Press they were “not aware” of conducting strikes at that location.

In Aramoun, located approximately 10 kilometers south of Beirut, three additional fatalities and one injured child resulted from another early Israeli attack.

Lebanese Health Ministry figures from Wednesday indicate at least 634 people have died in Lebanon since the current fighting commenced.

The U.N. refugee agency reported at least 759,000 people have been internally displaced within Lebanon.

Iranian officials state more than 1,300 people have been killed in their country, while Israel has confirmed 12 deaths. The United States has lost seven service members with another eight suffering serious injuries.

Global markets are reeling as Iran escalates maritime attacks in Gulf waters, sending oil prices soaring and prompting warnings of $200-per-barrel crude from Tehran officials.

Two fuel tankers caught fire in Iraqi waters following strikes by Iranian explosive-laden vessels, forcing the nation’s oil ports to shut down operations. Oman has evacuated all ships from its primary oil export facility as a precautionary measure.

The attacks pushed Brent crude futures up nearly 9% to $100.07, after reaching $119.50 earlier this week. U.S. crude prices climbed 8% to $94.25.

When questioned about the escalating conflict, President Trump stated the United States was “going to look very strongly at the straits.”

The International Energy Agency’s announcement of a record 400 million barrel release has done little to calm markets, as analysts note this represents only about 20 days’ worth of lost supply, suggesting investors fear prolonged disruptions rather than short-term fixes.

Global stock markets tumbled on the news. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan dropped 1.6%, ending two consecutive days of gains. Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.7%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures each declined 1%. European markets also retreated, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures sliding 1.1%.

The crisis is expected to fuel inflation concerns, pushing bond markets to increase borrowing costs worldwide. Market analysts are now abandoning expectations of interest rate cuts, with traders predicting none of the five central banks meeting next week in the United States, Europe, Britain, Australia and Canada will lower rates. Australia is expected to raise rates instead.

U.S. Treasury yields reflect the uncertainty, with two-year rates hitting their highest levels since August. The 10-year bond continues struggling after a weak auction, placing focus on today’s 30-year bond sale as investors question locking in current yields amid rising inflation threats.

Thursday’s key market events include the 30-year U.S. bond auction, January trade data release, initial jobless claims figures, and remarks from Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman.

LONDON — A centuries-old tradition in British politics will come to an end in the coming weeks after lawmakers voted to eliminate hereditary aristocrats from the House of Lords.

Members of Britain’s upper legislative chamber withdrew their opposition Tuesday evening to a measure previously approved by the House of Commons that will force out dozens of dukes, earls and viscounts who received their parliamentary positions through inheritance alongside their noble titles.

Government minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the reform as ending “an archaic and undemocratic principle.”

“Our parliament should always be a place where talents are recognized and merit counts,” he stated. “It should never be a gallery of old boys’ networks, nor a place where titles, many of which were handed out centuries ago, hold power over the will of the people.”

While the House of Lords serves a crucial function in Britain’s democratic system by reviewing laws approved by the elected House of Commons, opponents have consistently criticized it as unwieldy and lacking democratic legitimacy.

Recent scrutiny of the upper chamber intensified following the Peter Mandelson situation, who stepped down from the Lords in February following revelations about his connections to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting ongoing concerns about misconduct among members.

With more than 800 current members, the chamber ranks as the world’s second-largest legislative body, trailing only China’s National People’s Congress.

Throughout most of its seven-century existence, the chamber consisted primarily of noblemen — rarely women — who inherited their positions, along with some bishops. The 1950s brought the addition of “life peers” — former politicians, community leaders and other distinguished individuals chosen by the government, who now constitute the chamber’s majority. Hereditary peers currently represent about one-tenth of the membership.

Tony Blair’s Labour administration removed most of the 750 hereditary peers in 1999, though 92 remained temporarily to prevent an aristocratic uprising.

Another 25 years passed before current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government introduced measures to eliminate the remaining hereditary members.

The nobles resisted the change, forcing a deal that will allow an unspecified number of hereditary members to remain by converting them into life peers.

The legislation will take effect once King Charles III provides royal assent — a ceremonial requirement — and the hereditary peers will depart when the current parliamentary session concludes this spring, finishing a political transformation started 25 years ago. By House of Lords standards, this represents rapid change.

Labour maintains its commitment to eventually replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that better “represents the U.K.” Based on historical precedent, such changes will likely occur gradually.

“So, here we are at the end of well over seven centuries of service by hereditary peers in this Parliament,” stated Nicholas True, the Conservative Party’s leader in the Lords.

“Many thousands of peers served their nation here and thousands of improvements to law were made,” he continued. “It wasn’t all a stereotypical history of reaction in ermine. Many of those people, no doubt, were flawed but for the most part, they served their nation faithfully and well.”

Military personnel took to the streets of Johannesburg Wednesday as South Africa’s government launched a major offensive against organized criminal activity, deploying army units to assist law enforcement in the nation’s largest metropolitan area.

The deployment marks the first significant military action since President Cyril Ramaphosa declared during his recent state address that armed forces would be utilized to combat organized crime networks, which he described as the most serious threat facing the country’s democratic institutions and economic progress.

An Associated Press correspondent witnessed more than a dozen military vehicles moving through Johannesburg’s Riverlea neighborhood, where soldiers exited their transports to search residential buildings. This particular area has experienced significant problems with both criminal gang activity and unauthorized mining operations.

Neither the South African Police Service nor the Defense Department offered immediate details regarding the scope of the military operation.

Officials had initially scheduled the nationwide military intervention to begin March 1, but the timeline was pushed back to provide soldiers with additional instruction on civilian law enforcement procedures. During these operations, military units will function under police supervision and authority.

According to parliamentary notification from Ramaphosa, the initial phase will involve 550 military personnel operating throughout Gauteng province, which encompasses Johannesburg, with their mission extending through the end of April to support crime reduction and public safety efforts.

The broader military strategy encompasses operations across five of the country’s nine provinces, based on documentation provided to Parliament by police leadership. These expanded operations will target unauthorized mining activities in Gauteng, North West, and Free State provinces, while addressing gang-related violence in Western Cape and Eastern Cape regions.

Law enforcement officials indicated that certain aspects of the national deployment could continue for more than twelve months.

The nation struggles with exceptionally high violent crime statistics. Official police data shows 6,351 murders occurred between October and December 2025, averaging nearly 70 homicides daily in a population of approximately 62 million, alongside elevated rates of attempted murder and violent assault incidents.

Ramaphosa has specifically highlighted gang violence and illegal mining as particularly serious concerns, linking both issues to broader organized criminal enterprises. Several targeted areas include neighborhoods surrounding Cape Town, South Africa’s premier tourist destination, which has faced persistent gang violence problems for many years.

Wednesday’s initial deployment did not immediately clarify whether operations had commenced in other regions identified by the president.

The country has previously utilized military assistance during periods of criminal activity and civil unrest, including 2021 deployments when rioting and widespread looting across two provinces—triggered by former President Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment and public frustration over COVID-19 restrictions—resulted in over 350 deaths.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the sensitive nature of deploying military forces, given the army’s historical role in suppressing pro-democracy movements during the apartheid era of racial segregation that concluded in 1994.

“The deployment had become necessary due to a surge in violent organized crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state,” he stated.

While the military deployment has received broad public support, some political opposition groups have characterized it as evidence that police forces have been ineffective in controlling criminal activity.

Two major European nations announced they will tap their emergency petroleum stockpiles following a coordinated international request aimed at stabilizing energy markets disrupted by escalating Middle East tensions.

Germany and Austria confirmed their participation in the International Energy Agency’s call for member countries to collectively release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves. Japan has also committed to beginning releases starting Monday.

This coordinated action represents the most significant emergency oil release in history, surpassing the 182.7 million barrels released by IEA nations following Russia’s comprehensive military assault on Ukraine two years ago.

The IEA reports its member countries maintain more than 1.2 billion barrels in public emergency petroleum reserves, supplemented by an additional 600 million barrels in industry stockpiles held under government requirements.

The current energy crisis stems from Iran’s retaliatory actions following strikes by the United States and Israel. Iranian forces have launched attacks against commercial vessels throughout the Persian Gulf, intensifying their strategy of disrupting the oil-rich region as worldwide energy anxieties escalate.

Iran has successfully halted most cargo movement through the strategic Hormuz Strait, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments traveling from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

Iranian operations have also struck petroleum facilities and processing plants across Gulf Arab states, designed to create sufficient worldwide economic pressure to force the United States and Israel to cease their military operations.

Energy officials from the Group of Seven nations stated Tuesday their support “in principle” for “the implementation of proactive measures to address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves.”

Current export levels of crude oil and refined petroleum products have plummeted to less than 10 percent of pre-conflict volumes, according to IEA data.

JAKARTA, March 12 – Following discussions with his Australian counterpart, Indonesia’s Defense Minister revealed plans Thursday to broaden bilateral security cooperation into multiple trilateral partnerships involving Japan and Papua New Guinea.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced the formation of two separate three-nation security frameworks – one linking Indonesia, Australia and Japan, and another connecting Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea. The announcement came after meetings with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles.

This expansion builds upon a security agreement signed by Indonesian and Australian leaders last month, which established a commitment for both nations to engage in consultations when either faces security threats.

According to Sjamsoeddin, the two countries will collaborate on intelligence operations, though he declined to elaborate on specific details of this cooperation.

The ministers also explored the potential development of a military training center on Morotai island in North Maluku, with proposals to enhance current defense infrastructure there. “We will work together to improve and utilise it,” Sjamsoeddin stated.

The planned Morotai facility would accommodate military personnel from multiple nations including the Philippines, Australia and Singapore, alongside another training center under development in North Kalimantan in partnership with Singapore.

Regarding international peacekeeping efforts, Sjamsoeddin indicated Indonesia’s willingness to contribute forces to an international security mission in Gaza, contingent upon developments involving U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and the evolving Middle East situation.

While Indonesia initially prepared to deploy 20,000 troops, the country has adjusted its commitment to 8,000 personnel to be deployed in stages, responding to commitments from other participating nations to contribute smaller contingents numbering in the hundreds.

“The president has instructed us to prepare our troops, and we are ready to act, but we are awaiting developments from the BOP. I cannot confirm anything yet because the situation is very dynamic,” Sjamsoeddin explained.

Air New Zealand revealed Thursday it will eliminate approximately 1,100 flights, representing 5% of its scheduled services, extending through early May as ongoing Middle East warfare drives jet fuel costs to unprecedented levels.

The announcement from New Zealand’s flagship carrier follows similar moves by international airlines including Qantas Airways of Australia, Scandinavian airline SAS, and Thai Airways, all implementing fare increases this week due to dramatic fuel cost spikes affecting the worldwide aviation industry.

Ongoing Middle Eastern warfare has compelled numerous airlines to suspend regional flights or adopt longer alternative flight paths to avoid drone and missile attacks that have severely restricted airspace access, creating the aviation sector’s most significant disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oil markets rose Thursday following reports from Iraqi security sources that Iranian vessels loaded with explosives struck two fuel tankers, while Iranian officials warned global markets should prepare for oil reaching $200 per barrel amid widespread supply chain interruptions.

Air New Zealand’s chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar informed state radio that approximately 44,000 passengers out of 1.9 million expected travelers through early May will require rebooking due to domestic and international service reductions.

Regional destinations including New Zealand’s renowned Marlborough wine country and the western coastal city of New Plymouth will experience decreased flight availability in coming weeks.

However, the airline plans fewer reductions to long-distance routes, Ravishankar explained, as United States connections have gained popularity as European gateway options following extensive Middle Eastern airspace restrictions.

“People want to get to Europe still, and over the U.S. airspace we can get them into Europe, and that’s what we’re focused on doing,” he said.

Air New Zealand stock declined 1% Thursday, mirroring decreases seen in Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific, Australia’s Qantas Airways, and Japan Airlines.

Wednesday brought additional disruption when two unmanned aircraft crashed near Dubai’s primary airport—the planet’s busiest international passenger hub—while Bahrain relocated aircraft as infrastructure attacks throughout the Gulf region continued disrupting air traffic.

The warfare has additionally interrupted shipping through the globe’s most critical oil export corridor, driving petroleum prices higher and destabilizing international travel, causing ticket costs on certain routes to skyrocket while raising concerns about significant travel industry decline.

Passengers are rapidly switching to airlines avoiding Middle Eastern airspace, with Thai Airways reporting increased European passenger bookings.

Cathay Pacific suspended Dubai and Riyadh flights through March’s end while expanding London and Zurich services, capitalizing on increased demand for Asia-Europe routes bypassing the Middle East.

Demonstrating the conflict’s far-reaching impact beyond the Middle East, Vietnam’s government cautioned Wednesday that domestic airlines could face fuel shortages as early as next month.

Military conflict in Iran is causing significant turbulence in the aviation industry as jet fuel costs climb and carriers begin raising ticket prices, creating concerns for passengers worldwide who are planning upcoming trips.

The ongoing warfare is sending shockwaves through fuel markets, with airlines responding by adjusting their pricing structures to offset the increased operational expenses. This development is creating uncertainty for travelers booking flights, even those with destinations far removed from the conflict zone.

While the United States and allied nations have announced plans to release oil from strategic reserves, aviation industry analysts suggest this measure may not provide immediate relief for jet fuel pricing. The ripple effects of Middle Eastern violence continue to demonstrate how regional conflicts can impact global air transportation networks.

For passengers considering flight bookings in the near future, travel experts recommend monitoring price fluctuations closely and being prepared for potential fare increases as the situation develops.

At a psychiatric facility in Havana, dozens of individuals joined hands in a circle, reciting promises together to eliminate “the toxins that enslave” their bodies. This collective commitment to stay clean for the next 24 hours marked the beginning of their three-month detox program before entering rehabilitation.

Until this decade began, substance abuse was virtually nonexistent in Cuba. But a worsening economic situation, scarcity of essential items, and the arrival of affordable synthetic narcotics have dramatically altered the situation.

Throughout Havana and other Cuban cities, witnessing young individuals collapsed in public spaces, struggling to walk, or found unconscious has become commonplace.

Officials identify the main danger as “químico” (chemical) — a dangerous mixture of synthetic cannabinoids combined with toxic substances. Street dealers also call it “papelitos” or “little papers,” since the substance soaks into paper sheets that get cut into small portions for smoking. Each dose sells for approximately 250 Cuban pesos (50 cents), making it cheaper than basic bread or soft drinks.

“It’s very cheap…and it’s everywhere,” said David Morales, 25, who is in recovery after receiving help at government-funded health centers and is now in rehabilitation therapy at the Alcance Victoria Cuba evangelical Baptist church.

Recognizing the growing consumption problem, Cuba’s Ministry of Health and multiple government departments created a National Drug Observatory in July, designed to study, track, and reduce illegal drug effects across the nation.

While officials don’t maintain user statistics, Dr. Tania Adriana Peón, who leads mental health and addiction services at the General Directorate of Health, referenced emergency department records as an indicator of the growing problem. During 2024, 467 individuals requested assistance or were documented in Havana emergency facilities. In 2025, this number almost doubled to 886.

The island maintains strict anti-drug laws, with trafficking penalties reaching life sentences. Though Cuba doesn’t manufacture or store drugs domestically, officials recognize the country faces addiction challenges.

Occasionally, authorities report finding cocaine packages discarded by smugglers during pursuits that wash onto beaches, called “recalos” or washups. Narcotics also enter through imported merchandise, and authorities have discovered small-scale domestic marijuana growing operations.

“The primary challenge Cuba faces today is related to new psychoactive drugs or synthetic cannabinoids, which originate mainly from the United States,” said Col. Juan Carlos Poey Guerra of Cuba’s Interior Ministry.

Police laboratories identified 46 different synthetic compounds during the past year, he noted. Substances combined with cannabinoids included the seizure medication carbamazepine, formaldehyde, and fentanyl, among other chemicals. During 2024 and 2025, authorities prevented 72 drug smuggling attempts from 11 different countries.

According to Poey Guerra, the United States supplies the primary chemical components used in químico production.

Cuba operates free, government-controlled healthcare, making local family medical centers the initial detection points for substance abuse signs. Medical officials refer patients with serious or complicated cases for extended hospital treatment programs.

The Associated Press recently visited a 40-bed male unit at Havana Psychiatric Hospital, housing patients between 20 and 30 years old completing 90-day detoxification before starting rehabilitation.

The facility contained two-person rooms decorated with family photographs, plus a small library area, meal space, and recreational zone. Daily, patients wearing white shirts displaying “We win against drugs” messages take charge of maintaining their living areas.

“I was incredibly depressed…living on the streets; I just couldn’t take it anymore,” said 23-year-old Daniel Fulleda, who was admitted in January. His tone was enthusiastic as he shared his plans of getting married before the year end and start a family. “Next year, I’ll start my own business.”

For many years, the centralized government handled drug and alcohol treatment — particularly alcohol cases — but the current crisis magnitude has allowed other organizations to participate.

“There are neighborhoods that are infested… I’ve seen young people using drugs right in front of me,” said Pastor Abel Pérez of the Alcance Victoria Cuba church. “As a pastor, I’m not called to sit idly by.”

During the previous year, the congregation offered counseling to roughly 50 youth and their families, with more than twelve people currently attending regular sessions.

“In my youth, talking about drugs was extraordinary… The problem has grown so rapidly and in such a short time that, to some extent, it has overwhelmed the country’s capacity to address it,” said Alejandro Morales, a 57-year-old oceanographic engineer who accompanies his son David to meetings at the Alcance Victoria Cuba church.

In the same space, 64-year-old Vilma Arias sought assistance alongside her 36-year-old daughter. Her other son, 26, also battles substance abuse but won’t accept treatment.

“We have to pray a lot,” she said. “My daughter is a wonderful teacher and my son is a graduate in automotive mechanics. I don’t even know how they fell into this,” she added.

Global energy markets are reeling as Brent crude oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel Thursday following Iranian strikes against commercial vessels in critical Middle Eastern shipping corridors.

The surge comes as Iran intensified attacks on merchant ships operating near the Strait of Hormuz and Iraq’s Basra port facility, part of an escalating conflict that has now entered its second week. American airstrikes against Iranian targets are continuing for the 13th consecutive day, while Israeli forces maintain operations against Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, creating a humanitarian crisis that has forced over 800,000 Lebanese residents from their homes.

Energy markets responded sharply to the latest developments, with oil prices jumping more than 9 percent as supply disruption fears intensified. U.S. benchmark crude also spiked, reaching approximately $95 per barrel amid the uncertainty.

In Kuwait, defense officials reported that an Iranian drone crashed into a residential structure Thursday, injuring two civilians in the small Gulf nation.

Maritime authorities documented another incident involving a container vessel operating near Dubai in the Persian Gulf. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the ship came under fire just before sunrise Thursday.

“An ‘unknown projectile’ hit the vessel as it was some 65 kilometers (40 miles) off the coast of Dubai’s Jebel Ali port,” officials stated, adding that crew members remained unharmed despite a small fire breaking out.

The most significant disruption occurred at Iraq’s Basra port, where an early morning assault claimed at least one life and prompted authorities to suspend all oil terminal operations nationwide. Farhan al-Fartousi, who heads Iraq’s General Company for Ports, announced the shutdown following the deadly incident.

“The attack targeted ships in the ship-to-ship transfer area of the Basra port on the Persian Gulf,” al-Fartousi explained in a statement released through Iraq’s state news agency. “It remained unclear if the ship was targeted by a flying or seaborne drone or a missile.”

Emergency responders retrieved one fatality and assisted 38 other individuals following the attack. While commercial port operations continue, all oil terminals remain closed as a precautionary measure.

Iraqi officials have identified the affected tankers as the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged vessel Zefyros.

WASHINGTON, March 11 – Intelligence sources confirm that Iran has positioned approximately twelve naval mines throughout the Strait of Hormuz, a development that could significantly complicate efforts to reopen the vital shipping corridor used for transporting oil and natural gas globally.

The strategic waterway along Iran’s coastline has seen energy shipments come to a virtual standstill following military operations initiated by the United States and Israel nearly two weeks ago, contributing to a dramatic spike in international energy costs.

Iranian military leadership warned Wednesday that global markets should brace for oil prices reaching $200 per barrel.

While one intelligence source confirmed that authorities have identified the positions of most explosive devices, they refused to detail how American forces intend to address the threat.

The mining operation was initially disclosed by CNN on Tuesday.

Tehran has consistently warned it would respond to military aggression by placing mines throughout the strait. The waterway typically handles roughly twenty percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas traffic, giving Iran significant influence over the United States and allied nations through its capacity to block maritime commerce.

American military officials report successfully targeting Iranian vessels used for mine deployment, destroying sixteen such boats on Tuesday. However, the U.S. Navy has not yet committed to providing security escorts for civilian vessels navigating the strait.

President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum Tuesday, demanding Iran’s immediate removal of any deployed mines and warning of unspecified military action should Tehran fail to comply.

KHOR FAKKAN, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Families enjoying recreational activities along the United Arab Emirates shoreline are witnessing an extraordinary sight as numerous oil tankers and commercial vessels form lengthy queues in the Strait of Hormuz, visible from beaches near Khor Fakkan where visitors swing on playground equipment, take horseback rides, and set up camping sites.

The maritime congestion serves as a stark visual reminder of how regional conflicts in Iran are creating disruptions to international energy transportation networks.

The images were compiled by Associated Press photography staff as part of a curated collection.

LONDON – The United Kingdom’s government made public Wednesday its initial batch of records concerning Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, revealing what officials knew about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Additional documents are anticipated in upcoming weeks, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration seeks to avoid interfering with an active police inquiry.

The released papers show several significant revelations from the appointment process.

RISK ASSESSMENT WARNINGS

A document marked “Advice to the prime minister” contained a background check that identified Mandelson’s connection to Epstein as presenting a “reputational risk.”

The record, based on investigations completed December 4, 2024, stated: “After Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage girl in 2008, their relationship continued across 2009-2011, beginning when Lord Mandelson was Business Minister and continuing after the end of the Labour government.”

The assessment also noted: “Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein’s house while he was in jail in June 2009.”

Along with the background check, another briefing document indicated that Starmer’s former Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney had conversations about Mandelson’s Epstein relationship, but Director of Communications Matthew Doyle was satisfied with how Mandelson answered inquiries about the contact.

Additional communications and follow-up inquiries to Mandelson regarding this relationship were not included in Wednesday’s document release.

STAFF WARNINGS

Government staff warned Starmer he would face greater scrutiny if problems arose from choosing a political appointee like Mandelson.

“If anything goes wrong, you could be more exposed as the individual is more connected to you personally,” officials cautioned before the appointment was made.

After allegations surfaced about Mandelson’s Epstein connections, which resulted in his termination last September, Downing Street launched a “fact-finding” investigation to determine what occurred during his selection process.

A summary of a fact-finding conversation between Starmer’s general counsel and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell in September revealed that Powell characterized the appointment process as “unusual” and “weirdly rushed.”

Powell expressed concerns about Mandelson’s “reputation” during discussions with McSweeney.

The notes also show that Philip Barton, who was the top government official at the Foreign Office at the time, “also had reservations around the appointment.”

TERMINATION PAYMENT

Released records detail negotiations over Mandelson’s termination compensation following his dismissal. Officials reported these discussions started when Mandelson requested payment for the remaining “4-year salary costs of the fixed term appointment,” totaling 547,201 pounds ($733,523).

The government ultimately authorized 34,670 pounds in discretionary payments along with 40,330 pounds he was legally owed, for a combined total of 75,000 pounds.

BEIJING – Chinese lawmakers are poised to approve sweeping legislation Thursday that would establish a “unified” national identity for the nation’s 55 ethnic minority communities, according to a draft of the proposed law. Opponents argue the measure will further diminish the cultural heritage of non-Han Chinese populations and could criminalize anyone who opposes this forced “unity.”

The legislation, titled “Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,” seeks to build national cohesion and support the revival of the Chinese nation under Chinese Communist Party leadership, according to the draft document.

The National People’s Congress, China’s legislative body, plans to vote on the measure during the final session of its annual gathering.

China officially recognizes 56 distinct ethnic communities, with Han Chinese representing the overwhelming majority at more than 91% of the nation’s 1.4 billion residents.

The country’s minority populations—which include Tibetans, Mongols, Hui, Manchus, and Uyghurs—live primarily in territories covering approximately half of China’s landmass, areas often abundant in natural resources.

According to the proposed legislation, integration among ethnic communities would be encouraged through educational programs, housing policies, population movement, community activities, cultural initiatives, tourism development, and economic planning.

The law would require Mandarin as the primary instructional language in educational institutions and for governmental and official functions.

In situations where both Mandarin and minority languages appear together in public spaces, Mandarin must receive “prominence in placement, order, and similar respects,” the draft specified.

“The state respects and protects the learning and use of minority languages and scripts,” the document stated.

Religious organizations, faith-based educational institutions, and worship facilities must comply “to the direction of the Sinicization of religion in China,” the draft indicated.

The proposed law would also prohibit interference with marital decisions based on ethnic background, traditions, or religious beliefs, encouraging cross-ethnic marriages.

Allen Carlson, who serves as an associate professor of government at Cornell University and specializes in Chinese foreign policy, described the legislation as emphasizing assimilation.

“The law makes it clearer than ever that in President Xi Jinping’s PRC non-Han peoples must do more to integrate themselves with the Han majority, and above all else be loyal to Beijing,” Carlson explained, using the acronym for China’s official designation.

Minority affairs would become part of China’s broader social control framework, incorporating provisions for anti-separatist measures, frontier security, threat mitigation, and societal stability.

Foreign organizations and individuals who engage in activities against China “that undermine ethnic unity and progress or create ethnic separatism shall be pursued for legal liability in accordance with the law,” according to the draft.

A commentary in the government-controlled China Daily newspaper claimed the legislation underwent thorough legislative review, including multiple examinations and consultations with legislators and minority community representatives.

“The law stresses the protection of cultural traditions and lifestyles of all ethnic groups… it is misleading to claim that ethnic minorities in China must choose between economic development and cultural preservation,” the editorial stated.

Authorities in Australia have discovered two bodies in a vehicle while conducting a search operation for Chinese backpackers who vanished in Queensland’s flood-ravaged areas, according to reports from Thursday.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that police sources confirmed the bodies found in the car are believed to be the missing tourists.

Emergency responders and police diving teams were dispatched to the Gympie region in Queensland on Thursday to verify the identities of the deceased, ABC News reported.

According to an official police statement, the missing travelers – a man aged 26 and a woman aged 23 – had been journeying toward North Burnett in Queensland, located approximately 380 kilometers (236 miles) northwest of state capital Brisbane.

Gympie’s mayor Glen Hartwig called the situation an “absolute tragedy.”

“These people have come to Australia to see our beautiful country … and tragically they’ve ended up losing their lives,” Hartwig stated to ABC News.

Severe flood alerts continue across sections of Queensland and the Northern Territory following relentless rainfall that caused waterways to overflow, isolating rural communities and prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people.

Television coverage from Wednesday showed a helicopter rescuing two individuals from a vehicle trapped in crocodile-infested waters at a creek crossing close to Katherine in Northern Territory.

Officials have advised residents against attempting to drive through flood zones, noting that multiple crocodiles have been spotted in flooded neighborhoods surrounding Katherine.

OSLO – Authorities in Norway announced Wednesday that three individuals have been taken into custody following the weekend bombing incident at the United States embassy in the capital city.

The explosion occurred during the early morning hours on Sunday when an improvised explosive device detonated near the embassy’s consular entrance, according to Norwegian officials. While the blast caused significant damage to the building’s entrance area, no one was hurt in the incident.

Police Attorney Christian Hatlo addressed the media about the arrests, stating: “They are suspected of a terror bombing.”

Earlier this week, law enforcement officials released surveillance footage showing one person of interest – an individual dressed in dark clothing with their face concealed by a hood, carrying what appeared to be a backpack or bag.

Global oil markets experienced sharp increases Thursday following reports that two fuel tankers were struck by attackers in Iraqi territorial waters, leading both vessels to catch fire.

Brent crude futures jumped $5.69 per barrel, reaching $97.67 – a 6.19% increase as of early Thursday morning. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $5.11 to $92.36 per barrel, marking a 5.86% gain.

According to Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of Iraq’s General Company for Ports, the two international tankers transporting Iraqi fuel oil were targeted by unknown assailants Wednesday. Iraqi security investigators determined that explosive-equipped vessels from Iran were responsible for striking both tankers.

Market analyst Tony Sycamore from IG suggested the attacks represent Iran’s direct retaliation against recent international efforts to stabilize oil markets. “This appears to mark a direct and forceful Iranian response to the IEA’s overnight announcement of a massive strategic reserve release aimed at cooling runaway prices,” Sycamore explained.

The International Energy Agency recently approved releasing an unprecedented 400 million barrels from strategic oil reserves to combat price spikes caused by supply disruptions from the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. The United States plans to contribute 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of this coordinated effort.

However, market experts question whether reserve releases can provide lasting relief. “The IEA’s release of oil reserves may be only a temporary solution, as disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and a major production halt in some Middle Eastern countries could cause a long-term supply crunch,” warned Tina Teng, a market strategist with Moomoo ANZ.

President Donald Trump addressed the situation Wednesday, stating that the United States was in “very good shape” regarding its military operations against Iran. Trump added that America would “look very strongly at the straits,” referencing the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

Despite ongoing military pressure, intelligence sources indicate Iran’s government structure remains stable and faces no immediate threat of collapse.

“Oil prices continued to face upside pressure as there were no signs of war de-escalation in the Middle East,” Teng noted, highlighting concerns about prolonged regional instability affecting global energy markets.

The military conflict between the United States and Iran appears far from over, as both nations indicate the fighting will continue despite mounting casualties and global economic disruption.

Speaking at a Kentucky rally on Wednesday ahead of November’s midterm elections, President Donald Trump declared that America had achieved victory in the nearly two-week conflict but emphasized the importance of completing their mission. “We don’t want to leave early do we?” Trump told the crowd. “We got to finish the job.”

The conflict, which began with coordinated American and Israeli airstrikes, has claimed approximately 2,000 lives, predominantly Iranian and Lebanese casualties, according to reports. The violence has expanded into Lebanon and created widespread disruption to global energy supplies and shipping routes.

UNICEF reported that over 1,100 children have been either killed or wounded in the fighting.

Iran has responded with aggressive moves targeting global oil supplies, including attacks on shipping vessels. Iranian forces using explosive-laden boats struck two fuel tankers in Iraqi territorial waters, igniting massive fires and killing one crew member. Additional projectiles hit three other ships in Gulf waters, according to maritime security firms and port authorities.

The attacks have severely impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that typically handles about one-fifth of global oil transport. An Iranian military official confirmed Wednesday that the strait remains “undoubtedly” under Iranian control, effectively blocking safe passage for commercial vessels.

Energy markets have reacted dramatically to the supply disruptions. Oil prices, which peaked near $120 per barrel earlier this week before dropping to around $90, jumped nearly 5% on Wednesday and continued climbing in Asian markets Thursday. Wall Street’s major indices declined amid the uncertainty.

In response to the crisis, the International Energy Agency announced an unprecedented intervention, recommending the release of 400 million barrels from global strategic reserves to combat what officials called one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed Trump had authorized releasing 172 million barrels from America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve beginning next week.

Iran has made clear its intention to use oil prices as a weapon in the conflict. A spokesperson for Iran’s military command issued a stark warning to the United States: “Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised.”

Trump claimed American forces had destroyed 58 Iranian naval vessels and asserted that Iran was “pretty much at the end of the line.” He said the U.S. would focus heavily on the Strait of Hormuz situation, stating: “The straits are in great shape. We’ve knocked out all of their boats. They have some missiles, but not very many.”

However, intelligence sources indicate Iran has placed approximately a dozen mines in the shipping channel, further complicating efforts to restore safe passage.

The G7 nations – including the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, Britain, Germany, and France – agreed Wednesday to explore providing military escorts for commercial ships attempting to navigate Gulf waters.

Despite intensive Pentagon airstrikes described as the most severe since the conflict began, Iran demonstrated its continued fighting capability by striking targets in Israel and across the Middle East on Wednesday.

American officials have stated their objectives include eliminating Iran’s ability to project military power beyond its borders and dismantling its nuclear program. An Israeli military source revealed an extensive target list remains, including ballistic missile facilities and nuclear-related installations.

The conflict has expanded beyond military targets. After overnight strikes hit banking offices in Tehran, Iran threatened to attack financial institutions conducting business with the U.S. or Israel, warning civilians to stay 1,000 meters away from banks throughout the Middle East.

Security concerns have reached American shores, with ABC News reporting that the FBI has issued warnings about potential Iranian drone strikes on the West Coast. However, Trump dismissed concerns about attacks on U.S. territory.

The State Department has issued alerts regarding possible Iranian militia attacks on American-owned oil and energy infrastructure in Iraq, noting that such groups have previously targeted hotels frequented by Americans.

Analyst Tony Sycamore from IG described the tanker attacks as “a direct and forceful Iranian response to the IEA’s overnight announcement of a massive strategic reserve release aimed at cooling runaway prices.”

As pump prices continue rising nationwide, oil costs have become an increasingly critical factor in military and political decision-making surrounding the conflict.