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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — The Mongolian People’s Party has chosen a replacement candidate for prime minister following the departure of Zandanshatar Gombojav, who stepped down after serving less than a year in the position.

Party officials nominated Uchral Nyam-Osor during a Sunday gathering, as reported by the state-run Montsame news agency. Currently serving as both party chairman and parliamentary speaker, Uchral became a party member in 2009 and represents a middle-ground choice between competing party wings.

Gombojav’s departure followed corruption accusations against one of his top cabinet officials. The former prime minister also dealt with opposition from the Democratic Party, whose members have staged a parliamentary walkout since early this month over concerns that too much authority has been consolidated within the governing party.

This political upheaval threatens to further undermine public confidence in Mongolia’s government institutions. The nation made its democratic transition from single-party Communist rule in 1990, but despite regular elections, citizens continue to voice frustrations about widespread corruption and a political structure that appears to serve wealthy elites.

International business interests have grown increasingly concerned about Mongolia’s unstable political climate and the brief terms served by consecutive administrations.

With a population of 3.4 million, Mongolia relies heavily on mineral exports to China and continues to grapple with inconsistent regulatory policies and ongoing corruption issues.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered a stark warning to the United States Monday, declaring that Iranian forces “are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever.”

Qalibaf continued with defiant remarks: “Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased.”

These threatening statements emerged as regional leaders convened in Pakistan seeking solutions to end the Middle Eastern conflicts, coinciding with approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines deploying to the area and Iranian-supported Houthi rebels joining the monthlong conflict.

The ongoing warfare has created widespread economic disruption, threatening worldwide oil and natural gas supplies while causing fertilizer shortages and interrupting air transportation. Iran’s control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz has created market instability and price fluctuations.

The Houthis’ involvement raises concerns about additional damage to international shipping, particularly if they resume attacking vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea, a waterway that handles approximately 12% of global trade.

UN Peacekeeper Fatality in Southern Lebanon

Early Monday, UNIFIL reported that one United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile hit their position close to a southern Lebanese village.

Officials stated that the “origin of the projectile” remained undetermined.

The mountainous border region where UNIFIL forces conduct patrols has experienced decades of cross-border conflicts.

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants engaged in comprehensive warfare in 2024 and are currently fighting again after Hezbollah aligned with Iran in launching attacks against Israel in the present conflict. Israel has deployed thousands of soldiers across the Lebanese border.

Israel Reports Preventing West Bank Attacks

Israeli military forces shot two individuals they determined posed threats during separate overnight incidents in the occupied West Bank, resulting in one death and “neutralizing” the other, according to early Monday military statements.

Military reports indicate one knife-wielding man charged toward soldiers near Dura in the southern West Bank and was fatally shot. Another individual accelerated his vehicle toward troops near a village north of Jerusalem, prompting soldiers to open fire.

Holy Sepulchre Receives Limited Prayer Authorization

Israeli police announced approval of a “limited prayer framework” allowing worship at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the sacred Holy Week period begins.

Jerusalem’s Old City religious sites important to Christians, Jews and Muslims have remained shuttered throughout the Iran conflict due to security concerns. Earlier this month, debris from intercepting an Iranian missile landed on a rooftop near the church, which Christians consider the crucifixion site of Jesus.

Police officials said they collaborated with a representative of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch who had been previously denied entry, and promised additional details about permitted activities would follow.

Israeli Forces Intercept Yemeni Drones

Israel’s military confirmed its air force successfully intercepted two unmanned aircraft launched from Yemen during early Monday morning hours.

The Iranian-supported Houthi rebels took credit for their initial attack in the current conflict — a missile launched at Israel that was also intercepted — early Saturday morning.

Northern Iran Petrochemical Plant Hit

Iranian news outlets reported early Monday that a Tabriz Petrochemical facility in the country’s northern region was struck. Officials confirmed no dangerous materials were released.

The company processes oil and natural gas into chemical products used for manufacturing everyday items including plastics and various chemicals.

SAN BARTOLO MORELOS, Mexico (AP) — Cruz Monroy has spent over three decades navigating the streets of a small community near Mexico’s capital city, balancing towering structures of tiny cages containing colorful birds.

The songs of crimson cardinals, emerald and sapphire parakeets, and vibrant finches provide the soundtrack for “pajareros” — street vendors who sell birds like Monroy.

The practice of marketing birds in towering cage formations, often reaching heights that dwarf the vendors themselves, spans multiple generations. These sellers have remained a constant presence in Mexican marketplaces and represent part of the 1.5 million street vendors operating throughout Mexico.

“Hearing their songs, it brings people joy,” Monroy said, the sounds of dozens of birdsongs echoing over him from his home in his small town outside Mexico’s capital, where he cares for and raises the birds. “This is our tradition, my father was also a bird-seller.”

Each Palm Sunday during the Catholic celebration, hundreds of bird vendors from throughout the nation gather in Mexico City, creating elaborate 10-foot cage displays decorated with vibrant flowers, shimmering tinsel, and pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the country’s beloved patron saint.

These vendors journey for miles on foot through the capital’s streets alongside their families and feathered companions, making their way to the city’s famous basilica.

However, the number of pajareros working the streets has steadily declined in recent times due to increasing government regulations and harsh opposition from animal welfare organizations, who label the practice as cruelty and illegal wildlife trade.

Monroy and fellow vendors maintain they avoid capturing prohibited species like parrots and other birds banned by Mexican officials — who classify tropical varieties as “wild birds, not pets” — and instead often raise their own birds while providing proper care. Nevertheless, Monroy acknowledges that within his own family, this time-honored practice is fading away.

Facing pressure from officials and growing opposition, he hopes his children will pursue more reliable employment opportunities.

“Because of the restrictions, harassment by certain authorities, many friends have left selling birds behind,” Monroy said. “For my children, it’s not stable work anymore. We have to look for other alternatives.”

SYDNEY – A seven-month manhunt in Australia came to an end Monday when authorities fatally shot a fugitive accused of murdering two police officers, according to Australian media reports.

Dezi Freeman, formerly known as Desmond Filby, had evaded capture since August following a deadly confrontation that claimed the lives of two officers and wounded another in Victoria state. Law enforcement had placed a substantial A$1 million ($684,700) bounty on information that would lead to his arrest.

The deadly incident occurred when Freeman allegedly attacked a 10-member police squad, which included officers from the sexual offences and child investigation unit, as they attempted to serve a search warrant at a residence in Porepunkah. The location sits approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Melbourne.

After the attack, Freeman escaped into the wilderness of Mount Buffalo National Park. Authorities described him as having extensive survival expertise and access to high-powered weapons. Local news outlets characterized the 56-year-old as a “sovereign citizen” who rejected government authority.

The fatal shooting occurred around 8:30 a.m. Monday (2130 GMT Sunday), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Victoria Police confirmed in an official statement that officers killed a man during an operation targeting Freeman at a property in northeastern Victoria, though they did not confirm the individual’s identity.

“No police officers were injured during the incident,” the statement said, adding that further details would be released later on Monday.

Israel’s Knesset voted to approve the nation’s 2026 budget early Monday morning, according to a parliamentary spokesperson, preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration from facing potential snap elections while the country remains engaged in military conflicts with Iran and operations in Lebanon.

The defense-focused spending plan totals 699 billion shekels and was passed one month into Israel’s ongoing military operations, which include fighting against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. The economic impact of these conflicts has reached approximately $1.6 billion per week.

Had lawmakers rejected the budget proposal, Israel would have faced mandatory early elections within 90 days – a scenario that polling data suggests Netanyahu would likely lose.

While regular elections are scheduled for late October, no specific date has been confirmed. Netanyahu has indicated the vote could potentially occur in September.

The budget’s approval at the final hour eliminates significant uncertainty for Israel’s financial markets and economic outlook, which had been functioning on an extended 2025 budget since January.

Defense spending received an additional 32 billion shekels under the new budget, pushing the deficit target to approximately 5% of the nation’s gross domestic product.

Economic analysts warn this increased spending could trigger inflationary pressures, potentially delaying the return to sound fiscal management and limiting opportunities for future interest rate cuts.

A United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile struck their position close to the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr on Sunday, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

The UN mission, known as UNIFIL, announced the casualties in a statement released early Monday morning.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” UNIFIL stated.

The peacekeeping force operates in southern Lebanon to oversee tensions along the border with Israel, a region that has become a flashpoint for fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants backed by Iran.

The peacekeeping operation, scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, has repeatedly found itself caught between Israeli and Hezbollah forces during recent conflicts.

Earlier this month on March 6, Ghana’s military reported that missile strikes targeted the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping unit in Lebanon, critically wounding two soldiers.

Israeli military officials later confirmed their tank artillery had struck a UN facility in southern Lebanon on that date, injuring the Ghanaian peacekeepers.

The Israeli military stated its forces had retaliated against anti-tank missile attacks from Hezbollah that moderately injured two Israeli soldiers.

“Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger,” UNIFIL said.

Lebanon became involved in the broader Middle Eastern conflict when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran two days earlier. This Hezbollah assault triggered a fresh Israeli military campaign against the organization.

A vessel flying the Russian flag and loaded with crude oil moved into Cuban territorial waters on Sunday, marking what appears to be the Caribbean island’s first petroleum shipment in over two months, according to maritime tracking information.

The vessel Anatoly Kolodkin, which set sail from the Russian port of Primorsk with approximately 650,000 barrels of Urals crude oil aboard, appears destined for Cuba’s Matanzas port based on its current trajectory, maritime tracking services Marine Traffic and LSEG report.

The shipment represents a significant development for Cuba, which has experienced an extended period without oil imports stretching back more than eight weeks.

One person died and eight others sustained injuries when Ukrainian drones struck the Russian port city of Taganrog on Sunday, according to local authorities.

The attack sparked multiple fires and caused extensive damage to residential neighborhoods and industrial facilities, forcing officials to evacuate affected areas where drone wreckage had fallen.

Rostov region Governor Yuri Slyusar reported on Telegram that rescue teams were deployed to locations where debris had crashed. “Emergency crews are working at the site of the incident, where the debris fell,” Slyusar stated. “Fires and damage have occurred. People have been evacuated.”

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova detailed the scope of destruction across the city in her own Telegram message, revealing that emergency responders handled 49 separate incidents related to the drone assault.

“Due to falling drone debris, several residential houses, social sites, and industrial enterprises were damaged,” Kambulova reported.

Defense systems continued operating in the area following the attack. Taganrog sits along the Sea of Azov’s eastern shore, positioned as a strategic port city near Ukraine’s border.

Britain’s top financial official plans to caution fellow G7 nations Monday against implementing independent trade restrictions while conflict with Iran persists, warning such actions could worsen energy security concerns.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will address G7 finance ministers, energy officials and central bank leaders, emphasizing the group “should act together, not in ways that shift pressure onto partners or weaken collective resilience,” according to a ministry statement.

The Group of Seven encompasses wealthy nations including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.

Reeves plans to argue that protectionist policies and additional trade restrictions risk disrupting supply networks and increasing costs, emphasizing that collaborative efforts remain essential for maintaining energy and goods movement while reducing expenses long-term.

The conflict with Iran, initiated by U.S. and Israeli forces on February 28, has expanded throughout the Middle East region, resulting in thousands of casualties and creating unprecedented disruptions to worldwide energy markets that have significantly impacted the global economy.

Iranian-Americans assembled in the nation’s capital this week as conflicts across the Middle East continue to intensify. The demonstration brought together members of the Iranian diaspora living throughout the United States.

During the rally, participants voiced their support for American and Israeli positions in the ongoing regional tensions. The demonstrators also called for political transformation within Iran’s current government structure.

The gathering reflects the complex political views held by many Iranian expatriates residing in America, particularly as military actions expand throughout the Middle Eastern region.

Twenty-one demonstrators were taken into custody by Israeli authorities during Saturday evening anti-war rallies that spread across four major cities, even as officials maintained restrictions on large public gatherings.

The demonstrations unfolded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba, drawing hundreds of participants to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem while approximately 100 gathered in Haifa. This represented the highest attendance since the weekly protest movement started. Law enforcement officials confirmed that 13 individuals were detained in Tel Aviv while eight more were arrested in Haifa.

According to police statements, the assemblies lacked proper authorization under Home Front Command rules that prohibit gatherings exceeding 50 individuals. Officials noted that attendance surged after opposition organizations urged citizens to demonstrate regardless of the existing limitations.

“During a situation assessment that took place at the scene with a Home Front Command representative … it was clarified that there was a real risk to human life and accordingly, Yarkon [precinct] police commander Tzachi Sharabi ordered the gathering to be dispersed,” police said.

Ayman Odeh, who chairs Hadash-Ta’al and participated in the protests as an Arab parliament member, condemned the law enforcement actions. He labeled officers as fascists “in the service of the government” and stated they feared “the heroic citizens who went out, despite everything, to make their voice heard.”

These protests occur while recent polling from the Israel Democracy Institute in March 2026 revealed widespread yet divided backing among Jewish Israelis for Operation Roaring Lion. The survey showed strongest approval among right-wing voters at 87 percent, compared to roughly half among left-leaning respondents.

The research also indicated that both Jewish and Arab survey participants generally concurred that Iran’s resistance capabilities exceeded initial expectations. The majority of Jewish participants believed Israeli society could maintain the military operation for up to one month, while 28 percent expressed confidence it could continue indefinitely. Arab respondents showed greater skepticism about public endurance for prolonged conflict.

Most Jewish survey participants attributed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military decision to security concerns, whereas the majority of Arab respondents characterized it as politically motivated.

A deadly battle between a notorious gang and local vigilante forces transformed a central Haitian community into a scene of devastation Sunday morning, according to regional authorities who spoke with The Associated Press.

The Gran Grif gang launched a violent assault in the Jean-Denis neighborhood of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, leaving multiple victims dead in the streets and torching residential buildings, according to video evidence of the attack.

Officials have not yet released an exact death toll from the assault. This latest tragedy adds to Haiti’s mounting crisis of gang violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation for five years since President Jovenel Moïse was killed in 2021.

Citizen vigilante organizations started forming around 2023 as communities fought back against criminal groups that have devastated daily life across Haiti. These self-appointed security forces have added another layer of complexity to the country’s violence, even as international peacekeeping efforts attempt to restore order.

These vigilante organizations frequently barricade communities and carry out extreme punishments against suspected gang members, including dismemberment, beheadings, and burning victims alive.

The Gran Grif organization has maintained its reign of terror throughout the Artibonite region, where Sunday’s attack occurred. Last year, the Trump administration officially classified Gran Grif among several Haitian criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups.

United Nations officials identify Gran Grif as the region’s most dominant criminal organization, linking it to 80% of civilian fatalities in the area. The group has committed mass killings, sexual assaults including attacks on children, displaced thousands of residents, and carried out brutal dismemberments, according to UN reports.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced Sunday that the nation stands ready to facilitate diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, despite Iran’s accusations that Washington is simultaneously planning military ground operations.

Following discussions among regional foreign ministers, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed they explored various approaches to achieve an early and lasting resolution to the regional warfare, including potential US-Iran diplomatic meetings in Islamabad.

“Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Dar stated. Whether both the United States and Iran have committed to participating remains uncertain.

Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts face significant challenges due to the rigid stances maintained by the United States, Israel, and Iran regarding conditions for ending the hostilities.

Earlier, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the US for discussing potential negotiations while simultaneously preparing to deploy ground forces, warning that Tehran would respond if American troops were sent to the region.

“As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation,” Qalibaf declared in his national address.

Preliminary conversations involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt centered on strategies to restore shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Iran’s blockade of oil and gas transport through the strategic waterway, implemented since US and Israeli attacks began on February 28, continues to create worldwide economic disruption.

As the conflict moves into its second month, military activities show no signs of decreasing. Israeli forces reported conducting more than 140 aerial attacks across central and western Iran, including Tehran, within a 24-hour period ending Sunday evening, targeting ballistic missile facilities and storage locations.

The World Health Organization director reported that Israel’s expanding military actions in southern Lebanon resulted in another healthcare worker’s death, bringing the total to 51 killed. Israeli officials claim Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters use medical facilities for protection, which the organization disputes.

A chemical facility in southern Israel near Beer Sheva was struck by a missile or debris as Israel defended against multiple Iranian attacks, prompting authorities to warn civilians about “hazardous materials” in the area.

Another projectile struck open terrain near residential areas in Beer Sheva, close to several military installations, wounding 11 individuals.

The warfare has claimed thousands of lives and affected nations throughout the Middle East, with major aluminum production facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates suffering damage from weekend airstrikes.

The UAE is demanding compensation from Iran for attacks on civilian populations and critical infrastructure, plus assurances to prevent future incidents, according to a presidential adviser.

Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthis entered the conflict Saturday by launching their initial strikes against Israel, raising concerns they might target and potentially close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another crucial shipping route. Experts warn renewed attacks there would increase pressure on the global economy.

Washington has deployed thousands of Marines to the Middle East, with the first group arriving Friday via amphibious assault vessel, according to US military officials.

The Washington Post cited US officials indicating the Pentagon is preparing for extended ground operations in Iran, though it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump would authorize such plans.

Reuters previously reported that Pentagon officials have evaluated military options potentially involving ground forces.

Trump confronts a difficult decision between pursuing a negotiated resolution or military escalation that could lead to an extended crisis and likely impact his already declining approval ratings.

“President Trump has poor options all around to end the war,” commented Jonathan Panikoff, former US deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East.

“Part of the challenge is the lack of clarity related to what a satisfactory outcome would be,” Panikoff explained.

Washington announced last week it had proposed a 15-point ceasefire framework, including provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limit Iran’s nuclear activities, but Tehran rejected the proposal and presented its own alternatives.

An Israeli official confirmed Israel would maintain strikes against Iranian military installations, stating there were no plans to reduce the campaign before any potential Washington-Tehran negotiations.

A structure housing Qatar’s Al-Araby TV in Tehran was hit Sunday, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, with footage showing damaged walls and blown-out windows in the multi-story building.

“The missile hit. The ceiling and everything fell on our heads. Unfortunately, we couldn’t continue to work. It was a real miracle we survived,” Al-Araby camera operator Mohammadreza Shademan said. “There was no military target here.”

With US midterm elections approaching in November, the increasingly unpopular conflict has negatively affected Trump’s Republican Party. Protesters demonstrated in American cities Saturday, opposing the ongoing hostilities.

A European diplomat cautioned that additional military escalation could complicate efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table, potentially postponing diplomatic opportunities for weeks or longer.

Iranian threats against vessels have prevented most oil tankers from attempting passage through the waterway. Iran has permitted an additional 20 Pakistani-flagged ships to transit the strait, Dar announced, describing it as a “harbinger of peace.”

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt has implemented mandatory early closure times for businesses across the nation as officials scramble to reduce electricity consumption while oil prices surge due to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, fundamentally altering Cairo’s reputation as a sleepless metropolis.

Beginning Saturday, authorities mandated that all retail establishments, dining venues and coffee houses must close their doors earlier than usual, disrupting operations during their most profitable periods.

“It’s ruinous,” declared Youssef Salah, who operates a coffee house in Cairo. “It deprives us from our peak time.”

This mandate represents just one element of multiple strategies officials have implemented recently to address consequences from the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which has destabilized both Middle Eastern stability and worldwide economic systems. While Egypt remains uninvolved in this expanding conflict, the nation with the largest Arab population faces severe impacts from the war’s extensive effects, particularly elevated petroleum costs and interrupted maritime commerce.

These mandated early shutdowns will severely affect hundreds of thousands of small enterprises located throughout virtually every street and neighborhood nationwide. Many establishments — particularly restaurants, beverage vendors and coffee houses — typically maintain continuous operations.

Salah, whose establishment serves Cairo’s middle-income Sayeda Zeinab district, revealed he eliminated 40% of his 35 employees due to these restrictions.

The 46-year-old father of three previously maintained round-the-clock operations, with maximum customer activity occurring from evening through early morning hours. Those overnight periods have been eliminated entirely, he explained.

“It’s painful,” Salah stated while securing his establishment at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) Saturday.

However, within two days of implementation, some Egyptians found ways to circumvent official requirements. Certain coffee houses secured their main entrances while customers remained inside enjoying water pipes or engaging in chess, dominoes or card games.

Others utilized social media platforms to mockingly condemn the policy for eliminating Cairo’s evening entertainment options.

“The Butterfly effect,” wrote Mahmoud Elmamlouk, a local publication editor, on social media following coffee shop closures Saturday evening. “The closure of Strait of Hormuz has deprived us from smoking shisha.”

Ayman Harbi, employed at a downtown Cairo store, requested officials extend operating hours until at least midnight, describing the 9 p.m. requirement as “extremely difficult” for enterprises like his.

“Our work in the summer usually starts after 8 p.m. (18:00 GMT),” he explained. “Forcing me to close at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) makes the workday pointless.”

Magdy al-Deeb, another business proprietor, pressed authorities to withdraw this policy to maintain employment opportunities, particularly for coffee houses and small enterprises.

“Where will all those people (workers) go,” he questioned regarding potential job losses. While enjoying a water pipe at a Cairo café, he emphasized that society “must protect people’s livelihoods.”

This early closure requirement has also transformed daily routines for Egyptians accustomed to purchasing virtually any item at any hour, particularly in major urban centers like Cairo and Alexandria.

Weekend evening observations throughout Cairo revealed the city’s typically bustling streets had become unusually silent.

Commercial establishments, dining venues, shopping centers and coffee houses nationwide must now close at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) for one month.

These policies — characterized by officials as “exceptional” — also include reducing street lighting intensity and roadside advertisements. Government administrative offices in the New Administrative Capital, located east of Cairo, received orders to close by 6 p.m. (16:00 GMT). Public employees were also instructed to work remotely one day weekly during April.

Officials exempted tourist destination areas from these energy conservation measures, recognizing tourism as a vital foreign currency source for the financially struggling nation. Excluded locations include Red Sea resort destinations Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, plus the historically significant southern cities Aswan and Luxor.

Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly explained these measures target petroleum consumption reduction.

“The alternative would be to resort again to further price increases,” he cautioned.

Authorities already increased fuel and cooking gas costs earlier this month as worldwide energy prices climbed following the virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for approximately one-fifth of global oil transportation.

International energy costs have risen dramatically since hostilities began February 28, when the U.S. and Israel initiated extensive air campaigns against Iran, which responded by attacking oil and gas facilities throughout the Persian Gulf region and restricting Strait of Hormuz traffic.

These increases particularly impact Egypt given that its population exceeding 108 million people consumes $20 billion worth of petroleum products yearly, including fuel for electrical generation facilities.

Egypt imports 28% of its gasoline and 45% of its diesel supplies, with Madbouly reporting the nation’s oil expenses more than doubled from January to $2.5 billion.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan government officials are pointing fingers at Pakistan’s armed forces following a deadly artillery bombardment on Sunday that targeted civilian areas near an eastern Afghan city, leaving one person dead and more than a dozen injured in the ongoing border conflict between the two nations.

The current wave of hostilities, which began in late February, represents the most intense military confrontation between Afghanistan and Pakistan in several decades.

Pakistan maintains that Afghanistan is sheltering extremist fighters who launch attacks on Pakistani soil, particularly members of the Pakistani Taliban. This militant organization operates independently from but maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in 2021 as U.S.-led coalition forces withdrew. Afghan authorities reject these accusations.

Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat reported that “mortars and other heavy weaponry” struck countryside locations and residential buildings on Sunday afternoon around Asadabad in Kunar Province.

Fitrat shared on X, along with images showing injured children, that initial reports confirmed one fatality and 16 wounded individuals, primarily women and children. Pakistani officials have not yet responded to these allegations.

The military confrontation between the two countries has included repeated border skirmishes and aerial bombardments within Afghan territory, with several strikes reaching Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul.

This month, Afghan authorities reported that a Pakistani air assault targeted a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, resulting in over 400 deaths. The United Nations humanitarian office continues working to confirm the exact casualty count. Pakistan has challenged this account and rejected claims of deliberately attacking civilians, stating their target was a weapons storage facility.

The February violence began after Afghanistan conducted a cross-border military operation into Pakistan, claiming it was responding to fatal Pakistani air raids on Afghan border communities that allegedly killed only non-combatants. Pakistani officials maintained those strikes aimed at militant targets.

Pakistan announced last month it was engaged in “open war” with Afghanistan. This escalation has concerned the global community, especially given the region’s presence of other extremist groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization, which continue attempting to reestablish themselves.

Both nations agreed to a temporary ceasefire last week before the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, following diplomatic intervention by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. That truce ended earlier this week, with fighting resuming Wednesday when Afghan authorities reported at least two civilian deaths in eastern Afghanistan.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained strained for months. The recent combat has disrupted a Qatar-brokered ceasefire from October that had stopped earlier confrontations between the countries, which had resulted in dozens of deaths among civilians, security personnel and militants. The two governments provide conflicting casualty statistics.

Diplomatic negotiations conducted in Istanbul during November were unsuccessful in achieving a lasting resolution.

Emergency medical teams in Beersheba treated 11 people for wounds caused by debris and blast effects after a missile from Iran landed in an undeveloped area of the city.

Medical officials reported that victims suffered harm from projectiles created by the explosion, with the force of the blast spreading across a radius of 15 meters or greater from where the weapon landed.

The emergency medical service Magen David Adom provided care to an additional 20 people experiencing panic reactions after the attack. Medical personnel transported a total of 31 individuals to Soroka hospital for treatment.

Video captured at the location revealed a massive column of dark smoke billowing upward from the missile’s impact zone.

News outlet N12 reported that the wider assault affected 20 different locations, with Turner Stadium among the damaged structures.

First responders provided initial medical care at the impact site before moving patients to the medical facility.

Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry announced that citizens face no health hazards following an incident where missile debris hit a chemical manufacturing plant in the Neot Hovav industrial area of the Negev desert, causing a blaze.

The targeted plant belongs to ADAMA, a subsidiary of the Syngenta Group owned by Chinese interests, which manufactures farming chemicals such as pest control products, weed killers and anti-fungal treatments.

Officials performed environmental monitoring and safety assessments at the location, and based on their findings, authorities gave approval to reopen transportation routes and return to standard activities.

The United Nations has documented a devastating toll from violent clashes that rocked Syria’s As-Suwayda province last year, with an 85-page investigation revealing that over 1,700 people lost their lives during one week of intense fighting in July 2025.

According to findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the casualty count includes primarily civilians from the Druze religious minority community, along with Bedouin residents and at least 225 Syrian government military personnel. The violence also forced nearly 155,000 residents from their homes, with many still unable to return despite a fragile truce.

The southern Syrian province of As-Suwayda is home mainly to members of the Druze faith, while nomadic Bedouin communities traverse the territory. Tensions had been building between these groups over disputes involving water access and livestock grazing rights, with local residents demanding stronger government security measures and oversight.

The deadly confrontation began when Bedouin communities tried to move into Druze-controlled areas where Syrian government security forces maintained only a minimal presence. This sparked fierce fighting that eventually required government military intervention to establish control and broker a ceasefire.

These clashes represent one of Syria’s bloodiest episodes since major combat operations wound down around 2020, underscoring continued risks from ethnic and tribal disputes over territory and governance that could further destabilize the war-torn nation.

A separate Syrian government investigation released on March 17, 2026, through the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) put the death toll at 1,760 with 2,188 wounded across all sides. The Damascus-appointed committee documented what it called “serious human rights violations” by “multiple parties, including local armed groups and elements linked to ISIS [Islamic State], in addition to members of government and security forces.”

Syrian officials said military and security forces tried to block tribal groups from entering As-Suwayda territory, but were overwhelmed by large numbers and hampered by some personnel failures. Some accounts indicated security forces did manage to turn away certain groups and escort them from the province after they had already entered.

The UN investigation determined that all sides violated international humanitarian and human rights standards through killings, torture, unlawful detention, and attacks on civilian facilities. Commission investigators concluded some of these actions could qualify as war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity.

United Nations officials cautioned that failing to hold perpetrators accountable increases the likelihood of renewed local violence, urging Syrian leadership and all involved parties to launch thorough, unbiased investigations that include high-ranking officials and military commanders.

The report stressed that achieving justice and meaningful reconciliation remains crucial for addressing the aftermath of As-Suwayda’s violence and preventing Syria from sliding back into broader conflict as it continues grappling with the lasting effects of its prolonged civil war.

Twenty-one demonstrators were taken into custody by Israeli authorities Saturday evening as anti-war rallies opposing the Iran conflict spread across several major cities, despite existing limitations on public assemblies.

The demonstrations unfolded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba, drawing hundreds of participants to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem while approximately 100 gathered in Haifa. This represented the highest attendance figures since the weekly protest movement commenced. Law enforcement officials reported that 13 arrests occurred in Tel Aviv while eight took place in Haifa.

Authorities explained that the gatherings lacked official authorization due to Home Front Command restrictions prohibiting assemblies exceeding 50 individuals. Officials indicated that attendance surged following appeals from government opposition organizations urging people to demonstrate regardless of the limitations.

“During a situation assessment that took place at the scene with a Home Front Command representative … it was clarified that there was a real risk to human life and accordingly, Yarkon [precinct] police commander Tzachi Sharabi ordered the gathering to be dispersed,” police said.

Ayman Odeh, chairman of Hadash-Ta’al and an Arab parliamentary member participating in the demonstrations, condemned the law enforcement response. He labeled officers as fascists “in the service of the government” and stated they feared “the heroic citizens who went out, despite everything, to make their voice heard.”

These protests occur amid findings from a March 2026 Israel Democracy Institute poll revealing widespread yet divided backing among Jewish Israelis for Operation Roaring Lion. Right-wing respondents showed the highest approval at 87 percent, while left-wing support reached approximately 50 percent.

The polling data also indicated that both Jewish and Arab participants largely concurred that Iran’s resistance capabilities exceeded initial expectations. Most Jewish survey participants believed Israeli society could maintain the military campaign for up to 30 days, though 28 percent expressed confidence it could continue indefinitely. Arab respondents showed greater pessimism regarding public endurance for prolonged conflict.

A majority of Jewish poll participants characterized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision as motivated by security concerns, whereas most Arab respondents interpreted it as politically driven.

A young Israeli Defense Forces sergeant who previously lived in Connecticut lost his life Friday during military operations in southern Lebanon, according to official reports.

The fallen soldier has been identified as Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, age 22, who served with the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. Before joining the Israeli military, Katz resided in New Haven, Connecticut and was affiliated with the Chabad Hasidic community.

Friday’s violence also left two additional officers wounded when militants launched anti-tank missiles during the confrontation. One officer sustained serious injuries while another suffered moderate wounds in the attack.

The heartbreaking news was shared publicly by the soldier’s father, Mendy Katz, through a Facebook announcement. “With unspeakable tragedy I regret to inform you that my 22-year-old son Moshe Yitzchak, a sergeant in the IDF, fell in battle in Lebanon,” he wrote in the emotional post.

In his tribute, the grieving father remembered his eldest child fondly, stating: “My oldest son, with a zest for life and jokes. Burial is tomorrow in Israel. Maybe we only share good news.”

Mendy Katz expressed his profound grief in an additional message, writing: “My heart is shattered and the wound is real,” while adding “May he be a malitz yosher (advocate for merit) for only good things.”

This latest casualty raises the death toll from Hezbollah attacks since hostilities began to eight fatalities, which includes five military personnel and three civilians.

A critical diplomatic summit will take place in Islamabad later this month as Pakistan brings together top foreign policy officials from three major regional powers to address growing concerns over US-Iran relations.

The two-day conference, scheduled for March 29-30, will feature Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar leading discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar has extended formal invitations to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty.

Officials characterize the gathering as an organized diplomatic initiative designed to help calm rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. The timing comes as Middle Eastern stability faces increasing threats, with concerns that any misstep between Iran and the United States could spark a broader regional conflict.

According to the Pakistani foreign ministry, the international visitors will engage in comprehensive discussions covering various regional matters, with particular emphasis on strategies to reduce current tensions. Diplomatic sources suggest the conversations will explore opportunities for reducing conflict through private diplomatic channels and unified messaging.

Pakistan appears to be leveraging its relationships with both Iran and Gulf state allies to serve as an intermediary in situations where official diplomatic communications have become difficult. The involvement of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt demonstrates a wider coalition of regional nations working to avoid additional instability.

Although significant immediate progress seems unlikely, the Islamabad conference represents a gradual approach to restart diplomatic conversations during this crucial period.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently spoke by telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, updating him on current diplomatic initiatives. The Prime Minister’s Office reported that their conversation, which extended beyond an hour, included exchanges about regional tensions and peace-building efforts.

The official statement revealed that Sharif briefed the Iranian leader on diplomatic outreach conducted by himself, the deputy prime minister, and Field Marshal Asim Munir, designed to engage the United States along with Gulf and Islamic nations in creating favorable conditions for negotiations.

In a related development, Pezeshkian posted on his X social media account: “We have said many times that Iran doesn’t carry out pre-emptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted. To the countries of the region: ‘If you want development and security, don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands.’”

Americans with ties to Israel are facing unprecedented disruptions to their holiday travel plans as ongoing warfare forces flight cancellations and dangerous detours through neighboring countries. The conflict has left families separated during Passover, forced the cancellation of milestone celebrations, and created a travel nightmare for thousands trying to reach loved ones.

Lily Feinstein, a 20-year-old student from Dallas studying at Reichman University in Herzliya, described her harrowing journey home through Egypt after multiple flight cancellations. “My biggest fear throughout the whole war was getting stuck outside of the country rather than in the country,” she explained upon arriving at a New York airport. “There was never a moment where I felt scared or something was going to happen to me. But rather, if I had to leave, what was going to happen then?”

Feinstein had originally booked flights with El Al, but repeated cancellations forced her to make an alternative choice. “I had a couple of flights booked with El Al. My flights kept getting canceled,” she said. Despite flights still operating from Ben-Gurion Airport, options were severely limited. “I just didn’t want to risk booking another flight and maybe getting stuck again. I just made the decision to go through Egypt.”

Her experience at Cairo’s airport highlighted the chaos now surrounding Israel-related travel. “It was an experience for sure. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it,” Feinstein noted. “It’s not a good feeling when you don’t have the IDF behind you, and you’re alone.”

She described overwhelming conditions at the Egyptian terminal. “There was nobody else in the airport there. It was literally just Jews. There was not even one Egyptian person in the airport other than the staff and security, but it was chaos. Lines at the door. Their airport’s not equipped to handle what they’re doing.”

Meanwhile, Tziril Yurman, who grew up in Israel and now works in New York City’s Upper East Side in nursing home admissions and marketing, faced her own disappointment when her March 25 El Al flight to visit elderly parents in Jerusalem was canceled at 6 pm.

“Complete and utter devastation,” Yurman said about her reaction. “I felt like I could not get home. I grew up there. But besides that, it’s home for every Jew, and I still feel stranded.” Having traveled without issues during COVID and after October 7, this situation felt different. “This is the first time where an Israeli, a Jew, who’s holding an Israeli passport, cannot get home.”

Instead of Jerusalem, Yurman will join her sister at a large Passover program in Cancun, Mexico, hosting over 1,500 attendees. Security concerns weigh heavily as tourist destinations “are definitely being looked at,” with organizers increasing escorts and patrols.

In California, attorney and mother Melissa Cohen watched more than a year of planning for her daughter Alexa’s bat mitzvah celebration in Israel crumble. “We actually hadn’t, I hadn’t been to Israel in over 30 years before last year for our spring break,” she said. After visiting Israel following October 7 events, the family felt compelled to return.

With Israel “being vilified for everything” in media coverage and Gaza war headlines dominating news, Cohen and her husband wanted to show their daughters the country firsthand. “We wanted to take our family for the first time last year, so that we could see for ourselves, so that we could be there, so that we could support Israel, and give our tourism dollars to Israel, and give our children a sense of connection,” she explained. The spring break trip succeeded: “All of my girls, 16, 12, and 10, fell in love with the country, and felt so connected.”

They departed Israel already planning the bat mitzvah return. “Before we touched down on American soil, we sent a note to all of our friends saying next year in Jerusalem,” Cohen remembered. The planned celebration included Tel Aviv beaches, desert excursions, Bedouin tent experiences, and a Western Wall bat mitzvah ceremony. “This was really going to be the trip of a lifetime, in a way,” she said. “Being there with all of these people together, our family and friends traveling together, having one experience together, might not ever happen again.”

However, escalating conflict with Iran changed everything. As Israel’s military campaign intensified and missiles flew, government authorities imposed strict Ben-Gurion airport limitations: only one hourly departure to limited destinations like Athens and New York, with just 50 passengers permitted on each Tel Aviv departure.

“The vast majority of future bookings, both incoming and outgoing, has ground to a halt,” said Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem, describing a tourism sector “paralyzed by uncertainty.” Tens of thousands of Israelis remain stranded overseas, primarily in North America and the Far East, while organized tours have virtually disappeared.

Cohen monitored these developments with increasing anxiety. “Starting with the moment we attacked Iran,” she said, “I thought, OK, well, this will be just like the 12-day war last year. They’re even weaker than they were then, and this should be over soon, and this is good news, because this gives us time … and we’re good to go.” However, each day diminished that hope. She and approximately 40 relatives and friends from Houston, California, New York and Boston experienced “whiplash”—alternating between thinking “maybe this is going to happen” and “there’s not a chance.”

Ultimately, airlines made the decision for them. As international carriers suspended Israel routes and remaining seats disappeared, Cohen watched her carefully orchestrated celebration fall apart. “They canceled flights, and then it just became very clear, I would say, seven, maybe 10 days ago, it became very clear that this was not going to happen,” she said. Passover and Easter travel plans like hers, typically booked a year in advance, “have crumbled,” Feldman observed, either due to airline suspensions or because travelers “have chosen not to be in Israel during a war.”

Despite the disruption, Yurman echoes Cohen’s commitment to supporting Israel. “Support the Jewish economy, the Jewish Israeli economy,” she urged. “Support any Israeli thing, anything you can, if it’s something online.” She orders flowers and gifts for family there, encouraging visitors to purchase local items—falafel, ice cream, or larger purchases—to help stores and tourism recover.

Financial consequences have varied. Cohen’s tour guide confirmed hotel reservations were refundable, providing some relief. However, her decision to save on airfare through a third-party ticket agency backfired. “That is not refundable,” she said. Rather than a simple airline credit, the company imposed “a $400 processing fee, plus a $300 commission fee on each ticket that they’re going to take.” Reflecting on the experience, she acknowledged, “In retrospect, I probably should have just gone directly through United. … I was overly confident that nothing was going to happen.”

Cohen’s miscalculation reflects broader assumptions that Israel’s skies had cleared. “Since the war last year in the summer, everything has been great,” she said. Tourism had rebounded, hotels required seven-night minimum stays over Passover, and prices rose sharply as if the crisis had ended. It seemed the country had recovered and tourists were no longer afraid to visit.

Currently, much of the travel infrastructure has stalled. Feldman reports the government has provided no direct assistance, while the “one flight an hour” restriction leaves countless travelers with “no ability” to return home. Arkia, an Israeli domestic carrier, now operates solely from JFK to Larnaca, Cyprus, due to landing slot shortages. The US Embassy transports American citizens by bus to Amman’s airport in Jordan. “Short of a death certificate or a high-level El Al frequent flier number, just getting out this week is almost a miracle,” Feldman said.

Feldman identified price gouging amid the chaos: El Al’s $999 NYC economy tickets sell out immediately, with “finding space more than one or two days in advance … not possible,” while Amman’s Royal Jordanian charges $2,900 one-way to JFK, “way more than their normal fare.” Oil price increases from the war haven’t impacted costs yet, but “will affect future ticket prices, when the system reboots,” he added.

Alternative routes through Egypt, Jordan, and Cyprus that Feinstein and others used have become essential lifelines. International journalists enter Israel via land crossings, and Feldman reported “zero reports of any problems (other than a request for tips).” Yet these paths are hardly comfortable. Feinstein said she “definitely felt safer in Israel” than in an Egyptian airport crowded with anxious passengers. Now heading to Florida to meet her family, she’s already concerned about the return trip. “I don’t want to have to go through Egypt or Jordan again,” she said. “I’m hoping I don’t have to do that again.”

Yurman plans to return immediately after Passover, regardless of obstacles. “Without a question,” she said.

Cancellations have altered sacred family celebrations. Rather than celebrating in Jerusalem at the Kotel, Cohen will now hold her daughter’s bat mitzvah at home. “I’ve spent the past week to two weeks planning a new bat mitzvah for April 11, the same day it was supposed to be,” she said. The location has shifted from Jerusalem’s Old City to the family’s Bay Area backyard.

“Our whole family that was coming to Israel is coming here,” Cohen explained. “Everyone had tickets, they took the time off, they were planning to be away. And we’re going do it here,” she said. “…It’s going to be a very different experience. But I think it will be special, nonetheless.”

Cohen acknowledges that increasing antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel sentiment have heightened concerns about Jewish community gatherings. She notes “a lot of concern” about attacks on Jews, but maintains, “I don’t think it’s going to change how I live my life. That’s just not how I operate daily.” Some friends are “very worried, very concerned,” and “don’t like going to synagogues now for bar mitzvahs” or attending events with Jewish speakers. “I just can’t live that way,” she said. Yurman shared similar concerns but remained determined.

The women say the war itself remains difficult for Americans to understand. As a communications student, Feinstein believes many in the US only see missiles and violence. “They think that Israel is a scary place, with missiles all the time, and there’s no fun,” she said. Most “don’t even know you can study in English in Israel,” or that young people like her can lead normal lives between sirens. She uses her Instagram platform to “showcase Israel in a positive light and all the fun and everything that you can do in Israel,” hoping to make it feel “not so far away and foreign.”

Yurman said the public misses the constant reality of sirens and shelter runs. “Just turn on the alarm on your phone, … just feel it with them,” she said. “You don’t have to run to a shelter, but just think that that many times people with children, old people, young people, babies have to run into shelters.”

Feinstein views the Iran conflict in broad terms. “Without being too political, I would say that Iran has been given too much military power,” she said. In her opinion, Israel is “fighting a war on behalf of the whole world and protecting the whole world,” including Americans who may not realize they’re being defended. “Iran having any sort of nuclear weapon is terrifying for the world,” she added. “Even right now, in this exact moment, it sucks that we have to deal with the consequences of war and fighting and all that. But in the long term, being able to fight this war now will protect the Jews, and honestly, everybody around the world, hopefully for forever.”

Yurman agreed the war is “definitely necessary” and overdue, calling Iran a global threat that could lead to another 9/11. “I definitely think it’s doing what it should,” she said. “It’s a legit threat, not only to Israel, but to the world.”

Cohen expresses skepticism about Washington’s messaging. “I don’t think Americans understand it. I don’t think anyone understands it,” she said regarding the Iran war. “The messaging that is coming out of our administration is inaccurate, and untruthful, and bombastic. And so, I think it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not.” Nevertheless, she believes the stakes could justify the campaign. “This could create a Middle East that is safer, not just for Israel and Jews, but safer for the world,” she said, while adding, “as to whether or not that is actually going to come to fruition, I don’t think anyone knows.”

Back in Israel, the impact of grounded aircraft and empty tour buses will persist long after the holidays. Feldman predicts outbound travel will recover within “one or two months” after a ceasefire, but inbound tourism will require “a solid six months” to rebound. Hotels and guides will suffer longest, as many abandon the industry “for stability, just as before.” Nothing will normalize “until the war has ended in Iran and missiles stop being fired from Lebanon,” he said. Yurman urged supporters to help accelerate recovery: “When you end up taking a trip to Israel, you end up buying things in Israel. … Just support them.”

Feinstein is already looking beyond this Passover, balancing her activism and studies with her desire to remain rooted in Israel. After October 7, she co-founded Mini Mitzvahs, a nonprofit that has “fed 60,000 soldiers on the front lines and visited injured soldiers in the hospital.” She and her friends have fulfilled “about 500 to 600 personal wish list requests” for wounded troops from Gaza and Lebanon and organized three barbecues on an air force base, feeding “over 100 pilots and 400 F-16 plane technicians.”

For now, her focus is more immediate: spend Passover with her family in Florida, then somehow return to school without another difficult detour. “I think anyone who wanted to get out was able to get out,” she said, noting that most students leaving Israel now are doing so for spring break, not from fear. “They’re not running away. They’re not fleeing. They just want to be with their families for this time.”

After Passover concludes, Feinstein will face her greatest concern: repeating the exhausting journey back to Israel. “I definitely felt safer in Israel” than traveling, she said. The challenge now isn’t the desire to be there—but finding a way to return without another “experience” she hopes never to repeat.

Uganda’s top military commander has sparked international attention with a series of social media declarations promising to deploy troops alongside Israel in its conflict with Iran.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who leads Uganda’s armed forces and is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, made the bold statements across multiple posts this past week, calling for Middle East peace while simultaneously threatening military intervention.

“We want the war in the Middle East to end now. The world is tired of it. But any talk of destroying or defeating Israel will bring us into the war. On the side of Israel!” Kainerugaba declared in his posts.

The general justified his position through religious conviction, stating in follow-up messages: “We stand with Israel because we are Christians,” and “Uganda is the David that was forgotten and neglected by the world. We will defeat the giant, Goliath.”

Kainerugaba went further by encouraging Israel to conduct a ground offensive against Iran, suggesting Ugandan military personnel could participate in such operations.

When faced with backlash over his comments, the general defended his stance by pointing to historical cooperation between the nations. “Israel stood with us when we were nobodies in the 1980s and 1990s. Why wouldn’t we defend her now that our GDP is $100 billion? One of the largest in Africa,” he responded.

The relationship between Uganda and Israel has deep military and intelligence connections, with Israeli forces having provided training to Ugandan personnel, including Kainerugaba himself.

However, ties between the countries haven’t always been positive. Under the brutal dictatorship of Idi Amin, Uganda became the location of a dramatic 1976 hijacking incident involving Air France Flight 139, which had originated in Tel Aviv bound for France before being redirected to Entebbe Airport.

Israeli commandos executed a daring long-distance rescue operation on July 3, 1976, successfully liberating 106 hostages, most of whom were Israeli citizens.

The mission’s sole fatality was Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, the brother of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received posthumous recognition for his heroism during the operation.

Kainerugaba also posted an image of a memorial statue honoring Yoni Netanyahu, accompanied by the message: “This is a sneak peek of the ‘Yoni’ statue that will soon be unveiled at Entebbe International Airport. Godbless Uganda and Israel.”

Demonstrators filled the streets of Al-Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority city in Syria’s Hama province, on Saturday March 28, calling for justice following security incidents that disrupted the community the previous evening. Citizens demanded official investigations into Friday’s events and stricter weapon regulations to prevent future disturbances.

According to The Media Line’s Syria correspondent, the unrest began when a dispute between young men quickly grew into larger confrontations before internal security forces stepped in to restore order. The incident has raised broader concerns about community safety, weapon availability, and authorities’ capacity to prevent similar occurrences.

During Saturday’s demonstration, participants chanted slogans rejecting religious divisions while emphasizing citizenship values and national unity. Their specific demands included removing weapons from the city, providing compensation to victims, conducting transparent investigations, and prosecuting those who damaged public and private property. These calls highlight community concerns that isolated events could develop into wider social and religious conflicts.

Friday’s troubles started when a group attacked a General Security officer from Qalaat al-Madiq, causing severe head trauma. Tensions escalated when residents from the officer’s hometown became involved, leading to weapon use and vandalism of several businesses. Authorities subsequently detained multiple suspects connected to the incident.

Local officials responded by organizing emergency meetings with community leaders, religious representatives, and security personnel to analyze the situation’s causes and develop response strategies. They announced plans to establish a committee for damage assessment and case monitoring from both legal and social angles, promising comprehensive solutions to prevent recurrence.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East released a significant statement condemning the Al-Suqaylabiyah events. The religious authority argued the incident couldn’t be dismissed as merely isolated, citing accompanying violence, threats, and gunfire that affected religious symbols and property. The Patriarchate demanded official investigations, accountability for perpetrators, victim compensation, and guarantees against future attacks.

This response demonstrates the incident’s impact beyond local boundaries, reaching religious and social organizations, particularly given the city’s sensitive position in Hama’s countryside. The widespread mobilization reflects growing recognition that security breaches can rapidly escalate into major crises without firm, fair, and transparent handling.

The Al-Suqaylabiyah protests represent more than reactions to a fight that became a security matter – they express deeper concerns about local security management, weapon control, and civil peace protection. While officials promise accountability and de-escalation, focus remains on investigation outcomes and concrete ground-level actions, which will truly test authorities’ ability to restore confidence and prevent renewed tensions.

A violent assault by paramilitary fighters and their rebel allies claimed the lives of at least 14 civilians in Sudan’s central Kordofan region, medical officials reported Sunday, marking another tragic chapter in the nation’s devastating civil conflict.

The Rapid Support Forces, working alongside Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North fighters, launched a massive assault Saturday targeting Dilling, which serves as the capital of South Kordofan province. Among the victims were five children and two women, according to reports. Military forces, who had recently ended a prolonged blockade of the city, successfully repelled the offensive.

Medical professionals with the Sudan Doctors Network, an organization monitoring the conflict, reported that paramilitary forces bombarded civilian neighborhoods during the extended battle. The prolonged assault left at least 23 additional people wounded, with seven more children among the injured beyond those who died.

The city of Dilling had endured severe food shortages resembling famine conditions following more than two years under paramilitary siege, during which fighters blocked essential supplies and regularly conducted bombing campaigns. Government forces successfully ended the blockade earlier this year.

Medical officials expressed concern about a potential “catastrophic scenario” similar to what occurred in el-Fasher, a city in the Darfur region. Paramilitary forces invaded that area in October during an offensive that United Nations experts described as showing “hallmarks of genocide.”

The el-Fasher assault resulted in over 6,000 deaths across three days when paramilitary forces unleashed what the U.N. Human Rights Office characterized as “a wave of intense violence … shocking in its scale and brutality.”

Sudan descended into widespread turmoil in April 2023 following a power dispute between government military forces and the Rapid Support Forces that erupted into active combat in the capital city of Khartoum.

United Nations statistics indicate the conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives, though humanitarian organizations believe the actual death toll could be significantly higher.

Recent combat has concentrated in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, where fatal attacks, primarily involving drone strikes, occur on a daily basis. The U.N. Human Rights Office reported that drone attacks alone killed more than 500 civilians through mid-March of this year.

The conflict has been characterized by widespread atrocities including mass executions, sexual violence, and other serious crimes currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Authorities in Derby, England have taken a 36-year-old local resident into custody on attempted murder charges following a vehicle incident that sent seven pedestrians to area hospitals Saturday evening.

The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. on Friar Gate, a bustling entertainment district in Derby’s downtown core. The city, home to approximately 275,000 residents, sits northeast of Birmingham.

Officers apprehended the suspect within a short distance of where the incident occurred, and he continues to be held by Derbyshire Police.

During a Sunday press briefing, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred of the Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed that counterterrorism specialists are working alongside local investigators, which she noted follows standard protocol for such events.

“I would like to clarify that this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism,” Aldred stated. She emphasized that investigators are “keeping an open mind” regarding what may have motivated the attack.

CAIRO (AP) — Foreign ministers from across the Arab world selected seasoned Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy on Sunday to serve as secretary-general of the 22-nation Arab League, during a period of escalating regional tensions involving Iran.

The veteran diplomat secured backing from Arab foreign ministers during an online conference, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed.

Beginning in July, Fahmy will serve a five-year tenure, replacing Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who has led the Arab League since taking office in 2016.

The selection occurs while Middle Eastern nations face ongoing threats from Iran and allied groups, following extensive military operations conducted by American and Israeli forces starting February 28.

No other candidates competed for the position, following established tradition where Egypt, as the Arab League’s host nation, nominates the organization’s leader since its founding in 1945. The sole exception occurred in 1979 when Tunisian official al-Shazly al-Qalibi assumed the role after Egypt’s membership was temporarily revoked due to its peace agreement with Israel.

Following Egypt’s return to the organization in 1989, the Arab League’s main offices moved back to Cairo, and an Egyptian secretary-general was installed in 1990.

The 75-year-old Fahmy previously held Egypt’s foreign minister position from July 2013 through June 2014, during a period of domestic upheaval after military forces removed an elected Islamist leader whose controversial presidency had divided the nation. From 1999 to 2008, he represented Egypt as ambassador to the United States.

Fahmy established and currently serves as dean emeritus of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at The American University in Cairo.

His father, Ismail Fahmy, held Egypt’s foreign minister role from 1973 to 1977. The senior Fahmy stepped down in opposition to President Anwar Sadat’s groundbreaking Jerusalem visit, which led to Egypt becoming the first Arab nation to forge diplomatic relations with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he has directed military commanders to widen an existing security buffer zone along the Lebanese border, declaring his intent to dramatically alter the security landscape in the region.

Speaking in a video message from the Northern Command, Netanyahu stated: “I have just instructed to further expand the existing security buffer zone. We are determined to fundamentally change the situation in the north.”

The prime minister indicated that this directive is designed to bolster Israel’s defensive capabilities along its northern boundary, as escalating cross-border conflicts continue to fuel concerns about the potential for wider regional conflict.

The announcement comes as tensions remain high along Israel’s northern frontier, where recent hostilities have intensified fears of a broader military escalation spreading throughout the region.

BERLIN (AP) — A fire at a nightclub in southwestern Germany forced 750 patrons to evacuate during the early morning hours on Sunday.

Emergency officials confirmed that no injuries occurred during the evacuation at the venue in Kehl, a community located close to the French border.

Authorities reported that three individuals received on-site medical attention for shock-related symptoms.

Local media identified the establishment as K Club Kehl, known as a favored destination for hip-hop music enthusiasts.

Officials are currently examining what sparked the blaze.

According to the German news agency dpa, more than 80 emergency responders including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and paramedics responded to the scene.

The incident brings to mind a deadly nightclub fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve at a Swiss ski resort in Crans-Montana, where investigators determined that champagne bottle sparklers caused a blaze that claimed dozens of lives.

BASRA, Iraq — Recent photographs capture how residents of this southern Iraqi city continue their everyday activities while ongoing conflict with Iran disrupts regional commerce and daily life.

The images reveal workers continuing to handle freight at Umm Qasr Port, though operations have been affected by the regional tensions. Meanwhile, activity at the neighboring Zubair oil facility has experienced reduced operations due to the continuing hostilities.

At the Shalamcheh border checkpoint, the photographs show primarily Iranian citizens crossing into Iraqi territory under enhanced security measures, providing insight into conditions along the international boundary during wartime.

The photo collection was assembled by Associated Press photography staff to document life in the border region during the conflict.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Devastating weather conditions across Afghanistan have resulted in 17 fatalities and 26 injuries within a single 24-hour period, with forecasters warning of additional dangerous storms approaching, officials announced Sunday. This marks the most recent tragedy in what has been a particularly deadly weather season for the war-torn nation.

According to Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, the death toll may climb higher as emergency response teams continue assessing damage across impacted regions. The catastrophic weather struck 13 of the country’s 34 provinces, primarily affecting western, central, and northwestern territories.

“The severe weather also left 147 homes either completely or partially destroyed, wiped out 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) of roads and destroyed agricultural land and irrigation canals and businesses,” Hammad said. He reported that 530 families have been impacted by the destruction.

Weather forecasters predict additional heavy rainfall will strike eastern and central regions Monday, prompting Hammad to caution about potential flooding in these areas. Emergency management officials have issued warnings for residents to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone zones, while directing local authorities to prepare immediate assistance.

Afghanistan experienced similar deadly weather events earlier this year when heavy snowfall and flash flooding resulted in multiple fatalities nationwide.

The mountainous country faces extreme vulnerability to severe weather patterns, including snow and torrential rains that create deadly flash floods, frequently claiming dozens or hundreds of lives. Spring flooding alone killed more than 300 people in 2024.

Years of warfare, combined with inadequate infrastructure, economic hardship, widespread deforestation, and worsening climate change impacts have made such disasters increasingly catastrophic, especially in isolated communities where mud-brick homes provide little defense against sudden flooding or heavy snow.

LONDON – Authorities in Derby, England have taken a 36-year-old man into custody following a vehicle attack that left seven pedestrians injured Saturday evening, with counter-terrorism specialists now supporting the investigation.

The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. local time on Friar Gate, a typically crowded downtown thoroughfare. Emergency responders treated seven victims at the scene for severe injuries before transporting them to area hospitals. Officials report none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Law enforcement officers apprehended the suspect and his black Suzuki Swift within seven minutes of the incident. The driver, an Indian national who has resided in Britain for several years, faces multiple charges including attempted murder, dangerous driving, and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm.

Derbyshire Constabulary officials stated they are “keeping an open mind” regarding the suspect’s motivations. While counter-terrorism experts have joined the probe, investigators are not currently classifying the incident as a terrorist act.

Police emphasized that involving counter-terrorism specialists represents “common practice for an incident of this nature.”

“Although we know this will be alarming, we would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public,” authorities announced, describing the incident as isolated with no continuing public threat.

Regional diplomats gathered in Islamabad on Sunday as Pakistan worked to mediate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing Iran conflict, with particular attention given to plans for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

Top diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia arrived in Pakistan’s capital for the diplomatic session, occurring as Iran issued warnings against potential U.S. ground operations and global energy prices continued climbing due to persistent military actions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The nations convening in Pakistan have presented various proposals to Washington regarding maritime commerce and restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz, five informed sources told Reuters, as part of broader initiatives to stabilize international shipping routes.

Before the current crisis, the Strait of Hormuz served as a critical passage for approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, but Iran has essentially blocked maritime traffic through the waterway following U.S. and Israeli aerial bombardments that commenced one month ago.

Pakistan has utilized its diplomatic relationships with both Tehran and Washington to become a central mediating force in the dispute, while Turkey and Egypt have also contributed to peace efforts, given Pakistan’s shared border with Iran similar to Turkey’s position.

One Pakistani source revealed that various proposals, including suggestions from Egypt, had been transmitted to the White House through Pakistani channels prior to Sunday’s gathering, incorporating fee arrangements similar to those used for the Suez Canal.

Additional Pakistani sources indicated that Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were considering establishing a joint consortium to oversee petroleum transit through the strategic waterway, and had requested Pakistan’s participation in such an arrangement.

The consortium concept had been presented to both American and Iranian officials, according to the sources. The initial Pakistani source noted that the nation’s military leader Asim Munir had maintained ongoing communications with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Neither Egypt’s nor Pakistan’s foreign ministry offices provided responses to requests for statements. Saudi government representatives and White House officials also did not immediately reply to comment requests.

A Turkish diplomatic official stated that Ankara’s main objective remained achieving a cessation of hostilities.

“Ensuring the safe passage of ships could serve as an important confidence-building measure in this regard,” the person said, requesting anonymity.

Earlier Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conducted individual bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Turkey and Egypt, emphasizing the importance of continued diplomatic dialogue and engagement, the foreign office reported.

In a separate development, Dar announced through a social media post that Iran had consented to permit 20 additional Pakistani-registered vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

CAIRO – Foreign ministers from across the Arab world reached a unanimous decision Sunday to select Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as the next leader of the Arab League, according to reports from Egyptian government media sources.

The ministers made their choice during a virtual meeting, selecting Fahmy to replace current Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit when his second term concludes in June 2026.

According to the Arab League’s governing charter, selecting a secretary-general requires support from at least two-thirds of member nations. Though the charter doesn’t specify which country the leader must come from, Egypt has traditionally filled the role, with the notable exception of Tunisia’s Chedli Klibi, who led the organization from 1979 through 1990. This pattern reflects Egypt’s position as home to the League’s main offices.

Fahmy brings significant diplomatic experience to the position, having served as Egypt’s top diplomat from June 2013 through July 2014. His international experience includes nearly a decade as Egypt’s representative to the United States from 1999 to 2008, and he also served as ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 1999.

The incoming secretary-general comes from a family with deep diplomatic roots – his father, Ismail Fahmy, held Egypt’s foreign minister position under President Anwar Sadat from 1973 to 1977, ultimately stepping down in protest of Sadat’s historic trip to Jerusalem.

Established in 1945, the Arab League serves as a coordinating body for 22 member nations, working to align their political, economic, and cultural initiatives throughout the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in Jordan on Sunday, continuing his diplomatic mission across Middle Eastern nations as he works to build stronger defense relationships in the region during heightened tensions involving Iran.

The Ukrainian leader is actively pursuing military support from Gulf nations as his country’s war with Russia continues, particularly as Western assistance becomes more uncertain and Ukraine faces challenges funding its defense budget and domestic weapons manufacturing.

“Today in Jordan. Security is the top priority, and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts toward it,” Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X. “Ukraine is doing its part. Important meetings ahead.”

During his regional tour, Zelenskyy successfully secured defense cooperation agreements with both the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on Saturday, following his earlier visit to Saudi Arabia last week.

Ukraine has been promoting its specialized air-defense knowledge and unmanned aircraft technology to regional partners who are looking for ways to defend against Iran’s drone offensive capabilities.

ZURICH – An overwhelming majority of Swiss citizens are calling for enhanced safeguards to shield young people from harmful content on social media platforms, according to polling data released Sunday. The findings emerge as lawmakers and legal systems around the globe increase pressure on major technology companies regarding their effects on youth.

Earlier this week, a jury in Los Angeles determined that Meta and Google’s parent company Alphabet acted negligently by creating social media platforms that cause harm to young users. This landmark ruling is expected to influence many similar legal proceedings currently underway.

The research, conducted by GfS Bern polling organization for the Mercator Foundation, revealed that 94% of those surveyed believe young people require enhanced protection from social media’s negative impacts. Additionally, 78% of respondents expressed concern that major tech corporations wield excessive power over public discourse.

Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Switzerland’s Interior Minister, has indicated receptiveness to potentially prohibiting social media access for minors. The Swiss government is currently developing new regulations targeting major online platforms with goals of increasing transparency requirements.

These poll results, featured in SonntagsZeitung newspaper, come just days after neighboring Austria announced Friday its intention to implement a social media prohibition for children younger than 14.

The GfS Bern research surveyed approximately 1,000 Swiss citizens ages 16 and older during the period from December 1 through 12. The study carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points, according to the publication.

BERLIN — Marine biologists are growing increasingly concerned about a humpback whale that remains trapped in Germany’s Baltic Sea, as the massive creature displays troubling signs of declining health following unsuccessful rescue operations this week.

German officials established a 500-meter safety zone around the distressed whale near the coastal community of Wismar on Sunday, hoping the marine mammal might recover enough strength to free itself from its predicament.

“He would be able to do so if he regains his strength, and that is why we decided to leave him alone, allowing him to actually set off and then successfully leave this area,” said Till Backhaus, the environment minister of the state of Mecklenburg-Pomerania, where Wismar is located.

However, Backhaus acknowledged the grim reality facing the creature. “But we also have to assume that he is weakened. And he is also sick,” he explained, noting the humpback whale may have sustained injuries from entanglement with fishing equipment.

Earlier rescue operations involving heavy machinery and watercraft attempted to create powerful waves that might help the 39-to-49-foot whale escape from shallow waters at Timmendorfer Strand beach and Wismar Bay. These dramatic efforts captured nationwide attention in Germany, with news outlets providing continuous coverage and live video feeds of the unfolding situation.

The whale’s plight became a widespread topic of discussion throughout the country, with citizens sharing updates about the rescue mission via text messages and social media.

Unfortunately, optimism for the whale’s survival continues to diminish as experts observe its deteriorating condition and question whether it possesses sufficient energy to navigate back to the Atlantic Ocean through German and Danish waterways.

“It is very noticeable that the animal is showing significantly less activity,” said Stefanie Groß from the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. “Its respiratory rate has dropped considerably. The animal is not moving. It did not react even when we drove closer.”

Scientists remain uncertain about what led the whale into Baltic waters initially. Some researchers theorize the animal may have become disoriented while pursuing a school of herring or during its natural migration pattern, particularly since it appears to be male.

The Baltic Sea environment poses serious threats to the whale’s survival due to insufficient salt levels in the water. The creature has already developed skin complications, and while whales can survive weeks without eating, it cannot locate appropriate food sources in these waters.

For any chance of survival, the whale must successfully return to Atlantic Ocean waters by way of the North Sea.

“When you consider how narrow the straits are and that there are still about 500 kilometers (310 miles) to go, you realize that it’s a real bottleneck you have to navigate, and naturally, the chances of success are relatively slim,” said Burkard Baschek, the director of the German Maritime Museum in Stralsund.

Marine observers first documented the whale swimming in Baltic waters on March 3, though reports of it becoming stranded only emerged last week.