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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AVIATION INDUSTRY STRUGGLES

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

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

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

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

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

AIRLINE SECTOR IMPACTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

DUBAI TOURISM CONCERNS

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

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

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

MILITARY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

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

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

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

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

METALS AND MATERIALS SHORTAGES

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

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

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

RETAIL AND FOOD SECTOR EFFECTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

TECHNOLOGY SECTOR CONCERNS

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

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

BANKING SECTOR RESPONSES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Magyar has rejected these accusations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IRANIAN ROCKET ATTACKS SEND ISRAELIS TO BOMB SHELTERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEHRAN ISSUES PROTEST WARNINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The pandemic outbreak in 2020 led to the service interruption.

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

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

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

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