Category: World News

LONDON – The United Kingdom announced Thursday it will mandate technology platforms remove intimate images posted without permission within two days of being flagged, or face substantial financial penalties reaching up to 10% of their worldwide revenue.

Officials say these measures aim to strengthen protections for women and girls amid growing concerns about digital abuse, where private photos can be rapidly distributed online and artificial intelligence tools can generate explicit content instantly.

The British government revealed plans to modify current legislation moving through parliament, establishing a mandatory requirement for major social media platforms to eliminate reported non-consensual intimate content within 48 hours.

While sharing such material without permission is already prohibited under British law, victims have struggled to get platforms to permanently delete these images from their services.

“The online world is the frontline of the 21st century battle against violence against women and girls,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

The rise in unauthorized intimate imagery has intensified Britain’s broader discussions about internet safety regulations. Government officials are evaluating potential restrictions on social media access for teenagers under 16, similar to Australia’s recent prohibition.

British authorities indicated their media oversight agency Ofcom is exploring whether to handle illegal intimate image sharing with the same level of seriousness as child exploitation and terrorism-related material.

Under the proposed system, victims would need to file only one complaint, with platforms required to delete identical content across all their services and block future uploads of the same material.

Penalties for non-compliance would apply to a platform’s total qualifying global income, a metric Ofcom uses that encompasses revenue generated worldwide from regulated services.

Ofcom announced separately it will expedite decisions on new regulations requiring platforms to implement specialized blocking technology called “hash-matching” to prevent illegal intimate images from being uploaded initially. The agency expects to finalize these rules by May, with implementation potentially beginning this summer.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has expressed satisfaction with South Korea’s formal acknowledgment that unmanned aircraft were deployed into North Korean airspace, according to state-run media reports released Thursday.

The powerful sibling stated that South Korea’s admission serves the country’s own interests by helping to avoid future serious violations of North Korea’s territorial sovereignty. She indicated that North Korean armed forces plan to implement enhanced security protocols along the inter-Korean border.

“The border with the enemy should be solid,” Kim declared, as reported by the state news agency KCNA.

WASHINGTON – A high-ranking U.S. official revealed Wednesday that Iran plans to deliver a written plan outlining steps to defuse current tensions with America following diplomatic discussions held in Geneva earlier this week.

The announcement comes after senior national security advisors gathered in the White House Situation Room for Iran-focused discussions, where officials learned that all American military personnel sent to the Middle East region are scheduled to be fully deployed by the middle of March, according to the same official.

Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has scheduled a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel during the final weekend of February, the official confirmed.

Iranian officials have notified aviation authorities of scheduled rocket launches planned for Thursday across southern regions of the country, according to information posted on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s website Wednesday.

The rocket activity is set to occur between 330 GMT and 1330 GMT on Thursday, with Iranian authorities issuing the standard aviation warning to ensure flight safety in the affected areas.

This week, Iranian naval forces have been conducting military exercises in the strategically important Hormuz Strait, and the country is preparing for joint naval operations with Russia scheduled for Thursday.

The rocket launch announcement comes as relations between Iran and the United States continue to deteriorate, with American naval vessels positioned in waters near Iran. U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently indicated that Washington is evaluating whether to maintain diplomatic talks with Tehran or consider alternative approaches.

The aviation warning system, known as NOTAM, serves as a crucial safety tool that alerts pilots, flight crews, and others using airspace about potential hazards or restricted areas.

America is moving forward with plans to pull out all of its approximately 1,000 military personnel currently deployed in Syria, according to a Wednesday report from the Wall Street Journal that cited three unnamed U.S. officials.

Reuters has not been able to independently confirm this reporting.

Just last week, American forces completed their departure from a key military installation in Syria, transferring control of the facility to Syrian government forces. This handover marked another indication of improving diplomatic relations between Washington and Damascus, potentially paving the way for a more extensive American military exit from the country.

According to the Journal’s sources, the remaining U.S. military positions throughout Syria will be vacated during the coming two-month period.

A tragic mining accident in Nigeria has claimed the lives of 37 people who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while working at an underground site, according to police sources and security documents obtained by Reuters.

The deadly incident unfolded around 5:45 Wednesday morning at a mining operation located in Kampani, within the Wase region of Plateau state. Emergency responders transported an additional 25 miners to medical facilities for treatment.

Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake explained that the location was a former lead extraction site where stored minerals naturally emit poisonous gases. The minister noted that local residents were unaware of the hazardous fumes when they descended into the tunnel seeking to harvest minerals.

Following the fatalities, Alake has mandated the immediate shutdown of all mining operations under license 11810, which is operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and belongs to owner Abdullahi Dan-China in the Zuraq area.

Initial investigation results indicate the deceased workers, all between ages 20 and 35, perished after breathing in toxic gases while laboring in the underground chambers, security documentation revealed.

State officials in Plateau confirmed multiple deaths occurred but declined to specify exact numbers, while noting that survivors continue receiving medical care at area hospitals.

Law enforcement has established a perimeter around the mining location to block additional entry attempts.

Nigeria’s mining sector is characterized by widespread illegal operations that typically lack adequate safety protocols, with workers frequently operating without proper protective gear.

Federal authorities have mandated an immediate halt to all mining work throughout the impacted region while investigations proceed.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Wednesday his intention to pursue “strategic partnerships” with China during an upcoming visit, as his country navigates rising tensions over President Trump’s tariff agenda.

Speaking at his political party’s Ash Wednesday gathering in Passau, Bavaria, Merz outlined Germany’s approach to international relations amid growing trade disputes.

“We have a strategic interest in finding partners in the world who think the way we do, who act the way we do, and who above all are prepared to shape the future together so that we remain a country with prosperity and a high level of social security,” Merz stated during the event.

The German leader emphasized that foreign and economic policies have become inseparable in today’s global landscape.

Addressing the Trump administration’s trade approach directly, Merz said: “If the Americans believe that, with their tariff policy, they should exert influence around the world — if they believe that tariffs are more important than taxes at home — then that is something Americans can, of course, decide for themselves. But it is not our policy.”

Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy has created strain between traditional allies, potentially threatening bilateral trade relationships and posing additional risks to Germany’s already weakened economy.

Merz made clear Germany’s position on the tariff issue, declaring: “You can do it, but we will not go along with it. And if you overdo it, then we Europeans are certainly able to defend ourselves against it.”

The Chancellor pointed to recent European unity during disputes involving Greenland as evidence that the continent can respond collectively to American pressure, suggesting the European Union would take action if Washington escalates tariff measures.

Describing Germany’s balanced approach, Merz explained: “That is our double strategy: an outstretched hand and, at any time, a renewed partnership — but also enough cohesion and unity within the European Union so that we can defend ourselves sufficiently against things we do not want.”

A trailblazing Palestinian diplomat who shattered gender barriers in international relations has passed away in France at 76 years old.

Leila Shahid made history as the first woman to represent Palestine in an ambassadorial role, serving in key European posts during pivotal moments in Middle Eastern relations.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas honored her memory, describing Shahid as a “model of diplomacy committed to the values of freedom, justice and peace,” and noting that “she remained faithful to her people’s message until her final days,” as reported by the official WAFA news agency.

Born in Beirut in 1949 during the aftermath of the Arab-Israeli war that displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, Shahid’s family originally hailed from Jerusalem and what became northern Israel.

Following early work in Palestinian refugee settlements, she moved to Paris during the 1970s to earn her doctorate in anthropology. By 1976, she had risen to lead France’s Palestinian student organization.

Shahid witnessed firsthand one of the conflict’s darkest chapters when she returned to Beirut in 1982 during the Sabra and Shatila killings, where Israeli-supported Lebanese Christian forces murdered hundreds of Palestinian civilians in refugee settlements.

The Palestine Liberation Organization appointed her as ambassador to Ireland in 1989, marking her historic achievement as the first Palestinian woman to hold such a position. She transferred to the Netherlands the subsequent year.

Her most significant diplomatic assignment came as Palestinian representative to France from 1993 through 2005, a period encompassing both promising peace negotiations and the eruption of the second intifada in 2000. During this time, she accompanied Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his final moments before his death at a French military medical facility in 2004.

Shahid concluded her diplomatic career representing Palestinian interests to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg from 2006 to 2014.

Beyond her diplomatic work, she spent years directing “The Review of Palestinian Studies,” a French-language publication documenting the conflict’s history.

WASHINGTON — Four U.S. senators returned home Wednesday following their historic visit to Ukraine, where they’re now advocating for Congress to approve new economic penalties against Russia designed to weaken Moscow financially and force President Vladimir Putin into meaningful peace negotiations.

The bipartisan group became the first American senators to travel to Odessa since the conflict started nearly four years ago. Ukraine’s third-largest city serves as a vital Black Sea shipping hub and has faced repeated Russian attacks. Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, and Sheldon Whitehouse completed the journey, while Republican Senator Thom Tillis had to cancel due to personal matters.

“One of the things we heard wherever we stopped today was that the people of Ukraine want a peace deal, but they want a peace deal that preserves their sovereignty, that recognizes the importance of the integrity of Ukraine,” Shaheen told reporters during a phone briefing.

The senators’ trip occurs during a pivotal time in the ongoing war. Representatives from both nations were simultaneously conducting U.S.-facilitated discussions in Switzerland over two days, though neither party seemed willing to compromise on critical matters including territorial disputes and future security arrangements. Lawmakers believe the proposed sanctions could push Putin toward accepting a settlement, particularly with the U.S. establishing a June timeline for resolution.

“Literally nobody believes that Russia is acting in good faith in the negotiations with our government and with the Ukrainians,” Whitehouse stated. “And so pressure becomes the key.”

However, proposed legislation targeting Russia with severe economic penalties has remained stalled in Congress for several months.

Multiple sanction proposals are currently under consideration by senators, including comprehensive legislation that would grant the Trump administration authority to implement tariffs and secondary penalties against nations buying Russian oil, natural gas, uranium, and other exports that fund Moscow’s war machine. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also moved forward with more focused bills targeting China’s military assistance to Russia, seizing frozen Russian funds, and dismantling Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of oil vessels used to evade existing sanctions.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who helped sponsor the Senate’s comprehensive sanctions and tariff proposal, issued a statement during this weekend’s Munich Security Conference announcing that Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged to schedule a vote on the sanctions bill once it secures the necessary 60 votes for passage.

“This legislation will be a game changer,” Graham declared. “President Trump has embraced it. It is time to vote.”

Blumenthal, Graham’s co-sponsor on the bill, confirmed bipartisan backing for what he described as a “very tough sledgehammer of sanctions and tariffs,” while acknowledging that “we need to work out some of the remaining details.” Democrats and several Republicans have opposed Trump’s broader tariff strategy aimed at negotiating trade agreements and boosting domestic manufacturing.

In the House of Representatives, a cross-party coalition led by Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick has introduced sanctions targeting Russia’s military industry, banking sector, and petroleum exports that sustain the war effort.

Another House proposal, spearheaded by Representative Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would increase U.S. military aid to Ukraine by $8 billion. Democrats currently need one additional Republican vote to force consideration of that measure.

Upon their return, the senators plan to document how American companies operating in Ukraine have suffered Russian attacks. The Democratic lawmakers also aim to pressure Trump into providing additional U.S. weapons to Ukraine. “Putin understands weapons, not words,” Blumenthal emphasized.

Nevertheless, the legislators will return to a Washington where the Trump administration remains uncertain about its long-term commitment to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine and broader European security. For the moment, they drew encouragement from discussions with European allies and Republican colleagues.

“We and the Republican senators who were with us in Munich spoke with one voice about our determination to continue to support Ukraine,” Coons reported.

After more than a century of uncertainty, Spanish officials have definitively confirmed that celebrated architect Antoni Gaudi was behind the design of a mysterious building tucked away in a remote Catalonian forest.

The announcement Wednesday puts to rest decades of debate surrounding the Xalet del Catllaras, a three-story mountain lodge constructed for cement factory employees about 78 miles north of Barcelona. While experts had long suspected Gaudi’s involvement due to his connection with factory owner Eusebi Guell, no comprehensive study had been conducted to verify the theory.

That changed when officials commissioned Gaudi expert Galdric Santana to conduct a thorough investigation in 2023. Santana, who leads planning for 2026 commemorative events marking 100 years since Gaudi’s death, discovered definitive proof of the architect’s involvement.

“What’s most important is that it shows the new architectural approach that Gaudi had,” Santana explained.

The researcher identified distinctive structural features that only Gaudi employed during that specific period, including unique arch designs, specialized vaulting techniques, and rooms divided by walls positioned at 45-degree angles. These innovative methods wouldn’t appear in his students’ work for another decade or more, Santana noted.

Using advanced 3D analysis, historical documents, photographs, and floor plans from other Gaudi projects, Santana uncovered geometric and structural evidence that definitively linked the famous architect to the building constructed between 1901 and 1908 in La Pobla de Lillet.

Initially, Santana acknowledged the possibility that Gaudi might not have been the designer, given the structure’s isolated location and the architect’s busy schedule during those years working on major Barcelona landmarks like Park Guell and Casa Batllo.

However, the expert believes Gaudi likely didn’t oversee the actual construction, as the finished building differs from the original plans. This deviation may explain why Gaudi never publicly claimed credit for the design, following the common practice of architects refusing to sign their names to projects that strayed from their blueprints.

According to Santana, approximately ten other structures remain unverified as potential Gaudi creations.

CAIRO — An intensification of unmanned aerial attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan area has resulted in mounting civilian casualties and disrupted relief efforts, according to experts and aid workers who spoke Wednesday as Sudan’s civil war approaches its third year.

The Sudan Doctors Network, an organization monitoring wartime violence, reports that no fewer than 77 individuals lost their lives with dozens more wounded in multiple assaults, primarily carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces targeting populated neighborhoods. Civilians comprised the majority of casualties.

The battle between the RSF and Sudan’s armed forces escalated into comprehensive warfare in April 2023. The World Health Organization reports that the fighting has claimed at least 40,000 lives and forced 12 million people from their homes. Relief organizations warn the actual casualties may be significantly higher due to combat in remote and expansive territories that prevent access.

According to Jalale Getachew Birru, a senior East Africa analyst with the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), Sudan’s military has expanded its deployment of unmanned aircraft and aerial bombardments in Kordofan during the previous year as hostilities moved westward, transforming the area into “a primary theater of operations.”

Military officials announced two weeks ago that they had ended the RSF’s blockade of Kadugli, South Kordofan’s provincial capital, along with the adjacent town of Dilling following more than two years under siege.

Nevertheless, Birru stated the blockades remain partially intact. “These cities are still encircled, and the fight for the control of these cities and the wider region is ongoing,” he explained to The Associated Press.

Walid Mohamed, a Kadugli resident, informed the AP that ending the blockade enabled increased flow of supplies and medical resources into the city, reopening connections with Dilling and reducing food costs following a severe humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, he noted that RSF unmanned aircraft attacks have become nearly constant since then, primarily hitting medical facilities, marketplaces and residential areas.

Omran Ahmed, who lives in Dilling, similarly reported increased drone attacks, “spreading fear and terror among residents as they see more civilians become victims.”

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued an urgent warning Wednesday that unmanned aircraft strikes claimed more than 50 civilian lives during a two-day period this week.

“These latest killings are yet another reminder of the devastating consequences on civilians of the escalating use of drone warfare in Sudan,” Türk stated, denouncing the attacks on civilian locations including marketplaces, medical centers and educational institutions.

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric indicated evidence shows both warring parties deployed drones against civilians during this week’s violence.

“These civilians have been at one time or another in government-controlled areas and areas controlled by the RSF, which would make us believe that both sides are using them,” he explained.

Two military officials, speaking anonymously because they lacked authorization to address media, informed the AP this week that the army does not deliberately strike civilian infrastructure.

United Nations agencies announced Wednesday that a U.N. convoy successfully delivered aid to more than 130,000 people in Dilling and Kadugli, marking the first significant supply delivery in three months. However, relief workers express alarm about increasing violence.

Mathilde Vu, an advocacy manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council, told the AP there’s “huge concern” about the “unacceptable” escalation in Kordofan and its potential to “shatter lives and obstruct any hope to reverse the famine/ starvation” affecting the region.

“It’s very indiscriminate. Between Kordofan, Darfur and the east (Sennar), it’s now every other day we receive messages like ‘drone attack here, hit a civilian infrastructure, killed people,’” Vu explained.

Kholood Khair, founding director of Confluence Advisory think tank, told the AP that recent Sudan fighting has concentrated in Kordofan, where the military seeks to establish access into the adjacent Darfur region.

El-Fasher city, North Darfur’s capital, served as the army’s final stronghold in the area before falling to the RSF in October. Reclaiming it could enable the military to reestablish crucial supply and logistics connections between Kordofan and Darfur.

Meanwhile, the RSF aims to establish a corridor from Kordofan back toward the country’s center and capital city Khartoum, according to Khair.

Both military forces and the RSF have deployed unmanned aircraft, particularly in North Kordofan, with civilians bearing the brunt of attacks.

ACLED data shows that 163 aerial and drone attacks nationwide targeted civilians last year, resulting in 1,032 deaths. The army allegedly conducted 83 strikes causing 568 fatalities, while the RSF carried out 66 strikes killing 288 people.

Federico Donelli, associate professor of international relations at the University of Trieste, reports that both sides have increased their drone usage in Kordofan during recent weeks.

Donelli explained that multiple factors drive this increase, including the army’s procurement of new weaponry and unmanned aircraft manufactured and provided by foreign entities.

“This has enabled the army to rely more heavily on precision strikes, mirroring tactics that the Rapid Support Forces have been using for some time,” he noted.

Both sides may face challenges maintaining adequate troop numbers, he suggested. “Consequently, drones are favored over deploying armed units on the ground, particularly in contested areas such as Kordofan.”

Khair from Confluence Advisory predicted the Kordofan fighting could change direction in coming periods, with the army potentially attempting to advance into Darfur, especially toward el-Fasher, where authorities have documented war crimes.

“We expect to see the bombing campaigns not only continue but increase in frequency and volume,” she warned.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney moved a step closer to securing parliamentary control Wednesday after a Conservative Party member switched sides to join his Liberal government.

Matt Jeneroux, who represents an Alberta district for the Conservative opposition, announced his decision to join the Liberal caucus in the House of Commons. The defection brings Carney’s centrist Liberal Party to 169 seats in the 343-member chamber, leaving them just three seats away from majority control.

Since winning a minority government in last April’s election, the Liberals have required opposition backing to advance major legislation including budget measures. Carney has argued that achieving a majority would allow his government to respond more swiftly to trade policies from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The world has changed, and Canada must change with it. This is a time to come together — and together, we will build a stronger future,” Carney wrote on social media platform X.

Jeneroux is scheduled to meet with Carney later Wednesday. In his statement announcing the switch, the Alberta representative cited his desire to address “unprecedented pressures” facing Canada’s economic stability and independence.

Three Liberal-held seats currently remain empty, and if Carney’s party captures all of them in upcoming special elections, he would secure the majority needed to govern until April 2029. While two of these vacant positions are in traditional Liberal strongholds, polling suggests the third seat in a Montreal-area district will present a more competitive contest.

This marks the third time in recent months that a Conservative member has crossed the floor to join the Liberals, intensifying scrutiny on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre narrowly survived a leadership challenge last month following his party’s election defeat despite holding substantial polling advantages.

Poilievre responded harshly to the defection, posting on X that “Mark Carney is trying to seize a costly Liberal majority government that Canadians voted against in the last election through dirty backroom deals.” He accused Jeneroux of betraying his constituents.

Carney must still officially call the special elections to fill the remaining vacant seats before he can claim majority status in Parliament.

A detention facility in northeastern Syria that once housed thousands of family members connected to suspected ISIS militants now contains fewer than 1,000 families, according to the camp’s former administrator who spoke Wednesday.

The Al-Hol camp, located close to Iraq’s border, served as a primary holding facility for relatives of alleged Islamic State fighters captured during the American-supported military operations against the extremist organization in Syria.

Management of the facility shifted last month when forces loyal to President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government captured large portions of northeastern Syria from Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, including multiple prisons housing Islamic State members.

Last week, U.S. military officials announced they had finished relocating 5,700 adult male ISIS detainees to Iraq.

Jihan Hanna, who previously ran the camp and continues working with international organizations and Syria’s government, informed Reuters that the families still there are Syrian citizens being moved to a facility in Aleppo. She noted that most foreign nationals had already escaped.

Syrian government officials have not yet responded to requests for information.

Camp records from January 19 – one day before government forces assumed control – showed a population of 6,639 families totaling 23,407 individuals, primarily Syrians and Iraqis, plus 6,280 foreign nationals from over 40 countries.

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR reported witnessing “a significant decrease in the number of residents in al-Hol camp in recent weeks,” though they stated no verified population counts were available.

“Over the weekend the camp administration advised UNHCR not to enter the camp due to the unrest and anxiety in the camp,” the agency added in their statement to Reuters.

Syria’s government criticized the SDF for abandoning al-Hol on January 20 without coordination.

The SDF responded that same day, explaining their troops were “compelled to withdraw from al-Hol camp and redeploy to areas surrounding cities in northern Syria that are facing increasing risks and threats.”

A Syrian security official revealed that most camp residents escaped during a five-hour window when no guards were present, with some departing alongside men who arrived to collect relatives for unknown destinations.

Both the security official and an NGO worker confirmed that the camp’s most dangerous section, called the annex, now sits completely vacant.

The security source explained that escapees have dispersed throughout Syria, prompting authorities to create a special unit working with international partners to “follow up on the matter and pursue those who are wanted.”

Some have crossed Syria’s borders entirely.

In Lebanon, military forces have interrogated more than a dozen Lebanese citizens who illegally entered from Syria after departing al-Hol, according to a Lebanese security source.

Syria’s Directorate of International Cooperation announced Tuesday that hundreds of people, primarily women and children, had been relocated from al-Hol to a newly established camp near Akhtarin in northern Aleppo.

The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that a young paratrooper lost his life in a tragic case of mistaken identity during overnight combat operations in southern Gaza.

Staff Sgt. Ofri Yafe, age 21, died from wounds sustained when fellow Israeli forces accidentally fired upon his unit near Khan Yunis, military officials confirmed. Yafe served as a reconnaissance fighter with the Paratroopers Brigade and hailed from HaYogev, a farming community in Israel’s Jezreel Valley. Israeli media reports indicate he was raised in Kibbutz Megiddo in the country’s northern region.

Initial military findings reveal the fatal shooting happened around 2 a.m. during standard operations to dismantle Hamas military installations close to the Yellow Line boundary in the Khan Yunis sector. Two separate Israeli military teams were working simultaneously in the vicinity when the confusion occurred.

One team erroneously determined the other group posed a threat and began shooting, military sources explained. Emergency responders airlifted the severely injured Yafe by helicopter toward medical treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries while being transported, the IDF stated.

Military leadership emphasized that investigators continue examining the exact circumstances of the incident and have informed Yafe’s relatives of his death.

The fallen soldier leaves behind his mother and father, Hadas and Yiftach, along with three siblings named Noy, Tzuf, and Itamar. His grieving family released a public message expressing their devastation. “We are shocked by the tragedy and cannot digest the loss of Ofri, our beloved son. This is incomprehensible,” the family wrote.

Regional officials from northern Israel also paid tribute to Yafe’s service. The Jezreel Valley Regional Council honored him, saying he “set out to defend the State of Israel and all of us, and fell in battle.”

Military statistics show that 472 Israeli service members have perished during ground combat operations in Gaza against Hamas forces, with 80 of those deaths resulting from accidental shootings by their own troops or other mishaps.

Security forces across Turkey conducted sweeping arrests Tuesday, taking 88 people into custody on suspicions of belonging to the organization blamed for the country’s failed 2016 military coup.

The arrests occurred through two independent operations targeting suspected followers of the Gulen movement, which Turkish officials hold responsible for the deadly uprising attempt.

In the larger operation, prosecutors from Kayseri province in central Turkey issued warrants for 70 suspects after conducting an eight-month investigation. Police teams launched coordinated strikes across four provinces – Kayseri, Istanbul, Adana, and Mersin.

The massive operation involved 144 police units with 676 officers, including specialized tactical teams, according to authorities. During property searches, investigators seized hidden recording devices, cameras, illegal firearms and bullets, plus documents and electronic files allegedly connected to the organization.

A second investigation led by Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor resulted in 18 more arrests spanning eight provinces. Sixteen of those detained held government positions, prosecutors revealed.

Istanbul officials stated that two suspects allegedly occupied leadership roles in the organization, while others faced membership accusations. Authorities withheld the identities of those arrested and declined to specify which government agencies employed them.

Officials confirmed both investigations proceeded independently, without indicating whether additional arrests might follow. No details were released about upcoming court hearings or formal criminal charges.

Turkey’s leadership blames the Gulen movement for masterminding the July 2016 coup attempt, when military factions tried to topple the government. Official casualty figures show at least 250 deaths and roughly 2,200 injuries from the violence.

The Turkish government points to Fethullah Gulen, a religious leader who lived in exile in the United States from 1999 until his 2024 death, as the architect of the coup plot. Turkey has officially classified the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization.

Turkish law enforcement and prosecutors have maintained an aggressive campaign against suspected movement supporters since 2016. Tuesday’s detentions represent the most recent phase of this continuing crackdown, officials confirmed.

JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump’s newly established Board of Peace will convene for its inaugural session Thursday in Washington, marking an initial challenge for one of his signature foreign policy programs as it attempts to strengthen the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The president’s expansive vision for this board ranges from overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction into a modern metropolis to competing with the United Nations Security Council in international conflict resolution. However, these grand plans may face harsh realities given the limited headway made in achieving even basic ceasefire objectives in Gaza.

Deadly incidents continue almost daily, with Israel conducting strikes it claims target militants who pose threats to or attack Israeli troops, resulting in Palestinian casualties including non-combatants. The militant group Hamas remains armed, international peacekeeping forces have yet to arrive, and a Palestinian administrative committee intended to replace Hamas leadership remains stranded in Egypt.

“If this meeting does not result in fast, tangible improvements on the ground — and particularly on the humanitarian front — its credibility will quickly crumble,” said Max Rodenbeck, Israel-Palestine Project Director at the International Crisis Group, a global think tank.

Over two dozen countries have joined as charter members of the board.

The membership roster features Israel and other regional powers involved in ceasefire discussions, along with nations from beyond the Middle East whose leadership either backs Trump or seeks his approval. Notable U.S. partners including France, Norway and Sweden have chosen not to participate.

Israeli officials express concern about Qatar and Turkey’s participation, given their established relationships with Hamas. Palestinian leaders oppose the arrangement because no Palestinian representatives received invitations to join the board, despite its authority over territory housing approximately 2 million Palestinians.

Trump, who has designated himself as the board’s chairman, announced earlier this week that member nations had promised $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction and would provide thousands of personnel for peacekeeping and law enforcement duties. Neither financial commitments nor this week’s meeting agenda have been disclosed publicly.

“We want to make it successful. I think it has the chance to be the most consequential board ever assembled of any kind,” Trump told reporters on Monday. He repeated his disapproval of the U.N.’s track record in settling international conflicts.

Trump — working alongside son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff — has outlined bold reconstruction plans for Gaza using international investment.

During a Davos presentation last month, Kushner proposed completing reconstruction within three years, despite U.N. projections indicating that debris removal and mine clearance alone could require significantly more time.

Kushner’s presentation depicted a rebuilt Gaza featuring beachfront tourism areas, manufacturing districts and technology centers. He acknowledged that reconstruction would only start in weapons-free zones and that security would be crucial for attracting investors.

Current joint calculations by the U.N., European Union and World Bank estimate reconstruction costs at approximately $70 billion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that reconstruction cannot proceed until Hamas surrenders its weapons, creating uncertainty for Palestinians amid widespread destruction.

The ceasefire agreement has stopped large-scale military campaigns, secured the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas and increased humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza. However, a permanent end to the conflict that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on Israel remains uncertain.

The agreement envisions Hamas surrendering its arsenal and Israeli forces leaving Gaza while international troops arrive. It left certain questions unresolved and established no timeline, essentially postponing difficult decisions to avoid immediate confrontation.

Israel and the U.S. consider Hamas’ weapon surrender essential for progress in other areas. Arab and Muslim Board of Peace members have criticized Israel for weakening the ceasefire through daily military actions and want the U.S. to restrain its ally. While they have urged Hamas to disarm, they emphasize that Israeli withdrawal is equally crucial.

Israel’s definition of demilitarization encompasses everything from heavy weaponry like rocket launchers down to standard rifles. Netanyahu stated Sunday that Hamas must surrender approximately 60,000 automatic weapons.

Although Hamas accepted the ceasefire terms, the group has only made unclear or conditional promises regarding disarmament as part of a process toward Palestinian statehood. Senior Hamas leaders have indicated their security personnel must keep some weapons to maintain order during the transition period.

Potential solutions being considered include Hamas “securing” weapons in monitored storage facilities under external oversight or surrendering heavy arms while retaining some handguns for police work, according to two regional officials familiar with the talks. One official noted that disarmament represents a complex process potentially lasting months. The officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of negotiations.

Whether Israel or the United States would accept such arrangements remains highly uncertain.

The ceasefire terms also establish a temporary International Stabilization Force composed of troops from Arab and Muslim-majority nations to screen, train and assist a new Palestinian police organization. While its specific duties aren’t fully detailed, responsibilities would include protecting aid deliveries and preventing arms trafficking.

Nations asked to contribute troops demand that any deployment be characterized as peacekeeping. They have rejected involvement in Hamas disarmament, viewing it as potentially dangerous work. Another worry involves the presence of Israeli-allied armed groups.

Indonesia has started preparing up to 8,000 soldiers for the force, though its foreign minister stated last week they would not participate in disarmament operations.

According to the ceasefire terms, Hamas must transfer authority to a transitional committee of politically neutral Palestinian officials. The U.S. has selected a 15-person committee and appointed former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov to supervise them as the board’s Gaza representative.

The committee, headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, has not yet received Israeli authorization to enter Gaza from Egypt. Israeli officials have not addressed the situation.

Mladenov stated last week that the committee cannot function unless Hamas relinquishes control and ceasefire violations end.

“We’re only embarrassing the committee and ultimately making it ineffective,” he said at the Munich Security Conference. “All of this needs to move very fast.”

LIMA, Peru — Congressional representatives in Peru are preparing to select the nation’s eighth president in ten years on Wednesday, following the recent removal of José Jerí from office. Four legislative candidates, mostly unfamiliar to the general public, are competing for the position.

The winner of Wednesday’s vote will govern Peru until July 28, at which point they will hand over authority to whoever wins the general election set for April.

This constant turnover in Peru’s highest office demonstrates the ongoing political turmoil caused by presidents lacking strong legislative support. Congressional members have repeatedly relied on expansive readings of a constitutional provision concerning “permanent moral incapacity” to dismiss sitting leaders.

On Tuesday, legislative members voted to dismiss Jerí following a four-month tenure. His removal came after information surfaced about secret meetings he held with Chinese business leaders, including someone with government contracts. Jerí maintained he was simply organizing a Peruvian-Chinese cultural celebration.

Prosecutors have opened two preliminary inquiries into Jerí concerning accusations of unlawfully promoting private business interests and using his influence inappropriately against state interests.

Legislative officials announced Tuesday that four individuals had formally entered Wednesday evening’s selection process. Support levels for each remain uncertain.

The leading contender appears to be María del Carmen Alva, a 58-year-old attorney put forward by the conservative Popular Action party. Alva, who formerly held the congressional speaker position, belongs to a family with substantial investments in agricultural exports, particularly companies shipping asparagus to global markets including the United States.

Also running is Héctor Acuña, a 68-year-old engineer from the conservative Honor and Democracy faction. While he brings extensive private sector background, many consider him less experienced in traditional politics compared to other contenders. He is the sibling of César Acuña, a wealthy former regional leader and presidential hopeful for the April 12 election under the Alliance for Progress party. This party previously backed former presidents Dina Boluarte and Jerí.

The remaining contenders include José Balcázar, an 83-year-old retired judge from the leftist Perú Libre party, and Edgard Reymundo, a 73-year-old sociologist representing the leftist Bloque Democrático.

Whoever replaces Jerí will face escalating violence and extortion threatening small business operators and working families. Along with security challenges, various political factions are pushing for strong assurances of fair elections that will also choose a two-chamber legislature with 130 parliamentary representatives and 60 senators.

TORONTO (AP) — A third Conservative Party member of Canada’s Parliament has switched allegiances to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government.

Prime Minister Carney revealed through social media Wednesday that Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux has abandoned the Conservative Party to become part of the Liberal caucus. This marks the third time in recent months that a Conservative legislator has made such a political switch.

Jeneroux’s party change brings the Liberal government one step closer to achieving majority control, which would allow them to advance legislation without needing support from opposition parties.

Three upcoming parliamentary by-elections could potentially secure the Liberals’ path to majority rule.

This latest defection deals another setback to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who suffered defeat in April’s election and temporarily lost his parliamentary seat before returning to the House of Commons.

While Poilievre successfully navigated a party leadership review last month, he continues facing challenges maintaining unity within his caucus.

Jeneroux had initially revealed his intention to resign back in November, coming just days after another Conservative MP departed to join the Liberal ranks. At that time, Poilievre indicated Jeneroux would be stepping down from Parliament entirely come spring.

However, Jeneroux explained in a Wednesday social media post that family discussions led him to reconsider, stating that current circumstances require “steady leadership” for the nation.

Since taking over from Justin Trudeau as prime minister in 2025 and securing electoral victory, Carney has positioned the Liberal Party toward the political center.

During last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney spoke out against economic pressure tactics used by major powers against smaller nations. His comments at the international gathering earned significant praise and media attention, overshadowing U.S. President Donald Trump’s presence at the event.

LONDON — Law enforcement agencies throughout the United Kingdom have established a collaborative task force to examine potential criminal conduct detailed in millions of pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents recently made public by U.S. federal investigators.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council announced Wednesday that they have created a specialized coordination team to assist regional police departments investigating matters stemming from the massive document release containing more than 3 million pages of evidence from late last month.

“It may take some time due to the volume of material and the complexity of international jurisdictions, but policing and its law enforcement partners are taking this matter extremely seriously, and will assess all information thoroughly,” the council stated in their announcement.

Though the council declined to identify which specific departments are participating, at least eight regional police forces have confirmed they are examining information contained within the files. Their investigations span multiple concerns, from potential use of Epstein’s aircraft for human trafficking purposes to claims that former Prince Andrew shared classified intelligence with the convicted financier during his tenure as Britain’s trade representative.

Surrey Police, serving the region directly south of London, revealed Wednesday that the documents contain accusations of sex trafficking activities in Virginia Water village spanning from 1994 to 1996. Officials withheld specific information regarding suspected perpetrators or victims involved.

The department urged individuals with knowledge of the alleged criminal activity to reach out to authorities.

“Where relevant, and via the national coordination group, we will engage with law enforcement agencies to obtain access to further information which may support our enquiries,” Surrey Police officials stated.

Essex Police announced Tuesday they are examining details about private aircraft operations at Stansted Airport based on information discovered in the recent document disclosure.

The Epstein controversy has created significant turmoil within Britain’s royal family and political establishment due to connections between the disgraced financier and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, along with Peter Mandelson, Britain’s previous ambassador to the United States.

King Charles III removed his brother’s royal designations in October, including his princely title, as an attempt to shield the monarchy from ongoing disclosures about Andrew’s association with Epstein.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced criticism over his decision-making and encountered leadership challenges after the documents exposed that Mandelson maintained closer ties to Epstein than he had previously disclosed when Starmer appointed him to the Washington diplomatic post.

NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — The United Nations Security Council has moved up its scheduled discussion on the Gaza ceasefire agreement to Wednesday, one day earlier than planned, to accommodate diplomatic travel before President Donald Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace gathering.

The timing adjustment came after Trump announced his board would convene Thursday, creating scheduling conflicts for international diplomats hoping to participate in both events. The overlap signals possible competing approaches between the established UN framework and Trump’s newly created peace initiative, which aims to mediate global conflicts.

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour expressed his expectations for both gatherings, telling reporters: “We expect from the international community to stop Israel and end their illegal effort against annexation, whether in Washington or in New York.”

Wednesday’s Security Council session will bring together foreign ministers from Britain, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia, among other nations. The 15-member council agreed to the emergency session after multiple Arab and Islamic nations requested urgent discussions about Gaza and Israel’s controversial West Bank activities.

Trump’s Board of Peace, which he will chair personally, initially focused on his comprehensive 20-point Gaza reconstruction plan. However, the Republican president has expanded the board’s mission to address conflicts worldwide, drawing skepticism from key allies.

More than 20 nations have agreed to join Trump’s peace initiative, though notable US partners like France and Germany have declined participation while reaffirming their commitment to UN processes currently undergoing significant reforms and budget reductions.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the board’s membership during a Monday radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, emphasizing that crucial players including Qatar and Egypt, who maintain communication channels with Hamas leadership, have joined the effort.

“All of those countries are on the Board of Peace, singing the same tune as the United States,” Waltz stated.

The Security Council meeting follows Tuesday’s dramatic scene where 14 of the 15 council members, excluding only the United States, stood with Palestinian Ambassador Mansour as he delivered a statement from 80 countries condemning Israel’s West Bank actions and demanding immediate policy reversals.

Israel has initiated a controversial land regulation process that will strengthen its authority over the occupied West Bank territory. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen described these measures as establishing “de facto sovereignty” that would prevent Palestinian statehood.

Palestinian officials, Arab governments, and human rights organizations have denounced these actions as illegal annexation of land where approximately 3.4 million Palestinians live and hope to establish their future nation.

Wednesday’s UN session will also examine the US-mediated ceasefire that began October 10, ending more than two years of warfare between Israel and Hamas. Britain, currently leading the Security Council, announced the meeting will feature briefings from UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo and Israeli and Palestinian civilian representatives speaking for the first time since the October 7 attacks.

Several ceasefire provisions have been implemented successfully, including Hamas releasing all hostages in its custody and increased humanitarian supplies reaching Gaza, though UN officials say aid levels remain inadequate. A newly formed administrative committee now oversees Gaza’s daily operations.

The most difficult challenges remain ahead, including establishing an international security presence, dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, and reconstructing Gaza’s infrastructure.

Trump announced this week that Board of Peace members have committed $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction and will provide thousands of personnel for international stabilization and police operations in the territory, though he provided no specific details. Indonesia’s military has indicated up to 8,000 troops could be prepared by late June for possible Gaza deployment as part of humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts.

Foreign policy experts are expressing alarm after President Donald Trump revealed he’s consulting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about potential weapons sales to Taiwan, a move that could undermine longstanding diplomatic principles.

During a Monday press briefing, Trump made the surprising disclosure when reporters questioned him about Xi’s opposition to the arms deals. “I’ve talked to him about it. We had a good conversation, and we’ll make a determination pretty soon,” Trump stated, emphasizing his “very good relationship with President Xi.”

The revelation has sparked intense debate about whether America’s approach to Taiwan might be shifting before Trump’s scheduled April visit to China.

According to William Yang, a senior Northeast Asia analyst with the International Crisis Group, Trump’s consultation with Xi could breach the Six Assurances – a collection of policy guidelines established in 1982 during Ronald Reagan’s presidency that have shaped U.S.-Taiwan relations.

The second principle explicitly declares that America “did not agree to consult with the People’s Republic of China on arms sales to Taiwan.”

“That basically has been executed by several U.S. presidents after Ronald Reagan to justify and continue the arms sales to Taiwan without actually discussing the topic with China over the past few decades,” Yang explained.

Yang warned that Trump might be establishing a “dangerous precedent” that could enable Beijing to influence future American weapons sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s leadership has remained silent on Trump’s remarks as the island observes its weeklong Lunar New Year celebration.

The controversy stems from China’s territorial ambitions regarding Taiwan, with Beijing insisting the island must be reunified with the mainland, using military force if needed. China prevents nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties from establishing formal relationships with Taipei and routinely deploys naval vessels and aircraft near the island.

Although lacking official diplomatic connections with Taiwan, America serves as the island’s primary unofficial ally and weapons provider. Federal law requires the U.S. to supply Taiwan with adequate military equipment to prevent mainland attacks.

Last December, the Trump administration approved a historic $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

China strongly objected to the agreement, with Xi cautioning Trump during a recent phone call that “the U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.”

Xi emphasized that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” according to China’s foreign ministry summary of their conversation.

Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Taiwan University, outlined the three foundations of U.S. policy toward Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.

The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by Congress in 1979 when America recognized China and ended Taiwan ties, legally obligates the U.S. to help Taiwan defend itself while treating any threats to the island as security concerns.

The Three Communiques represent joint statements from the 1970s and 1980s between American and Chinese officials covering various Taiwan-related issues. These documents allow the U.S. to acknowledge one China without accepting Beijing’s control over Taiwan, creating strategic flexibility for America to assist Taiwan while maintaining Chinese diplomatic relations.

The Six Assurances were designed to guarantee continued American support for Taiwan and have reportedly been honored by every president since Reagan.

Hoo Tiang Boon, an associate professor of international relations at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, expressed concern that Trump’s statements suggest China might influence the volume of American arms sales to Taiwan.

“Even if eventually the U.S. will approve whatever arms sales packages to Taiwan, it is a disturbing development, particularly from the perspective of Taiwan because it sounds like it would be an issue that would be bargained away,” Hoo noted.

Taiwan is expected to be a major topic during Trump’s April China visit, alongside trade disputes and technology access issues.

Yang suggested that uncertainty about Trump’s approach to Taiwan arms sales during his visit could increase doubts on the island about American willingness to defend against a potential Chinese invasion.

“This further surge of skepticism, anxiety about the United States within Taiwan is exactly what China would be aiming for,” he added.

Taiwan’s independence-supporting administration under President Lai Ching-te already faces challenges funding existing American arms purchases, with the budget stalled in parliament.

Opposition legislators announced Monday they would examine a $40 billion special defense budget when parliament reconvenes February 23rd following the holiday break.

JOHANNESBURG – Four men from South Africa who were deceived into joining Russian military operations in Ukraine have arrived back in their home country, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The men touched down at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday, where law enforcement officials were present to meet them, SABC reported.

When contacted for details, a police representative refused to provide comment and referred questions to the nation’s foreign affairs department. Officials from the foreign ministry did not immediately return requests for information.

In November, South African authorities announced they would launch an investigation into how 17 of their nationals became involved with mercenary operations in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The probe began after the men reached out desperately seeking assistance to return to South Africa.

Earlier this month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following their discussion, Ramaphosa’s administration released a statement saying both leaders had “pledged their support to the process of returning South Africans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.”

According to South African legal statutes, citizens are prohibited from offering military support to foreign nations or enlisting in overseas armed forces without official authorization from South Africa.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungarian officials announced Wednesday they will halt diesel fuel exports to Ukraine following ongoing disruptions to Russian oil deliveries through a key pipeline crossing Ukrainian soil.

Oil shipments from Russia to both Hungary and Slovakia have been cut off since January 27th following damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil into Central Europe. Ukrainian authorities attribute the damage to Russian military strikes.

Both Hungary and Slovakia, nations that secured temporary waivers from European Union restrictions on Russian oil purchases, have pointed fingers at Ukraine for intentionally blocking the fuel supplies, though they have not offered proof of these claims.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared in a social media video Wednesday that the supply disruption represents “a political decision made by the Ukrainian president himself.”

Ukrainian officials have rejected these allegations.

Szijjártó also stated that Hungary maintains sufficient oil stockpiles to meet needs for over three months and emphasized the country’s energy security remains intact.

While nearly all European nations have dramatically cut or completely eliminated Russian energy purchases, Hungary — despite being both an EU and NATO member — has continued and even expanded its Russian oil and gas imports since Moscow began its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.

Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orbán has consistently maintained that Russian energy sources are essential for the nation’s economic stability, claiming that transitioning to alternative energy suppliers would trigger immediate economic devastation — a position challenged by some energy analysts.

Recognized as Moscow’s strongest supporter within the EU, Orbán has actively resisted the bloc’s sanctioning efforts against Russia following its invasion and has criticized measures targeting Russian energy revenues that help fund the military operation.

With April elections approaching that could prove the most difficult challenge to his 16-year tenure, Orbán has initiated an intense campaign criticizing both Ukraine and the EU, attempting to persuade Hungarian voters that their neighboring country represents a serious threat and that only he can ensure Hungary’s protection.

After the Druzhba pipeline interruptions began in late January, Hungarian leadership requested that Croatia permit Russian oil delivered by ship to flow through the Adria pipeline to Hungarian and Slovakian refineries.

Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar indicated his nation would not permit Central European energy security to be compromised but rejected Hungary’s proposal.

In a Monday post on social media platform X, Šušnjar stated there are “no technical excuses left for staying tied to Russian crude for any EU country.”

“A barrel bought from Russia may appear cheaper to some countries, but helps fund war and attacks on Ukrainian people,” he wrote.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The former president of Kosovo made an impassioned final appeal Wednesday to international judges, positioning himself as a champion of peace while requesting full acquittal on what he described as baseless accusations of murder, torture and persecution stemming from his country’s fight for independence.

“Throughout my life, I stood with the people of Kosovo defending freedom, life and dignity. I was always guided by the Western ideals of democracy, equality and justice,” Hashim Thaci declared to the panel at the conclusion of his trial spanning nearly three years at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

Emotional supporters packed the courtroom’s public viewing area at the start of his address, pressing against the glass barrier to gesture toward their former leader before security personnel intervened. At least one observer was seen shedding tears during Thaci’s remarks.

The prosecution is demanding maximum sentences of 45 years behind bars for Thaci along with co-defendants Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Additionally, Thaci confronts a second upcoming trial on witness intimidation allegations scheduled to commence this month.

Thaci stepped down from the presidency in 2020 to confront 10 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly perpetrated during Kosovo’s 1998-99 independence war against Serbia. He and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commanders have remained in detention since November 2020 at the Hague-based tribunal, which operates as part of Kosovo’s legal framework. The defendants now face what could be months of waiting before judges deliver their verdicts.

During his final courtroom address, Thaci, who has consistently maintained his innocence, stated “the only just decision would be my full acquittal.”

He described leaving his studies in Switzerland to help protect his homeland from violent assaults by Serbia, eventually becoming a prominent KLA negotiator in Western-mediated peace discussions and subsequently his nation’s president.

“During all that time, the only power I had was the power of my voice,” he testified.

“I used my voice to promote a multi-ethnic and tolerant society in my country, in Kosovo,” he continued.

However, prosecutor Kimberly West presented a dramatically different narrative on Monday, telling judges that witnesses offered “overwhelming evidence” showing Thaci and his co-defendants implemented a strategy of targeting political rivals and civilians viewed as collaborators and traitors while leading the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Thaci also rejected allegations that Kosovo Albanian combatants removed organs from captives during the conflict, calling such claims “Russian and Serbian propaganda.”

Wednesday’s final arguments followed a massive demonstration Tuesday in Kosovo’s capital city of Pristina, where thousands rallied in solidarity with Thaci and the other former fighters facing trial, coinciding with the country’s independence anniversary celebration.

Kosovo proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008, though Belgrade continues to reject this declaration. Relations between the two nations remain strained despite nine years of European Union-facilitated negotiations backed by the United States.

Many Kosovo citizens view the court proceedings as an effort to distort their historical narrative, arguing it attempts to equate Serbia’s actions with their own suffering.

Ethnic Albanians comprised the majority of the approximately 13,000 war casualties in Kosovo. The conflict concluded after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign against Serbian military forces. Nearly one million ethnic Albanian Kosovars were forced to flee their residences.

Reflecting on his decision to join the struggle, Thaci stated: “I did not return to risk my life for control or for power. I returned to my homeland, risking my life, for freedom and for peace.”

LYON, France — Authorities in France have detained 11 individuals in connection with the fatal assault of a young nationalist student, marking another chapter in the country’s escalating political tensions as the 2027 presidential race approaches.

Twenty-three-year-old Quentin Deranque, characterized as an ardent nationalist, succumbed to his injuries at a medical facility on Saturday. The student had been severely beaten two days prior during violent confrontations between opposing political factions in Lyon. The altercation occurred on the sidelines of a student gathering featuring far-left European Parliament member Rima Hassan as the main speaker.

Medical examination revealed Deranque sustained a broken skull and severe brain trauma that proved fatal, according to Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran. Authorities launched a homicide investigation and are exploring additional criminal charges. Dran’s office confirmed that officers apprehended a man and woman Wednesday morning, adding to nine others already in custody since Tuesday evening.

Hassan, a French-Palestinian politician born in a Syrian refugee camp, represents the far-left France Unbowed party in the European Parliament. Following the initial attack but prior to Deranque’s death, Hassan posted on social media expressing her shock at the violence and denouncing it.

The student’s death has unleashed a wave of political finger-pointing, with much criticism directed at France Unbowed. Political adversaries claim the party’s aggressive far-left stance, including harsh criticism of Israel, promotes violence and social discord.

The organization operates under the leadership of seasoned left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a former Trotskyist who sought the presidency unsuccessfully in 2012, 2017, and 2022, never reaching the final round. He’s positioning for another anticipated campaign when President Emmanuel Macron’s final term concludes next year.

On Tuesday, Mélenchon rejected any responsibility for the Lyon tragedy, stating: “We have absolutely nothing to do, either directly or indirectly, with the death of this young Deranque.”

However, reports indicate that among those detained is a parliamentary assistant to France Unbowed legislator Raphaël Arnault. The lawmaker acknowledged his aide’s arrest on social media without providing details and announced the termination of the employee’s contract.

Political violence has remained a constant element in French society, with extreme left and right factions maintaining deep-seated animosity that occasionally turns violent, though fatal encounters have been uncommon in recent years.

With municipal elections scheduled for next month and campaigning intensifying, political opponents across the right and far-right spectrum are holding Mélenchon’s party accountable for Deranque’s death, urging voters to reject France Unbowed at the ballot box.

The backlash extends beyond traditional opponents, with former President François Hollande, a prominent left-wing figure, declaring that moderate leftist parties, including his Socialist Party, will not align with Mélenchon’s organization in future elections as they have previously.

“The relationship with France Unbowed is over,” Hollande declared.

Denmark’s King Frederik touched down in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Wednesday for his second royal visit to the Arctic territory in just one year, demonstrating Danish solidarity as President Donald Trump continues his efforts to obtain the strategic island.

The monarch’s arrival follows diplomatic discussions that began last month between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States, aimed at addressing mounting tensions within the NATO alliance sparked by Trump’s persistent acquisition remarks.

According to Denmark’s prime minister, who spoke Friday about recent talks, she and Greenland’s leader had productive discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, she cautioned that Trump remains committed to his goal of acquiring Greenland.

Upon landing, King Frederik was greeted on the airport tarmac by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and parliamentary leader Kim Kielsen, embracing both officials. The king sported a distinctive black winter jacket featuring both Danish and Greenlandic flags positioned on the left chest area.

Wednesday’s itinerary includes stops at a local educational facility, Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command headquarters in Nuuk, and Royal Greenland, the territory’s primary seafood company and largest business enterprise.

Annual royal visits to Greenland represent a longstanding Danish tradition, with family members frequently donning traditional island attire including white anoraks for men, colorfully beaded collars for women, and sealskin footwear.

King Frederik has substantial personal experience in Greenland, having previously completed a four-month research expedition across the island’s ice sheet.

Thursday’s schedule will take the monarch to Maniitsoq, located approximately 87 miles north of Nuuk along the western coastline. His final stop Friday will be the Arctic Basic Training program in the western community of Kangerlussuaq.

A group of four Chagossians has established what they describe as a permanent settlement on a remote Indian Ocean atoll, in an effort to disrupt Britain’s planned handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius scheduled for 2025.

The group, led by Misley Mandarin, arrived Monday on Ile du Coin atoll and are currently residing in tents. Mandarin expects ten additional people to join them next week, with many more planned arrivals throughout the coming year.

Speaking to Reuters by phone Tuesday, Mandarin revealed that his 74-year-old father Michel accompanied him on the journey. The elder Mandarin was just 14 years old when he was forced to leave the island decades ago.

“I am not in exile anymore. This is my homeland,” declared Misley Mandarin, who was born in Mauritius after his family’s displacement.

Between the 1960s and 1970s, British authorities forcibly relocated as many as 2,000 Chagossians from the archipelago, with most settling in Mauritius and Britain. Many of these displaced people continue to seek the right to return to their birthplace.

The 2024 sovereignty agreement between Britain and Mauritius permits Britain to maintain control over the strategically vital U.S.-UK military installation on Diego Garcia, the archipelago’s largest island, through a 99-year lease arrangement.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has called on both nations to reject ratifying the deal, warning it could continue historical violations of rights.

Mandarin stated his goal is to enable the 322 individuals he says were born on Ile du Coin and remain alive “to come home before they die.”

He emphasized that their settlement poses no threat to the American military facility on Diego Garcia.

However, Mauritius Attorney General Gavin Glover characterized the landing as illegal during an interview with private Radio Plus, calling it a “publicity stunt organised to create a situation of conflict with the British government.”

Glover noted that Mauritius will not assume control over the Chagos Archipelago until the treaty receives official ratification.

A Berlin appeals court has issued a groundbreaking decision forcing Elon Musk’s social media platform X to provide qualified researchers with access to public information related to Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election.

The ruling, announced Tuesday by Democracy Reporting International, one of the organizations that brought the case, requires X to share data including post reach and user engagement metrics connected to Hungary’s electoral process. A court representative confirmed Wednesday that the decision goes into effect immediately.

Legal experts consider this verdict a significant breakthrough in enforcing the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which requires major online platforms to provide researchers with data access to help identify threats like false information, hate speech, and electoral interference.

X has not provided any response to requests for comment regarding the court order.

The case was filed by two organizations: Democracy Reporting International (DRI) and the Society for Civil Rights (GFF). These same groups had previously been unsuccessful in obtaining comparable information from X for Germany’s 2025 federal election.

Initially, a lower court determined that the matter fell under Irish jurisdiction, since X operates its European headquarters there. However, the Berlin appeals court took a different approach, ruling that German courts have authority when local issues are involved, such as when German researchers are prevented from accessing essential data for work serving the public interest.

The appeals court sided with the two advocacy organizations, stating that X’s refusal to cooperate hindered their research capabilities within Germany.

“No appeal can be lodged against the decision,” stated Joschka Selinger, an attorney representing GFF. He added that the ruling could be enforced through financial penalties if X refuses to comply.

The case comes as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban confronts his most serious political challenge since his Fidesz party gained control in 2010. The center-right opposition Tisza party currently leads in most public opinion surveys, though government-aligned polling organizations show Fidesz ahead, and many voters have not yet decided.

Hungary’s past elections have been marked by allegations of media manipulation and the spread of false information.

Hungarian government officials did not provide an immediate response when contacted for comment Wednesday.

DRI argued that this court decision will make it easier for civil society organizations throughout Europe to use national courts to protect digital rights.

Legal observers interpret the ruling as a warning to major platforms subject to DSA regulations that blocking researcher access could result in legal action across EU member nations.

ROME (AP) — Authorities in Italy’s capital are examining how a cherished elephant monument created by renowned Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini sustained damage to its left tusk’s tip for the second time in recent years.

Investigators discovered the broken marble piece, measuring 11 centimeters (4 inches), close to the monument during the weekend. Officials announced Wednesday they had established the fragment wasn’t part of Bernini’s original creation but had been attached during restoration efforts in 1977.

The identical section had previously been damaged through vandalism in 2016, according to Rome’s municipal government.

Authorities are currently examining surveillance footage to determine whether someone was responsible for causing the damage once more.

The compact elephant statue, situated close to Rome’s famous Pantheon, attracts numerous visitors. Pope Alexander VII asked Rome’s most celebrated Baroque artist, Bernini, to create the design after Dominican monks found a small Egyptian obelisk within their nearby monastery grounds, which sits next to the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

The elephant statue, positioned in Piazza della Minerva facing the basilica, supports the ancient obelisk on its back.

Based on Rome’s municipal website, Bernini and the monks had conflicting views about the project: The sculptor thought the obelisk’s weight could be supported by the elephant’s four legs alone, while the monks demanded additional stone reinforcement beneath its belly for better stability.

The monks prevailed in this dispute, and the resulting sturdy appearance earned the elephant the nickname “Minerva’s Piglet,” since its short legs and central support make it resemble a pig rather than an elephant.

Local folklore suggests Bernini sought payback against the monks by positioning the elephant’s rear end with its tail raised toward their monastery.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek officials announced Wednesday they are collaborating with four European nations to establish deportation facilities in third-world countries, primarily targeting locations in Africa, for asylum seekers who have been denied refugee status.

Migration Minister Thanos Plevris revealed during an interview on Greek state television ERT that his country is partnering with Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Denmark to develop these “return hubs,” with Africa being the preferred continent. According to Plevris, officials from all five nations have already conducted preliminary discussions, with technical working groups scheduled to convene next week.

“We are not speaking theoretically any more, we are speaking practically,” Plevris stated. The minister declined to identify specific African nations under consideration and noted that the continental preference “was not binding.” He explained that larger European partners are handling direct negotiations with potential host countries, “but we are participating too.”

These deportation facilities would serve individuals whose asylum requests have been denied and whose home nations refuse repatriation, Plevris clarified. He suggested the centers would discourage potential migrants with slim chances of receiving asylum approval. While the minister indicated an initial framework should emerge within months, he provided no timeline for when such facilities might become operational.

Positioned at Europe’s southeastern border, Greece has served for decades as a primary gateway into the European Union for individuals escaping violence and economic hardship across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Annual arrivals number in the tens of thousands, with most undertaking perilous maritime journeys from Turkey’s coastline to Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, or making extended Mediterranean crossings from North Africa to southern Greek territories including Gavdos and Crete.

Greek authorities have adopted increasingly strict migration policies, with the coast guard frequently facing allegations of conducting “pushbacks” — immediate deportations of new arrivals without asylum processing opportunities. Officials categorically reject such accusations.

According to Plevris, illegal border crossings dropped 21% in 2025 compared to 2024, representing 13,000 fewer arrivals, with a 40% decrease recorded over the past five months.

European legislators recently approved revised immigration regulations permitting member states to refuse asylum and deport migrants from designated safe countries or those eligible to seek protection in non-EU nations.

Plevris emphasized his government’s renewed focus on removing rejected asylum seekers. Greece currently processes approximately 5,000-7,000 deportations annually, but with roughly 40,000-50,000 new arrivals yearly — about half of whom face asylum rejection — current removal rates remain insufficient, the minister acknowledged.

The Greek official confirmed plans to travel to Rome next week for discussions with Italian and Spanish counterparts, including meetings with Pakistani officials to enhance cooperation on deportation procedures with origin countries.

Iranian and Russian naval forces are carrying out combined military training exercises Wednesday in waters off Iran’s southern coastline, according to reports from Iranian news outlets, while diplomatic leaders from both nations work simultaneously to strengthen economic partnerships.

The maritime training operations are taking place in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean regions, as reported by the FARS news agency. Officials describe the exercise as designed to improve security collaboration and naval partnership in these strategic waterways. This military activity comes just days after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards completed separate training exercises in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian naval commander Hassan Maghsoodloo explained that the training focuses on developing unified responses to maritime dangers. According to FARS reporting, Maghsoodloo stated that the exercise aims at “Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety … as well as combating maritime terrorism, are among the main goals of this joint exercise.”

The United States Naval Institute has noted that publicly available tracking information suggests the USS Lincoln may be operating near the waters where the training is scheduled to occur.

Beyond the naval activities, Iranian and Russian government representatives made progress this week on expanding economic collaboration. High-ranking officials from both nations reached agreements Tuesday to accelerate delayed contracts and eliminate obstacles impacting shared development projects, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, conducted meetings in Tehran with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov to explore expanded cooperation across multiple economic areas. Larijani characterized the relationship between Tehran and Moscow as being at an “excellent” stage that has surpassed standard diplomatic connections, observing that both nations have encountered comparable external pressures and sanctions in recent years, Tasnim reported.

Tsivilyov characterized the discussion atmosphere as “positive” and affirmed Russia’s dedication to ongoing collaboration with Iran, particularly in economic and energy fields, while also emphasizing Iran’s strategic significance in Russian foreign policy.

The energy minister is in Tehran for the 19th Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission meetings. Earlier Tuesday, he conducted discussions with Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad regarding enhanced cooperation in petroleum, energy, transportation and commerce sectors, according to the Shana News Agency, which operates under Iran’s Oil Ministry. Both Iran and Russia, facing comprehensive US sanctions, have expanded political and economic coordination in recent years as a response to Western pressure.

Vice President JD Vance revealed that the United States and Iran continue to clash over fundamental nuclear agreement terms, despite both nations committing to further dialogue after recent Geneva negotiations.

During a Fox News interview, Vance described the diplomatic meetings as producing mixed outcomes. “In some ways it went well. They agreed to meet afterward,” Vance explained. “But in other ways, it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.” Vance identified stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons as a primary non-negotiable demand.

Despite Iran’s ongoing assertions that its nuclear activities serve civilian purposes only, Vance indicated intelligence suggests otherwise. “There are a number of things that make it clear that they are interested in acquiring a nuclear weapon,” the Vice President stated.

Vance emphasized that President Donald Trump remains committed to finding a solution that blocks Iran’s nuclear weapon development through diplomatic channels or alternative approaches. “We’re going to keep on working it,” Vance explained, noting that Trump “reserves the ability to say when he thinks that diplomacy has reached its natural end.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered a markedly different perspective on the Geneva meetings, characterizing them as “constructive” and claiming both parties established shared “guiding principles.” However, an Israeli official dismissed Araghchi’s statements to Channel 13 as a “smokescreen,” predicting “the odds for a deal are low.”

Israeli leadership has voiced deep doubts about achieving a workable nuclear agreement with Iran. At last week’s Conference of Presidents’ 51st Annual National Leadership Mission, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his concerns. “I will not hide from you that I expressed my skepticism of any deal with Iran because, frankly, Iran is reliable on one thing: they lie and they cheat,” Netanyahu declared.

Netanyahu outlined specific requirements for any future agreement, including restrictions on Iran’s missile development program. He referenced the Missile Technology Control Regime’s 300-kilometer limitation, stating, “There’s an MTCR limitation of 300 kilometers, and Iran is supposed to adhere to it. Of course, it doesn’t.” The Prime Minister also demanded provisions addressing Iran’s regional proxy support, uranium enrichment cessation, and enhanced inspection protocols.

Prior to the initial US-Iran discussions, Tehran demanded negotiations focus solely on nuclear matters, rejecting inclusion of missile programs and human rights concerns. This past January, Iranian authorities violently suppressed domestic demonstrations, with human rights groups reporting thousands of deaths over two days.

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish legislators moved forward Wednesday with a comprehensive peace plan designed to end a 40-year armed conflict with Kurdish militants, though they emphasized that any legal concessions must come only after complete disarmament verification.

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission endorsed the reform package by an overwhelming margin, with the final tally showing 47 members supporting the measures, two opposing, and one abstaining, according to Haberturk broadcaster.

The approved framework outlines temporary legal provisions that would allow Kurdistan Workers’ Party members to rejoin Turkish society if they abandon violence, based on the commission’s final report shared with media outlets.

Additional proposals include expanding speech protections, releasing elderly and ill inmates, preventing the prosecution of non-violent actions under terrorism statutes, and ending the government practice of installing appointed officials to replace elected pro-Kurdish mayors.

Turkey, along with the United States and European Union, has classified the PKK as a terrorist organization. The group has conducted an armed campaign since 1984 that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and extended into Iraq and Syria.

Originally pursuing Kurdish independence, the organization later modified its objectives to seek self-governance and enhanced rights within Turkey.

According to the commission’s findings, government confirmation that the PKK has abandoned weapons and disbanded represents “the most critical threshold in the process.”

The proposals fall short of recommending parole for detained PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, instead advocating adherence to European Court of Human Rights and Turkish Constitutional Court decisions regarding detention improvements. Acknowledging widespread public resistance to PKK leniency, the document avoids broad pardons and suggests individual case evaluations for fighters.

“The report is not an amnesty arrangement,” Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmus emphasized before the voting, characterizing the commission’s efforts as “a clear expression of the determination to build the future together without denying our suffering.”

The document states that “legal regulations must not create a perception of impunity or amnesty in society.”

Officials have not indicated what the subsequent phase of the process will entail.

Established in August to supervise peace efforts, the commission was formed after the PKK responded to Ocalan’s appeal by announcing in May its intention to disarm and disband, concluding more than four decades of conflict. The organization subsequently conducted a ceremonial weapons surrender in northern Iraq and began removing remaining fighters from Turkish territory.

The PKK has not issued an immediate response, though the group has previously demanded formal legal assurances from the government to advance the process.

In a broadcast statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the commission’s work, stating it has “put forward a perspective that will give momentum” to reconciliation initiatives.

The commission’s recommendations also encompass broader democratic reforms, including media law revisions to safeguard expression rights and legitimate criticism. The proposal suggests that when mayors face removal, replacements should be selected through municipal council internal elections rather than government appointments.

ISLAMABAD — Fourteen retired international cricket captains have written to Pakistan’s leadership demanding improved prison conditions and medical treatment for Imran Khan, the former cricket star turned politician who has been behind bars since 2023.

The group of cricket legends, which includes Indian icons Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, sent their appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting that Khan receive treatment with “dignity and basic human consideration.” Their letter highlighted worries about reports suggesting Khan’s vision has declined significantly during his incarceration.

“Recent reports concerning his health — particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody — and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern,” the former captains stated in their correspondence.

Pakistani officials have not yet responded publicly to the letter, though prison authorities maintain Khan receives adequate facilities. His defense attorney Salman Safdar, who visited Khan recently, has supported these claims about improved conditions.

Members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party concluded a multi-day protest outside parliament Wednesday after medical professionals reported substantial improvement in Khan’s right eye condition and confirmed no problems with his left eye.

The 73-year-old Khan achieved cricket immortality by leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup before transitioning to politics. He held the office of prime minister from 2018 until his removal in 2022, followed by his imprisonment in 2023 on corruption and additional charges.

Khan maintains his innocence, claiming all legal proceedings against him stem from political persecution rather than legitimate criminal activity.

Health concerns intensified in late January when Khan required hospitalization for eye treatment. His legal representative Safdar revealed last week that Khan had lost approximately 85% of vision in his right eye.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed such reports as “propaganda” the previous day. Government representatives, referencing physicians who examined Khan, stated his right eye vision had shown marked improvement, though Khan’s relatives and personal doctor say they cannot verify his condition without direct access.

The letter’s signers include notable former captains such as Australia’s Ian Chappell, West Indies’ Clive Lloyd, Australia’s Allan Border, England’s Michael Brearley, England’s David Gower, New Zealand’s John Wright, and Australia’s Kim Hughes, according to Australia’s The Age publication. “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma and competitive spirit,” their letter stated.

The cricket veterans also pressed Pakistan to provide “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing.”

Former Pakistani cricket stars including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar have publicly voiced similar concerns following encouragement from former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja for Pakistani players to speak up.

Khan began his international cricket career in 1971 facing England and assumed captaincy duties in 1982. Considered among cricket’s greatest all-around players, he stepped away from the sport shortly after securing Pakistan’s sole World Cup championship in 1992. He established the PTI political party in 1996 and ascended to national leadership in 2018.

Parliamentary opposition forces removed Khan from the prime minister’s position in April 2022 through a no-confidence motion, leading to his eventual imprisonment following court verdicts. Khan contends his removal resulted from a conspiracy backed by the United States involving domestic political opponents and Pakistan’s military establishment — allegations rejected by Washington, military officials, and Prime Minister Sharif, who replaced him.

Even while incarcerated, Khan continues to wield considerable influence within Pakistan’s political landscape.

Workers at Argentina’s ports walked off the job Wednesday for a two-day strike protesting proposed changes to the country’s labor laws, according to union officials.

The maritime workers federation FESIMAF organized the work stoppage to oppose President Javier Milei’s labor reform legislation.

Port operations are being disrupted across Argentina, with the most significant impact expected at Rosario, which ranks among the globe’s major agricultural shipping centers. The strike is affecting vessel loading, unloading operations, pilot boat services, and other commercial shipping activities, industry officials report.

Guillermo Wade from the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities confirmed the strike’s immediate effects on port functions. “Ships are being loaded, but once they’re two or three feet short of the draft needed for dispatch, they’ll almost certainly stop,” Wade told Reuters.

Union representatives defended their action in a social media post. “This action aims to defend our labor rights and the stability of our jobs,” FESIMAF stated.

The proposed labor reforms have sparked widespread resistance from Argentine labor organizations, who claim the legislation would weaken worker protections that have been in place for years.

The country’s lower legislative chamber is set to consider the reform bill Thursday, following its passage in the Senate last week.

Adding to the labor tensions, Argentina’s influential CGT labor confederation has scheduled a nationwide strike for Thursday as well.

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo voiced strong support for a major new trade agreement between the European Union and India following discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The comprehensive trade pact, finalized at the end of January, will slash tariffs on the majority of goods while helping both regions reduce their dependence on American trade relationships as global commerce tensions continue to escalate.

Speaking to Reuters by phone, Orpo emphasized the deal’s significance in the current international climate. “In today’s world, the value of the trade agreement is extremely high. What we need globally is more free trade, not tariffs,” the Finnish leader stated.

According to a statement from the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders expressed enthusiasm for the EU-India agreement, describing it as something “which will serve as a catalyst for shared progress and prosperity.”

Officials anticipate the trade deal will take effect within the next twelve months.

While the European Union’s approval process has sometimes encountered hurdles – as seen with the Mercosur trade agreement that EU legislators are now challenging in court – Orpo expressed confidence that the India deal would face no similar roadblocks from member nations.

“I conveyed greetings from last week’s European Council meeting, where everyone was unusually unanimous and satisfied that the trade agreement has been concluded,” Orpo explained.

The Finnish Prime Minister, who is also participating in India’s AI Summit during his visit, announced that Finland aims to double its trade volume with India by the early 2030s.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Orpo said he urged Modi to support Finland and the EU’s stance and to maintain pressure on Russia for achieving peace. The two leaders did not discuss Russian oil exports to India during their talks.

“Modi strongly emphasised that he is working to find solutions to the crisis in Ukraine,” Orpo reported.

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s President Iliana Yotova established a temporary government on Wednesday to oversee the nation’s upcoming parliamentary vote in April, as the country works to address ongoing political turmoil and financial challenges.

According to Yotova, the interim administration’s primary responsibility will be organizing transparent and fair elections. She emphasized the government must also address citizens’ concerns about increasing costs for goods and services after Bulgaria adopted the euro as its currency in January.

The president announced that the temporary cabinet will take their oath of office during a formal parliamentary ceremony, and she plans to issue an official order scheduling emergency parliamentary elections for April 19.

The previous governing coalition, headed by the center-right GERB party, stepped down after widespread demonstrations throughout late 2025. Citizens took to the streets expressing frustration over government corruption, social inequities, and what many viewed as excessive influence from wealthy oligarchs.

This governmental breakdown has led to yet another election — marking the eighth such vote since April 2021. Political experts predict the results may strengthen nationalist parties and groups with ties to Russia.

The new interim Prime Minister, 50-year-old Andrey Gyurov, earned his economics degree from Truman State University in Missouri and completed doctoral studies at the University of Vienna in Austria. His career includes leadership roles in academic institutions and European financial organizations, leading to his 2023 appointment as deputy governor of Bulgaria’s central bank in Sofia. Previously, he served as a parliamentary member and led the reformist “We Continue the Change” political group.

Gyurov will work alongside a cabinet of specialists focused on two main objectives: conducting fair and open elections while rebuilding citizen confidence in government institutions that have suffered during the political uncertainty affecting this EU and NATO member country.

This marks Bulgaria’s 12th temporary government, with six of those appointed by former President Rumen Radev. Radev has since left the presidency to establish his own political organization and will run as a candidate in the upcoming emergency elections.

MOSCOW — Cuba’s top diplomat arrived in the Russian capital Wednesday for high-level discussions as the Caribbean island nation battles widespread electrical blackouts and critical fuel shortages intensified by American oil sanctions.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez of Cuba conducted negotiations with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and was scheduled for a subsequent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During their discussions, Lavrov called upon the United States to abandon blockade plans against Cuba, noting the island’s difficulties in securing oil imports for electrical generation and fuel processing facilities following President Donald Trump’s tariff warnings against countries providing petroleum to Cuba.

“Together with most members of the global community, we are calling on the U.S. to show common sense, take a responsible approach and refrain from its plans of sea blockade,” Lavrov stated while meeting with Rodriguez.

The Russian foreign minister pledged Moscow’s continued commitment to “supporting Cuba and its people in protecting the country’s sovereignty and security.”

Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov emphasized that “Russia, like many other countries, has consistently spoken against the blockade of the island.”

“We have our relations with Cuba, and we value these relations very much,” Peskov informed journalists. “And we intend to further develop them — of course, during difficult times, by providing appropriate assistance to our friends.”

When questioned about potential impacts on improving US-Russia relations if Moscow provides fuel assistance to Cuba, Peskov stated that “we don’t think these issues are linked.”

The Russian leader has commended Trump’s mediation efforts regarding the Ukraine conflict, with both Moscow and Washington exploring opportunities to rebuild economic partnerships.

Cuba lost a major petroleum source when Venezuela halted crude oil sales to the island in January following the US capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro during an early morning operation, subsequently transporting him to New York on drug trafficking charges.

Additionally, Mexico terminated oil deliveries to Cuba in January after Trump issued tariff warnings.

Last week, Russia’s Izvestia publication reported that Moscow’s embassy in Havana indicated preparations for humanitarian fuel deliveries to the Cuban capital in the coming period. Monday saw Russian Ambassador Viktor Koronelli confirm Moscow’s examination of assistance logistics for Cuba, though he provided no detailed timeline.

The fuel crisis has already impacted Russian tourism operations, forcing travel companies to suspend Cuban vacation packages after Havana announced it cannot guarantee aircraft fuel for incoming flights.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s top diplomat has expressed optimism about Myanmar rejoining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations following controversial elections conducted almost five years after military leaders seized control of the country.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow made these remarks Wednesday following discussions with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe during meetings held in southern Thailand.

The neighboring nation completed a three-stage electoral process spanning from December through January, marking the first voting since the 2021 military takeover that removed an elected administration and plunged Myanmar into chaos and internal conflict.

Election officials announced victory for a party backed by the military in areas where voting was permitted, though the United Nations and human rights organizations have condemned the electoral process.

MOSCOW – Moscow is calling on five European nations to back up their accusations with hard evidence after they claimed Russia poisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny using a toxin derived from South American dart frogs, according to statements made Wednesday by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Over the weekend, officials from Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands announced that laboratory testing of biological samples taken from Navalny had detected epibatidine – a poisonous compound naturally occurring in South American poison dart frogs that does not exist in Russia’s environment. The European officials stated that Russia possessed the “means, motive and opportunity” to poison the Kremlin opponent with this substance.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Zakharova dismissed the European claims as lacking substance. “All the accusations against Russia were of the ‘highly likely’ variety. There were no specific details. It was purely a proclamation to become the opening act of the Munich (security) conference and to overshadow the Epstein files,” she stated.

“We demand they hand over concrete data on this issue,” Zakharova added.

Russian government officials have completely denied the European allegations, while Yulia Navalnaya, whose husband was the deceased opposition leader, stated that the real circumstances surrounding her spouse’s death have now been revealed.

Romania’s Constitutional Court delivered a significant victory to the country’s pro-European Union government on Wednesday, approving sweeping changes to judicial retirement benefits and age requirements.

The ruling allows Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s administration to move forward with reforms that will gradually increase the retirement age for judges and prosecutors from approximately 50 years old to the standard 65 over the next 15 years.

Additionally, the approved measures will limit judicial pensions to 70% of an individual’s final gross salary. Currently, judicial retirement benefits fall into a special category that operates independently of tax contributions, with monthly payments reaching approximately 5,000 euros ($5,800) — significantly higher than Romania’s national average of 600 euros.

The government’s broad coalition initially attempted to implement these judicial pension modifications last year as part of requirements to secure EU recovery and resilience funding.

However, the Constitutional Court rejected the original legislation in October due to technical issues, prompting officials to draft and approve revised measures.

“The reform of special pensions has been much requested by Romanian society and we are achieving a great step towards equality,” government officials stated in their announcement.

The European Commission maintained special oversight of Romania’s judicial system for corruption concerns from the country’s 2007 EU membership until 2023.

However, recent developments have raised new concerns about anti-corruption efforts, as the pace of corruption investigations has decreased since 2023, and several high-profile acquittals have sparked questions about the momentum of graft-fighting initiatives.

These concerns intensified last December when approximately 700 judges and prosecutors made allegations of ongoing systemic misconduct within the justice system, leading to several days of street demonstrations focused on anti-corruption themes.

Bolojan’s coalition government, which assumed power in June, has weathered six no-confidence votes, primarily related to tax increases and spending reductions designed to address the European Union’s largest budget deficit and maintain Romania’s investment-grade debt status.

Despite these challenges, the four-party coalition continues to face difficulties reaching consensus on public sector employment and spending reductions, with the 2026 budget still awaiting approval.

A comprehensive international survey conducted by the Pew Research Center explored what citizens value most about their home countries across 25 nations, revealing diverse sources of national pride. The research findings show dramatically different priorities depending on the country.

According to the study, Americans overwhelmingly cite freedom as their primary source of national pride. Meanwhile, Canadians point to diversity and multiculturalism as what they value most about their nation. The survey revealed that Italians take greatest pride in their artistic legacy and cultural traditions, while citizens of India highlight their country’s economic achievements. Notably, Israel stands alone among the surveyed nations, with its residents identifying religion as their foremost reason for national pride.

VARADERO BEACH, Cuba – The pristine beaches of Cuba’s Varadero peninsula, featuring crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white sand, paint a picture of tropical perfection.

However, these once-bustling resort beaches have become increasingly deserted since Cuban officials declared on February 8 that the country was facing a critical jet fuel shortage.

Recovery appears unlikely in the near future.

A comprehensive Reuters investigation involving hotel operators, travel companies, airlines, and local tourism workers reveals that virtually every segment of the industry has been severely impacted by the fuel crisis. This development threatens to deliver a fatal blow to an already struggling sector that serves as a lifeline for Cuba’s battered economy.

Major Canadian carriers including Air Canada, WestJet, and Transat – representing the primary airlines from Canada, Cuba’s top visitor source – have announced flight suspensions to the island. According to analytics company Cirium, this will result in up to 1,709 canceled flights through April, potentially reducing visitor numbers by hundreds of thousands during the crucial winter tourism season.

Russian aviation authorities announced last week that they plan to evacuate their tourists from Cuba in the coming days before halting all flights until the fuel crisis subsides. Russia represents Cuba’s third-largest tourist market.

International hotel chain NH announced Friday that it had shuttered all its Cuban properties, while Spanish hospitality giant Melia, Cuba’s largest hotel operator, revealed the same day it had closed three of its 30 island locations and was consolidating guests into better-equipped facilities with higher capacity.

“There is just total uncertainty,” said Alejandro Morejon, a 53-year-old tourism guide who began work in Varadero shortly after Cuba re-opened to international tourism in the 1990s. “Everything is beginning to fall apart.”

The tourism crisis represents the first major casualty in a broader U.S. campaign designed to pressure Cuba’s leadership through economic strangulation by preventing oil deliveries to the Caribbean nation.

The Trump administration has designated Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to American national security, severing Venezuelan oil supplies to the island while threatening tariffs against any country that provides fuel to Cuba.

The tourism industry generated $1.3 billion in foreign currency for the communist government in 2024, the most recent year for which dollar figures were available, representing approximately 10% of total export revenues.

Paolo Spadoni, an Augusta University economist in Georgia who specializes in Cuban economic analysis, noted that tourism, along with medical professional exports and remittances, forms the backbone of the country’s critical hard currency income.

The Trump administration has targeted all three revenue streams with renewed sanctions that had already prevented the resort industry from achieving a complete post-pandemic recovery.

“The complete collapse of Cuba’s tourism sector would create an unsustainable situation for the Cuban economy and threaten its survival,” Spadoni said.

Cuba welcomed only 1.8 million tourists in 2025, declining from 2.2 million the previous year and marking the lowest visitor count in over twenty years.

Current tourists expressed difficulty relaxing, feeling anxious following Cuba’s recent announcement about the impending jet fuel depletion.

“We’re just winging it, trying not to stress, because we don’t want it to ruin our trip,” said Tyler LaMountaine, an Alberta-based oil and gas industry worker who had come to Cuba with his wife to escape Canada’s cold winter but worried they could end up stranded by the canceled flights. “But you get scared because everyone else is scared.”

Cuban government officials announced a contingency strategy in early February to safeguard essential services including emergency medical care and elementary education.

Leadership initially assured that tourism and international aviation would remain unaffected, but two days later, authorities informed aviation stakeholders that fuel supplies would soon be exhausted.

Carriers throughout Europe, South America, the United States, Russia, and Canada have subsequently reduced flights or modified routes to accommodate the fuel shortage.

APPROACHING CRISIS

Surface conditions in Varadero appear normal at the beach destination that once served as a winter retreat for the DuPont family before Cuba’s 1959 revolution and now attracts Europeans and Canadians during the northern hemisphere’s cold months.

As of late last week, souvenir stores and most dining establishments remained operational. Beach furniture and umbrellas still lined the shores, and sunburned visitors continued collecting shells and swimming in the remarkably clear waters.

However, Reuters verified that at least two peninsula hotels had ceased operations.

A security officer at the Domina Marina resort, an extensive complex featuring multiple towers overlooking an expansive marina constructed in the early 2010s, prevented a reporter from accessing the property and confirmed its closure. The hotel’s local telephone line was disconnected.

Local employees indicated that maintaining hotel and restaurant operations will become increasingly challenging as the U.S. fuel blockade enters its third complete week.

Jorge Fernandez, who provides peninsula tours for visitors in a pink 1950s convertible, reported late last week that his fuel supply would last only one additional day.

“After that, it’s back home to invent something else to do,” the 53-year-old said.

“Trump and (Cuban President) Miguel Diaz-Canel need to come to some agreement because the only ones that are suffering here are the people,” Fernandez said. “The country is shutting down.”

BEIJING — A devastating blast at a pyrotechnics store in China’s Hubei province claimed the lives of 12 people on Wednesday, marking the second deadly incident of its kind within days as the nation observes Lunar New Year festivities.

Fire crews extinguished flames at the fireworks retailer located in Xiangyang, a town in central Hubei province, during Wednesday afternoon hours, the state-run Xinhua News Agency confirmed. Officials are currently examining what triggered the deadly blast, though the report provided no additional specifics.

Pyrotechnic displays play a central role in China’s Lunar New Year traditions, yet they have repeatedly led to tragic incidents.

Just days earlier on Sunday, a separate tragedy at a fireworks retailer in Jiangsu province’s eastern region resulted in eight deaths and left two others wounded. Officials determined that a local resident had ignited fireworks in proximity to the store.

China’s central authorities issued a safety warning on Tuesday, with the Ministry of Emergency Management declaring that “fireworks are still the biggest risks during the Spring Festival period.”

Germany’s national railway operator has fully restored its ticketing and customer information platforms following a cyber attack that knocked systems offline Tuesday, the company announced Wednesday.

Deutsche Bahn confirmed that a distributed denial-of-service attack temporarily disrupted their digital services, but stated that protective measures helped reduce disruptions for travelers. “Our countermeasures were effective in minimizing the impact on our customers,” the railway company posted on their official blog, though they did not identify the perpetrators behind the attack.

This latest incident adds to a pattern of security challenges facing Germany’s rail network. The transportation company has faced previous suspected sabotage attempts that German officials believe were intentional, including incidents where attackers severed fiber optic communication lines, bringing train operations to a complete standstill.

Ukraine’s current ambassador to Britain has broken his silence about a dramatic behind-the-scenes conflict with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including a shocking intelligence raid on his military command center that nearly escalated into an armed confrontation.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the 52-year-old former army commander who many consider Zelenskyy’s primary political challenger, revealed the previously unknown incident during his first public discussion of tensions between the two Ukrainian leaders. The confrontation occurred in September 2022, just months after Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

According to Zaluzhnyi’s account, dozens of domestic intelligence agents unexpectedly appeared at his military headquarters following a heated meeting with Zelenskyy. British officers were present at the facility during the search, which Zaluzhnyi describes as an intimidation tactic.

The situation became so tense that Zaluzhnyi contacted Zelenskyy’s chief of staff with a stark ultimatum. “I will fight with you and have already called in reinforcements to the center of Kyiv for support,” he warned, threatening to deploy military forces to halt the intelligence operation.

Neither Zelenskyy’s administration nor Ukraine’s security service responded to requests for comment about the incident, and the details could not be independently verified.

The intelligence agency had obtained a court warrant claiming to search for a strip club allegedly operated by criminals at that location. However, former employees of the establishment told reporters the club had relocated before the Russian invasion began, suggesting the warrant may have been fabricated.

Zaluzhnyi believes the search was deliberately targeting him. “I told Yermak that I would repel this attack, because I know how to fight,” he said, referring to his conversation with the president’s chief of staff at the time.

The dramatic revelation comes as disagreements between the two leaders over military strategy continued throughout the conflict. Their most significant dispute centered on Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

Zaluzhnyi maintains that his original battle plan, developed with NATO assistance, could have succeeded if properly resourced. The strategy called for concentrating forces into what he termed a “single fist” to recapture Zaporizhzhia region and advance to the Sea of Azov, cutting off Russian supply lines to occupied Crimea.

Instead, he says, forces were scattered across multiple fronts, weakening their effectiveness. Two Western defense officials confirmed Zaluzhnyi’s version of how the counteroffensive deviated from initial plans.

The ongoing friction led to Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal as army chief in February 2024, followed by his appointment as ambassador to London. Political observers interpreted the diplomatic posting as Zelenskyy’s attempt to neutralize a potential rival by removing him from Ukraine’s daily operations.

Recent polling data supports concerns about Zaluzhnyi’s political potential. An Ipsos survey from last month shows him leading Zelenskyy 23% to 20% in a hypothetical future election, making him the president’s strongest competitor.

Zelenskyy’s popularity has declined as the war continues, particularly following corruption scandals involving senior officials. The president recently reorganized his leadership team in response to eroding public confidence.

From his London embassy office, decorated with military aircraft posters and children’s battlefield drawings, Zaluzhnyi monitors the ongoing conflict through real-time drone footage. He criticizes current Ukrainian strategy as requiring unrealistic troop numbers and lacking proper technology deployment.

Despite his removal from military leadership, Zaluzhnyi says his interactions with Zelenskyy have remained cordial during their two meetings since his departure. However, he continues receiving offers from campaign consultants and political operatives interested in supporting a future presidential bid.

One notable approach came from Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who previously worked for Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. “I thanked him for paying attention to me, but said that I did not need his services,” Zaluzhnyi stated. Manafort did not respond to media inquiries.

The former general insists he won’t discuss political ambitions while the war continues, citing concerns about national unity. “Until the war is over or martial law ends, I am not discussing this and have done nothing toward that,” he explained.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko suggests many Ukrainians view Zaluzhnyi as someone capable of systemic change. “People will vote not only for Zaluzhnyi but also against Zelenskyy — blaming him for the failures of his presidency,” Fesenko observed.

The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as Russian forces continue advancing along Ukraine’s eastern front, while the United States pressures both sides toward a potential peace agreement. President Trump has proposed a framework calling for post-war elections and security guarantees, which Zelenskyy has accepted in principle.

The disclosure of high-level Ukrainian leadership conflicts risks further polarizing public opinion at a crucial moment in the war effort, potentially undermining the national unity both leaders claim to prioritize.

GENEVA — Representatives from Russia and Ukraine continued American-mediated discussions in Geneva on Wednesday, extending their diplomatic efforts into a second straight day as they attempt to resolve political and military disputes that have persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.

Ukrainian delegation leader Rustem Umerov posted on X that “consultations are taking place in working groups by areas within the political and military tracks,” adding that delegates are “working on clarifying the parameters and mechanisms of the decisions discussed yesterday.”

These Switzerland-based discussions mark the third series of direct negotiations facilitated by the United States, following earlier sessions this year in Abu Dhabi that officials characterized as productive despite failing to achieve any major breakthrough.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, stated on social media that America’s year-long diplomatic efforts toward Ukrainian peace have “brought about meaningful progress,” though he provided no additional details and combat operations have persisted.

Military forces from both nations remain engaged along an approximately 750-mile battle zone, as Russia continues its bombardment of Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian air force officials reported that Russia fired one ballistic missile and 126 long-range drones at Ukraine during overnight attacks.

In the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone attack resulted in one woman’s death and wounded seven others, including two young children, according to regional military leader Ivan Fedorov.

The two countries continue to maintain significantly different positions regarding potential peace terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed implementing a ceasefire and arranging direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Moscow insists on securing a comprehensive settlement before agreeing to halt hostilities.

Putin maintains the same primary objectives he established when Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022: Ukraine must abandon its NATO membership aspirations, dramatically reduce its military forces, and safeguard Russian language and cultural interests to maintain the country within Moscow’s sphere of influence.

Putin also demands that Ukraine remove its military presence from four territories that Russia has seized but does not completely control.

Zelenskyy maintains that Ukraine will not cede any territory to Russia.

MOSCOW – Russian officials firmly rejected allegations Wednesday that Moscow or Beijing have conducted clandestine nuclear weapons testing, responding to recent American accusations against China.

Washington earlier this month alleged that China secretly performed nuclear testing in 2020, while simultaneously pushing for expanded arms control agreements that would include China alongside existing U.S.-Russia frameworks.

“We’ve heard many references to certain tests. Both the Russian Federation and China have been mentioned in this regard. Neither the Russian Federation nor China has conducted any nuclear tests,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov further stated: “We also know that these allegations were categorically denied by a representative of the People’s Republic of China, so that’s the situation.”

President Donald Trump has been advocating for China’s participation in negotiations to create a successor agreement to New START, the final nuclear arms limitation treaty between America and Russia that lapsed on February 5.

The treaty’s recent expiration has sparked debate among defense analysts, with some warning of a potential acceleration in global nuclear weapons development, while others believe such concerns are overstated.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s top diplomat is scheduled to sit down with Myanmar’s foreign minister Wednesday as part of an effort to foster dialogue and explore peaceful solutions in the conflict-torn nation following recent elections that solidified military control.

Myanmar has experienced widespread violence and government oppression ever since military forces seized power in 2021, overthrowing the country’s first democratically elected government in fifty years.

The military-supported political party declared success in January’s voting, which took place in select regions only. The United Nations and human rights organizations have condemned these elections.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow explained to media on Tuesday evening that the planned discussion with Myanmar’s Than Swe, who previously served as both a military officer and diplomatic representative, could represent a pivotal moment for establishing peace following the disputed vote.

According to a ministry announcement, Wednesday’s diplomatic session will address future bilateral relationships as well as Myanmar’s connections with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We have not said we’ve accepted (the election), but it’s the reality that an election has happened, so we’ll help by being a bridge. But for us to help them, they have to help us,” Sihasak said.

“It’s time for ASEAN to move. We can have conversations to help the transition be positive … so they can understand ASEAN’s good intentions,” he said.

Thailand faces higher stakes regarding Myanmar’s situation than other ASEAN countries, given that the two nations share a 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) boundary – Myanmar’s most extensive border with any neighboring country.

Than Swe previously represented Myanmar as its U.S. ambassador in 2012 and subsequently gained prominence following the 2021 military takeover, eventually assuming roles as both deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Turkish parliamentary representatives are scheduled to cast votes Wednesday on a comprehensive proposal designed to move forward peace negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers Party, a militant organization that has waged conflict for more than four decades.

The PKK, which Turkey, the United States, and the European Union classify as a terrorist group, ceased its attacks last year and announced plans to surrender weapons and dissolve, requesting that Turkish officials create pathways for its members to enter legitimate political participation.

The approximately 60-page proposal, distributed to media representatives before Wednesday’s parliamentary vote in Ankara, outlines simultaneous legal changes as the PKK surrenders its weapons. The document calls for judicial officials to examine current laws and ensure compliance with rulings from both the European Court of Human Rights and Turkey’s Constitutional Court.

Parliamentary approval of this proposal would move peace negotiations into the legislative arena, as President Tayyip Erdogan, who has led Turkey for more than twenty years, works to halt violence that has created significant internal divisions and extended beyond Turkey’s borders into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Parliamentary officials established the commission in August 2025 to facilitate a possible new chapter in efforts to resolve the deadly conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and hindered economic progress in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeastern regions.

Since beginning its insurgency in 1984, the PKK initially demanded an independent nation within Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast, though in recent years the group has modified its goals to focus on expanded Kurdish civil rights and partial self-governance.

The prolonged conflict has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths, with militants comprising the majority of casualties, while Turkey’s NATO-allied military forces pushed PKK operations into remote mountainous areas of northern Iraq.

In symbolic gestures, the PKK has destroyed some of its weapons and declared it is removing any remaining combatants from Turkish territory as an initial step toward lawful reintegration into society, following directives from imprisoned movement leader Abdullah Ocalan.

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s government reports significant progress in its battle against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab extremist organization, with American-supported air campaigns and expanded military operations helping shift the balance of power in the nation’s prolonged conflict.

Officials claim recent efforts have successfully recaptured territory from the militants while targeting key leadership figures and bomb-making operations within the terrorist network.

This military escalation occurs during a crucial transition period, as African Union peacekeeping forces begin their gradual withdrawal while Somalia prepares to take on increased responsibility for national security — almost twenty years since al-Shabab became a major insurgent threat.

The extremist organization first appeared in the mid-2000s as the military branch of what was then called the Islamic Courts Union coalition, later establishing ties with al-Qaeda. During its strongest period, the group maintained control over large portions of southern and central Somalia, including sections of the capital city Mogadishu.

African Union forces successfully expelled al-Shabab from Mogadishu in 2011, prompting the organization to change tactics toward guerrilla-style attacks, suicide bombings, and assassination campaigns. United Nations monitoring reports indicate the group continues generating millions annually through forced taxation and extortion schemes.

American military strikes in Somalia have continued for over ten years. During his initial presidency in 2020, Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of most American personnel. Two years later, Joe Biden authorized the return of U.S. forces to Somalia, reestablishing a continuous advisory and anti-terrorism mission.

Government officials report that Somali military units have successfully reclaimed territories in Lower Shabelle, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and portions of Jubbaland that had remained under militant control for extended periods.

Somalia’s state defense minister Omar Ali Abdi told The Associated Press that several Lower Shabelle locations, including Jilib Marka, Gendershe, and Dhanaane — all former al-Shabab strongholds — are now under military control.

Abdi also highlighted victories in the central Hiiraan region, specifically mentioning Taydaan and Yasooman, along with operations near Masjid Ali Gaduud in Middle Shabelle. In Jubbaland’s Kudhaa area, he reported that combined operations featuring regional Darawiish forces and Somalia’s American-trained Danab special operations units have eliminated numerous militants and captured equipment.

Al-Shabab has not acknowledged these claimed territorial losses. Independent confirmation remains challenging due to restricted access in many disputed regions.

American forces conduct aerial strikes throughout areas under U.S. Africa Command jurisdiction, targeting al-Shabab commanders, training facilities, and weapons sites in coordination with Somalia’s federal government.

State minister Abdi reported that recent air operations successfully destroyed facilities manufacturing improvised explosive devices and eliminated bomb-laden vehicles before deployment. He noted that Somali intelligence agencies provide confirmed targeting information.

AFRICOM states it performs precision strikes while evaluating potential civilian casualties before execution. Previous U.S. strikes in Somalia have faced criticism from human rights organizations regarding civilian deaths. AFRICOM has acknowledged certain incidents and maintains it investigates such allegations.

Mogadishu-based security expert Abdullahi Ahmed Ali explained that enhanced aerial surveillance and strike capabilities transformed what had been a relatively balanced conflict.

During earlier stages, he noted, both government troops and al-Shabab possessed comparable ground weaponry. The government’s disadvantage was the absence of consistent airpower and continuous surveillance.

Enhanced drone operations have enabled forces to locate al-Shabab’s underground facilities and supply lines that were previously inaccessible, he explained. After aerial targeting of these positions, government troops could more easily advance into those territories.

Somali leadership reports that drones now deliver advance warning of militant activity near Mogadishu, where al-Shabab continues conducting bombings despite enhanced security measures.

The renewed offensive’s timing coincides significantly with the transition away from African Union forces — officially called the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia — who are progressively reducing their presence as Somali forces assume greater responsibility.

Security analysts emphasize this makes air support and intelligence coordination with international allies increasingly vital.

Simultaneously, Somalia confronts multiple challenges, including climate-driven drought conditions, political friction between federal and regional governments, and budget shortfalls impacting security and humanitarian programs.

Some security specialists warn that territorial victories over al-Shabab require consolidation through effective governance and public services. During past military campaigns, al-Shabab successfully returned to areas after government forces departed or failed to maintain ongoing presence.

Somali authorities claim thousands of al-Shabab fighters have died since the intensified campaign began, including dozens during recent operations in coastal Kudhaa and other locations. These casualty figures cannot be independently confirmed.

Experts caution that territorial authority in Somalia remains unstable, especially in rural areas. While government forces appear to have expanded their reach in multiple regions, al-Shabab maintains access to extensive areas of central and southern Somalia.

Somali officials indicate operations will continue alongside international partners, combining ground campaigns, intelligence collection, and reconstruction projects in recovered communities.

According to Abdi, the government intends to reconstruct housing and provide assistance in newly secured areas to prevent al-Shabab from regaining control. However, despite reported government advances, al-Shabab remains among Africa’s most persistent militant organizations and a primary security threat.

This means the government must now convert battlefield successes into enduring stability. Success will depend on Somalia’s capacity to secure and administer territory as international peacekeeping forces reduce their involvement.

MOSCOW – Russia’s digital development minister has accused international spy agencies of intercepting communications from Russian military personnel who use the Telegram messaging platform, according to a Wednesday report from Interfax news agency.

Minister Maksud Shadayev made the allegations as Russian authorities continue pressuring the widely-used messaging service, which has become popular among Russian troops deployed in Ukraine. Officials have placed restrictions on Telegram, claiming the company refuses to remove what they consider extremist material.

“There are numerous indications that foreign intelligence agencies have access to the messenger’s correspondence and are using this data against the Russian military,” Shadayev stated according to the news agency.

Russia’s communications oversight body, Roskomnadzor, has been deliberately slowing Telegram’s performance as part of a broader campaign against international messaging platforms that officials say violate Russian regulations.

Last week, the Kremlin announced it had completely banned WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, for non-compliance with domestic laws. Russian officials are encouraging citizens to switch to MAX, a government-supported “national messenger” service.

However, critics argue that MAX functions as a surveillance system, though Russian government officials reject these accusations.

The resignation of Dubai port company DP World’s top executive represents the most significant Middle Eastern consequence stemming from Justice Department documents that reveal how Jeffrey Epstein worked to establish influential connections with political and business figures throughout the region.

DP World made the announcement Friday that Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem had stepped down from his positions as CEO and chairman. Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that the company made this decision after Bin Sulayem’s connections to Epstein came under increased examination following the release of the government documents.

The correspondence between the two men included discussions about Bin Sulayem’s romantic encounters with women Epstein had introduced to him. In one email from November 9, 2007, Bin Sulayem informed Epstein about meeting one such woman in New York, though he stated no sexual contact occurred.

“Yes after several attempts for several months we managed to meet in NY,” Bin Sulayem wrote, explaining there had been confusion because “she wanted some BUSINESS! while i only wanted some PUSSYNESS!”

Dubai’s leadership also issued an official order Friday naming a replacement chairman for Dubai’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, another position Bin Sulayem had occupied.

While Reuters could only verify portions of the Epstein documents concerning Bin Sulayem, sources confirmed his departure was connected to the files, though they provided no additional specifics. Neither Bin Sulayem nor DP World responded to requests for comment regarding his resignation.

Email exchanges show Epstein characterizing Bin Sulayem as humorous, reliable, and passionate about food. Epstein noted that Bin Sulayem, who practices Islam, abstains from alcohol and maintains his daily prayer schedule.

A photograph without a date stamp, appearing in an email and available publicly, depicts Epstein and Bin Sulayem cooking side by side, appearing comfortable in each other’s company. The complete identity of the email recipient remains unclear.

Bin Sulayem has made no public statements regarding Epstein’s characterizations or their email correspondence.

While appearing in these documents doesn’t indicate illegal conduct, Congressional members highlighting Bin Sulayem’s presence in the Justice Department files prompted renewed questioning from some of DP World’s financial supporters about his historical associations.

Bin Sulayem offered no public response to these concerns. British International Investment, the UK’s development finance organization, along with Canada’s second-largest pension fund, announced last week they would halt all new DP World investments due to Bin Sulayem’s alleged Epstein connections.

“We are shocked by the allegations emerging in the Epstein Files regarding Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,” a BII representative stated, without specifying which claims prompted concern. “In light of the allegations, we will not be making any new investments with DP World until the required actions have been taken by the company.”

Canadian pension fund La Caisse announced it was “pausing additional capital deployment alongside the company” pending DP World’s clarification of the matter and implementation of “the necessary actions.”

Following Friday’s DP World leadership transition, BII expressed approval of the company’s actions and anticipated continuing “our partnership to advance the development of key African trading ports.” La Caisse stated “the company took the appropriate measures” and would “move quickly to work with DP World’s new leadership to continue our partnership on port projects around the world.”

The extensive collection of Justice Department documents, encompassing text messages and emails, demonstrates that Epstein’s strategy of leveraging his wealth to cultivate relationships with influential figures in politics, finance, academia, and business extended globally, including the Middle East.

Reuters could not determine Epstein’s success level in attempting to influence his Middle Eastern contacts or whether they followed his guidance.

The Justice Department materials examined by Reuters reveal Epstein’s attempts to counsel Qatari business and political leaders during the 2017-2021 economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. These nations accused Qatar of maintaining inappropriate ties with Iran and supporting terrorism, allegations Qatar rejected.

In communications with Qatari businessman and royal family member Sheikh Jabor Yousuf Jassim Al Thani, Epstein recommended Qatar “stop kicking and arguing…let the heat come down a bit.” He criticized “the current Qatar team is very weak” and stated “FM is not experienced and it shows.”

The foreign minister during that period was Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who currently holds both foreign minister and prime minister roles. Sheikh Mohammed has not publicly addressed Epstein’s assessment. Qatar’s International Media Office, responsible for prime ministerial media inquiries, declined commentary when asked about these exchanges.

Reuters received no responses to comment requests sent to three Qatari companies listing Sheikh Jabor as chairman, nor to a text message sent to someone the Justice Department files identify as working in Sheikh Jabor’s office.

Epstein encouraged Qatar to establish Israeli connections to maintain favorable relations with then-President Donald Trump during his initial term. He proposed either moving toward Israeli recognition or contributing $1 billion to a terrorism victims’ fund. Qatar ultimately maintained its independent approach. The blockading nations restored Qatar relations in 2021, and current Trump administration-Qatar ties remain robust.

Epstein engaged in extensive email discussions about Saudi Aramco’s planned initial public offering. In a September 10, 2016 exchange with someone identified as Aziza Alahmadi, copying former Norwegian diplomat Terje Roed-Larsen, Epstein cautioned that Aramco’s public listing could expose Saudi Arabia to legal action and asset confiscation. Saudi Aramco declined to comment on these communications.

Reuters could not contact Alahmadi for comment and was unable to determine her involvement, if any, in Epstein’s activities.

In an October 16, 2017 email also sent to Alahmadi, Epstein proposed offering China an option to purchase a $100-billion Aramco stake instead of pursuing a conventional IPO, arguing this would provide liquidity while reducing public market exposure.

Saudi Aramco refused Reuters’ request for comment regarding the emails. Roed-Larsen did not immediately respond to an email comment request sent through his attorney.

The Justice Department documents show Epstein’s influence reached Egypt as well. Some emails reveal a 2011 request from Hosni Mubarak’s family member – specifically his son Gamal Mubarak’s wife – seeking Epstein’s assistance following the former president’s removal from power and subsequent legal difficulties. The documents don’t specify what help was requested, and Reuters couldn’t establish whether Epstein attempted to intervene for the family.

Reuters sent comment requests to two attorneys who represented Gamal Mubarak, one by email and another by text message, but received no immediate responses.

GENEVA – Diplomatic representatives from Ukraine and Russia reconvened Wednesday for their second consecutive day of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced concerns about excessive American pressure to conclude the four-year conflict.

The Switzerland-based discussions, facilitated by U.S. mediators, come amid repeated public statements from President Donald Trump suggesting Ukraine and its leader must take decisive action to ensure successful negotiations.

In a Tuesday interview with Axios, Zelenskyy expressed his displeasure with Trump’s approach, stating it was “not fair” that the American president consistently demands Ukraine, rather than Russia, make compromises when discussing potential peace agreement terms.

The Ukrainian leader firmly stated that any proposed settlement requiring his country to surrender territory in the eastern Donbas region that remains under Ukrainian control would face rejection by citizens in a national referendum.

“I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision,” Zelenskyy told Axios regarding Trump’s public statements.

Despite his criticism, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Trump’s diplomatic efforts and noted that his direct discussions with chief U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner have not involved similar pressure tactics.

Trump addressed reporters Monday with a direct message: “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.”

Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, who leads the National Security and Defence Council, characterized Tuesday’s discussions as focusing on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” though he declined to elaborate on specifics.

Russian representatives remained silent about the proceedings, but Russian media outlets cited unnamed sources describing the talks as “very tense” and lasting six hours across various bilateral and trilateral meeting formats.

Prior to the Geneva meetings, Umerov tempered expectations for major progress, indicating the Ukrainian delegation approached the talks “without excessive expectations.”

During his Tuesday evening address, Zelenskyy said he awaited updates from his negotiating team in Switzerland.

“We are ready to move quickly toward a worthy agreement to end the war,” Zelenskyy declared. “The question for the Russians is: Just what do they want?”

These Geneva discussions follow two previous rounds of American-brokered negotiations in Abu Dhabi that ended without significant progress, as both nations remained deeply divided on crucial matters including territorial control in eastern Ukraine.

Early Wednesday, Witkoff praised Trump’s diplomatic approach on social media platform X, stating that Trump’s “success in bringing both sides of this war together has brought about meaningful progress, and we are proud to work under his leadership to stop the killing in this terrible conflict.”

“Both parties agreed to update their respective leaders and continue working towards a deal,” Witkoff added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation Tuesday evening to review diplomatic developments following peace negotiations in Geneva, according to officials from Downing Street.

The call between the two leaders covered the ongoing U.S.-facilitated peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, as well as recent dialogue between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program, a spokesperson for the British government confirmed.

During their conversation, Starmer and Trump also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the British Prime Minister emphasizing the critical need to expand access for aid deliveries to the region, the spokesperson added.

Representatives from both Ukraine and Russia wrapped up the initial day of two-day peace negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, with the U.S. serving as mediator. Trump has been urging Ukrainian officials to move quickly toward reaching an agreement.

In a related development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced that his country and the United States had reached a preliminary understanding Tuesday on “guiding principles” designed to address their ongoing nuclear disagreement, though he cautioned that this does not indicate an immediate resolution is forthcoming.

WARSAW – The Polish military announced Tuesday evening that it has implemented a ban on Chinese-manufactured vehicles entering secure military installations, expressing concerns that embedded sensors in these cars could potentially gather classified information.

According to a military statement, exceptions may be granted for these vehicles to access restricted areas only when certain functions are deactivated and additional security protocols required by individual facilities are implemented.

The armed forces have also prohibited personnel from linking work phones to entertainment and navigation systems in cars produced in China as an additional measure to prevent potential data breaches.

Military officials clarified that these new rules do not extend to military facilities open to the public, including medical centers, healthcare clinics, libraries, legal offices, and recreational facilities for service members.

The Polish Army emphasized that these security measures are preventative steps that mirror protocols already adopted by NATO partners and allied nations to maintain robust protection standards for defense installations.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government issued a ban Wednesday preventing one of its citizens with suspected Islamic State connections from returning home from a Syrian detention facility.

This individual was part of a 34-person group consisting of women and children who attempted to travel from Damascus to Australia on Monday. However, Syrian officials sent them back to the Roj detention facility due to administrative issues.

Since the Islamic State lost territorial control in Syria in 2019, the country has held wives of former militants and their children from various nations in detention camps.

Tony Burke, the Home Affairs Minister, announced that Australian security officials determined one person in the group posed enough risk to warrant entry denial, even though they hold citizenship. Burke declined to reveal the person’s identity or specify the duration of the prohibition.

“I can confirm that one individual in this cohort has been issued a temporary exclusion order, which was made on advice from security agencies,” Burke stated.

“At this stage, security agencies have not provided advice that other members of the cohort meet the required legal thresholds for temporary exclusion orders,” Burke continued.

These temporary exclusion orders allow Burke to block high-risk citizens from entering Australia for as long as two years.

Previously, Australian administrations have brought home Australian women and children from Syrian camps twice. Additional Australians have also made their way back independently.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese restated his stance from the previous day that his administration would not provide assistance to bring this latest group home.

“These are people who chose to go overseas to align themselves with an ideology which is the caliphate, which is a brutal, reactionary ideology and that seeks to undermine and destroy our way of life,” Albanese explained to media.

“We are doing nothing to repatriate or to assist these people. I think it’s unfortunate that children are caught up in this, that’s not their decision, but it’s the decision of their parents or their mother,” Albanese continued.

COPENHAGEN – Government leaders from Nordic countries are gathering in Denmark today to consider granting Greenland equal standing in their regional partnership, a direct response to President Donald Trump’s demands for U.S. control over the Arctic territory.

The meeting comes after Denmark and its European partners firmly rejected Trump’s calls for the Nordic nation to transfer Greenland to American control. Diplomatic discussions between Copenhagen, Nuuk, and Washington began last month in an effort to ease tensions over the dispute.

Today’s discussions will center on revising the Helsinki Treaty, originally signed in 1962 by Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. The proposed changes would grant complete membership rights to Denmark’s autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, along with Finland’s Aland region.

These self-governing areas have spent decades pushing for equal representation in Nordic forums but were previously excluded from discussions on security issues and topics like the conflict in Ukraine. Greenland’s leadership boycotted the partnership format in 2024 due to this exclusion.

“An update of the Helsinki Treaty will be a historic step and a future-proofing of Nordic co-operation,” stated Morten Dahlin, Denmark’s minister for Nordic cooperation.

Greenland plans to take an active role in establishing a commission to revise the agreement, according to the island’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt. “The process surrounding the Helsinki Treaty will be decisive in determining whether Greenland can be recognised as an equal partner in Nordic cooperation,” Motzfeldt explained.

Polling data shows that most of Greenland’s 57,000 residents aspire to eventual independence from Denmark, though many caution against moving too quickly due to their economic dependence on Copenhagen and concerns about increased U.S. influence.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated earlier this month that if residents were compelled to pick between the United States and Denmark, they would side with Denmark.

China’s President Xi Jinping has reached out to longtime contacts in Iowa with a message of optimism about future U.S.-China cooperation, according to Chinese state media reports released Monday.

Writing to Iowa businessman Luca Berrone and others who sent New Year’s greetings, Xi expressed confidence that Americans and Chinese will continue seeking cooperation and exchanges, no matter how government relations between the two nations develop.

“The hope of U.S.-China relations lies in the people,” Xi stated in his response to the Iowa group, whom he first encountered during a 1985 visit to the state as a provincial leader from Hebei province studying agricultural practices.

The personal correspondence comes as Xi prepares for an anticipated April meeting with President Trump, following a rocky period in diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Last year brought significant challenges to the relationship, with Trump threatening to slap additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in October. However, the year also witnessed an unexpected cultural bridge-building moment when Trump’s proposed TikTok restrictions drove American users to explore Chinese social media platform RedNote.

A trend called “Chinamaxxing” also gained traction among younger Americans, reflecting growing fascination with Chinese culture and technology among Generation Z users.

Diplomatic relations showed signs of improvement after Xi and Trump held discussions in South Korea last October, resulting in a one-year extension of existing trade agreements. During those talks, Trump agreed to reduce some tariffs while Beijing committed to intensifying efforts against illegal fentanyl trafficking, resuming American soybean imports, and temporarily halting restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.

The leaders followed up with an unexpected phone conversation in early February, addressing Taiwan and other security concerns. Trump reported that Xi indicated China might expand its purchases of American soybeans, a key crop for Iowa farmers.

Trump announced plans last month to visit China in April, with Xi expected to make a reciprocal trip to the United States later in 2026.

Xi has maintained personal connections with Iowa contacts over the decades, including Sarah Lande, another friend from his original 1985 visit. In 2022, he sent Lande New Year’s wishes emphasizing the global need for stable U.S.-China relations during pandemic-related tensions.

The Australian government announced Wednesday it has activated seldom-used anti-terrorism legislation to block one of its own citizens from returning home from a Syrian detention facility.

The citizen is part of a group of 34 Australians currently detained at a northern Syrian camp that houses families connected to suspected ISIS fighters. Camp officials had given conditional approval for the group’s release, but their attempt to leave on Monday was unsuccessful when Syrian authorities rejected them due to insufficient documentation.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the government’s action in a Wednesday statement, saying the temporary exclusion order was implemented based on recommendations from security officials.

“I can confirm that one individual in this cohort has been issued a temporary exclusion order, which was made on advice from security agencies,” Burke stated.

Burke noted that security officials have not yet determined that other group members warrant similar restrictions.

The 2019 legislation permits the government to ban Australian citizens aged 14 and older from entering the country for up to two years if they are deemed a security threat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the situation Wednesday, noting that some group members, which includes minors, had embraced what he called a “brutal, reactionary ideology and that seeks to undermine and destroy our way of life.”

“It’s unfortunate that children are caught up in this, that’s not their decision, but it’s the decision of their parents or their mother,” Albanese commented.

The Australian government has previously stated it will not offer assistance to individuals detained in the camp and is conducting security assessments to determine if any pose national security risks.

The potential homecoming of these families has sparked debate across Australia, coinciding with rising support for the anti-immigration One Nation party in recent months.

Recent polling data shows One Nation has reached a historic 26% share of popular support, surpassing the combined backing for the traditional center-right opposition coalition.

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Dozens of expensive homes have been constructed illegally within a protected national park that acts as a crucial environmental shield for Sierra Leone’s capital city, while government authorities have taken minimal action to address the violations, according to an investigation.

The Associated Press and The Gecko Project obtained exclusive access to findings from a government probe into the unauthorized development that has remained hidden from public view for nearly four years since President Julius Maada Bio ordered the investigation. The probe revealed that high-ranking government officials distributed land ownership paperwork for the protected area.

During a recent site visit, AP reporters observed ongoing construction activity.

These luxury homes are located in the Bio Barray community, portions of which have been illegally developed within the mountainous Western Area Peninsula National Park — an area Sierra Leone’s administration has nominated for UNESCO World Heritage designation. No fewer than 50 residences in Bio Barray have been completed or remain under development within park limits on terrain that was covered by rainforest just five years ago in 2019.

Bio initiated the investigation in 2022 to determine how the unauthorized encroachment occurred and assess the environmental consequences of the resulting forest destruction.

The probe’s conclusions describe forest clearing in the national park as “an environmental time bomb that has to be nipped in the bud.”

“The government is fully aware of what is going on,” stated Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Freetown’s mayor and environmental advocate who intends to run against Bio in the upcoming presidential race.

According to Aki-Sawyerr, the Bio Barray development houses influential individuals who received permission to disregard environmental laws. “They are being given permission, simple,” she explained.

Sierra Leone’s capital sits on a narrow coastal strip between the national park and the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the last ten years, numerous forested hillsides overlooking the city have been cleared by developers, mining operations, marijuana cultivators, and charcoal producers.

Construction activity within the park at Bio Barray can be easily seen by motorists traveling south from the capital along one of the nation’s major roadways.

Located above the Bio Barray mansions sits a water reservoir that supplies 90% of Freetown residents’ drinking water. The government probe determined that forest destruction and other human interference in the national park might trigger a “water shortage crisis.”

Bio ordered the investigation following a destructive fire near the water reservoir in 2022.

Landslide risks also pose a significant danger. A previous landslide on the national park’s border claimed over 1,000 lives in 2017.

The investigation team’s 13 members — comprising police personnel, attorneys, nonprofit representatives, and an Anti-Corruption Commission member — examined satellite images and reviewed documentation to understand how construction permits were obtained for residences within the park.

The committee discovered “widespread and indiscriminate clearing of forested areas” despite construction prohibitions in the area.

The most significant encroachment occurred in and surrounding Bio Barray, where deforestation had “increased exponentially” during the months before the investigation began. Maada Kpenge, who served as managing director of Freetown’s water utility until recently, informed the AP that this activity endangered the reservoir’s stability by heightening landslide risks.

Personnel at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning were aware that “vast stretches” of government property were being illegally occupied but remained “reluctant to act robustly for reasons unknown,” according to the investigation.

The probe found that certain officials promoted encroachment and actively assisted it for financial benefit.

According to the State Land Act, the ministry has authority to transfer government property to private citizens through a process that begins with issuing a letter. However, clearing land and building within a national park violates the Forestry Law, the investigation noted.

Denis Sandy, who held the ministerial position during that period, approved no fewer than 175 documents providing land leases to private parties, which the investigation labeled a “flagrant violation.” The report did not specify how many of these grants involved Bio Barray property.

The committee suggested disciplinary action against Sandy and 16 additional named officials. Sandy has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

The investigation results were allegedly submitted to Sierra Leone’s former chief minister, who coordinates between the president and government departments, in September 2022.

Twelve months later, the president’s office released a photograph showing Bio formally accepting the findings from a commission leader. The related statement mentioned that “people in high places” participated in deforestation, without providing specifics.

“We will act on it very soon and do whatever is needed to be done,” Bio declared.

However, AP analysis of satellite images from Bio Barray demonstrated that unauthorized mansions continue to stand while construction proceeds. Multiple new structures appeared during the months following the chief minister’s reported receipt of the findings.

An AP site inspection last year discovered construction workers actively completing residential projects.

In November, current Chief Minister David Sengeh informed the AP that multiple government agencies had responded to the investigation’s recommendations. He declined to reveal whether the Cabinet had approved any penalties, explaining that cabinet deliberations remain confidential.

Sandy currently holds the position of minister of works and public assets. When asked about the accusations against Sandy, Sengeh responded, “I don’t think government makes decisions based on accusations only.”

Sengeh indicated that the Anti-Corruption Commission represented the proper authority to examine the allegations. However, during an interview, ACC director Ben Kaifala stated that no investigation had begun and claimed he had not reviewed the original probe’s conclusions.

Kaifala said the ACC would examine the report and take action, while noting that other government departments bear responsibility for protecting national parks.

“Other institutions must do their job,” Kaifala explained. “I can’t do it for them.”

Thomas Kamara, executive director of the National Protected Area Authority responsible for managing national parks, also claimed ignorance of the report. The investigation findings indicated that allegations had been raised regarding staff members under his predecessor’s involvement in selling park lands.

Kamara, who was appointed two months after the investigation was publicly presented to the president, asserted that all park encroachment had been halted. He stated he possessed no evidence of staff participation in land transactions. Kamara was dismissed from his role late last year, with the environment minister citing his failure to address the encroachment.

In mid-2025, Bio declared that no one is exempt from prosecution for illegally selling government land. He had previously stated regarding unauthorized homes in the national park, “Even if a house belongs to me or my family, it would be broken down.”

The investigation findings did not identify specific individuals owning homes in Bio Barray. While it identified 876 property owners throughout the national park, only 301 responded to requests for documentation supporting their land ownership claims.

The AP confirmed 46 luxury residences within the national park boundaries. A comprehensive survey of these properties late last year revealed that 14 owners held government positions, according to residents, caretakers, and security personnel.

These included officials reportedly employed in the presidential office, land ministry, and Environment Protection Agency.

Sierra Leone’s president initially consented to an interview but subsequently failed to respond to comment requests.

KALAMATA, Greece — A Greek coastal city famous for its olives has earned international recognition after a giant wall painting featuring opera icon Maria Callas was crowned the globe’s top mural for 2025.

Street Art Cities, an international organization that tracks urban artwork worldwide, selected the enormous piece painted on a central building in Kalamata as this year’s “Best Mural of the World.”

The southern Greek community, situated roughly 150 miles southwest of Athens, produces some of the planet’s most celebrated olives, figs and grapes — agricultural products that play starring roles in the award-winning artwork.

City officials say that was exactly their intention.

Deputy Mayor Vassilis Papaefstathiou, who oversees strategic planning and climate initiatives, said Kalamata stands among the rare Greek municipalities pursuing carbon neutrality by 2030. Local leaders sought a method to help their 73,000 residents better understand complex ideas like sustainable growth, agricultural programs, and economic development.

This vision led to commissioning a large-scale public mural.

“We wanted it to reflect a very clear and distinct message of what sustainable development means for a regional city such as Kalamata,” Papaefstathiou said. “We wanted to create an image that combines the humble products of the land, such as olives and olive oil — which, let’s be honest, are famous all over the world and have put Kalamata on the map — with the high-level art.”

“By bringing together what is very elevated with … the humbleness of the land, our aim was to empower the people and, in doing so, strengthen their identity. We want them to be proud to be Kalamatians.”

The region has endured severe heat, drought conditions and devastating fires recently, all threatening the olive farms that drive the local economy.

Officials selected Maria Callas to symbolize their community. The legendary performer, considered among history’s finest opera voices and celebrated throughout Greece as a cultural treasure, was born in New York to Greek parents, though her father originated from a village near Kalamata. Local residents consider her family.

This bond extends beyond symbolism: Kalamata’s music academy alumni group bears Callas’ name, while the community cultural facility maintains a permanent display honoring her life, featuring personal correspondence from her archives.

Creator Kleomenis Kostopoulos, age 52, explained the mural “is not actually called ‘Maria Callas,’ but ‘Kalamata’ and my attempt was to paint Kalamata (the city) allegorically.”

Instead of creating a glamorous portrait of the celebrated singer, Kostopoulos chose a more realistic, relatable approach. He wove in features connecting residents to their homeland: tree limbs representing underground root systems, local bird species, and signature farm products.

“The dress I create on Maria Callas in ‘Kalamata’ is essentially all of this, all of this bloom, all of this fruition,” he said. “The blessed land that Kalamata itself has … is where all of these elements of nature come from.”

The project demanded significant effort. Kostopoulos spent approximately two weeks painting, stretched across a full month due to poor weather conditions. He worked mainly with traditional brushes while adding spray paint details, using mechanical lifts to access the entire wall surface.

Deputy Mayor Papaefstathiou noted the mural has transformed into a community centerpiece.

“We believe this mural has helped us significantly in many ways, including in strengthening the city’s promotion as a tourist destination,” he said.

The artwork has generated discussions about public art beyond attracting visitors. Additional property owners throughout Kalamata have approached officials about featuring murals on their buildings.

“All of us — residents, and I personally — feel immense pride,” said tourism educator Dimitra Kourmouli.

Artist Kostopoulos hopes the international recognition will influence Greece’s broader arts scene and increase support for public artwork.

“We see that such modern interventions in public space bring tremendous cultural, social, educational and economic benefits to a place,” he said. “These are good springboards to start nice conversations that I hope someday will happen in our country, as well.”

MANILA, Philippines — During a televised address on Wednesday, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, despite facing ongoing impeachment proceedings and criminal investigations that could potentially bar her from holding office if she’s found guilty.

Duterte used her television appearance to launch fresh accusations of corruption and poor governance against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two politicians formed a surprising partnership during the 2022 election cycle but have since experienced a dramatic breakdown in their relationship.

The Duterte family holds Marcos responsible for the imprisonment of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who could face trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. The court issued an arrest warrant for him in the Netherlands last year related to his controversial war on drugs.

Sara Duterte leveled charges against Marcos, claiming he failed to deliver on campaign commitments and governed poorly. She made multiple requests for public forgiveness regarding issues including government corruption, public safety problems, and rising prices.

“Politicians often avoid announcing their plans early so they wouldn’t be the target of attacks,” Duterte said. “But this administration has long destroyed my name.”

After making her presidential announcement, she departed the news conference without fielding reporters’ questions.

Marcos, who cannot seek re-election due to the single six-year term limit, has not yet responded to his vice president’s candidacy announcement or her accusations. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro suggested that Duterte should apologize to citizens for numerous irregularities and corruption allegations she faces, as well as her frequent international travel.

“She should ask forgiveness for focusing on destroying reputations of other people instead of doing her work and helping the government,” Castro said.

Many of the charges against Duterte were part of an impeachment case she escaped last year due to a procedural error.

The House of Representatives approved impeachment proceedings against her and forwarded the matter to the Senate for trial. However, the Supreme Court later determined that the lower chamber had broken a constitutional provision allowing only one impeachment case per year against any impeachable official.

New impeachment complaints filed this month focus on her alleged improper use and management of $10.3 million in confidential funds from both the vice president’s office and her previous role as education secretary under Marcos.

Additional allegations involve unexplained wealth, including funds in personal banking accounts. An anti-corruption prosecutor has indicated his office is working to access those accounts as part of a separate criminal probe.

One impeachment complaint referenced the vice president’s threat made during a 2024 online news conference to arrange the assassination of the president, his spouse, and the House speaker if she herself were killed.

Throughout the House’s initial investigation into these allegations, Duterte declined to provide detailed responses to questions and was absent from several televised hearings.

The vice president’s attorney, Michael Poa, has stated that Duterte is ready to address these accusations and remains confident “that a fair and impartial review will demonstrate that the accusations are devoid of both factual and legal basis.”

SEOUL – A South Korean government official disclosed Wednesday that private citizens have conducted unauthorized drone operations across the border into North Korea, creating additional strain in the already tense relationship between the neighboring countries.

According to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, three individuals have carried out drone flights into North Korean airspace on four different occasions since President Lee Jae Myung began his term in office.

The minister indicated these civilian-led drone incursions have contributed to deteriorating diplomatic relations between Seoul and Pyongyang.

The head of the European Central Bank may be planning an early departure from her position, according to a Wednesday report from the Financial Times.

Christine Lagarde is reportedly considering stepping down before her eight-year appointment concludes in October 2027, the newspaper stated, referencing someone with knowledge of her plans.

According to the Financial Times, Lagarde aims to depart prior to France’s presidential election scheduled for April of next year. Her goal would be to give current French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the opportunity to select her successor.

Macron will be unable to seek reelection in 2027 due to constitutional limits after completing two consecutive terms in office.

Reuters has not been able to confirm this information independently. The European Central Bank has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

This news emerges just one week following an announcement from Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau that he plans to resign in June, cutting his tenure short by over a year. His early departure would enable Macron to appoint a replacement before the 2027 presidential race, which far-right candidates could potentially win.

The Financial Times had previously reported on Lagarde’s possible early exit in May 2025, indicating the banking leader had discussed leaving her post to take charge of the World Economic Forum.

At that time, the European Central Bank stated that Lagarde remained committed to serving her complete eight-year presidency.

Lagarde’s position at the ECB is scheduled to end on October 31, 2027, and cannot be renewed. Before taking the helm at the European Central Bank, she served as the International Monetary Fund’s managing director from 2011 through 2019, and previously held the role of France’s finance minister.

The Holy See announced Tuesday it will decline participation in President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, with the Vatican’s chief diplomatic official expressing preference for United Nations leadership in international crisis management.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, explained the decision while emphasizing that global crisis situations should remain under UN oversight.

Trump extended an invitation in January to Pope Leo, America’s first pontiff and an outspoken critic of certain Trump administration policies, to join the newly formed board.

The Board of Peace emerged from Trump’s Gaza peace plan that resulted in a tenuous ceasefire last October. Originally designed to oversee temporary governance in Gaza, Trump later announced plans to broaden the board’s scope to address worldwide conflicts, with himself serving as chairman. The inaugural meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Washington to address Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.

Representatives from Italy and the European Union confirmed they will attend as observers rather than full participants, having chosen not to formally join the initiative.

“The Holy See will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States,” Parolin explained.

He added, “One concern is that at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted.”

Human rights advocates have criticized the structure, comparing Trump’s oversight of foreign territorial affairs to colonial governance models. The board has also drawn scrutiny for excluding Palestinian representation despite launching last month.

International response to Trump’s invitations has been measured, with policy analysts warning the initiative could weaken UN authority. While several Middle Eastern allies have agreed to participate, Western partners have largely remained distant.

The Gaza ceasefire has faced numerous violations since October, with reports indicating hundreds of Palestinian deaths and four Israeli military casualties during the truce period.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 72,000 deaths, triggered widespread food shortages, and displaced the territory’s entire population.

Numerous human rights specialists, academic researchers, and a UN investigation have characterized the situation as genocide. Israeli officials maintain their actions constitute legitimate self-defense following Hamas-led attacks in late 2023 that killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages.

Pope Leo has consistently condemned the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The pontiff, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, rarely participates in international boards. The Vatican maintains extensive diplomatic relations and holds permanent observer status at the United Nations.

Indonesia has launched an aggressive campaign to strengthen government oversight of its nickel mining operations, which have become the world’s dominant source of the critical mineral used in electric vehicle batteries.

The Southeast Asian nation now controls approximately 60% of global nickel production, a dramatic increase from just 31.5% four years ago, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. This surge followed a strategic decision by former President Joko Widodo to prohibit raw ore exports, which attracted massive Chinese investment in processing facilities.

Indonesian officials had envisioned using their nickel dominance to build a complete domestic electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem, spanning from raw materials extraction to finished automobiles. However, environmental advocates argue this vision justified widespread forest destruction and mining expansion under the banner of clean energy development.

During 2025, Jakarta intensified enforcement actions against what officials termed unauthorized resource exploitation, claiming numerous mining and plantation permits were obtained through corruption or lacked proper authorization. Government agencies report confiscating more than 4 million hectares of mining sites, palm oil operations, and processing facilities while collecting $1.7 billion in penalties. An additional 4.5 million hectares could face seizure this year.

However, industry experts caution that this enforcement push coincides with declining demand for nickel, as Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers increasingly adopt battery technologies requiring significantly less of the metal, favoring iron-based alternatives instead.

“The forests have been exploited to the brim,” said Putra Adhiguna of the Jakarta-based Energy Shift Institute. “But you never got the electric-vehicle value chain.”

Chinese companies have established themselves as the primary players in Indonesia’s nickel sector, utilizing the mineral for stainless steel production and renewable energy applications.

The Indonesian island of Sulawesi contains the planet’s largest nickel deposits and generates more than half of worldwide nickel mining output, according to the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

While China has purchased Indonesian nickel for decades, this partnership intensified after Jakarta’s 2020 raw ore export prohibition, which spurred substantial Chinese investment in smelting operations.

Nickel exports to China surged dramatically, with imports of nickel matte—a partially processed material used in battery production and metal alloys—increasing nearly 28-fold from 2020 to 2023, with over 90% originating from Indonesia, trade records show. During this same timeframe, North and South America’s combined global nickel production share declined from 16% to 7%, while Europe’s portion fell from 35% to 10%, according to the International Nickel Study Group, a Lisbon-based intergovernmental organization.

Meanwhile, mining activities caused the destruction of approximately 370,000 hectares of Indonesian forests from 2001 to 2020—exceeding forest loss in any other nation—according to World Resources Institute analysis. More than one-third of this deforestation affected old-growth rainforests that store massive amounts of carbon and play essential roles in climate regulation.

The extensive use of coal to power Indonesia’s nickel smelting operations has also hindered the nation’s clean energy transition, creating additional fossil fuel demand despite efforts to reduce emissions. A 2024 IEEFA study determined that major nickel producers generated approximately 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023, primarily due to coal dependency.

In one of the most prominent nickel-related seizures last year, Indonesian military personnel, accompanied by local television crews, assumed control of portions of the world’s largest nickel mining operation.

The facility, primarily owned by Chinese metals conglomerate Tsingshan Holding Group, has contributed to deforestation, air and water contamination, and increased coal-fired emissions while displacing local communities, damaging livelihoods, and creating health hazards for residents, according to a 2024 Climate Rights International report.

The government action wasn’t designed to enhance environmental protection or restore forestry safeguards, explained Bhima Yudhistira from the Jakarta-based Center of Economic and Law Studies.

“There is no guarantee things will get better,” he said. They could get “even worse.”

Indonesia’s strategy to transform its nickel resources into the foundation of a domestic EV manufacturing sector initially attracted investment from South Korean and Chinese companies but has failed to meet projections.

In July 2024, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution launched Indonesia’s inaugural EV battery cell manufacturing facility, with yearly capacity to power more than 150,000 electric vehicles. However, in April 2025, LG Energy Solution abandoned a much larger $8.4 billion battery investment, citing market and investment conditions.

Chinese automaker BYD continues constructing an EV manufacturing plant, while China’s CATL, the world’s leading EV battery producer, is building a battery factory in partnership with Indonesian state companies.

Indonesia’s electric vehicle market is expanding rapidly but remains relatively small.

The nation sold more than 43,000 electric vehicles in 2024, representing approximately 5% of total automotive sales, according to the Indonesian Business Council. Public charging infrastructure remains limited, with roughly 1,500 stations nationwide in 2024.

Even if Indonesia manufactured 1 million EVs annually—matching total yearly auto sales—and prioritized nickel-rich batteries, this would still consume less than 1% of national nickel production, according to the Energy Shift Institute.

Electric vehicle manufacturers are transitioning to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, decreasing nickel and cobalt requirements. LFP batteries offer lower costs, enhanced stability, and extended lifespans, now powering nearly half of all electric vehicles, the International Energy Agency reports.

Industry analysts suggest Indonesia’s nationalization efforts could reduce Beijing’s control over supply chain segments, potentially providing Jakarta greater leverage to attract American buyers and investors.

One possible concession by Indonesia in extended trade negotiations with the Trump administration, expected to conclude soon, would involve removing the ban on raw nickel exports to the United States.

Indonesia has already extended invitations to U.S. companies to invest in its critical minerals sector as part of ongoing tariff discussions between the two nations, though the country faces a challenging balancing act.

“How does Indonesia straddle between the two superpowers who both want to gain control of the national resource that Indonesia has?” said Li Shuo, director of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s China Climate Hub.

Other Southeast Asian nations similarly positioned between the U.S. and China are closely monitoring Indonesia’s approach, Li noted.

“Make no mistake, it’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

Indonesia’s land confiscations risk further destabilizing its nickel sector, added CELIOS’s Yudhistira. Foreign investors observing these developments will likely delay commitments to new Indonesian mining and processing ventures, he warned.

“This is making the future of nickel, both mining and downstream processing, unknown,” Yudhistira said. “Uncertainty is very costly for investors.”

MANILA – Sara Duterte, who currently holds the office of Vice President in the Philippines, announced Wednesday her plans to seek the nation’s highest office in the upcoming 2028 presidential election.

During her announcement, Duterte pledged to dedicate her “life, strength and future” to serving the Filipino people. Recent polling data indicates she enters the presidential contest as one of the frontrunners among potential candidates.

The Philippine constitution restricts presidents to serving just one six-year term, preventing current leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from pursuing another term. Marcos Jr. and Duterte have maintained a contentious political relationship.

Sara Duterte is the child of Rodrigo Duterte, who previously served as the country’s president. Her father currently faces detention in The Hague, where he confronts murder accusations connected to the violent anti-drug campaign he orchestrated while in office.

TOKYO (AP) — Following a decisive electoral victory last week, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing to leverage her mandate to shift the nation’s policies in a conservative direction. Parliament will formally reinstall her as prime minister on Wednesday, when she’ll also establish her second Cabinet.

While the parliamentary vote represents a procedural step, Takaichi plans to utilize the occasion’s symbolic importance to strengthen her Liberal Democratic Party’s position. The party now controls a commanding two-thirds majority in the lower parliamentary chamber, which holds greater authority than its upper counterpart.

Takaichi’s agenda encompasses expanding military strength, increasing government expenditures, and reinforcing traditional social policies.

The Liberal Democratic Party’s control over two-thirds of the lower house’s 465 seats enables them to secure leadership roles on key committees and override legislation blocked by the upper chamber, where their ruling coalition doesn’t hold majority control.

Among Takaichi’s priorities are enhancing Japan’s defense capabilities and weapons exports, implementing stricter immigration measures, maintaining male-exclusive imperial succession protocols, and upholding contested customs that compel women to change their family names after marriage.

While Takaichi aspires to amend the American-authored postwar pacifist Constitution, immediate pressures including inflation concerns, demographic decline, and security threats may postpone this constitutional revision.

Her most pressing challenge involves tackling inflation and stagnant income growth, along with advancing a budget proposal to fund these initiatives — legislation postponed due to the recent election cycle.

Takaichi has outlined a two-year reduction in sales taxes on food items to alleviate financial burdens on households.

Policy analysts warn that her expansive fiscal approach could potentially increase inflation and hinder efforts to reduce Japan’s substantial national debt burden.

Takaichi is positioning herself for an important meeting next month with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to travel to Beijing in April.

Trump supported Takaichi before Japan’s election, and he likely anticipates her fulfillment of a $550 billion investment commitment Japan made in October.

Japan also faces expectations to boost its annual military spending.

“Japan will keep spending more and more for the U.S. … The question is whether the public wants her to speak out against Trump or be obedient to ensure Japanese security,” said Masato Kamikubo, a Ritsumeikan University professor of policy science. “For China, it’s simple. Japanese people want her to be tough.”

In November, Takaichi indicated Japan might respond if China takes military action against Taiwan, the independently governed territory Beijing considers its own. This statement prompted diplomatic and economic retaliation from Beijing.

Numerous Japanese citizens, frustrated with China’s increasing aggression, supported her Taiwan remarks.

Political experts suggest Takaichi’s substantial electoral success may encourage her to adopt a more confrontational approach toward China.

Shortly after her election victory, Takaichi announced efforts to build support for visiting Tokyo’s disputed Yasukuni Shrine. Neighboring countries view such visits as demonstrating Japan’s insufficient regret for its wartime actions.

Takaichi has committed to updating security and defense strategies by December to strengthen Japan’s military capacity, removing restrictions on deadly weapons exports and further departing from postwar pacifist ideals. Japan is also exploring nuclear-powered submarine development to enhance offensive capabilities.

Takaichi seeks to enhance intelligence operations and create a national agency for closer collaboration with Washington and defense allies including Australia and Britain.

She endorses a disputed anti-espionage law primarily targeting Chinese intelligence operatives. Some analysts worry it could compromise Japanese civil liberties.

Takaichi has suggested stricter immigration and foreign national policies, appealing to rising public frustration in Japan.

Her administration approved stricter permanent residency and citizenship requirements in January, along with measures preventing unpaid taxes and social insurance obligations.

Takaichi backs the imperial family’s male-only succession tradition and opposes same-sex marriage recognition.

She also rejects modifying the 19th-century civil code that would permit separate surnames for married couples, preventing women from feeling pressured to abandon their family names.

In what rights advocates describe as an effort to obstruct a dual-surname system, Takaichi proposes legislation expanding maiden name usage as aliases instead.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Members of Sri Lanka’s parliament delivered on a major campaign pledge Tuesday, voting decisively to eliminate their own pension benefits as the nation continues recovering from its devastating economic collapse.

The measure passed with overwhelming support in the 225-seat legislature, receiving 154 votes in favor with just two opposing votes. The remaining members were absent during Tuesday’s voting session.

Under the island nation’s previous system, parliamentary members became eligible for pension payments after completing a single five-year term. The newly approved legislation terminates payments for current recipients and eliminates future eligibility for these benefits. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office in 2024, made ending this practice a central promise during his electoral campaign.

This action follows another cost-cutting measure implemented by Dissanayake’s administration in September, when they eliminated various privileges granted to former presidents. Those benefits included government-funded housing, monthly allowances, pension payments, and transportation services. The government also discontinued providing office space and staff support for former presidents and their surviving spouses, affecting five living ex-presidents and one widow.

Dissanayake’s electoral victory came amid widespread public frustration with political leaders blamed for the nation’s unprecedented economic disaster in 2022. The crisis created severe shortages of essential items including food, medical supplies, fuel, and electricity, ultimately sparking massive demonstrations that forced former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara introduced the legislation to parliament, stating that the government had honored its electoral commitment and arguing that legislators lacked moral justification for receiving pensions while the country struggled to overcome its worst-ever economic catastrophe.

The nation officially declared bankruptcy in April 2022, facing more than $83 billion in outstanding debt, with foreign creditors holding over half of that amount. Sri Lanka turned to the International Monetary Fund for assistance, securing approval for a $2.9 billion rescue package spanning four years in 2023, which required the country to reorganize its debt obligations.

Officials announced completion of the debt restructuring process after successfully negotiating agreements with government creditors, international organizations, and private bondholders. The country aims to secure $17 billion in debt payment relief through these arrangements.

The economic disaster resulted from a combination of poor financial management, consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of 2019 terrorist attacks that severely damaged the crucial tourism sector. The pandemic also disrupted money transfers from Sri Lankan citizens employed overseas.

An internationally recognized human rights organization has revealed that a high-profile journalist from Angola fell victim to sophisticated surveillance technology last spring.

According to a Tuesday report from Amnesty International, Teixeira Candido’s mobile device was compromised by Predator spyware manufactured by the Intellexa company during a short timeframe in May 2024.

At the time of the cyber attack, Candido served as leader of the Syndicate of Angolan Journalists. The surveillance campaign began in April 2024 when he received multiple suspicious WhatsApp communications, the human rights group’s investigation found.

The malicious software was successfully installed on May 4th after Candido activated a hyperlink contained within one of these messages. This breach allowed the unknown attackers complete control over his device’s information, the report indicates.

Security experts and federal authorities have connected Intellexa’s surveillance tools to numerous privacy violations in recent years. Amnesty International noted this represents the first documented instance of Predator being deployed within Angola, though they stopped short of identifying which government entity may have purchased the technology.

Attempts to reach legal representatives for Intellexa on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

“I feel exposed, as if I were taking a shower with the bathroom door wide open,” Candido shared with Reuters via email before the report’s release.

The journalist remains uncertain about what information the cyber criminals may have extracted from his device. He explained that the attack came through contact with an unknown individual who claimed to represent a student organization seeking his professional input on a project.

Federal sanctions were imposed on seven individuals connected to the Intellexa Consortium in March 2024. Treasury Department documentation characterized the operation as “a complex international web of decentralized companies that built and commercialized a comprehensive suite of highly invasive spyware products” used against government workers, media professionals, policy analysts and political opposition figures.

The Trump administration lifted sanctions against three Intellexa leadership figures on December 30, 2025. A government source informed Reuters that these individuals had “demonstrated measures to separate themselves from the Intellexa Consortium.”

Peru’s political turmoil continued this week as lawmakers voted to remove President Jose Jeri from office after a brief four-month presidency, making him the third consecutive leader ousted by Congress in the South American nation.

At 39 years old, Jeri had been among the youngest world leaders when he assumed the presidency in October following the unexpected impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte. He became Peru’s seventh president since 2018 after ascending from his role as head of Congress, taking power due to the absence of an acting vice president.

Jeri’s presidency was quickly engulfed in scandal, most notably involving clandestine meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang, who operates retail stores and holds energy concessions while facing government investigation. Video footage emerged showing Jeri in casual attire meeting Yang at a Chinese restaurant, sparking what media dubbed ‘Chifagate’ – referencing the local term for Chinese eateries.

Following public outcry over the meetings, Jeri issued an apology and maintained that no improper conduct occurred. However, mounting political opposition proved insurmountable as upcoming presidential elections intensified competition among politicians seeking voter support.

‘His legitimacy as president was always weak,’ explained Martin Cassinelli, assistant director at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. He characterized the removal as ‘less an act of justice’ and ‘more an act of political self-interest by a congressional majority.’

Despite his abbreviated presidency, Jeri doesn’t hold the record for Peru’s briefest tenure this decade. Interim President Manuel Merino stepped down in 2020 after serving less than one week amid public protests that resulted in two deaths.

The removal underscores Peru’s persistent political instability as the nation approaches April’s presidential election.

‘Unfortunately, for Peruvians, the electoral system will likely result in a fragmented election that is unlikely to yield the majorities necessary for the next president to govern without having to worry about a political impeachment,’ Cassinelli noted.

Born into a middle-class Lima family, Jeri completed his education at Federico Villarreal National University in 2014 before obtaining a law degree from a private Lima institution. He joined the conservative Somos Peru party in 2013 during his legal studies and made two unsuccessful bids for Lima municipal positions.

Jeri initially failed to secure a congressional seat in 2021 when his party captured three legislative positions. However, as the fourth-highest vote recipient, he ultimately claimed the seat of Martin Vizcarra, who faced disqualification from public service before taking office. Vizcarra had previously served as Peru’s president from 2018 to 2020.

Additional controversies plagued Jeri’s presidency, including sexual assault allegations from January 2025 involving a woman who attended a December party. Prosecutors dismissed the case in August due to insufficient evidence, while Jeri denied any wrongdoing.

His administration also faced criticism for awarding government contracts to women following late-night meetings at the presidential palace.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of maintaining military occupation of Cambodian land during his first international media interview this week, despite a peace agreement facilitated by President Donald Trump.

Speaking with Reuters on Tuesday while visiting Washington for Trump’s Board of Peace meeting, Hun Manet said Thai military forces continue positioning themselves within Cambodian borders following last year’s violent clashes. The Cambodian leader urged Thailand to permit a joint boundary commission to address their contested border issues.

Hun Manet described the current border situation as “fragile” even after the December 27 ceasefire that halted renewed hostilities. He expressed hope that Trump’s newly established Board of Peace, originally designed to monitor the Gaza peace agreement, might help reduce tensions in the region.

Thai officials have maintained their troop deployments are part of de-escalation efforts and reject claims of territorial occupation.

The statements from Cambodia’s leadership highlight concerns that fighting could resume despite Trump’s continued promotion of the peace agreement’s effectiveness.

Last year’s border violence marked the most severe conflict in over ten years, beginning in July and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes while disrupting commerce along the 508-mile frontier. A peace agreement signed in October with Trump and Malaysia’s leader collapsed within weeks before the current ceasefire took effect on December 27.

“We still have Thai forces occupy(ing) deep into Cambodian territory in many areas. This is further beyond even Thailand’s own unilateral claim… border line,” Hun Manet stated, explaining that Thai troops have installed shipping containers and barbed wire in areas Thailand previously acknowledged as Cambodian territory, preventing residents from returning home. “This is not an accusation but it’s a statement of the facts on the ground.”

The Prime Minister emphasized Cambodia cannot tolerate what he termed a “violation of our sovereignty or territorial integrity.”

“The only way to verify that is using the technical mechanism that we have, based on treaties, based on all the agreements we have. So we hope that Thailand will agree and start to allow the JBC (joint boundary commission) to work as early as possible,” Hun Manet explained, noting Thailand had cited its February 8 election as justification for delaying demarcation efforts. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gained electoral support through nationalist rhetoric surrounding the border dispute.

“Now the election is done, we hope that Thailand can start, at least on a technical level, to start measuring, start demarcating in the hot zone, so that we can go back to life,” Hun Manet added.

Hun Manet, 48, assumed leadership after his father Hun Sen stepped down following 2023 elections where their Cambodian People’s Party faced minimal opposition.

The transition to Hun Manet, a West Point graduate, combined with Trump’s mediation in the territorial conflict, has improved relations between Washington and Phnom Penh after years of Cambodia moving closer to China.

Regarding international relationships, Hun Manet said ties with China and the United States were “not mutually exclusive” and stated Cambodia had “nothing to hide” concerning the Chinese-upgraded Ream naval facility.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused President Donald Trump of applying excessive pressure on his country while attempting to broker an end to the conflict with Russia that has raged for nearly four years.

Speaking with Axios in a Tuesday interview, Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s public approach of demanding concessions from Ukraine rather than Russia during ongoing peace negotiations.

“It’s not fair,” Zelenskyy told Axios, referring to Trump’s repeated public calls for Ukraine to make compromises in the peace process.

The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that Trump’s stance represents “just his tactics and not the decision,” according to the interview, which took place while diplomatic representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States were meeting in Geneva.

Trump has recently made several public statements placing responsibility on Ukraine to ensure successful negotiations. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Monday, Trump declared, “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.”

According to Axios, Zelenskyy suggested that applying pressure to Ukraine may simply be more convenient than pressuring Russia.

Despite his criticism, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Trump for his peacemaking initiatives and noted that his discussions with senior U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been more respectful.

“We respect each other,” Zelenskyy said of those conversations, adding that he is “not such a person” who would easily surrender under pressure.

Regarding territorial concessions, Zelenskyy firmly rejected any proposal that would grant Russia control over the entire Donbas region, where Moscow currently occupies approximately 88 percent of the territory.

“Emotionally, people will never forgive this. Never. They will not forgive… me, they will not forgive (the United States),” Zelenskyy explained, emphasizing that Ukrainian citizens “can’t understand why” they would be expected to surrender more land.

“This is part of our country, all these citizens, the flag, the land,” he stated.

Instead, Zelenskyy advocated for maintaining current battle lines, telling Axios: “I think that if we will put in the document … that we stay where we stay on the contact line, I think that people will support this (in a) referendum.”

The International Monetary Fund issued strong recommendations to Japan this week, advising the nation to maintain its course of interest rate increases while steering clear of additional tax reductions that could undermine economic stability.

These suggestions arrive at a crucial time, as Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured a decisive victory with promises that include halting the 8% consumption tax on food items for two years. Financial markets are closely watching whether Takaichi will resist the central bank’s plans for continued rate hikes.

In its preliminary policy guidance released Wednesday, the IMF emphasized the importance of the Bank of Japan’s autonomy, stating that the central bank’s “continued independence and credibility” serves as a vital anchor for inflation expectations. The organization cautioned against excessive government interference in monetary policy decisions.

“The BOJ is appropriately withdrawing monetary accommodation, and gradual hikes should continue to move the policy rate toward neutral,” the IMF stated in its recommendations.

The fund further specified its timeline expectations, noting: “As the baseline projection continues to materialize, withdrawal of policy accommodation should continue so that the policy rate reaches a neutral stance in 2027.”

Japan’s central bank ended its extensive stimulus measures in 2024 and has implemented multiple rate increases, including a December adjustment that brought the policy rate to 0.75% – the highest level in three decades. With inflation running above the 2% target for almost four years, bank officials have indicated their intention to continue raising rates.

These rising borrowing costs present challenges for Takaichi’s proposed tax reductions and increased spending initiatives, which sparked selling pressure in bond and currency markets late last year due to concerns about Japan’s deteriorating financial position.

Regarding the consumption tax proposal, the IMF warned that Japan should resist such cuts because they would “erode fiscal space and add to fiscal risks.” While acknowledging that restricting tax cuts to essential items and maintaining temporary limits could help control costs, the organization stressed that Japan requires fiscal discipline to maintain bond market stability.

“Near-term fiscal policy should refrain from further loosening,” the IMF recommended, advocating for a reliable medium-term fiscal strategy with a “clearly defined fiscal anchor.”

The fund highlighted significant vulnerabilities in Japan’s economic structure, explaining: “High and persistent debt levels, together with a deteriorating fiscal balance, leave Japan’s economy exposed to a range of shocks.” The IMF projects that interest payments will double between 2025 and 2031 as existing debt gets refinanced at higher rates.

Currently, debt financing accounts for 25% of Japan’s total government expenditures, with approximately half of that debt held by the Bank of Japan following years of aggressive money printing designed to stimulate economic growth.

As Japan’s central bank reduces its bond purchasing activities and shrinks its balance sheet, the IMF advised careful monitoring of market liquidity and changing investor demand patterns. Should increased volatility threaten market liquidity, the organization suggested the central bank should prepare for “exceptional targeted interventions,” including emergency bond-purchasing operations if necessary.

Concerning currency fluctuations, the IMF praised Japanese authorities for their “continued commitment to a flexible exchange rate regime,” adding that exchange rate flexibility should “help absorb external shocks and support monetary policy’s focus on price stability.”

United Nations human rights experts are calling for comprehensive investigations after reviewing millions of documents connected to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating the materials reveal evidence of what they describe as a worldwide criminal operation.

A panel of independent specialists working with the UN Human Rights Council concluded that the documented activities may constitute crimes against humanity due to their scope and systematic nature.

According to the experts, the criminal activities detailed in Justice Department records occurred within a framework of racist ideologies, corrupt practices, and extreme hatred toward women.

The specialists noted that these offenses demonstrated the treatment of women and girls as commodities rather than human beings.

“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,” the experts said in a statement.

The UN panel emphasized that the accusations within these documents demand a comprehensive, unbiased investigation. They also called for inquiries into how such extensive criminal activity could continue undetected for years.

The Justice Department has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the UN panel’s findings.

Congressional lawmakers passed legislation in November with overwhelming support from both parties, mandating the public release of all materials related to the Epstein case.

The UN specialists expressed alarm about “serious compliance failures and botched redactions” that compromised sensitive victim details. The released materials have identified more than 1,200 victims thus far.

“The reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations, has left many survivors feeling retraumatized and subjected to what they describe as ‘institutional gaslighting,’” the experts said.

The document releases have exposed Epstein’s connections to influential figures across political, financial, academic, and business sectors, including relationships that continued after his 2008 guilty plea to prostitution-related charges involving a minor.

Epstein died by hanging in his jail cell during 2019 following his arrest on federal charges related to trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. Authorities determined his death was self-inflicted.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a stark warning to American Jewish leaders, declaring that Turkey has emerged as a significant regional threat comparable to Iran’s influence in the Middle East.

During his address at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ annual leadership gathering, Bennett presented his assessment of shifting regional dynamics following the October 7 attacks and subsequent Gaza conflict.

“At this moment, a new Turkish threat is emerging,” Bennett stated. “Turkey and Qatar have gained influence in Syria, are seeking influence elsewhere and everywhere throughout the region. And from here, I warn, Turkey is the new Iran. Erdogan is sophisticated, dangerous, and he seeks to encircle Israel. We can’t close our eyes again.”

The former prime minister argued that the October 7 attacks exposed fundamental flaws in Israel’s security approach. According to Bennett, the tragedy revealed the failure of a defensive mindset that had dominated Israeli strategy for two decades.

“What collapsed on that Black Shabbat was not only the physical defenses on the Gaza border,” he explained, “but a strategic concept built on the illusion that defense alone will protect us.”

Bennett criticized previous Israeli administrations for relying too heavily on what he termed a “containment” strategy, which emphasized barriers and deterrence while avoiding decisive military action.

“Far too long, too many Israeli leaders believed that we only need to buy time and buy quiet,” Bennett said. “We have to replace the organizing principle of the past 20 years of containment with an organizing principle of initiative.”

This new approach, he argued, would prevent hostile forces from establishing positions near Israeli borders and would involve proactive operations throughout the region.

“We will not permit Hamas to rebuild rocket launchers or weapon factories minutes from our communities. Never again,” he declared. “We won’t hesitate to operate throughout the Middle East to pursue enemies, to hunt them down, and to secure a future.”

Regarding Iran, Bennett acknowledged that while recent Israeli-American military operations had significantly damaged Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, the regime remained a threat. He described Iran as being at its weakest point since the Islamic Revolution, comparing the situation to the Soviet Union’s final years.

“This is the closest moment in the history of this regime that we’re close to collapse,” Bennett observed. “Our strategy in ten seconds is do everything to accelerate the fall of this horrible regime, and in the meantime, ensure that they don’t acquire a nuclear weapon.”

However, Bennett devoted considerable attention to what he characterized as Turkey’s growing regional ambitions. He accused Ankara and Doha of working together to expand their influence across Syria and Gaza while attempting to create a hostile Sunni coalition.

“Turkey and Qatar are nourishing the Islamic Brotherhood monster that is growing,” he claimed. “Turkey is trying to flip Saudi Arabia against us and establish a hostile Sunni axis with nuclear Pakistan.”

Bennett also criticized Israel’s current diplomatic posture, arguing that while the military had demonstrated effectiveness across multiple theaters, diplomatic efforts had become too passive.

The former leader offered a blunt assessment of international relations, suggesting that Israel should abandon hopes of widespread global approval.

“They’re not going to love us,” he said. “The aspiration that the world will love Israel—it’s not going to happen. What we need is that our enemies fear us, our friends respect us, and everyone needs us.”

Perhaps most significantly, Bennett warned that internal Israeli divisions posed an even greater danger than external threats, referencing historical examples of Jewish sovereignty lost due to civil conflict.

“Our internal divisions here in Israel concern me even more,” he stated. “An Israel divided against itself will not stand.”

Bennett emphasized the interconnected relationship between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, telling the audience that global Jewish strength depends on Israeli security, while Israeli strength relies on worldwide Jewish support.

“Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) worldwide depends on a strong state of Israel, and a strong state of Israel depends on a strong Am Yisrael,” he explained. “Israel belongs to every Jew in the world. Each of you holds a share in Israel.”

The former prime minister concluded his remarks by signaling his political ambitions for Israel’s future leadership.

“I intend to lead Israel into its next strong, beautiful, hopeful future,” he announced, clearly positioning himself as both a critic of current policies and a potential future leader.

LIMA, Peru — Political turmoil struck Peru once again Tuesday as lawmakers voted to oust interim President José Jerí, creating fresh uncertainty just weeks ahead of the country’s scheduled April presidential race.

The 39-year-old attorney becomes Peru’s seventh leader to exit office in under ten years, with congressional members set to choose his replacement to guide the nation through upcoming elections until the newly chosen president takes the oath on July 28.

Jerí, who won a congressional seat in 2021 representing the small conservative Somos Peru party, had served as Congress leader last October when legislators ousted former President Dina Boluarte amid rising violent crime concerns.

After Boluarte’s departure, fellow lawmakers selected Jerí as temporary president, expecting him to remain until July when the new presidential term starts. However, his tenure ended abruptly as corruption accusations emerged and Congress lost confidence in his leadership abilities.

Peru’s Attorney General’s office launched a preliminary corruption and influence peddling probe against Jerí earlier this year.

The investigation centers on secret December meetings between Jerí and two Chinese business figures. One businessman maintains active government contracts, while authorities are investigating the other for suspected participation in illegal timber operations.

Jerí has maintained his innocence, claiming the meetings were arranged to plan a Peruvian-Chinese celebration, though political opponents have labeled his actions corrupt.

Although Jerí hasn’t been convicted of any wrongdoing, congressional colleagues pointed to these allegations when justifying his removal, claiming he was no longer capable of fulfilling presidential responsibilities.

Peru’s constitution includes a provision allowing lawmakers to dismiss presidents deemed “morally incapable” of performing their official functions.

This constitutional measure has given legislators significant power over the executive branch, which has also faced difficulties securing congressional support in recent years.

Congress members have broadly interpreted the moral incapacity provision, using it alongside corruption claims to dismiss presidents who no longer serve the political parties’ interests.

The past decade has seen seven different presidents lead Peru, with only two winning office through popular elections. The remainder have been vice presidents stepping up for removed leaders, or Congress members chosen by colleagues to head the South American country.

Despite this presidential carousel, Peru has maintained economic stability throughout the decade, with successive governments following traditional economic approaches including controlled government spending.

In 2024, the South American country maintained a 32% public debt-to-GDP ratio, among Latin America’s lowest, while attracting foreign investment in mining and infrastructure sectors.

Nevertheless, political analysts have observed that the increasingly influential Congress has enacted laws in recent years that could undermine Peru’s judicial independence.

Congressional representatives will meet Wednesday to select a new temporary president, who must serve until July and transfer authority to whoever wins the nation’s presidential contest set for April 12.

Conservative businessman and former Lima mayor Rafael López Aliaga currently leads a packed candidate field that includes ex-legislator Keiko Fujimori, who has run for president three times and whose father led Peru during the 1990s.

Should no candidate secure over 50% of April votes, the top two finishers will compete in a June runoff election.

Foreign policy analysts are questioning President Donald Trump’s decision to have his top envoys handle negotiations on two major international crises during a single day in Geneva, Switzerland.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted separate discussions Tuesday addressing both Iran’s nuclear program and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The ambitious diplomatic schedule has sparked debate among experts about whether the approach can effectively address either complex situation.

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed credit for ending various conflicts during his presidency, appears focused on securing additional international agreements as he pursues recognition including a potential Nobel Peace Prize.

The rapid organization of both negotiations in Geneva has drawn criticism from foreign policy professionals who question the strategy’s effectiveness.

“Trump seems more focused on quantity over quality instead of the difficult detailed work of diplomacy,” said Brett Bruen, a former Obama administration foreign policy adviser who now leads the Global Situation Room strategic consultancy. “Tackling both issues at the same time in the same place doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

The Iran discussions began the diplomatic marathon, with the American delegation engaging in indirect talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi through Omani mediators. The 3.5-hour session took place at Oman’s diplomatic facility under tight security.

Both parties suggested modest advancement occurred during the nuclear program discussions, though no immediate resolution appeared likely for the prolonged dispute.

Trump’s continued military buildup near Iran signals that military action remains a possibility while diplomatic efforts continue, potentially maintaining regional tensions and concerns about broader conflict escalation.

Following the Iran meetings, the U.S. team immediately relocated to the luxury Intercontinental hotel for Ukraine-Russia negotiations. These talks, scheduled for two days, address the conflict Trump previously promised to resolve within 24 hours during his 2024 campaign.

Observers held minimal expectations for significant progress in ending what represents Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II concluded in 1945.

An Iranian leadership source expressed skepticism about Washington’s commitment to either diplomatic effort, given the simultaneous approach.

“The approach risks overstretch,” the official told Reuters anonymously. “It resembles an emergency room with two critically ill patients and a single doctor unable to give either case sustained attention, increasing the likelihood of failure.”

Mohanad Hajj-Ali from the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut emphasized the high stakes involved in Iranian diplomacy.

“Having a team of Witkoff and Kushner tasked with resolving all the world’s problems is, frankly, a shocking reality,” he stated.

Several analysts expressed concerns that both negotiators, who come from Trump’s New York real estate background, may lack sufficient expertise to match experienced diplomats like Araqchi and their Russian counterparts in these intricate international disputes.

Notably absent from the Geneva meetings was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s chief diplomat recognized for his foreign policy expertise.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s efforts when asked for comment, stating Trump and his team “have done more than anyone to bring both sides together to stop the killing and deliver a peace deal” regarding Ukraine. She criticized anonymous “critics” of the president’s methods but did not address specific questions about the Geneva approach.

Administration officials have consistently supported Witkoff and Kushner’s roles, pointing to their negotiation abilities, Trump’s confidence in them, and the limitations of conventional diplomatic methods over time.

Witkoff, frequently dubbed the “envoy for everything” due to his extensive responsibilities, helped broker the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza last year, though progress toward permanent resolution has stalled. His diplomatic work with Iran and Russia has shown limited success to date.

During Trump’s first presidency, Kushner led the Abraham Accords initiative, which established historic diplomatic relationships between Israel and several Arab nations. However, the agreement has seen little advancement since Trump’s return to office approximately 13 months ago.

Some experts argue that Trump’s reduction of the State Department and National Security Council staff, including the departure of many experienced personnel, has weakened Kushner and Witkoff’s diplomatic capabilities.

“We’ve seen a hollowing-out of our diplomatic bench,” former Obama foreign policy adviser Bruen explained. “So there’s a question of whether we still have the right people to work on these big issues.”

Syrian public opinion has shifted dramatically since the fall of Bashar Assad last December, with a new survey showing strong support for American involvement and optimism about future relations with Israel.

The YouGov poll, funded by the Council for a Secure America, revealed that 65% of Syrians support US involvement in their nation, while only 12% oppose it. The remaining respondents said they were either neutral or hadn’t decided on the issue.

Regarding Israel, the survey uncovered surprising optimism. Nearly 6 out of 10 respondents – 59% – believe peace between Syria and Israel could happen down the road, while just 14% think it’s unlikely. The remaining participants had no strong opinion either way.

When it comes to security cooperation with Israel, support was even more robust. The poll found 64% of Syrians would back a security partnership, compared to only 9% who would oppose such an arrangement. About 30% remained neutral or undecided on the matter.

However, opinions split more evenly on establishing full diplomatic ties. Nearly half of those surveyed – 47% – said they would support normalizing relations with Israel once Palestinian issues are resolved, while 13% rejected the idea and 40% remained uncertain.

The survey also revealed strong anti-Hezbollah sentiment among Syrians. Seven out of 10 respondents said the Iranian-supported militant organization has harmed their country. Just 11% viewed Hezbollah positively, while over one-third offered no opinion. The Assad regime had maintained strong connections with both Hezbollah and Iran throughout his time in power.

Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, received positive ratings from most respondents. About 69% described his job performance as good, while 12% gave him poor marks and 19% weren’t sure. The Trump administration has backed al-Sharaa’s government despite his previous connections to al-Qaida, as his administration works to establish control throughout Syria.

YouGov conducted the research between January 8 and January 15, interviewing 260 Syrian adults selected from a pool of 40,000 panel participants. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

American military personnel continue operating in Syria as part of the ongoing mission against the Islamic State, which Washington considers an active threat despite the recent change in Syrian leadership.

A human rights organization reported Monday that drone attacks on a crowded marketplace in central Sudan resulted in the deaths of at least 28 civilians, according to AFP reports. The strikes occurred as military clashes between Sudan’s national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have grown more intense along a heavily disputed battlefront.

The Emergency Lawyers, an organization tracking violations throughout the ongoing conflict, reported that multiple drones targeted the al-Safiya marketplace on Sunday. The attack took place in RSF-controlled territory close to Sodari in North Kordofan province. According to the monitoring group, the marketplace was packed with people when the strikes occurred, and they cautioned that the death toll may increase.

The town of Sodari sits in an isolated section of northern Kordofan where various desert trading paths meet. Located approximately 230 kilometers (132 miles) northwest of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, Sodari has been part of the RSF’s months-long effort to surround the strategic city as part of their wider regional offensive.

The Kordofan region has emerged as a critical battleground in the three-year conflict, experiencing an uptick in deadly drone warfare as both military forces compete for dominance over Sudan’s primary east-west transportation corridor. This vital route links the RSF-controlled western Darfur region through El-Obeid to the army-held capital city of Khartoum and beyond to other areas of the nation.

Aerial bombardments and drone attacks have consistently targeted communities and villages throughout extensive portions of Sudan, frequently causing mass civilian casualties in individual incidents. Military officials have accused both the national army and RSF of launching strikes against populated centers located far from active combat zones.

Previous reports indicate that a drone attack last Wednesday resulted in two children’s deaths and injured approximately twelve individuals when it struck an educational facility. That same day, another assault caused significant damage to a United Nations storage facility housing emergency food aid supplies.

Following their successful consolidation of control over the Darfur region last year, the RSF advanced eastward into the resource-rich Kordofan area, which contains valuable oil and gold deposits, in their campaign to capture Sudan’s central corridor and broaden their territorial influence.

The armed conflict began in April 2023 and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths while forcing approximately 11 million people from their homes, creating what humanitarian organizations characterize as the globe’s most severe hunger and displacement emergency. The warfare has effectively split Sudan into separate territories, with government forces maintaining control over much of the central, northern and eastern regions, while the RSF governs the west and, alongside allied militias, portions of the south.

Labor activists are expressing growing alarm over the whereabouts and wellbeing of roughly 200 Iranian workers who remain in custody at military-run storage facilities following recent strikes at the nation’s primary natural gas complex.

The workers were taken into custody during labor demonstrations at Asaluyeh, which houses Iran’s most significant gas operations and ranks as the globe’s largest such facility. They are currently being held at warehouses operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.

Family members have been unable to contact the detained workers for several weeks, according to reports from The Media Line.

A worker employed in South Pars gas field operations revealed to The Media Line that employees from various industries throughout Asaluyeh had initiated organized meetings, demonstrations, and work stoppages several weeks prior to the broader protest movement that spread across Iran.

The current status and treatment of the detained workers remains unclear, sparking concern among labor rights advocates about conditions at the detention facilities.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago came to a virtual standstill Tuesday as the Caribbean territory approached the peak of its world-renowned two-day carnival celebration.

However, this year’s festivities — often called “the greatest show on Earth” — confronted significant financial challenges as escalating expenses have priced out an increasing number of local residents from joining the celebration.

Premium event passes reached nearly $700, while outfits for popular masquerade groups exceeded $2,000.

Recognizing these climbing costs, educators and artists are developing innovative approaches to make the carnival accessible to locals, whose ancestors were enslaved people prohibited from taking part in such celebrations.

Joshua Lamorelle, who visits low-income neighborhoods to provide complimentary stilt-walking instruction, explained: “It is giving the kids an opportunity to be a part of something that is very hard for them to afford.”

Just days before educational institutions and workplaces closed for the major carnival street procession that started Monday, Lamorelle offered students their final coaching session. He watched as 11-year-old Kanye Simmons positioned himself on a wall and fastened stilts to his legs before a youth parade.

For Simmons, stilt-walking has become his preferred activity, surpassing even video games: “I find it’s very educational, and it’s very fun.”

His mother, Chrisann Clarke, expressed appreciation for Lamorelle’s efforts to teach young people about their nation’s traditions and carnival origins. She also felt thankful that her son could join the parade without the typical payment requirement.

“It’s actually great, because most parents are unable to afford it,” she said.

The Trinidad and Tobago carnival takes place during the two days before Ash Wednesday — known as Carnival Monday and Tuesday. While not officially recognized as national holidays, tens of thousands of participants wear elaborate costumes for the street procession.

These festivities trace back to the 1700s, when French colonists introduced the celebrations to the islands while preventing African slaves from joining. During the 1800s, formerly enslaved Africans clashed with British authorities who attempted to ban the festivities.

The carnival has since transformed into a major cultural event and economic driver, providing jobs for thousands while generating millions in tourism income.

As ticket and costume prices continue climbing, soca artist Kimba Sorzano developed an inventive method to promote his latest carnival music.

Using his minibus, called a “maxi taxi,” he provides complimentary transportation to riders who agree to listen to his songs throughout their journey.

This marketing strategy gained such popularity that local fast-food establishments joined in, providing free morning meals during the commute.

“Some people got priced out of the carnival, but at the same time we are the carnival,” said Sorzano, who maintains that carnival’s authentic spirit resides within the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Other performers are also sharing carnival joy without charge. Vocalist Patrice Roberts hosted a free soca concert in late January that attracted over 10,000 attendees.

Recognizing the financial struggles affecting families, Roberts stated in a social media video that she understood “not everyone can indulge” this year.

“This is for all the faithful fans, families and for anyone who still wants to feel the magic,” Roberts said.

Lamorelle maintains that increasing access to carnival and other cultural elements of Trinidad and Tobago enhances people’s quality of life.

“Anything to make the youths better and have a better vision on culture is what I am going for,” he said.

This year, Lamorelle established a children’s carnival masquerade group, funding most expenses himself with assistance from several sponsors.

This represents a valuable chance for a nation of approximately 1.4 million residents whose jobless rate increased to 4.8% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 3.8% the previous quarter, based on recent government statistics.

Officials have implemented new taxes and raised various fees since taking office last April. This has resulted in higher consumer prices and employment losses, with some business owners reporting they were compelled to close their operations.

Lamorelle receives backing from residents in Valencia, a small community in northeastern Trinidad.

“He’s doing wonderful work in the community because he has the children more occupied than just loitering and doing nonsense,” said Nakita De Verteuil, whose two children participate in the group.

Her son, Josiah De Verteuil, who performed as a “midnight robber” on four-foot stilts, considers Lamorelle a role model.

“He is a very lovable person,” the 17-year-old said. “And to children, he is one of the best influencers.”

Peru’s legislative body voted Tuesday to remove President Jose Jeri from power after serving just four months as the nation’s leader, amid controversy surrounding secret meetings with a Chinese business figure.

The South American country’s lawmakers used a censure motion to dismiss Jeri through a simple majority vote, extending Peru’s pattern of frequent leadership changes.

The president’s downfall stemmed from a scandal involving undisclosed encounters with a businessman from China, which ultimately cost him his position in the ongoing revolving door of Peruvian leadership.

Diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict moved forward Wednesday after a challenging day of negotiations in Geneva, according to reports from Russian news agencies.

A source familiar with the discussions told Russian media that Tuesday’s U.S.-facilitated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives were marked by significant tension. The diplomatic meetings stretched on for six hours before participants agreed to reconvene the following day.

“(The talks) were very tense,” the source revealed to the agencies. “They lasted six hours. They agreed to continue tomorrow.”

The marathon negotiation session included various meeting configurations, with participants engaging in both bilateral discussions between two parties and trilateral formats involving all three sides, according to the source.

Flight operations came to a standstill at Lithuania’s main international airport Tuesday evening after weather balloons launched from Belarus crossed into Lithuanian airspace, according to the country’s emergency management officials.

The Vilnius Airport suspended all activities at 6:30 p.m. GMT following the airspace incursion. Located approximately 19 miles from the Belarusian border, the facility has experienced more than ten similar shutdowns since the beginning of October 2025, all related to comparable balloon incidents from its neighboring country.

Lithuanian crisis management authorities confirmed the temporary closure, which highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations that have resulted in repeated disruptions to commercial aviation in the region.

A high-ranking Russian military leader confirmed Tuesday that SpaceX Starlink satellite terminals utilized by Russian forces have been offline for a fortnight, though he maintains the outage hasn’t disrupted their unmanned aircraft operations.

Deputy Defence Minister Aleksei Krivoruchko stated during a State Television interview: “Starlink terminals have been down for two weeks, but this has not affected the intensity or effectiveness of the troops’ unmanned systems, as confirmed by data from objective monitoring of damage to enemy equipment and personnel.”

This Russian confirmation comes roughly fourteen days after Ukrainian authorities announced that Moscow’s military had lost access to these satellite communication devices.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov had previously reported the terminals were cut off, with other Ukrainian leaders claiming the disruption significantly impacted Russian military capabilities.

Ukraine’s armed forces depend on thousands of Starlink satellite connections for battlefield communications and controlling certain drone missions.

Ukrainian forces reported discovering SpaceX-manufactured Starlink terminals aboard Russian long-range attack drones earlier this month.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared Tuesday that Israel’s acknowledgment of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland serves no positive purpose for either Somaliland or the broader region.

Back in December, Erdogan had condemned Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland—a northern territory that proclaimed independence in 1991—calling the move both illegal and unacceptable. At that time, he also claimed Israel was attempting to create instability in the Horn of Africa.

Speaking at a news conference while visiting Addis Ababa, Erdogan stated: “I would like to especially underline our stance of valuing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the area where Ethiopia is located.” He emphasized that Turkey opposes any new conflicts emerging in the region.

“We believe regional countries need to find solutions to the problems of the region and for the Horn of Africa not to become a competition field for foreign forces. In that regard, I would like to emphasise that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not benefit Somaliland or the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan continued.

The NATO member nation has expanded its presence across Africa in recent years, providing training for Somalia’s security personnel and offering development aid in exchange for strategic positioning along crucial international shipping lanes. Turkey has also built strong relationships with other nations in the region, including Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Somalia has severed all diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, claiming the UAE influenced Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland. Following this break, Somalia signed a defense pact with Qatar, and Turkey deployed fighter aircraft to its Somali base as a demonstration of military support.

Turkey has emerged as one of Israel’s harshest critics regarding its military operations in Gaza, which Turkish officials have labeled as genocide. The country has halted all commercial dealings with Israel and has advocated for international sanctions against Israeli leadership.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Military weapons were removed from showcases, unmanned aircraft flew over vendor booths, and massive monitors displayed continuous video of rocket strikes throughout the exhibition halls at Tel Aviv’s convention center during the Defense Tech Expo Israel 2026.

The conference united Israeli military contractors, international representatives, and financial backers to showcase innovations spanning personal weapons and automated systems to aerial and rocket defense platforms plus cybersecurity solutions.

Exhibition spaces featured large-scale models of defense missiles and pilotless vehicles, with company representatives explaining combat features to prospective purchasers. Corporate negotiations took place next to monitors displaying war zone simulations and marketing videos.

The current year’s conference demonstrated increased global attention toward Israel’s military industry, with companies marketing products developed through recent military engagements.

Beyond the conference center, a small collection of demonstrators opposed the military and weapons business. Several protesters connected the trade show to the Gaza conflict, carrying placards that called the region a “testing lab” for armaments.

Combined, these events illustrate the conflict between the business presentation of warfare technology and the civic discussion about how it gets used.

This represents a photo collection assembled by AP photography staff.

LONDON (AP) — Participants wearing elaborate outfits that included a giant number two pencil, penguin, and strawberry costume dashed across a downtown London plaza while clutching frying pans during the city’s traditional annual pancake flipping race. The festive event marks the observance of Shrove Tuesday, commonly called Fat Tuesday, which represents the last day before Lent begins — the 40-day period of Christian fasting.

The photo collection was assembled by Associated Press photography staff.

GENEVA – A United Nations committee is defending one of its Palestinian rights experts after multiple European governments demanded her removal based on statements she says she never made.

The UN Coordination Committee issued a strong rebuke Tuesday against what it called malicious attacks targeting Francesca Albanese, the organization’s special rapporteur for Palestine. The committee accused European officials of spreading false information about the Italian lawyer’s comments.

Over the past week, government ministers from Germany, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic have called for Albanese’s removal from her position. The controversy began when Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka posted on social media Friday, claiming Albanese had described Israel as a “common enemy of humanity” and demanding her resignation.

However, a Reuters review of transcripts from Albanese’s February 7 speech in Doha found no evidence she used those words, though she has been a consistent critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The six-member UN committee, which oversees the work of special rapporteurs, accused the European ministers of relying on fabricated information.

“Instead of demanding Ms Albanese’s resignation for performing her mandate…these government representatives should join forces to hold accountable, including before the International Criminal Court, leaders and officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” the committee stated.

The panel warned that the pressure against Albanese represents a growing pattern of politically driven attacks targeting independent human rights investigators, UN staff, and international court judges.

The Trump administration has also taken action against Albanese, imposing sanctions after she sent correspondence to American companies, alleging their involvement in human rights violations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.

Special rapporteurs like Albanese work independently from the UN itself, though they are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to investigate and report on specific human rights situations.

While no special rapporteur has ever been removed mid-term, diplomatic sources indicate that member states of the 47-nation council could theoretically propose such action. However, they noted that strong Palestinian rights support within the council makes successful removal unlikely.

PARIS — Officials in France announced Tuesday that they have freed an oil tanker detained last month in Mediterranean waters, which authorities believe was operating as part of Russia’s covert shipping network designed to bypass international oil sanctions.

In a social media statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed that the vessel named Grinch was permitted to depart French territorial waters following payment of a financial penalty worth “several million euros” and enduring “three weeks of costly immobilization.”

“Circumventing European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to finance its war with impunity through a ghost fleet off our coasts,” Barrot said.

French naval forces had redirected the vessel last month and secured it at the Fos-sur-Mer port during an investigation into allegations of operating without proper flag documentation. The ship’s crew members, all of Indian citizenship, remained aboard throughout the detention.

“As part of a guilty plea procedure the company that owns the vessel was sentenced by the Marseille judicial court to a financial penalty of confiscation,” according to a combined statement from the Marseille prosecutor’s office and regional maritime authorities.

Officials did not reveal the precise sum of the monetary penalty.

Intelligence reports suggest Russia operates more than 400 vessels to circumvent sanctions related to its military campaign in Ukraine. France and allied nations have pledged to intensify enforcement efforts.

This covert maritime operation consists of deteriorating ships and oil carriers controlled by obscure companies registered in non-sanctioning nations, operating under those countries’ flags.

In September, French naval personnel boarded another oil vessel off France’s Atlantic coastline that President Emmanuel Macron also connected to the shadow fleet operation. Putin condemned that seizure as an act of piracy.

The captain of that September incident faces trial next week on charges related to the crew’s alleged failure to comply with authorities.

A prominent Belarusian opposition activist who was recently released from prison is calling on European leaders to open diplomatic channels with the country’s authoritarian president, warning that continued isolation will only drive Belarus deeper into Russia’s sphere of influence.

Maria Kalesnikava made these remarks during a virtual discussion hosted by the London-based Chatham House think tank on Tuesday. She spent over five years behind bars for her role in organizing demonstrations that were violently suppressed by President Alexander Lukashenko after Belarus’s controversial 2020 election. Kalesnikava was freed and forced to leave the country last December.

Her comments contribute to an ongoing discussion about whether European nations should follow the United States’ lead in pursuing talks with the long-serving dictator, or maintain their current policy of diplomatic isolation due to his poor human rights record and support for Vladimir Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine.

“Belarusians must feel that they are part of Europe… The more Belarus is cut off from Europe, the more it’s structurally tied to Moscow,” Kalesnikava stated during the online forum.

“If Europe wants a stable and secure eastern neighbourhood, it cannot afford to disengage,” she continued.

However, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, who was also released from prison in December, expressed doubt about Lukashenko’s commitment to reforming the authoritarian structure he has maintained since assuming power in 1994.

“Currently Belarus resembles scorched earth,” Bialiatski observed, describing the atmosphere of political oppression and the nation’s economic reliance on Russia and China.

“Society is like a pressure cooker and the lid has been tightly screwed down with all the bolts,” he added.

Bialiatski characterized Lukashenko’s decision to negotiate with American officials as a strategic move motivated by economic struggles.

“Regimes like Lukashenko’s understand only the language of strength,” he stated.

Both activists were part of a group of 123 political prisoners freed by Lukashenko in December following discussions with a representative of President Donald Trump. In exchange, the United States removed sanctions on Belarusian potash exports, though European Union restrictions remain active.

Opposition critics argue this prisoner exchange follows a long-established pattern where Lukashenko releases jailed political opponents to secure concessions from Western nations while offering minimal reforms in return.

Despite this criticism, Kalesnikava credited a previous period of improved Western relations between 2016 and 2019 with inspiring Belarusians to envision a democratic European future, ultimately motivating the 2020 street protests.

The former professional musician suggested that providing travel documents to ordinary Belarusian citizens and resuming educational, cultural, and professional exchange programs could help restore those democratic aspirations.

She warned that failing to take such steps would waste a crucial opportunity when the 71-year-old Lukashenko eventually exits the political stage.

“If the West is absent at that moment, it will lose influence over the outcome,” she concluded.

A cybersecurity company has exposed a sophisticated online fraud scheme targeting Olympic fans through fake merchandise websites designed to look like the official Milano Cortina 2026 store.

On Tuesday, Bitdefender revealed they had discovered multiple counterfeit shopping sites that closely mirror the legitimate Olympic merchandise store, aimed at deceiving customers in Europe and across the United States.

The security researchers found that these fraudulent operations spread through deceptive advertisements on Facebook and other Meta-owned platforms, enticing shoppers with massive markdowns of up to 80 percent on what appears to be genuine Olympic products.

When unsuspecting customers click these promotional ads, they’re taken to sophisticated replica websites that steal payment information, home addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and sometimes login passwords. Those who fall victim may either receive fake products or receive nothing while having their sensitive information stolen.

Bitdefender’s investigation showed these criminal operations depend on extremely realistic copies of the authentic Olympics merchandise website.

Officials from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics organizing committee and Meta did not respond to requests for comment.

The counterfeit websites feature the same product images, visual design, official logos, and product lines as the real store.

Security experts noted that numerous fake web addresses were created within days of each other and marketed through recently established Facebook accounts. This pattern indicates an organized network designed to change rapidly and evade detection by authorities.

Most of these fraudulent websites vanish within hours or days after collecting payments, making it impossible for victims to recover their money.

Bitdefender pointed out that careful observers can spot key differences that expose the scam. While the legitimate store promotes deals like “Sign up and save 15%”, the counterfeit versions advertise “Sign up and save 80%”.

The cybersecurity firm recommended that shoppers verify website registration information, remain skeptical of unusually large discounts, and research the background of Facebook pages advertising these deals.

Given the extensive and advanced nature of this criminal operation, thousands of online shoppers could fall victim as the Winter Games draw to a close, according to the security company’s warning.

Massive crowds filled the streets of Pristina on Tuesday as demonstrators rallied in support of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders currently facing war crimes charges at an international tribunal.

The protest centered around four former KLA commanders who were taken into custody in 2020 and transferred to a specialized war crimes court in The Hague. Among those on trial is Hashim Thaci, Kosovo’s former president, along with ex-parliamentary leaders Jakup Krasniqi and Kadri Veseli, plus former legislator Rexhep Selimi.

The defendants face serious allegations including persecution, murder, torture and forced disappearances connected to Kosovo’s 1998-99 independence struggle against Serbia. All four have entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

Court proceedings have reached the final argument phase this week, with judges expected to render their decision within three months. Prosecutors have requested 45-year prison terms for each defendant.

Demonstrators expressed strong opposition to the proceedings, with many viewing the accused as freedom fighters rather than war criminals. “Those who deserve to be in The Hague are the occupiers, not the liberators,” declared Miran Zeka, 49, who traveled from Albania to join the demonstration.

“We fought in our land, we did not go to Serbia to fight,” stated Bekim Muja, 53, a veteran who participated in the Kosovo conflict.

Rally participants displayed KLA military uniforms while others carried flags representing the KLA, Kosovo, and Albania. Demonstrators held signs declaring “Freedom has a name” and carried photographs of Thaci and co-defendants labeled “Heroes of War and Peace.”

Thaci, now 57, held multiple high-ranking positions in independent Kosovo from 2008 to 2020, serving as prime minister, foreign minister, and president.

The conflict that sparked these charges resulted in over 13,000 casualties, predominantly Kosovo Albanians, during the late 1990s uprising. At that time, Kosovo remained under Serbian control, governed by nationalist leader Slobodan Milosevic, whose forces launched brutal campaigns against ethnic Albanian populations.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers was established in 2015 with international judges and legal staff to prosecute war crimes cases involving former KLA fighters under Kosovo’s legal framework. Officials located the tribunal outside Kosovo due to concerns about witness safety, recognizing that many Kosovo citizens regard former KLA commanders as national heroes who secured their freedom.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo’s 18th independence anniversary took on a tone of resistance Tuesday as massive crowds demonstrated in support of former military leaders currently on trial for alleged war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict with Serbia.

Despite frigid, snowy conditions in Pristina, demonstrators draped in Albanian national colors gathered to protest legal proceedings taking place in The Hague against ex-president and former rebel commander Hashim Thaci, along with three co-defendants accused of committing atrocities during and following the war that claimed approximately 13,000 lives.

The independence commemoration began with Kosovo security forces conducting ceremonial parades through Pristina, followed by a special parliamentary session.

The conflict began when the Kosovo Liberation Army initiated its independence campaign in 1998, prompting Serbia to launch a harsh military response. The war concluded after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999, ultimately compelling Serbian forces to withdraw from the territory.

Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s 2008 independence declaration, creating ongoing tensions throughout the unstable Balkans. Both nations have been informed that establishing normal diplomatic relations is a prerequisite for European Union membership.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague — technically part of Kosovo’s court system despite its foreign location — has prosecutors seeking maximum 45-year sentences for Thaci and his co-defendants. Thaci faces additional charges in a separate witness intimidation case scheduled to begin this month.

Kosovo officials and demonstrators have condemned the trials as politically motivated, arguing they create an unfair equivalency with Serbia, whose political and military leadership faced previous war crimes convictions at a separate United Nations tribunal.

Tuesday’s protesters displayed signs declaring “History cannot be rewritten” and “Freedom for the liberators.” They surrounded a prominent independence monument with metal barriers and posted a “Kosovo in Prison” sign atop the structure.

President Vjosa Osmani released a statement asserting that “truth cannot be changed by attempts to rewrite history or to tarnish and devalue the struggle of Kosovo’s people for freedom.”

Prime Minister Albin Kurti declared that “the KLA-led war was pure, liberation (struggle) and an anti-colonial war … a just struggle of an occupied and oppressed people under apartheid.”

From Belgrade, a Serbian government office responsible for Kosovo affairs characterized the independence declaration 18 years ago as a “flagrant violation of international law.” The statement claimed “systematic terror” and persecution targeting Serbian minorities in Kosovo.

More than 100 countries, including the United States and most European Union members, have acknowledged Kosovo’s independence, while Russia and China support Serbia’s territorial claims.

Thaci stepped down from the presidency in 2020 to face 10 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The specialized court and prosecutor’s office were established following a 2011 Council of Europe human rights report that investigated claims of KLA fighters trafficking human organs from prisoners and killing both Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians. The organ trafficking allegations have not appeared in court indictments.

LIMA, Peru — Lawmakers in Peru’s Congress were scheduled to cast ballots Tuesday on whether to force out interim President José Jerí, as prosecutors examine corruption claims related to undisclosed encounters between Jerí and Chinese business leaders.

Should the parliamentarians obtain enough support, Jerí would be forced from power just four months after taking office. His ouster would spark another leadership change, requiring lawmakers to select a replacement and adding fresh instability to Peru’s political landscape with national elections just two months away.

Jerí represents the seventh person to hold the presidency in Peru over the last ten years. He took the oath of office in October following his predecessor’s removal by Congress due to graft accusations and escalating violent crime. He now confronts potential dismissal by his former legislative peers, who claim he engaged in improper conduct and lacks the ability to fulfill presidential responsibilities.

The 39-year-old acting president expressed confidence he would weather the legislative challenge.

“I’m not dead yet,” Jerí stated in a weekend television appearance on Peru’s Panamericana network, declaring his intention to continue serving Peruvians until his “last day” at the presidential residence.

Should lawmakers vote for his dismissal, they will select a successor from their ranks to lead the country until July 28, when the acting president transfers power to whoever wins the April 12 presidential contest.

Following any removal, Jerí would resume his role as a congressional member through July 28, when the incoming legislature also assumes office.

There remains a possibility legislators will reject the removal effort. Jerí enjoys backing from the Fuerza Popular party, headed by presidential hopeful Keiko Fujimori, whose father previously served as president before facing imprisonment for human rights violations.

The charges against Jerí originated from a disclosed document about a secret December gathering with two Chinese business executives. One participant maintains active government contracts, while the other faces investigation for suspected participation in unlawful timber operations.

Jerí has rejected any wrongdoing, explaining he met with the executives to plan a Peruvian-Chinese celebration, though his critics have labeled this corruption.

This turmoil represents another episode in Peru’s extended political breakdown, as the nation has witnessed seven presidents since 2016 and prepares for general elections while citizens express widespread anger over rising violent crime.

Even with the constant presidential turnover, Peru’s economic situation has stayed steady.

The South American country maintained an external debt-to-GDP ratio of 32% in 2024, among Latin America’s most favorable, while the government continues encouraging foreign investment in sectors including mining and infrastructure development.

A simple vegetable that’s a staple in Russian kitchens has become an unexpected flashpoint for economic frustration as the country’s war in Ukraine continues to strain household budgets.

Cucumber costs have surged dramatically across Russia, with government data showing prices have doubled since December to average more than 300 rubles (about $3.91) per kilogram. Social media posts reveal some stores charging two or three times that amount for the common salad ingredient.

The price spike has caught the attention of lawmakers, particularly those from the ruling United Russia party facing elections later this year. Anti-monopoly officials have now demanded explanations from growers and grocery chains about the sudden increases.

Sergei Mironov, who leads the Just Russia party in parliament, criticized government explanations that blame seasonal factors for the price jumps.

“This winter, a new ‘delicacy’ has appeared in our shops – cucumbers,” Mironov stated. “They used the same explanation for last year’s ‘golden’ potatoes, and now it’s ‘gilded’ cucumbers.”

The former paratrooper turned politician, known for highlighting issues that frustrate voters nationwide, pressed further: “What are people supposed to do? Just accept that they can’t afford the most basic foods?”

Food producers have attempted to calm concerns, promising cucumber prices should drop next month when temperatures rise. Officials point to successful resolutions of similar pricing problems with other foods in the past, and there’s no indication the complaints threaten social order despite widespread grumbling on social platforms.

However, the cucumber crisis comes amid broader economic pressures, with overall prices climbing 2.1% since January began – partly due to higher value-added taxes – while Russia’s economy slows after four years of conflict in Ukraine.

Russia’s central bank projects annual inflation could reach 5.5% this year, and citizens are voicing complaints about everything from utility costs to gasoline prices to restaurant bills.

The situation has become so severe that cucumbers now cost more than imported bananas. Some Siberian supermarkets have imposed purchase limits per customer, while a major Russian newspaper distributed seeds so readers could grow their own vegetables at home.

Opposition parties in the Duma, including Mironov’s group and the communists, have proposed government caps on retailer markups for essential foods.

Yevgeny Popov, a ruling party legislator, attempted to minimize concerns on social media, claiming prices would decline and emphasizing Russia’s complete self-sufficiency in cucumber production.

His reassurances drew sharp responses from constituents.

“The prices for cucumbers and tomatoes are outrageous,” replied a woman identifying herself as Svetlana. “Once upon a time they said eggs were ‘golden’ (because they were so expensive.) Now it’s cucumbers that are golden.”

ROME – Political opposition forces in Italy are condemning their government’s decision to participate in President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, arguing the organization weakens the United Nations and violates international legal principles.

The board will convene for its inaugural session in Washington this Thursday, focusing on reconstruction strategies for Gaza. Representatives from over 20 nations are expected to participate in the gathering.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who maintains strong relationships with Trump, announced Italy would join as an observer nation, stating Rome seeks involvement in American-led peace initiatives. However, most Western countries continue showing hesitation about participation.

During parliamentary discussions with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Democratic Party legislator Giuseppe Provenzano questioned the government’s motives, stating: “How far are you willing to go in order to please Trump? You have answered this question: rushing to the American president’s court whenever and for any reason.”

While originally created to support Gaza’s ceasefire agreement, Trump envisions the Board of Peace addressing worldwide conflicts – a broader scope that concerns some nations who worry it could challenge the UN’s authority.

Several Middle Eastern powers have committed to the board, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, alongside major developing countries like Indonesia. A European Union representative will also observe the initial meeting, though Italy’s specific representative remains undetermined.

Rome has rejected full membership, citing constitutional conflicts with portions of the board’s charter. Italy’s constitution requires equal participation in international organizations, while the United States would maintain leadership authority in this new entity.

Centrist parliament member Riccardo Magi criticized the organization’s foundation, saying: “The Board of Peace is based not on democracy but on arrogance, not on law but on business,” referencing American proposals for residential developments and coastal resorts in Palestinian territory.

Foreign Minister Tajani defended against the criticism, arguing no viable alternatives exist for Trump’s Gaza strategy. “If anyone thought there are concrete, workable alternatives to this plan today, they would be showing they don’t know how to deal with reality,” Tajani responded.