Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The renovation also included adding cabin heating systems.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BORDER ENFORCEMENT AND MASS REMOVALS

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

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

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

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

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

FISCAL RESTRUCTURING AND JOB CUTS

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

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

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

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

ENERGY EXPANSION AND CLIMATE POLICY REVERSAL

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

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

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

HOSPITALITY SECTOR SUPPORT

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

EDUCATIONAL NATIONALISM AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

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

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

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

CRYPTOCURRENCY ADVANCEMENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, these measures carry significant consequences.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTINUED MILITARY OPERATIONS ACROSS THE REGION

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘WE WERE SHOCKED’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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