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BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leadership has announced a reduced economic expansion goal of 4.5% to 5% for the current year, marking a downward adjustment as the nation grapples with ongoing real estate market difficulties and global economic challenges.

Premier Li Qiang revealed this target during Thursday’s opening session of the National People’s Congress annual gathering, presenting the government’s yearly assessment. The official report established this objective “while striving for better in practice,” according to the announcement.

This represents a reduction from the approximately 5% targets established over the previous three years. China’s economy achieved exactly 5% growth in the previous year. By establishing a target range between 4.5% and 5%, Chinese officials have created additional flexibility for policy modifications throughout the year.

The U.S. State Department announced Saturday that it has successfully carried out more than a dozen charter flights, bringing thousands of American citizens home from the Middle East over the past week.

The evacuation operations began following military strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran that started last Saturday. Iran’s retaliatory attacks on surrounding nations led to widespread airspace shutdowns, stranding American travelers in the region.

Critics have questioned the Trump administration’s preparedness and early response in assisting U.S. citizens seeking to leave the area during the escalating conflict.

According to the State Department, officials are working to expand both charter flight services and ground transportation options throughout the region, with operations continuing as security circumstances permit.

BEIRUT — Israeli special forces conducted an overnight mission in eastern Lebanon searching for information about navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared nearly four decades ago, but came up empty-handed, military officials announced Saturday. The operation resulted in deadly confrontations that claimed dozens of lives and left many more injured.

For nearly 40 years, Israel has pursued answers about what became of Arad after he vanished following his parachute landing from a crashed fighter aircraft in Lebanon during 1986. Arad had been participating in strikes against suspected Palestinian militants when local gunmen took him prisoner while he was still alive.

Israeli military officials declined to specify the landing location for their forces, though Lebanese army sources and state media reported that Israeli commandos touched down in mountainous terrain near the Syrian border before advancing toward the eastern community of Nabi Chit. There, they engaged in combat with Hezbollah militants and local fighters. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that no fewer than 41 individuals died and 40 sustained injuries during overnight fighting in Nabi Chit and surrounding areas.

Lebanese army officials confirmed that three of their soldiers perished during the firefight. They reported that four helicopters participated in the mission, with two conducting the actual landing. Residents also confronted the Israeli unit while Lebanese forces went on high alert and launched illumination rounds.

A Nabi Chit resident speaking anonymously to The Associated Press for security reasons said the Israeli unit entered their community and excavated a cemetery grave before departing. The individual provided no additional information.

Israeli army Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced on X that the operation failed to locate Arad’s remains or discover any related evidence.

Hezbollah confirmed their fighters engaged the Israeli force and reported that Israeli warplanes launched approximately 40 air attacks in the region to facilitate the ground unit’s retreat.

Adraee stated that Israeli forces sustained no casualties during the operation.

The Shiite Muslim group known as the Believers’ Resistance initially captured Arad upon his landing and published several photographs of him before he vanished without a trace.

Intelligence suggested Arad remained captive in Nabi Chit through 1988, after which he disappeared following intense fighting between Hezbollah forces and Israeli troops in the southern village of Meidoun.

Last December, retired Lebanese military officer Ahmed Shukr vanished in eastern Lebanon during a meeting with individuals interested in purchasing property. His relatives suspect Israeli agents abducted him for information regarding the case and transported him to Israel.

Shukr’s spouse and sibling recently informed The Associated Press that the former officer possesses no knowledge about Arad’s circumstances.

During 1994, Israeli helicopter commandos penetrated deep into Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, capturing Believers’ Resistance leader Mustafa Dirani and transporting him to Israel. Dirani gained freedom a decade later through a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah.

In 2008, Hezbollah transmitted a report about Arad through intermediaries to Israel, suggesting he likely perished while attempting to escape his captors and reach Israel. Israeli media published the Hezbollah assessment at that time.

Throughout other areas of Lebanon, Israeli air forces launched strikes across various eastern and southern regions.

These recent airstrikes represent the latest escalation since renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah commenced Monday. The Iranian-supported organization launched rockets and drones toward Israel following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after Israel and the United States initiated attacks on Iran February 28, sparking the current Middle Eastern conflict.

Saturday morning brought reported airstrikes on southern villages including Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Arab Saleem, and Jibchit. The Jibchit attack claimed six lives, including four family members, while five people died in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, according to state news sources.

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized Saturday that complete political allegiance within the armed forces must be guaranteed while demanding continued aggressive action against corruption as military purges expand.

“There must be no one in the military who harbors disloyalty to the (ruling Communist) Party,” Xi stated in comments released by the official Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese leader delivered these remarks during a full assembly of China’s People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police Force delegation while the nation conducts its yearly “two sessions” gatherings of the primary legislature and main political advisory council.

Xi’s anti-corruption initiative, which has persisted for over ten years, continues without signs of slowing down. Military leadership has become a primary focus in recent years, culminating in the dismissal of the top general last month, as Xi works to restructure and update the nation’s defense forces.

Experts suggest the initiative also serves as Xi’s method of eliminating possible challengers and guaranteeing complete devotion from his officials during his 14th year leading the country.

The National People’s Congress recently removed nine military personnel last week, including two serving under the Central Military Commission, the armed forces’ supreme governing body, along with officials from ground forces, naval operations, aviation units, and missile divisions. Additionally, three generals were expelled from China’s primary political advisory organization this week.

“There must be no hiding place for corrupt individuals,” Xi stated according to Xinhua on Saturday. “The fight against corruption must be resolutely pushed forward.”

Chinese officials also announced this week a 7% increase in defense spending for the current year, reaching approximately 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion), representing a slight decrease from the roughly 7.2% yearly growth seen over the previous three years.

Ukrainian companies producing affordable anti-drone interceptors report they’re prepared to ship their technology overseas in significant quantities, following inquiries from American officials and Middle Eastern nations responding to escalating Iranian drone warfare.

Russia has flooded Ukrainian airspace with hundreds of unmanned aircraft based on Iran’s Shahed design during repeated assault campaigns, with many brought down by defensive systems including Western-supplied missiles, military aircraft, ground-based artillery, and interceptor drones.

As Iran now deploys drones against American partners throughout the Gulf region in retaliation for intensive U.S. and Israeli military operations, Ukraine sees an opportunity to demonstrate how its four years of experience battling Russia’s full-scale invasion could benefit allied nations’ long-term defense strategies.

Given that traditional missiles can carry price tags reaching millions of dollars per unit and remain in limited supply as Western militaries rush to strengthen their own defensive capabilities, interceptor systems offer an economical and effective solution against relatively inexpensive drone threats.

American forces and their Middle Eastern partners have quickly reached out to Ukraine seeking assistance with obtaining these interceptor systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday that his country would provide support following an American request for aid, noting previously that Middle Eastern governments had contacted Kyiv directly.

While Zelenskyy didn’t detail the specific nature of this assistance, a knowledgeable source informed Reuters that American and Qatari officials were negotiating to acquire Ukrainian interceptor drones.

SkyFall, a leading drone producer specializing in interceptors, reported that its production capabilities have surpassed Ukraine’s purchasing power for these systems, positioning the company for international sales.

“We have had interest and inquiries from our (allies) and countries in the Middle East,” stated Ares, a SkyFall spokesperson wearing a face covering to conceal his identity during the interview.

Ares agreed to speak only under his operational call-sign.

According to SkyFall, its P1-SUN interceptor has successfully eliminated over 1,500 Shahed drones and 1,000 additional unmanned aircraft since beginning operations four months earlier.

“The company is ready to provide any necessary assistance if we get the green light from our government,” he explained, emphasizing that exports would only proceed if they didn’t compromise Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

Ihor Fedirko, who leads UCDI, Ukraine’s government-supported arms manufacturing organization, calculated that interceptor drone producers and other counter-drone system manufacturers were creating approximately double what Ukrainian forces required to handle Russia’s regular bombardments.

SkyFall requested that their facility’s location remain confidential. During a recent media visit, Reuters journalists observed extensive rows of 3D printing equipment producing plastic drone parts and workshop areas where employees soldered and constructed the aircraft.

The manufacturer projected it could produce as many as 50,000 interceptor drones monthly and export between 5,000 to 10,000 units without affecting Ukraine’s defensive requirements.

While Ukraine doesn’t neutralize every Russian drone launch, this isn’t always due to ammunition shortages but can result from coordination challenges.

Ukrainian leadership is working to improve its layered air defense approach to reduce successful penetrations, viewing expanded interceptor drone deployment as a crucial component of this strategy.

During February, these systems accounted for 70% of drones eliminated in and around Kyiv, according to Ukrainian military reports.

Most Ukrainian interceptor drones carry price points of several thousand dollars or below. By contrast, PAC-3 missiles utilized in the highly-valued American Patriot air defense network can cost $4 million per unit and are typically reserved for destroying enemy missiles.

Iran’s Shahed-136 drones, originally developed by Iran and now produced in large quantities by Russia, are estimated to cost between $50,000 and $100,000 each.

SkyFall promotes the P1-SUN as an extremely cost-efficient alternative. Based on the model’s features, it charges Ukraine’s armed forces approximately $1,000 per drone.

“If we are talking about export and … assistance to partners, then the price will most likely be higher,” Ares noted, though he maintained it would still represent the most affordable option available.

Industry experts identified pilot training rather than drone availability as one of the primary challenges for deploying Ukrainian interceptor drones in Gulf operations. Ukraine remains the sole nation with drone operators experienced in combat use of these systems.

SkyFall operates its own training facility offering a three-week pilot certification program, and company officials confirmed readiness to deploy instructors internationally should Ukraine’s government authorize drone sales to foreign nations.

The company also reported developing remote piloting capabilities, potentially allowing Gulf-region drones to be operated from Ukrainian control stations.

ANKARA – Turkish defense officials are evaluating the possibility of stationing F-16 fighter jets in Cyprus, according to a source within the country’s defense ministry who spoke Saturday.

The official indicated that positioning military aircraft represents one option under review as part of comprehensive security planning designed to protect the Turkish Cypriot territory in the island’s northern section, particularly as regional tensions continue to escalate.

The potential deployment would mark a significant military move as Turkey develops multi-phase strategies to safeguard the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, which operates in the northern portion of the divided Mediterranean island.

STOCKHOLM — Maritime officials in Sweden have launched an investigation into a freight vessel navigating Baltic Sea waters that they suspect operates without proper national registration.

The cargo ship Caffa was traveling through Sweden’s territorial waters on Friday displaying a flag from Guinea when the vessel caught the attention of law enforcement, according to a police statement.

Coast Guard personnel climbed aboard the ship to conduct a thorough search and question crew members. Officials expressed safety concerns regarding the vessel’s condition and ability to operate safely at sea.

Additional information about the Caffa remains limited at this time.

In recent months, Sweden has announced plans to enhance insurance verification procedures for international vessels as part of efforts to crack down on Russia’s “shadow fleet” operations involving older ships. Moscow employs this unofficial maritime network to move oil and natural gas products, as well as transport grain taken from Ukraine. These vessels typically average about 18 years in age, placing them near retirement and increasing accident risks, particularly when maintenance is inadequate.

Stockholm’s government directed the Coast Guard and Swedish Maritime Administration last year to gather insurance documentation from ships not only docking at Swedish harbors, but also those traveling through the nation’s territorial boundaries and exclusive economic waters.

Officials have not indicated whether they suspect the Caffa operates as part of this shadow fleet network.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has transformed from having a weak defense industry to becoming a major producer of affordable drone interceptors, now seeking to leverage this wartime breakthrough for international partnerships as Middle Eastern conflicts deplete expensive missile stockpiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is proposing an exchange with American and Gulf nation partners: Ukraine’s battle-tested anti-drone technology in return for advanced Patriot missile systems that the country desperately needs but cannot produce domestically.

The transformation began when Russia initiated its comprehensive invasion four years ago, forcing Ukraine’s previously underdeveloped arms sector to rapidly innovate. The nation has since constructed a thriving defense industry focused on affordable drone technology, including specialized systems designed to neutralize Iranian-style Shahed drones that Russia now deploys in massive numbers.

Washington recently sought “specific support” against Iranian-designed Shaheds operating in Middle Eastern theaters, leading Zelenskyy to authorize the deployment of Ukrainian equipment and specialists, though operational details remain confidential.

Ukraine implemented a weapons export prohibition when the 2022 conflict commenced. However, Ukrainian manufacturers of budget-friendly interceptor drones report growing inquiries from American and Gulf state officials.

According to Oleh Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, Ukraine possesses the only mass-manufactured system with actual combat verification. “There is a huge difference between a mass-produced system proven to work in real combat and something others only promise to develop … It’s like selling the house, not just the bricks,” Katkov explained.

Should international partnerships prove successful, Ukraine could establish itself as a significant force in contemporary warfare, though questions remain about the industry’s ability to expand globally while maintaining national defense capabilities.

Middle Eastern interest has intensified as Gulf nations exhaust their expensive Patriot missile inventories, which they’ve been deploying against considerably cheaper Iranian Shaheds.

Iranian-designed Shahed drones carry price tags of approximately $30,000, while individual interceptor missiles for American-manufactured Patriot defense systems cost millions.

Lockheed Martin announced record production of 600 PAC-3 MSE interceptors for Patriot systems throughout 2025. Zelenskyy stated Thursday that Middle Eastern countries consumed over 800 such missiles within just three days — exceeding Ukraine’s total reserves accumulated during the entire four-year conflict.

To combat Shaheds, Kyiv created budget interceptor drones priced between $1,000 and $2,000, advancing these systems from experimental stages to full-scale production within months during 2025.

However, Ukraine lacks ballistic missile defense capabilities, making Patriot missile acquisition a critical survival issue for Kyiv.

Within this context, Zelenskyy advocates for a “swap” arrangement with allies. “Our message is very simple,” he stated. “We’d like to quietly … receive the Patriot missiles we have a deficit of, and give them a corresponding number of interceptors.”

Despite Zelenskyy’s confidence, some experts caution that global arms market entry involves more complexity than contract negotiations.

“Weapon trading is an incredibly subtle and sensitive issue,” said Yevhen Mahda, executive director of the Kyiv-based Institute of World Policy. He noted American market dominance and warned against “naive” expectations that markets will open based solely on Ukraine’s compelling narrative. “It requires a tough, calculated diplomatic game.”

Ukrainian leadership has only recently started serious discussions about transitioning from wartime export freezes to government-regulated markets, with implementation timelines and methods still undefined.

“We need more than just presidential statements. We need action,” Mahda emphasized. “How can we talk about exports if we officially aren’t selling anything yet?”

The United States and Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, have repeatedly requested Ukraine’s domestically manufactured interceptor drones, according to three Ukrainian weapons producers.

Neither American nor Gulf country officials immediately responded to Associated Press requests for comment.

“We are ready to share them, and we want to share them,” said Marco Kushnir, spokesperson for General Cherry, a Ukrainian manufacturer producing top-performing interceptor drones that successfully target Shaheds domestically.

Kushnir indicated that final decisions rest with government leadership and Zelenskyy, but the company stands prepared to assist partners within days. He added their production capacity could reach “tens of thousands” of interceptors monthly.

Ukraine currently maintains surplus interceptor drone inventory, with manufacturers claiming they could produce tens of thousands more without compromising national defense. The greater challenge involves training personnel and integrating drones with long-range radar detection systems.

Multiple Ukrainian companies have deployed effective systems. General Cherry’s “Bullet” interceptor, developed in late 2025, has eliminated several hundred Shahed drones, according to Kushnir. Another design, Skyfall’s 3D-printed P1-Sun, costs approximately $1,000 and achieves speeds exceeding 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour, with manufacturing capacity reaching 50,000 drones monthly, company representatives reported.

While hardware export legal frameworks remain uncertain, Ukraine’s most valuable resource is human knowledge. Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized his country’s readiness to provide instructors capable of teaching interceptor operation.

Drone supply won’t present difficulties, said Andrii Taganskyi, director of Camera Business at Odd Systems, which provides cameras for interceptor drones manufactured by Ukrainian company Wild Hornets. However, training foreign operators and adapting tactical approaches will be crucial, he noted.

Interceptor drones require integration with comprehensive radar systems for incoming target detection and tracking, Taganskyi explained. While some models feature partial automation, manufacturers emphasize that crews need proper training for effective operation.

“This is a tool that requires training,” Katkov stated. “And the real, proven expertise — not just on paper — exists only in Ukraine.”

Kyiv’s commitment to deploying specialists internationally represents a substantial strategic sacrifice due to potential impacts on Ukraine’s domestic air defense capabilities. Given constant Russian drone bombardments, every trained soldier remains invaluable.

“We do not have a surplus of military personnel at the front,” Katkov acknowledged. “However, there is a clear understanding that the benefits of such cooperation might far outweigh the risks.”

The Iranian-backed Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah issued an urgent evacuation directive Saturday targeting residents of Kiryat Shmona, an Israeli border city located just kilometers from Lebanon.

The group’s statement provided no details about potential military actions it might take against the community situated so close to the international boundary.

“Warning. All residents of Kiryat Shmona are asked to evacuate immediately. Head south,” the organization declared in its official statement.

The escalation follows Lebanon’s entry into the expanding regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran this past Monday. Hezbollah launched rocket and drone attacks against Israeli targets, prompting Israel to conduct extensive retaliatory strikes throughout southern and eastern Lebanon, including areas near the capital Beirut.

Many thousands of northern Israeli residents had previously abandoned their communities when the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted in 2023, as Hezbollah commenced launching various projectiles at settlements in the region.

These displaced families returned to their homes following a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024. Despite the current tensions, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has consistently encouraged northern residents to stay put this week, promising military protection for their communities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered strong statements Saturday demanding absolute military allegiance to the Communist Party while intensifying anti-corruption efforts, as reported by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

Speaking during the nation’s significant annual political gatherings, Xi declared that corruption has nowhere to escape. “There is no place for corruption to hide,” Xi stated. “The fight against corruption must move forward.”

Xi’s statements were delivered during the yearly sessions of China’s most important political institutions, where government leaders announced the country’s economic objectives for the coming year.

The anti-corruption message gained additional significance as two high-ranking Chinese leaders were notably missing from Wednesday’s opening ceremonies of the annual political meetings, apparently caught up in ongoing government purges targeting top Communist Party officials.

A military conflict involving Iran could result in consumers and businesses around the world enduring elevated fuel costs for an extended period, even if hostilities cease rapidly, according to energy market analysts.

The situation creates broader economic concerns and presents political challenges for President Trump as midterm elections approach, with American voters particularly sensitive to energy costs and skeptical of overseas military involvement.

“The market is shifting from pricing pure geopolitical risk to grappling with tangible operational disruption, as refinery shutdowns and export constraints begin to impair crude processing and regional supply flows,” JP Morgan analysts said in a research note on Friday.

Military actions have already interrupted approximately one-fifth of worldwide crude oil and natural gas production, as Tehran has targeted vessels navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway between Iranian territory and Oman, while simultaneously striking energy facilities throughout the region.

International oil costs have jumped 24% during the current week, reaching above $90 per barrel and heading toward their sharpest weekly increases since the pandemic began, pushing fuel expenses higher for consumers globally.

The near-total closure of the Strait has forced major regional oil exporters including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait to halt deliveries of approximately 140 million barrels of crude oil – equivalent to roughly 1.4 days of worldwide consumption – to international refineries.

Consequently, petroleum and gas storage facilities throughout the Middle East Gulf region are approaching capacity, compelling Iraqi oil fields to reduce production while Kuwait and the UAE will likely follow suit, according to industry analysts, traders and sources.

“At some point soon, everyone will also shut in if vessels do not come,” said a source with a state oil company in the region, who asked not to be named.

Oil production facilities across the Middle East that are forced to cease operations due to shipping interruptions may require considerable time to restore normal output levels, explained Amir Zaman, head of the Americas commercial team at Rystad Energy.

“The conflict could be ended, but it could take days or weeks or months, depending on the types of fields, age of the field, the type of shut in that they’ve had to do before you can get production back up to what it once was,” he said.

Iranian military forces are simultaneously attacking regional energy infrastructure including refineries and terminals, forcing operational shutdowns, with some facilities suffering significant damage from strikes and requiring extensive repairs.

Qatar announced force majeure on its substantial gas export operations Wednesday following Iranian drone strikes, and sources indicate it may require at least one month to restore normal production capacity. Qatar provides 20% of global liquefied natural gas supplies.

Saudi Aramco’s massive Ras Tanura refinery and crude export facility has also suspended operations due to attacks, though damage assessments have not been disclosed.

White House officials have defended military action against Iran, claiming the nation presented an immediate danger to the United States, though specific details have not been provided. Trump has also expressed concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons development efforts.

While a swift conclusion to hostilities would calm markets, returning to pre-conflict supply levels and pricing could require weeks or months depending on infrastructure damage and shipping recovery.

“Considering physical damage due to Iranian strikes, so far we have not seen anything that would be considered structural, although the risk remains as long as the war continues,” said Joel Hancock, energy analyst, Natixis CIB.

The primary concern for energy supplies involves when the Strait of Hormuz will become secure for shipping operations again. Trump has proposed naval protection for oil tankers and pledged U.S. insurance coverage for vessels operating in the region.

However, waterway security may prove difficult to achieve, as Iran possesses the capability to maintain drone attacks on shipping for months, according to intelligence and military sources.

The crisis may also prompt nations to increase their strategic petroleum reserves in coming weeks and months after fighting ends, having exposed the risks of limited inventories. This would boost oil demand and maintain higher prices.

Meanwhile, the interruption of energy shipments is creating ripple effects through supply chains and economies in import-dependent Asia, which obtains 60% of its crude oil from Middle Eastern sources.

In India, state-operated Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals announced force majeure on gasoline export shipments, sources reported this week, joining numerous regional refineries unable to meet sales obligations due to supply shortages.

At least two Chinese refineries have reduced operations. China, a major regional supplier, has requested refineries halt fuel exports. Thailand has similarly suspended fuel exports, while Vietnam has stopped crude oil shipments.

The disruption has benefited Russia, with prices for Russian crude increasing as the U.S. granted Indian refiners a 30-day exemption to purchase Russian oil as a substitute for lost Middle Eastern supplies. Washington had previously pressured India to reduce Russian oil purchases under tariff threats.

In Japan, the world’s second-largest LNG importer, baseload power futures for Tokyo beginning in April rose more than one-third this week on the EEX exchange in anticipation of higher fuel costs. In Seoul, motorists formed lines at gas stations expecting rising pump prices.

For European consumers, the gas supply crisis and increased prices represent a double burden. The region suffered most severely from gas supply disruptions caused by sanctions on Russian energy imports following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Europe shifted to LNG imports to replace Russian pipeline gas. Europe now must purchase 180 additional LNG shipments compared to last year to fill gas storage to required levels before next winter.

Supply risks to the United States are more limited, as the country has become the world’s largest oil and gas producer in recent years. However, U.S. crude and fuel prices move alongside international crude markets, affecting pump prices for gasoline and diesel despite abundant domestic supply.

U.S. average retail gasoline reached $3.32 per gallon nationally on Friday, increasing 34 cents from the previous week, according to AAA. Diesel prices hit $4.33 per gallon, up from $3.76 per gallon one week earlier.

Rising pump prices represent a significant risk for Trump and Republican colleagues heading into November midterm elections.

“Gasoline prices are psychologically powerful,” said Mark Malek, chief investment officer at Siebert Financial. “They are the inflation number that consumers see every single day.”

BEIJING, March 5 – Chinese government officials announced Thursday their intention to establish a society that encourages families to have children over the next five years, releasing details in an official government document that outlines responses to concerns about jobs, schooling, healthcare, wellness and earnings.

Government leaders plan to enhance population-related services and take active steps to address the country’s aging demographics, which includes “advancing quality employment opportunities for all, enhancing how income gets distributed, and strengthening social safety net programs.”

This declaration follows China’s fourth straight year of declining population numbers in 2025, with birth rates dropping to unprecedented lows according to January government statistics, while demographic specialists predict continued decreases ahead.

The nation’s population has contracted since 2022 while growing older at an accelerated pace, creating challenges for Beijing’s goals to increase consumer spending domestically and control government debt.

Officials will implement fresh policies to advance “quality growth in the silver economy” focusing on citizens 60 years and older, expanding senior care programs especially in countryside regions, according to the government document.

Leadership will also develop strategies to strengthen support measures for older adults covering retirement funding, health services and caregiving, the report stated.

Projections show that by 2035, citizens over 60 will reach 400 million people – approximately matching the combined populations of America and Italy – indicating that hundreds of millions will exit the labor force while pension funding faces existing pressure.

The country has already extended working ages, requiring men to remain employed until 63 instead of 60, while women must work until 58 rather than 55.

Officials will encourage “supportive views on marriage and having children,” the document stated, noting plans to expand housing assistance for families raising kids.

Programs for expectant mothers in pregnancy’s early phases along with reproductive healthcare will see improvements while officials work to better prevent and address birth complications.

Leadership will also enhance policies providing free early childhood education and expand availability of standard high school positions, with mandated government education funding exceeding 4% of the nation’s economic output, the report indicated.

Energy markets saw significant gains Thursday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran continue to disrupt global oil and gas supplies through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Brent crude climbed $1.67 to reach $83.07 per barrel, marking a 2.05% increase by early Thursday trading. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped $1.94 to $76.60, representing a 2.60% gain.

The conflict expanded Wednesday following a U.S. military strike on an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka. Senate Republicans also threw their support behind President Trump’s military operations against Iran, voting down a bipartisan measure that would have halted air strikes and required congressional approval for further military action against the country.

The ongoing hostilities have severely impacted regional energy production. Iraq, which ranks as OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, has been forced to reduce daily output by approximately 1.5 million barrels due to storage limitations and blocked export pathways, according to officials who spoke with Reuters.

Qatar, the Persian Gulf’s leading liquefied natural gas supplier, announced force majeure on gas shipments Wednesday. Industry sources indicate it could take a minimum of one month before production levels return to normal.

For five consecutive days, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has remained virtually paralyzed. This waterway serves as a crucial passage for nearly 20% of the world’s energy supplies.

Britain’s maritime operations center reported a significant blast witnessed by a tanker captain positioned 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer port. A small vessel was later observed departing the explosion site.

According to a J.P. Morgan analysis shared with clients, Iran has avoided targeting most essential energy infrastructure while maintaining extremely high shipping risks. The investment bank estimates roughly 329 oil tankers remain trapped in Gulf waters.

“Storage capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and prevailing energy prices are limiting factors on the length of the U.S. campaign,” the firm noted. This alliance includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

J.P. Morgan projects that most oil production facilities could resume operations within days, with complete capacity restoration typically occurring within two to three weeks.

“While operators must gradually rebuild reservoir pressure, particularly in Iraq, where water injection is critical, the primary constraint today is logistics rather than geology,” the analysis concluded.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Voters across Nepal headed to polling stations Thursday for the country’s inaugural nationwide election following last year’s deadly youth uprising that drove the ruling government from office.

Armed security personnel monitored streets and stood watch at voting locations throughout the mountainous country of approximately 30 million residents as citizens queued to vote. Vote tallying will commence Thursday evening, with final outcomes anticipated by weekend’s end.

Officials implemented a vehicle ban on roadways and outlawed political demonstrations and public assemblies. Campaign activities of any kind are forbidden on voting day.

The Election Commission reports that close to 19 million citizens qualify to participate in the election.

Citizens will choose 165 representatives directly for the House of Representatives, Parliament’s lower house. The additional 110 positions in the 275-seat legislature will be distributed via proportional representation, where political organizations select lawmakers according to their voting percentage.

Political observers view this as a triangular race, influenced by citizen dissatisfaction with rampant corruption and calls for increased governmental transparency.

The National Independent Party, established in 2022, leads polling predictions and presents a formidable opposition to two historically powerful organizations — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Balendra Shah, the emerging party’s candidate for prime minister, transitioned from rap music to politics, securing Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022 and becoming a prominent voice in the 2025 demonstrations that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

The 35-year-old Shah has capitalized on widespread dissatisfaction with established political organizations. During his campaign, he emphasized healthcare and educational improvements for Nepal’s impoverished population.

The student-driven demonstrations against governmental corruption and ineffective leadership began with social media restrictions before escalating into widespread resistance against authorities. Violence erupted when demonstrators stormed government facilities and law enforcement responded with gunfire, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Although Congress and Communist parties maintain dedicated supporter networks, Shah’s organization has attracted significantly larger campaign audiences, demonstrating its increasing popularity among young voters seeking political alternatives.

The incoming government will face substantial obstacles. Leadership must fulfill reform promises from last year’s demonstrations, address deeply rooted corruption, and skillfully navigate relationships with neighboring powers India and China.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un conducted a two-day examination of his military’s newest destroyer before its official launch and watched cruise missile testing from the vessel, promising to speed up nuclear weapon integration into his naval forces, according to state media reports released Thursday.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim made visits to the Nampo shipyard on the western coast Tuesday and Wednesday, where he also reviewed construction progress on a third destroyer matching his 5,000-ton vessel, the Choe Hyon, which debuted in April 2025.

The North Korean leader has praised the Choe Hyon’s development as a major step forward in his plan to extend his nuclear-equipped military’s operational reach and first-strike abilities. According to state media, the vessel can deploy multiple weapon systems, including air defense and anti-ship weapons, plus ballistic and cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Military analysts and South Korean defense officials believe the Choe Hyon was constructed with Russian technical support as the two nations strengthen military cooperation, though some question whether the ship is combat-ready.

The regime revealed a second destroyer of identical design in May of last year, but the vessel suffered damage during a failed launch ceremony at Chongjin port in the northeast, prompting an angry response from Kim, who labeled the incident “criminal.” North Korea announced the repaired destroyer, called Kang Kon, was successfully relaunched in June, but international observers doubt the ship’s full operational status.

Following Tuesday’s observation of the Choe Hyon’s ocean testing, Kim declared the vessel satisfied operational standards and described it as representing his nation’s growing naval strength. He demanded the construction of two warships annually for the coming five years, all matching or exceeding the Choe Hyon’s specifications.

Kim returned Wednesday to witness cruise missile launches from the Choe Hyon. State media released images showing him observing from the coastline as multiple projectiles lifted off from the ship amid clouds of white smoke, describing the weapons as “strategic,” terminology North Korea uses for nuclear-capable systems.

Following years of emphasizing ballistic missile advancement, Kim has redirected attention toward naval development, including ongoing work on a nuclear-powered submarine. KCNA announced the third destroyer being built at Nampo shipyard should be finished by the ruling Workers’ Party’s founding celebration in October.

Naval enhancement was a central theme when Kim presented his five-year military objectives at last month’s Workers’ Party congress, including demands for intercontinental ballistic missiles that can launch from beneath the ocean.

Kim stated Tuesday that his campaign to equip his navy with nuclear arms was “making satisfactory” headway. He claimed these alleged improvements would “constitute a radical change in defending our maritime sovereignty, something that we have not achieved for half a century.”

KCNA provided no additional details about Kim’s statement. Some experts suggest North Korea might be preparing to officially announce a maritime border that could intrude into waters under South Korean control.

With inter-Korean relations deteriorating, Kim has consistently stated he rejects the Northern Limit Line, established by the U.S.-led U.N. Command following the 1950-53 Korean War. This imprecisely defined western maritime boundary has been the location of multiple fatal naval confrontations in recent years.

During the party congress, Kim reinforced plans to grow North Korea’s nuclear weapons stockpile, which currently includes various systems that threaten the United States and American allies across Asia, while confirming his aggressive stance toward South Korea.

However, he maintained openness to discussions with the Trump administration, repeating Pyongyang’s requirement that Washington abandon its demand for denuclearization as a prerequisite for restarting dormant negotiations.

In the devastated remains of what was once a modest hotel room, virtually nothing survived the destruction. The bed frame lies in pieces, its metal coils now twisted into dangerous fragments. Personal belongings from two destroyed luggage cases are strewn throughout the gray debris.

The walls have been completely obliterated, leaving nothing to shield the space from the harsh wind now flowing freely through the wreckage. Following the Israeli bombardment that rocked the foundation of the Comfort Hotel in Baabda—a Christian community near Beirut—only a small statue of the Virgin Mary stands untouched. Nobody has the courage to disturb it.

The religious icon belonged to the hotel clerk, who lived on the ground floor throughout the workweek. In recent days, she had been hosting approximately 10 refugees from different regions of Lebanon. She is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.

George Dagher, who works at the hotel, expressed his bewilderment to The Media Line, stating: “I still don’t understand what happened.” Speaking mechanically to reporters, he continued to voice his confusion. “This is the first time something like this has happened to us, and we are surprised,” he explained.

The Comfort Hotel had operated as a modest lodging establishment on the periphery of Lebanon’s capital for six decades without incident—until Tuesday morning’s pre-dawn hours, when Israeli aircraft targeted the structure, causing significant damage to its lower two stories. Israeli military operations persisted throughout Lebanon during the night and following day, with the most intense bombardment occurring in southern and eastern regions, as well as Beirut’s southern districts.

Casualty reports indicate at least 72 fatalities and approximately 437 injuries. The assault on the Comfort Hotel garnered special notice because it targeted a location where residents insist no obvious Hezbollah activity existed.

The town of Baabda has a largely Christian population and houses multiple diplomatic missions. The strike site sits just 700 meters away from Lebanon’s Presidential Palace, though the attack caused no deaths.

Joseph, another hotel worker, expressed his concerns to The Media Line, saying: “This will ultimately lead us to a civil war.” He was off duty Tuesday evening. His coworker, who was present during the strike, remains too traumatized to discuss the incident.

Dagher warned: “The spread of attacks throughout Lebanon will lead us to a situation of civil conflict.” Within two days, bombardments have reached areas of Lebanese territory not typically linked to Hezbollah operations. This expansion has intensified fear among citizens, with many expressing that nowhere feels secure.

All 15 individuals staying at the Comfort Hotel have since departed. Dagher noted: “They were all displaced people, children and the elderly.” The majority had already taken shelter there during the ongoing 2024 conflict.

He added: “We are very careful about who stays here, and we check their IDs,” explaining that they refused accommodation to young Shiite males, who might be Hezbollah affiliates and could endanger other residents.

Israeli forces broadened their Lebanese offensive overnight, moving beyond traditional Hezbollah strongholds like Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, where eight people died including two young girls. Prior to hitting Baabda, Israeli jets struck Aramoun in the Aley region and Saadiyat in Shouf—territories with significant Druze communities.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed six deaths from these two attacks, with eight additional people injured.

Israeli aerial campaigns have extended across multiple regions of the nation, while southern Lebanon has seen ground operations and official proclamations. Tuesday’s evacuation directive affecting over 50 villages and towns has enabled Israel to create what it calls a security perimeter in southern Lebanon while expanding its protective zone.

Israeli military officials reported two soldiers sustained injuries from an anti-tank weapon fired in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has taken credit for multiple assaults on Israeli forces within Lebanese borders following the intensification of Wednesday’s ground offensive.

Lebanese news outlets reported that Israeli troops seized the public hospital in Mais al-Jabal, Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon this morning.

Simultaneously, evacuation warnings broadcast by Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee have increased uncertainty for civilians determining safe destinations. He announced this afternoon: “Residents of southern Lebanon must immediately move north of the Litani River,” demanding the relocation of tens of thousands of people.

More than 80,000 Lebanese citizens have been forced from their residences and are seeking safety in hundreds of emergency shelters established in educational facilities and community centers. UNICEF reports that 18,000 children are among those internally displaced. Of the numerous casualties over the past three days, at least seven victims are minors.

Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF’s Lebanon representative, stated: “No child should be killed or suffer the physical and emotional consequences of violence for the rest of their life.” Israeli military sources estimate approximately 300,000 Lebanese civilians have evacuated southern villages following evacuation orders.

Israeli forces claim to have targeted more than 250 Hezbollah positions in Lebanon over two days, including 100 in the most recent 24-hour period. The Shiite organization acknowledged responsibility for 13 attacks against Israel on Tuesday and maintained rocket and drone strikes on Israeli urban centers including Tel Aviv and Haifa.

At noon, Hezbollah executed coordinated drone attacks against the Tel Hashomer facility 120 kilometers from the border, Haifa’s naval installation, and the Ramat David base using multiple suicide drones.

Israel experienced no casualties and limited property damage, as many projectiles were neutralized before reaching their targets. However, hundreds of Lebanese buildings sustained damage or complete destruction from the strikes, according to regional reports.

Following the Comfort Hotel attack, employees have begun efforts to restore some normalcy. The hotel entrance has been cleared of broken glass. A team of young workers is reinforcing the building’s structural integrity.

Dagher emphasized: “We’re not political people; we’re very far from Hezbollah,” while still attempting to comprehend their misfortune. From neighboring building terraces, residents wearily discard damaged items into the street below.

Across the road, another hotel is installing replacement windows and doors. The Lebanese population continues working without pausing to mourn.

The Comfort Hotel employee made an earnest appeal: “As the people of this country, we are tired of war after war in our land; truly, we want to rest.”

Nigerian military forces engaged in deadly combat with armed raiders in the northern region of Katsina state, resulting in 45 attacker deaths, state officials announced Saturday.

The confrontation stemmed from cattle theft attempts by armed groups who traveled from the adjacent Zamfara state into Alhazawa village within the Musawa area on March 5, according to the Katsina State Government’s official statement.

The raiders made a second attempt the next day, but this time encountered military personnel deployed at the army’s Forward Operating Base located in Dan Ali, close to Maidabino ward. The resulting battle led to the deaths of 45 attackers, state authorities reported.

The military engagement also claimed the lives of three Nigerian service members, including one captain and two enlisted soldiers, the government statement confirmed.

Two prominent hardline religious leaders in Iran are pushing for the rapid appointment of a new supreme leader as the country faces ongoing military strikes from the United States and Israel, according to Iranian media reports from Saturday.

The urgency expressed by these clerics indicates that portions of Iran’s religious establishment are hesitant about allowing a temporary three-person leadership council to remain in control, despite this arrangement being permitted under the nation’s constitution following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.

President Donald Trump has stated that America should play a part in selecting Iran’s next leader, but Iranian officials have dismissed this proposal.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, whose religious interpretations carry significant weight among followers, stated that a quick appointment is necessary to “help better organise the country’s affairs,” according to state media coverage.

Earlier this week, two high-ranking Shi’ite religious figures issued fatwas – formal religious rulings – demanding that Muslims worldwide seek retribution for Khamenei’s death. Makarem Shirazi declared it a religious obligation for Muslims “until the evil of these criminals is eradicated from the world.”

Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani has similarly pressed the Assembly of Experts, the religious council responsible for selecting the supreme leader, to speed up their decision-making process regarding Khamenei’s replacement, state media reported.

Under Iran’s constitutional framework, a temporary leadership group consisting of the president, a high-ranking cleric, and the judiciary chief has assumed the supreme leader’s duties while the Assembly of Experts deliberates.

Iran’s constitution mandates that a new supreme leader must be selected within three months, though ongoing warfare makes it uncertain how quickly the 88-member Assembly of Experts can gather. Sources indicate that some religious officials have been conducting preliminary discussions through online platforms.

Rescue teams recovered bodies from rushing floodwaters throughout Kenya’s capital on Saturday following deadly overnight flooding that claimed at least 10 lives and caused major disruptions at the region’s busiest airport, officials reported.

In Nairobi’s Grogan industrial area, 34-year-old security guard John Lomayan discovered the body of an elderly roadside egg vendor he knew, trapped under a vehicle that had been swept away when the Nairobi River overflowed.

“I saw him being carried by the water from up there,” Lomayan explained, pointing up the street. “We didn’t know where he had gone. It is only now that we see him under the car.”

A news reporter witnessed three victims being pulled from beneath vehicles. Law enforcement confirmed the death toll has reached 10 people.

Climate researchers indicate that rising global temperatures are intensifying both flooding and drought conditions throughout East Africa by concentrating precipitation into briefer, more powerful downpours. Research from the 2024 World Weather Attribution study determined that climate change has doubled the likelihood of catastrophic rainfall events in the area.

Kenya Airways reported that the heavy precipitation had caused flight cancellations and delays at Nairobi’s airport, with some aircraft being rerouted to Mombasa on the coast.

“So many cars, so much stuff, I don’t know. Everything was just (washed away). All of the water (came) … from that river,” said stunned local resident Cedric Mwanza, referring to the Nairobi River.

American diplomats recently confronted Syria’s communications leadership about the nation’s growing dependence on Chinese telecommunications infrastructure, highlighting escalating tensions between global superpowers over digital influence in the recovering Middle Eastern country.

On February 24, State Department representatives met with Syrian Communications Minister Abdul Salam Haykal in San Francisco, expressing alarm over potential national security and data privacy threats posed by Chinese telecom systems. US officials cautioned that acquiring essential infrastructure technology from Chinese corporations could leave sensitive information vulnerable, reinforcing Washington’s ongoing claims that Beijing can force its companies to assist intelligence operations. Chinese officials reject these allegations, characterizing them as competitive tactics.

While the disagreement appears technical in nature, it represents a larger struggle for control over the region’s digital backbone as Syria works to rebuild. Telecommunications purchasing decisions have evolved into indicators of geopolitical loyalty, affecting network design, funding arrangements, technical protocols, and future dependencies for a nation attempting to rejoin regional commerce following years of conflict.

Beijing’s ties with Damascus predate the current political transformation. Throughout Bashar Assad’s presidency, China provided diplomatic support at the UN Security Council, frequently collaborating with Russia while promoting sovereignty principles and opposing forced government changes.

As Syria enters a new political era, its continued engagement with Beijing raises an important question: why maintain relationships with a previous regime supporter? Experts suggest this reflects Chinese diplomatic strategy, which views “the state” as the consistent partner, collaborating with whatever leadership exists while safeguarding its interests.

Dr. Samer Al-Khatib, who teaches international relations at the University of Damascus, described the renewed cooperation as pragmatic rather than ideological. In his interview with The Media Line, he explained Syria’s goal to “diversify its political and economic umbrellas to avoid falling into unilateral dependency,” noting that Beijing benefits from being perceived as an economic ally without imposing direct political requirements.

Syria’s telecommunications landscape makes this debate particularly relevant. Industry analysts estimate that Chinese technology powers a substantial portion of Syria’s two mobile networks—a situation resulting from years of Western sanctions, limited procurement options, and the attractiveness of affordable, rapidly deployable equipment. Modernizing the telecommunications sector is considered crucial for economic recovery: poor coverage beyond major urban areas and sluggish internet connectivity discourage investment, restrict business activity, and hamper overall progress. For officials seeking swift modernization at reasonable costs, Chinese technology offers appealing price points and implementation speed.

However, these decisions carry implications beyond technical considerations. Supplier selection creates multi-year commitments involving financing, maintenance, system upgrades, and technical standards—while signaling how governments plan to navigate major power competition in critical digital sectors.

Reconstruction economics specialist Reem Al-Hassan emphasized to The Media Line that the matter is “governed by numbers before slogans.” She explained that telecommunications modernization demands substantial investment and deployment-ready technologies—areas where Chinese companies typically offer competitive pricing. Nevertheless, she cautioned against “long-term financial dependency,” advocating for diversified investment sources and risk distribution across multiple partners.

This creates an inherent challenge for Syria. American restrictions, including export limitations, have prevented US technology from entering Syrian markets significantly. This produces a contradiction: Washington issues warnings about Chinese dependence while providing few practical alternatives for Syria to adopt Western technologies comprehensively.

Cybersecurity specialist Tarek Nasser explained to The Media Line that Chinese technology concerns “goes beyond the issue of direct espionage, to the nature of control over digital supply chains.” He noted that excessive dependence on single telecommunications suppliers creates both technical and political risks, emphasizing that successful outcomes require effective oversight mechanisms and robust legal frameworks for data protection. This involves independent regulation, procurement reviews, vendor risk assessments, and enforceable privacy legislation.

The implications extend far beyond communication towers or advanced wireless networks. This situation represents a competition for Syria’s position in the region’s future economic structure—and determining who establishes standards for digital infrastructure connected to reconstruction efforts. Beijing has pursued expanded Middle Eastern presence through infrastructure and connectivity initiatives, while Washington has attempted to limit that expansion in sensitive digital areas, particularly those involving data and critical networks.

For Damascus, the challenge is both immediate and practical: securing large-scale investment to rebuild war damage, with telecommunications being fundamental to economic reintegration. The strategic question persists: can Syria benefit from Chinese technology without becoming a battleground in US-China rivalry, or does this competition’s structure make neutrality increasingly impossible?

Syria’s probable objective involves balance rather than alignment—leveraging Chinese engagement for rapid reconstruction and improved Western negotiating position, while keeping other partnerships available. Success will depend on Damascus’ ability to enforce oversight and data protection regulations while diversifying suppliers. It will also require Washington’s commitment to providing viable alternatives that go beyond cautioning against China’s involvement in the region’s digital transformation.

The passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has eliminated the nation’s most influential political figure, leaving a critical leadership void in a government structure designed around concentrated religious authority. This development has immediately raised questions about which faction will assume control of the country.

Within Iran’s governmental framework, the supreme leader maintains authority over elected bodies and exercises final control over major state institutions, particularly security forces. While the nation’s constitution designates the Assembly of Experts to choose the next supreme leader, political observers have questioned how this transition period will unfold.

However, Middle East researcher Beni Sabti from Tel Aviv’s Institute for National Security Studies believes real power now rests with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its connected organizations, including the Basij militia.

Sabti, an Iranian native born in 1972 who lived through the Islamic Revolution before fleeing to Israel in 1987, explained that Iran’s current power structure will be shaped by interconnected figures with strong Revolutionary Guard connections. “Most of these figures always come from the IRGC. They have some roots in the IRGC … and also the IRGC as a whole, as an entity, influences a lot,” he stated.

The expert emphasized that today’s Revolutionary Guard holds significantly more influence compared to when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989. “It was not like this when Khomeini died, because he kept them limited,” Sabti noted. “But Khamenei was in their alliance, and they were his allies, so they have a kind of symbiotic relationship.”

According to Sabti, the IRGC operates “behind the curtain, for sure.” Although the Assembly of Experts maintains constitutional responsibility for selecting a successor, he contends this process serves more as formal approval rather than genuine decision-making.

“These councils of experts … they are also very symbolic,” he observed. “Eighty-eight very old clerics, that they have to decide who can be the next leader. They waited for someone to tell them what to do.” Sabti argued the Assembly has historically followed the existing leader’s direction and remains structurally dependent on the system it supposedly oversees. “They have been receiving salaries for so many years from the leader, so they are kind of the slaves of the system.”

Sabti anticipates this pattern will continue. “They will wait for someone to tell them what to vote for. Maybe the council, or IRGC, all together.”

Regarding the current presidency, Sabti believes it carries minimal independent authority during this succession phase. “President Pezeshkian is a good puppet for now to do his job, and after that, they can kick him out and give him just a symbolic job, because he’s not a cleric. As you see, he doesn’t have any influence,” he said.

The researcher’s main thesis suggests the outcome depends less on constitutional processes and more on whether the Revolutionary Guard maintains unity. “Yes, there is a chance that there can be some divisions in the IRGC,” he acknowledged. He believes any internal fractures would largely depend on continued external pressure. “It depends on if US and Israel continue to try to destroy as much as possible of this regime,” he explained.

Under such pressure, Sabti suggested some factions might choose survival over ideological commitment. “Some of them can come out and say, OK, we don’t want to lose our heads, we don’t want to lose Iran as a country, so maybe we can have some compromises,” he elaborated.

He also mentioned possibilities of internal coups and confrontations, drawing parallels to Soviet-era instability. “They can make a coup or something, and there can be some clashes inside the IRGC,” he said.

Without Khamenei’s presence, Sabti warned that competing ambitions within the IRGC and other power centers might escalate as various actors reassess their positions. “What is the map of the interests of everyone? It can change now, because the leader is not there,” he said. “They have their new interests. So yes, there can be a huge clash inside IRGC or other systems.”

Beyond political maneuvering, Sabti described a significant divide between the government and portions of the population. “The people … they came out and they were very happy, many of them,” he said. He noted that authorities quickly moved to limit information access. “We see that the regime once again shut down the internet, and we don’t know much what is going on inside.”

He suggested leadership priorities center on maintaining power rather than public welfare. “They don’t care now about the people. The regime doesn’t care about whether there are supplies in the supermarkets, or the roads are open, or anything like that.” He highlighted what he called inadequate civilian protection measures. “You know that there are no sirens in Iran, and no shelters? This is amazing. They don’t care about the people. It’s just like the ’80s.”

Despite public frustration and what he described as celebrations, Sabti doubted spontaneous mass protests would occur without external encouragement and organization. “The people cannot act unless President Trump, again, says something or does something,” he said. He noted the regime maintains organized forces and structural advantages. “There are many Basij forces outside. They [the citizens] don’t have connection. Someone has to guide them.”

Looking forward, Sabti predicted instability will continue. “In the short term, they [the IRGC] will be more dangerous,” he said. He believes the next period will be influenced by additional attacks on command centers and leadership figures. “But again, in a few days, if enough headquarters, and IRGC generals, and other figures are eliminated, there can be something else there,” he added.

He warned that any timeline should be considered in weeks rather than days, given Iran’s scale and complex security structure. “When you talk about Iran, it’s such a huge country, so many divisions, so many units of IRGC and army,” he said.

When asked about potential tipping points, Sabti said rapid collapse seems unlikely. “I think not less than two weeks,” he said. “Even Saddam held for three weeks.”

Other experts note that any successor will still require religious legitimacy, even if security leadership influences the selection. The upcoming period, Sabti suggested, may be determined less by constitutional procedures and more by internal reassessment among security officials—particularly within the IRGC. The critical factor, he argued, is whether the IRGC remains united.

American military forces have eliminated over 20 Iranian naval vessels and damaged Tehran’s primary operational submarine during an ongoing military campaign designed to neutralize Iran’s maritime forces, according to U.S. officials who spoke Wednesday. The operation included a U.S. submarine using torpedoes to sink an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean waters near Sri Lanka.

The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was destroyed as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that Iranian naval forces have been effectively removed from crucial regional waterways. Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, announced in a video update shared on X earlier Wednesday that Iranian vessels were absent from the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman as of Tuesday.

American officials confirmed that U.S. forces have eliminated more than 20 Iranian ships during the campaign and have also damaged Tehran’s most capable submarine, creating a breach in its hull.

According to Cooper, American forces will maintain their focus on Iran’s naval resources through Operation Epic Fury. This military campaign seeks to eliminate Tehran’s capacity to menace commercial vessels and reduce its missile strike capabilities.

“We’re hunting Iran’s last remaining mobile ballistic missile launchers to eliminate, what I would characterize as their lingering launch capability,” Cooper stated.

Tehran operates dual naval forces: the Islamic Republic of Iran navy, which handles traditional maritime duties, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, which specializes in unconventional warfare tactics.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth verified that an American submarine used torpedoes to destroy the IRIS Dena in waters near Sri Lanka during the military operation.

“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters,” Hegseth announced during a Pentagon press conference. “Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.”

Hegseth characterized the attack as a “quiet death,” noting it marked the first occasion since World War II that American forces had destroyed an enemy vessel using torpedo weapons.

“Their navy, not a factor. Pick your adjective; it is no more.”

Sri Lankan naval authorities reported Wednesday that they had retrieved 87 bodies and saved 32 survivors following their response to an emergency signal from the vessel. According to Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, who addressed Parliament, approximately 180 crew members were aboard the ship when it sank.

Sri Lankan officials initiated search and rescue operations after receiving the distress transmission, according to AP reports. Maritime vessels and aircraft were sent to the location.

Naval spokesperson Buddhika Sampath confirmed that survivors received medical treatment at a hospital in Galle, a southern coastal city, while recovered bodies were being transported to shore.

White House officials announced that Iran’s government has been completely devastated as American and Israeli military forces continue extensive operations against the Middle Eastern nation.

Speaking to the press, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that “under President Trump’s leadership, the rogue Iranian terror regime has been utterly crushed. Forty-seven years of tolerance and allowing the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism to operate freely have come to an end.”

Leavitt continued her remarks by saying, “Iran’s murderous terror leaders are paying for their crimes against America, and they are paying in blood.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided updates on the American military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, indicating the mission is meeting its intended targets. “We are on track to achieve the goals of the operation, to destroy their missile launchers and factories and also their fleet so they will never be able to hide behind them to develop nuclear weapons,” Rubio explained.

American Central Command forces have destroyed or damaged 20 Iranian naval vessels throughout the ongoing campaign. CENTCOM leader Brad Cooper confirmed that long-range precision missiles were deployed against Iran for the first time during this operation, stating, “I couldn’t be more proud of our people in uniform.”

According to a Washington Post report citing three informed sources, the Pentagon’s stockpile of precision weaponry is being quickly exhausted after less than one week of strikes. The rapid consumption of sophisticated air defense systems may soon require the U.S. military to make strategic decisions about which incoming threats to intercept.

Israeli military leaders have also revealed the magnitude of their involvement, confirming that 5,000 munitions have been deployed in attacks against Iranian positions since operations commenced.

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Intelligence Division with Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder and other high-ranking officials, where he explained that Iranian leadership was surprised by the extensive nature of the military action. Katz noted that Tehran “could not assess the scope, breadth and depth of the intelligence down to the last target, and the operational capability to exploit the intelligence to strike, attack, destroy and demolish their capabilities.”

The State Department confirmed Wednesday that a government-chartered aircraft is transporting American citizens back to the United States from Middle Eastern countries, with plans underway for additional evacuation flights throughout the region.

Officials declined to specify how many passengers were on board the flight or reveal which nations they departed from, nor did they provide scheduling details about departure or arrival times.

According to State Department figures, over 17,500 Americans have successfully returned home from Middle Eastern nations since February 28, when American and Israeli military forces began conducting initial strikes against Iran. On Tuesday alone, approximately 8,500 citizens made it back to U.S. soil.

The department noted that numerous other American nationals have evacuated to European and Asian destinations rather than returning directly to the United States since hostilities began.

Earlier this week, State Department officials issued urgent advisories to Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries, recommending immediate evacuation using “available commercial transportation.” However, many citizens are encountering difficulties securing flights due to widespread airline disruptions stemming from the regional conflict.

The evacuation efforts have drawn harsh criticism from several members of Congress, who have accused State Department leadership of poor advance planning and delayed warning systems.

In response to the criticism, the department stated it was “facilitating charter flights” from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan specifically for American citizens requiring evacuation assistance.

ICHIKAWA, Japan — A young orphaned macaque named Punch is slowly becoming less reliant on the stuffed orangutan toy that helped him through his difficult early days after being rejected by his mother and the monkey community.

Photos of the tiny Punch carrying around his oversized plush companion captured hearts when they showed how the baby monkey would run to his toy for comfort whenever other primates pushed him away from their group.

Now the situation is changing for the better. Recently, observers have watched Punch climbing onto other monkeys’ backs, spending time with adult members of the troop, and even receiving grooming and embraces from his fellow primates.

“It was good to see him grow, and I’m reassured,” said Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old Punch fan from Osaka who came to the zoo because she was worried about the baby monkey. “He is adorable!”

After his mother left him following his birth — likely due to exhaustion — zoo staff bottle-fed Punch and provided him with the stuffed toy to help him develop the clinging instincts that baby macaques require for survival.

“Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” said Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper.

The baby monkey became an internet sensation after photos of him with his toy companion went viral last month, forcing the zoo to implement quiet zones and 10-minute viewing limits to prevent stress among the facility’s 50-plus other monkeys.

Zoo officials view Punch’s decreased reliance on his stuffed companion as positive progress.

“When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said.

While Punch continues to sleep alongside his toy each night, Mizushina explained that staff hope to eventually see him sleeping curled up with other monkeys instead.

Nearly three decades after their groundbreaking benefit album topped British music charts, War Child UK is returning with a star-studded sequel to support children caught in global conflicts.

The charity’s original ‘Help’ compilation became a chart-topping phenomenon in 1995, climbing to No. 1 in Britain and generating over 1.25 million pounds (approximately $1.938 million) to assist families affected by the Bosnian conflict. The album featured exclusive tracks from legendary Britpop acts like Oasis, Blur, and Radiohead, plus collaborations involving Paul McCartney and Paul Weller.

According to Rich Clarke, War Child UK’s music director, the organization has spent years attempting to replicate that remarkable achievement. This Friday marks the release of ‘Help(2)’ on retail and streaming services, showcasing never-before-heard material from contemporary stars including Arctic Monkeys, Olivia Rodrigo, and Wet Leg. Proceeds will benefit children impacted by ongoing conflicts across Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.

‘I think it’s a situation now where musicians feel not that they want to do something, but that they need to do something,’ Clarke said. ‘That’s a powerful driver. And sometimes, things happen when they’re meant to happen.’

Jarvis Cocker’s relationship with the charity dates to 1996, when his group Pulp donated their Mercury Prize earnings to War Child UK. When producer James Ford, who worked on Pulp’s recent comeback album ‘More,’ invited Cocker to participate in the new compilation, the singer eagerly accepted.

‘When the last one happened, it was something like 10% of the world’s kids were living in poor areas, and now it’s more like 20%,’ Cocker told The Associated Press. ‘And it’s a strange thing, you know, childhood sets you up for the rest of your life or it doesn’t.’

Pulp’s track ‘Begging for Change’ represents a 14-year creative journey for Cocker, who struggled to complete the song until finding purpose in the charitable mission. ‘Somehow, with it having the focus of trying to help some people and change their situation, I did manage to finish it,’ he said. ‘And I’m quite pleased with the result.’

The recording experience at London’s Abbey Road Studios proved uniquely meaningful, despite Cocker’s typical reluctance to be filmed while performing. Director Jonathan Glazer documented the sessions with assistance from young filmmakers, creating what Cocker called an appropriate perspective for a children’s charity project.

‘I thought it was a good idea,’ Cocker said. ‘I mean, if you’re going to do a thing for a charity that is supposed to help children in war zones, then it makes sense to capture it from a child’s point of view.’

Children even participated as a choir on Pulp’s contribution, serving as a constant reminder of the project’s humanitarian goals. ‘Charity shouldn’t have to exist if governments did what they were supposed to, if they looked after people and looked after the world,’ Cocker said. ‘But they do need to exist. They need to exist even more now.’

John Nolan from rock bands Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run views benefit compilations as a longstanding tradition within independent music circles. The format allows artists direct involvement in causes they support, he explained while discussing his own recent ACLU fundraising album ‘Music for Everyone, Vol. 2.’

‘It’s something that we can be a lot more hands-on with,’ said Nolan. ‘I think that’s also why a lot of more underground bands take on compilations for causes too, because it’s something you can be kind of DIY with.’

British group Black Country, New Road contributed their song ‘Strangers’ as an extension of their ongoing advocacy work, including previous fundraising efforts for Palestinian children. Violinist Georgia Ellery emphasized the importance of artistic activism in today’s climate.

‘With what was going on in the world a couple of years ago, I think it became important to us that we became more aware and started questioning things and how we wanted to move as artists,’ said Ellery.

Scottish band Young Fathers found participation in ‘Help(2)’ an obvious choice, according to member Graham Hastings. ‘When you see children in these refugee camps, for me it’s a sign of humanity failing for that to even occur,’ he said. ‘For us, the important thing is for people just to feel a general awareness about what’s happening and why it’s happening, and get active and get involved in the community.’

BEIRUT – Israeli military forces executed an uncommon helicopter assault in eastern Lebanon during overnight hours, according to local residents and Lebanese government media reports Saturday, while intensive Israeli bombardments in the region resulted in over a dozen fatalities.

The Middle Eastern nation found itself drawn further into regional warfare this past Monday after Iran-supported Hezbollah fired rockets and unmanned aircraft toward Israel, prompting Israel to respond with extensive bombing campaigns throughout Lebanon’s southern regions, eastern areas, and zones close to Beirut.

During nighttime operations, Israeli helicopters transported soldiers to an area near Nabi Chit in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese government media and local witnesses. Local residents and Hezbollah militants opened fire on the soldiers as they advanced on foot, according to these accounts.

The Israeli forces retreated and departed via helicopter while Israeli airstrikes hammered Nabi Chit and surrounding communities, government media and witnesses reported. Israel’s military had not provided an immediate response to Reuters’ inquiries about the operation.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 16 individuals were killed in Israeli attacks during the previous 24-hour period in Nabi Chit. A ministry representative informed Reuters that this count included casualties from strikes throughout Friday as well as during heavy overnight bombardments, with expectations that the number would continue climbing.

Two security officials confirmed to Reuters that three military personnel were among those killed.

Israeli bombardments have resulted in over 200 deaths throughout Lebanon, while evacuation orders have forced approximately 300,000 people from their homes, with only one-third currently housed in official government shelters.

Shawki al-Masri, a resident of a community neighboring Nabi Chit, characterized the overnight bombing campaign as “a night of hell.”

“We heard the helicopters over our house all night – they were so low we thought they would land on us,” he told Reuters.

“People in the town woke up and started shooting at them, then the warplanes started bombing. It was a very violent night and only calmed down when the sun came up,” he said.

In an overnight statement, Hezbollah reported that it had engaged Israeli soldiers who had been transported near Nabi Chit by four Israeli helicopters. The organization stated that the Israeli forces pulled back.

Although Israeli military units are conducting ground campaigns in southern Lebanon, advancing further into border village areas, helicopter-based operations remain uncommon. During a 2024 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli naval personnel abducted an individual from a Lebanese coastal community.

The United Nations issued a warning Saturday that the conflict was poised to become “even worse,” emphasizing that negotiations between Israel and Lebanon “must be pursued with urgency” to halt the fighting.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert stated that it was “clear that ongoing military actions will not deliver a lasting win to anyone.”

“Rather, they will only deepen instability and inflict further suffering,” she said.

KATHMANDU, March 7 – A sophisticated political operation run from the upper floors of a six-story building in western Kathmandu has positioned a 35-year-old former rapper to become Nepal’s next prime minister.

Balendra Shah, known by his stage name “Balen,” represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which currently leads vote tallies following Nepal’s first parliamentary election since youth demonstrations in September toppled the previous administration.

Election officials expect final results for 275 total parliamentary seats – 165 direct seats and 110 proportional representation positions – to be announced next week.

Should current voting patterns continue, Shah will have successfully capitalized on momentum from the September uprising through what may be the most advanced campaign operation the small Himalayan country has witnessed.

Reuters spoke with six RSP party leaders to understand Shah’s campaign strategy, which operated primarily from the party’s Balaju neighborhood headquarters and received substantial financial backing from overseas Nepali communities.

“We are overwhelmed by the support and love we received from people on the ground,” stated Bigyan Gautam, who served on RSP’s national campaign team.

Shah’s electoral success contrasts sharply with Bangladesh’s recent election, where a youth-oriented party failed to gain traction despite emerging from similar “Gen-Z” demonstrations that removed that nation’s longtime leader in 2024.

The RSP’s political operation centers around its Research, Strategy and Documentation Department, managed by an 11-person board supervising 300 party workers organized into three national units that support local candidate teams.

These nationwide groups developed electoral strategies, coordinated rallies, produced digital content, and monitored grassroots campaigning efforts throughout Nepal, according to three party officials.

Leading up to Thursday’s election, the party implemented a precisely timed media approach, with Shah delivering major addresses every eight days to allow a 660-person social media team sufficient time to amplify each event’s impact.

RSP also conducted road shows across five to seven districts daily, supported by brief daily appearances in one of Nepal’s seven provinces where Shah would engage directly with voters.

“If you keep giving speeches, people get confused,” explained one party official who requested anonymity. “We let opposition parties raise some issues, and then respond once. This way, our message stays clear.”

The centralized campaign structure and large-scale events received direct party funding through substantial contributions from Nepalis residing overseas, particularly those in the United States, two officials confirmed.

However, individual candidates handled organizing and financing their own local campaign activities, according to RSP Treasurer Lima Adhikari.

Before joining RSP last December prior to the elections, Shah served as Kathmandu’s mayor, a role he secured in 2022 by utilizing his fame as one of Nepal’s most popular rap artists with millions of social media followers.

At a January 19 rally in Nepal’s Madhesh province capital, Shah appeared alongside RSP founder and former television host Rabi Lamichhane, declaring to thousands of supporters: “A Madhesi boy is going to become prime minister.”

Despite the Madhesh region and surrounding Terai plains containing Nepal’s largest population centers, the country’s political leadership has historically come from Kathmandu and the mountainous regions.

Shah’s January address became a social media sensation, highlighting the early effectiveness of RSP’s strategy to make him the first plains-region leader to claim the prime minister’s office, three party officials noted.

“It was very clear to us that the nation was fed up with the old corrupt leaders and they were seeing hope in young leaders like Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane,” said Birendra Kumar Mehta, a central committee member. “The party saw this as an opportunity.”

Shah is running for parliament from Jhapa-5, a plains constituency that has traditionally been the political stronghold of K.P. Sharma Oli, who resigned as prime minister following the September protests.

In this rural Nepal district, Shah maintained his unconventional campaign approach, avoiding traditional media interviews while making unscheduled stops to speak with voters and organizing youth volunteer networks throughout the constituency.

His team, supported by the RSP’s Kathmandu operation, has also gathered voter concerns and complaints regarding development initiatives and government services.

“People from every part of Nepal will feel that the government is theirs and most importantly, that it is there for them,” said D.P. Aryal, RSP’s vice chairperson, noting that Shah’s government plans to recruit external experts to strengthen its capabilities. “Youth engagement and the maximum integration of technology will also be among our top priorities.”

The Middle Eastern conflict has intensified as Iran fired additional missiles toward Israeli territory and American military installations, marking the sixth consecutive day of warfare. Israeli defense forces reported detecting multiple incoming projectiles early Thursday morning and confirmed they were working to intercept the weapons.

Simultaneously, Israeli forces initiated fresh military operations targeting Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, the Iranian-supported militant organization. Lebanese health officials and state media reported that no fewer than eight individuals lost their lives from late Wednesday through early Thursday due to these strikes.

Iranian leadership has issued warnings about potential devastation to military and economic infrastructure across the Middle East, causing significant disruption to global financial markets. Oil prices have become a key indicator for market movements, with crude costs climbing again early Thursday morning.

Israeli defense officials announced Thursday morning that they had initiated a “large-scale wave of strikes against infrastructure” targeting Iran’s capital city of Tehran.

Oman’s foreign minister revealed Thursday that his nation was coordinating with international partners to arrange evacuation flights for foreign nationals unable to leave the region.

In a message posted to X, Badr al-Busaidi stated: “For everyone hoping to fly home from the Gulf, the Omani government is working with your governments and international airlines to organize flights to get you home. We mean everyone, whatever passport you hold. The citizens of all countries have the human right to safety and security. People matter. Let’s stop the war now.”

While Oman, positioned along the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern coastline, has experienced attacks near its shores and ports, Muscat International Airport has remained operational throughout the conflict.

Qatar Airways announced Thursday it would begin operating limited “relief flights” to assist passengers stranded by the ongoing Middle Eastern warfare.

The carrier announced via X that departure cities would include Muscat, with destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Madrid and Rome. An additional route connecting Riyadh to Frankfurt, Germany was also planned.

These flights are designed to “support passengers who are stranded due to the current situation across the region.”

Qatari airspace remains shut down due to Iranian missile activity throughout the region. Qatar Airways serves as a major connection point between Eastern and Western destinations.

Bali immigration officials have issued emergency residency extensions and eliminated overstay penalties for foreign visitors unable to depart due to Middle Eastern flight disruptions affecting the Indonesian resort destination.

Airport officials reported that approximately 6,000 travelers bound for Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi experienced flight cancellations over a four-day period at Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Iranian and Israeli diplomatic representatives held competing press briefings Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, exchanging harsh criticisms as their nations’ conflict continues escalating.

Iran’s Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi, speaking with translation assistance, urged Seoul — a major American ally — to more forcefully condemn what he characterized as unlawful aggression by American and Israeli military forces, who launched operations despite ongoing diplomatic talks.

Koozechi warned that “many coffins would return to the United States” should it choose to deploy ground troops, while justifying Iranian attacks on Gulf nations hosting American military facilities as necessary actions.

Israeli Ambassador Raphael Harpaz countered that combined American-Israeli military actions serve dual purposes: eliminating Iran’s nuclear development programs and missile facilities while supporting Iranian citizens against governmental oppression.

South Korea has backed American-led diplomatic initiatives to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities but has not formally supported the American-Israeli military campaign, instead advocating for renewed negotiations.

Saudi defense officials reported destroying an unmanned aircraft in the kingdom’s al-Jawf province, which shares a border with Jordan.

Israeli forces targeted a structure within the Beddawi Palestinian refugee settlement in Tripoli, a coastal Lebanese city, resulting in two fatalities according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

The attack occurred without advance notice and represents the conflict’s northernmost strike to date, injuring one additional person, health officials confirmed.

Israeli military officials have not disclosed the intended target of this operation.

Beddawi, situated roughly 85 kilometers north of Beirut and more than 180 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli frontier, was previously targeted during the 2024 Israeli-Hezbollah war.

Even after a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces conducted a July strike against a Hamas operative within the camp.

An Israeli drone attack during nighttime hours targeted a vehicle traveling on a southern Lebanese coastal road, killing three individuals, according to Lebanon’s official news service.

The targeted roadway links Tyre to Naqoura, a border community adjacent to Israel.

Israeli military officials warned residents Wednesday to relocate north of the Litani River, which functions as a crucial buffer zone with communities to its south positioned nearest the Israeli border.

Lebanese Health Ministry data indicates that Israeli strikes have claimed more than 70 lives across four days since the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict resumed, with over 430 individuals sustaining injuries.

The civilian casualty count remains unclear, though health officials confirmed Tuesday that seven children were among the deceased.

The strikes have also eliminated officials from both Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant organizations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented an ambitious roadmap for his nation’s future during Thursday’s parliamentary session in Beijing, as tensions with the United States continue to escalate over technology and global influence.

The National People’s Congress approved the country’s latest Five-Year Plan, which establishes targets for economic expansion, government spending, industrial development, and military capabilities as Xi seeks to advance China’s position as a global technological leader.

Key elements of the parliamentary blueprint include:

ECONOMIC TARGETS AND SPENDING

Chinese leaders are targeting economic expansion between 4.5% and 5% annually, slightly lower than the previous year’s 5% growth rate, creating opportunities for economic restructuring efforts.

The government will maintain stimulus measures to energize an economy still recovering from pandemic impacts, establishing a budget shortfall equal to 4.0% of the nation’s total economic output, matching last year’s level.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AMID US TENSIONS

As competition with America intensifies, Beijing is fast-tracking initiatives to reduce dependence on foreign technology. The nation also intends to strengthen its dominance in rare earth minerals, essential components for electric cars, aviation engines, and military equipment.

MILITARY EXPANSION

China will enhance military preparedness and speed up development of “advanced combat capabilities,” Premier Li Qiang announced, increasing defense expenditures by 7% in 2026.

Defense analysts are monitoring Beijing’s push to upgrade its armed forces by 2035 and expand military influence as regional conflicts over Taiwan and other global tensions continue to rise.

BANKING SYSTEM SUPPORT

The government will provide 300 billion yuan ($43.59 billion) to state-controlled banks this year and expand reforms of government-owned financial institutions to strengthen the banking sector during ongoing real estate challenges and deflationary pressures.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES

Officials pledged to create a “childbirth-friendly society” within five years, tackling issues related to jobs, schooling, and healthcare as the country faces an aging population and declining birth rates that threaten economic objectives.

AGRICULTURAL SECURITY

Grain production capacity will increase to approximately 725 million metric tons between 2026-2030 to achieve long-term food independence goals, addressing the country’s significant dependence on imported agricultural products like soybeans, with America serving as its second-largest supplier.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS

The administration plans to speed up reductions in carbon intensity during the upcoming five-year period, shifting focus from overall energy efficiency to specifically targeting carbon emissions reduction.

Military activity from China around Taiwan has dropped dramatically in recent weeks, with no aircraft detected in the past seven days, according to new data from Taiwan’s defense ministry.

Taiwan has recorded 460 Chinese military aircraft – including fighter jets and drones – entering its air defense identification zone this year, representing a 46.5% decrease compared to the same period last year, based on information compiled by the Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation research group.

February saw 190 Chinese aircraft detections, marking the lowest monthly count since Taiwan began releasing detailed daily reports in 2022 regarding what officials describe as Beijing’s ongoing pressure campaign.

Two Taiwanese officials suggest Chinese President Xi Jinping may be reducing these visible pressure tactics to improve conditions before his expected meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month.

A senior Taiwan security official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the topic, told reporters that Beijing might be attempting to project a peaceful image. “Beijing might be trying to create a false impression: I am peaceful, I am moving toward peace, so you should stop selling weapons to Taiwan,” the official stated.

China’s defense ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment.

The current six-day pause in Chinese military flights near Taiwan, which began February 27, represents an unusual break in operations that coincided with Iran’s conflict, according to STA researcher Tristan Tang.

Previous interruptions in Chinese military activity were typically brief and connected to weather events like typhoons or Chinese holidays.

Military corruption investigations within China’s forces could provide another explanation for the reduced activity.

Su Tzu-yun, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research, indicated the anti-corruption campaign might be the “primary reason” behind the lull, as Chinese military units undergo command structure changes that could be affecting operational readiness.

A Taiwan defense official, also requesting anonymity, suggested Beijing may be using this quiet period to analyze findings from recent large-scale military exercises.

Despite the reduction in air activity, China’s naval and coast guard operations continue at normal levels, Taiwan’s defense ministry reports, indicating Beijing has specifically scaled back the more politically provocative aerial operations.

Another senior Taiwan security official cautioned against reading too much into the temporary change. “Just because they’re not coming now doesn’t mean they won’t come back in the future, and we can’t rule out that they may be preparing for an even larger operation,” the official said.

“We should not project any change in Beijing’s intentions based solely on a few days of activity,” the official added.

NEW DELHI, March 6 – India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced Saturday that his nation permitted an Iranian naval vessel to dock at one of its ports as a humanitarian measure, coinciding with a U.S. submarine attack on another Iranian ship near Sri Lanka.

The Iranian vessel Lavan arrived at Kochi port in southern India on Wednesday, according to an Indian government source who spoke with Reuters. This occurred on the same day American forces struck the Iranian navy frigate Dena, following an emergency docking request from Tehran.

President Donald Trump has stated that eliminating Iran’s naval capabilities represents a key objective in the military campaign he and Israel initiated against the Islamic Republic one week prior.

Speaking at the annual Raisina Dialogue conference, Jaishankar explained that the Lavan – described by the U.S. Naval Institute as an amphibious landing craft – along with two additional vessels had been participating in a naval review when they became trapped by unfolding events.

“I think we really approached it from the point of view of humanity, of other than whatever the legal issues were,” Jaishankar stated. “I think we did the right thing.”

The American assault on the Dena occurred in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 19 nautical miles from shore but beyond the country’s territorial waters, resulting in at least 87 fatalities.

According to the government source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, India received the emergency docking request on February 28 – the same day hostilities with Iran commenced. The source noted that the request carried urgency because the vessel had encountered mechanical problems.

Naval facilities in Kochi are currently housing all 183 crew members from the Lavan, the source confirmed.

The attacked frigate Dena had been returning from naval exercises hosted by India, based on information from the drill’s official website and statements from Sri Lankan officials.

Sri Lankan authorities reported Friday that they are guiding another Iranian naval ship, the Booshehr, toward an eastern coast harbor while relocating most of its personnel to a naval installation near Colombo.

PERPIGNAN, France – Along the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border, far-right mayor Louis Aliot is campaigning for another term in this weathered French city with a straightforward promise: enhanced law enforcement, expanded surveillance, and restored public safety.

Since taking control of city hall in 2020, the National Rally (RN) mayor has centered his administration around security initiatives. His party now showcases Perpignan, home to 122,000 residents and the largest municipality under RN control, as a model for governance they want to expand across France during this month’s municipal elections.

Despite facing an embezzlement conviction that could remove him from office pending his appeal, Aliot maintains his lead in polling. He describes Perpignan as an experimental ground for RN leadership and a demonstration of the party’s capabilities ahead of France’s 2027 presidential race.

“When the National Rally is in office, well, we govern, we run cities and we run them well,” he stated during an interview.

Electoral victories in additional municipalities would provide Marine Le Pen’s organization with momentum entering next year’s presidential campaign. Surveys indicate strong RN performance in Toulon, Nice and Marseille, though the two-round electoral system complicates predictions.

The party’s emphasis on law enforcement appeals to numerous Perpignan voters, where impoverished districts rank among France’s most disadvantaged areas just blocks away from the historic Catalan-influenced city center.

With elections scheduled for March 15 and 23, RN leader Jordan Bardella and far-left opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon – both potential presidential candidates – conducted competing weekend campaigns, transforming the city into a political proving ground.

“Faced with the violence engulfing our country year after year, we intend to make public order an absolute priority,” Bardella declared to his supporters.

Aliot has pledged to add 50 additional officers and install 200 surveillance cameras, focusing on suburban areas where middle-class residents have relocated from inner neighborhoods housing significant North African and Roma communities.

The municipality has already grown its police force from 161 officers in 2020 to 199 currently, achieving 1.6 municipal officers per 1,000 residents – the highest ratio among French cities exceeding 100,000 population and nearly triple Paris’s 0.6 rate, based on Interior Ministry statistics analyzed by Reuters.

Intensified law enforcement has dramatically increased drug trafficking prosecutions, with Perpignan now ranking seventh among more than 50 major French cities, climbing from 18th place in 2020. Police-initiated trafficking cases have more than doubled, while minor possession fines have increased fourfold.

This security emphasis carries financial consequences. Municipal debt reaches 1,600 euros per resident, significantly exceeding the 1,200 euro average for comparable cities, according to Finance Ministry records.

Property tax rates surpass those in 71% of similar municipalities, while 98% of peer cities maintain lower business tax rates.

Nevertheless, business publication Challenges recently ranked Perpignan as France’s third best-managed city, providing Aliot’s supporters with talking points to attract security-focused voters beyond the RN’s traditional base.

An early December Ifop survey shows Aliot leading with 44% support in the first round, benefiting from divided opposition spread among five competitors.

A veteran far-right politician, Aliot has played a key role in Le Pen’s efforts to moderate the anti-immigration party’s image for mainstream appeal. Polling data suggests either Le Pen or her protégé Bardella could win next year’s presidential first round and compete in a close runoff election.

Local resident opinions remain divided. At a downtown market, retiree Marie Nivet praised cleaner streets and visible police presence while seeking stronger anti-drug measures.

She expressed uncertainty about supporting Aliot due to his pending appeal regarding EU fund misuse charges that also threaten Le Pen’s political future.

Aliot indicated he would challenge any adverse ruling in France’s supreme court, noting that team members could assume leadership if necessary.

The legal questions didn’t concern Laure Guérin, a retired private school administrator, who plans to support Aliot based on the RN’s law-and-order approach.

Other residents showed more reservation. Christian Pyguillem, a retired property manager, acknowledged Aliot’s improvements in street cleanliness and security but argued that persistent neighborhood poverty requires comprehensive urban renewal beyond any mayor’s previous attempts.

“We’ll give him another six years, but it’s a vote motivated by the local situation, I don’t agree with their other ideas,” he explained.

Opposition candidates criticized the security strategy as ineffective and blamed deteriorating city finances. Center-right contender Bruno Nougayrède accused Aliot of prioritizing national politics over local responsibilities and emphasizing publicity over tangible results.

“These five years have been marked by complete inaction for the people of Perpignan,” Nougayrède told Reuters. “A lot of resources went into PR, but the city itself has not changed.”

Far-left candidate Mickaël Idrac labeled Aliot’s tenure “catastrophic,” criticizing “frenzied” spending on police equipment and surveillance technology while condemning what he characterized as polarizing language.

Aliot responded that voters would evaluate his performance based on their personal safety experiences. He positions the RN as the party committed to maintaining order following decades of inaction by both left and right-wing predecessors.

“If the left had defended the poor, we wouldn’t be here today. If the right had defended order, we wouldn’t be here today,” Aliot concluded.