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TUNIS, Tunisia — Several pro-Palestinian organizers were taken into custody by Tunisian police on Friday amid growing tensions surrounding plans for a new humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, according to activist groups.

Local media outlets in Tunisia reported that the country’s National Guard financial crimes division launched an investigation into possible money laundering, fraud, and improper handling of donated funds raised for the flotilla effort.

The investigation is reportedly focused on multiple leaders and committee members involved in steering the flotilla project, with some individuals being held while officials examine how donation money was collected and managed. Tunisian government officials have not issued any public statements regarding the arrests.

Among those detained were Wael Naouar, Jawaher Channa, and Nabil Channoufi, all connected to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s leadership team and its Tunisian organizing branch, activists confirmed. The arrested individuals have not made any public comments.

Flotilla organizers have condemned the arrests as an attack on Palestinian solidarity efforts and are demanding the immediate freedom of those in custody.

The arrests came after multiple days of interference with flotilla-related activities in Tunis as groups prepared for a new civilian maritime mission aimed at reaching Gaza. Israeli forces stopped similar vessels and arrested participants during a comparable flotilla attempt in the previous year.

United Nations officials report that hundreds of thousands of supply pallets have accumulated at Gaza border crossings since an October ceasefire took effect. However, Israeli authorities have barred more than two dozen aid organizations from Gaza operations due to non-compliance with updated registration requirements, leaving Gaza’s 2 million Palestinian residents still facing severe humanitarian conditions.

The planned flotilla is designed to carry over 1,000 participants, including medical professionals, war crimes researchers, and engineers, organizers stated. A coordinated land convoy is also planned that could involve thousands of additional supporters. The vessels are scheduled to depart from ports in Spain, Tunisia, and Italy.

Officials prohibited a Thursday gathering in Tunis that was set to welcome international activists, including Brazilian advocate Thiago Ávila, Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, and Palestinian organizer Seif Abu Koshk from the Global March to Gaza.

Ávila’s representatives posted on Facebook that he was also detained Friday at Brussels Airport while traveling from Tunis to Amsterdam for a Hague Group meeting, an alliance of nations committed to legal and diplomatic efforts supporting international law.

Security personnel also blocked a ceremony earlier this week at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port that was meant to recognize dock workers who had assisted with last year’s flotilla mission, activists reported.

Before Friday’s detentions occurred, the Tunisian section of the flotilla’s organizing committee had announced plans for a Saturday evening demonstration in Tunis supporting Iran following combined military strikes by the United States and Israel.

PARIS (AP) — The French capital’s Fashion Week is proving once again why it stands as the world’s fashion epicenter, featuring A-list celebrities filling front rows, daring design innovations, and runway collections exploring major themes around authority, artisanship and feminine form.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey drew attention at both the Stella McCartney and Chloé presentations. Meanwhile, actresses Sissy Spacek and Julia Garner joined rapper Lil Yachty in premium seating at the Loewe show.

The celebrity presence has equaled the artistic vision — with both reaching impressive heights.

At the midpoint of fall 2026 presentations, distinct patterns are surfacing from the catwalks: intentional dressing, pleasurable fashion choices, and bold confidence in appearance.

These are the movements shaping this season’s direction.

This year marks six decades since the women’s tuxedo debuted, and Saint Laurent maintains unmatched ownership of this heritage.

Designer Anthony Vaccarello, celebrating his decade leading the brand, presented a series of precision-cut Smokings — the label’s signature term for its legendary women’s formal wear — featuring deep V-necks and stretched proportions that sparked the same rebellious spirit founder Yves Saint Laurent introduced during the 1960s.

Vaccarello’s vision extended beyond formal occasions.

He translated identical sensual, form-fitting construction into business attire using flowing pinstripe materials with minimal internal structure, essentially proposing that tuxedo styling deserves a place in women’s wardrobes throughout the day.

While numerous Milan brands presented impressive black business suits this season, Saint Laurent’s interpretation maintains distinct territory — more polished, more precise, carrying deeper significance.

Vaccarello’s complementary element involved lace, reinforced with latex and constructed into structured cardigan-style jackets and straight skirts.

This represented lace with strength — resilient rather than fragile.

Combined with dramatic eye makeup, substantial gold accessories and slingback shoes, the collection demonstrated that Saint Laurent’s signature elements remain as influential as ever.

Fashion creators are embracing body-revealing designs this season without hesitation.

Vaquera designers Bryn Taubensee and Patric DiCaprio presented a controversial showcase within a Parisian church, featuring revealed skin throughout — hip-hugging pants, leather garments with purposefully positioned zippers and nods to fashion’s most daring moments from recent decades.

At Courrèges, Nicolas Di Felice constructed his lineup around following one woman’s daily journey from bedroom to nightclub, incorporating body-hugging cuts and angular openings on pinafore dresses.

Isabel Marant’s designer Kim Bekker emphasized brief and fitted pieces with tiny cropped shorts, mini skirts and sleek leather pencil skirts.

At Loewe, the creative partnership of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez continues reshaping luxury craftsmanship concepts — while clearly enjoying the process.

Their second collection delivered sensory impact: inflatable channels integrated into outerwear and leather raincoats, shearling shaped and styled to mimic champion poodle grooming, and latex formed in 3D-printed molds to reinvent intimate wear essentials.

The setting was saturated in taxi cab yellow, electronic music provided the soundtrack, and plush marine animals occupied front row spots alongside Hollywood celebrities.

The design team has referenced artist Cosima von Bonin as major influence, explaining the gingham details and hand-painted botanical patterns throughout the collection.

Their craftsmanship approach deliberately contrasts with designers celebrating imperfection or handmade qualities.

McCollough and Hernandez pursue craftsmanship so advanced it eliminates all traces of human touch — leather jackets thinned to feather weight, joined so seamlessly they appear machine-manufactured. This represents bold contradiction: supreme expertise appearing effortless.

Fringe detailing is gaining prominence across numerous presentations.

At Carven, designer Mark Thomas established it as his confident second collection’s hallmark — fringed gloves, textured surfaces and ultra-thin layered panels bringing motion and depth to skirts and dresses.

He combined sheer organza with lace in wine and chocolate shades, producing romantic yet purposeful clothing.

Fringe elements have appeared throughout other shows, establishing itself as one of the season’s subtle but consistent movements.

Courrèges under Di Felice has emerged as one of the week’s most dependable presentations.

His fifth-year anniversary collection displayed narrow flared coats, A-line skirts and vinyl knife-pleated into dresses — sophisticated Parisian minimalism attracting both younger buyers and fashion reviewers.

This represents uncommon dual appeal, which Di Felice has achieved.

Isabel Marant’s Bekker had models rushing down runways wearing weathered denim, reversible statement jackets and glittering knitted mini dresses with curved-heel pumps.

The atmosphere was energetic, social and boldly enjoyable — representing women moving between fashion shows and celebrations, living intensely.

Deep reds, bright blue and Mondrian-inspired color blocking highlighted the denim-focused color scheme.

Evening wear carried disco influences, featuring flowing sparkly dresses and high-split satin skirts.

WASHINGTON — International law specialists conclude that a deadly submarine torpedo strike by U.S. forces against an Iranian naval vessel appears to comply with both international and American military regulations, although uncertainty remains about whether adequate rescue operations were conducted for the 32 survivors.

According to legal scholars, questions are emerging regarding the legal foundation of the broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and the response following the torpedo strike on the IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.

The submarine attack on the Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka resulted in 87 fatalities, while 32 Iranian naval personnel were pulled from the water alive.

Marko Milanovic, an international law professor at the University of Reading in Britain, characterized the broader Iranian operations as “a clear violation of the UN charter,” but noted the Dena represented “a clear military target.”

“Targeting a military vessel is not a war crime,” Milanovic stated.

According to the Indian government, the warship had recently completed naval training exercises hosted by India and was traveling through international waters on its return journey.

Rachel VanLandingham, a Southwestern Law School professor and former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who worked as a judge advocate general, explained that neither the ship’s distance from active combat zones nor its participation in joint naval training affected the strike’s legality.

“It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t firing at the time,” she explained regarding the Iranian vessel. “It matters that it can be used to fire at American military assets.”

However, the events following the torpedo impact may present legal concerns.

“The attack may not violate the law of war, but that’s only the start of the analysis,” explained Brian Finucane, a former decade-long member of the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser. “What happens after the attack is another matter.”

Under international humanitarian law, U.S. forces should have implemented “all possible measures” to assist in locating and rescuing wounded or shipwrecked individuals.

The Pentagon’s Defense Department Law of War Manual establishes identical obligations for American naval forces. However, the manual acknowledges that “practical limitations,” such as a submarine’s confined space, might necessitate alerting other vessels, aircraft, or nearby officials about survivor locations.

Taking individuals aboard a submarine — among the U.S. Navy’s most secure vessels — also creates complications.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, verified that American forces notified Sri Lankan officials of the ship’s coordinates for search and rescue operations after the attack.

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, informed Parliament that the nation’s navy received an emergency signal from the damaged vessel and deployed ships and aircraft for rescue operations.

However, when Sri Lankan naval forces arrived at the site, the ship had disappeared, leaving “only some oil patches and life rafts,” according to navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath. “We found people floating on the water.”

Finucane noted that without additional details, “it’s hard to evaluate whether there were possible measures they could have taken. But at a minimum, they should be explaining this.”

Eugene R. Fidell, a Yale Law School military law instructor, suggested it “may be a long time before we have a full account of who did what and when in the aftermath of the attack. If as it appears, they alerted the coastal authorities, they did right to do so.”

Nevertheless, challenging questions persist, Fidell observed, particularly regarding whether rescue teams could reach the location quickly enough. “So until we get more clarity, granular clarity, I think it’s premature to make any judgments,” he stated. “I’m being circumspect, but I think It’s important to be circumspect.”

Federal prosecutors filed civil forfeiture actions on Friday seeking to recover more than $15.3 million allegedly tied to an illegal Iranian oil smuggling operation, according to the Justice Department.

The legal actions target funds that prosecutors claim Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani used to “operate multiple distribution companies” that sold and transported Iranian oil and other goods in defiance of American economic sanctions.

According to the Justice Department, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who served as a senior adviser to Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The department noted that both Ali Shamkhani and Ali Khamenei died in joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran conducted last week.

Swedish maritime authorities seized control of a cargo vessel in Baltic Sea waters on Friday afternoon, citing concerns about the ship’s legal status and registration.

Coast guard officials boarded the vessel at approximately 3:50 p.m. near Trelleborg, a coastal town in southern Sweden, according to an official statement. Authorities questioned the legitimacy of the ship’s flag registration and considered it to be operating without proper documentation.

The vessel, named Caffa, was flying a Guinean flag at the time of the seizure, but Swedish authorities determined it should be classified as stateless under domestic and international maritime regulations. Law enforcement officials suspect the ship was operating under fraudulent flag documentation.

Maritime tracking data shows the Caffa is a 96-meter cargo freighter used for general shipping purposes.

Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin revealed on social media that the vessel appears on Ukraine’s sanctions list as a freight ship.

“The ownership structure is unclear and there are suspicions that the vessel is not insured. As recently as this summer, the ship is said to have changed from a Russian to a Guinean flag,” Bohlin wrote.

Maritime officials have opened a formal investigation into potential violations of shipping laws related to vessel safety and seaworthiness standards.

“The Coast Guard has personnel on board to gather information about the condition of the vessel and crew, conduct searches, and conduct interviews,” authorities stated.

National Public Radio journalists recently provided analysis of the escalating Middle East conflict during an episode of the national security podcast ‘Sources & Methods.’

Host Mary Louise Kelly conducted interviews with Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman and international correspondent Aya Batrawy to examine the current state of warfare in the region and its broader implications.

The podcast episode focused on understanding the experience of being within an expanding conflict zone as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. intelligence officials say Moscow has shared data with Tehran that could enable Iran to target American naval vessels, aircraft and other military resources throughout the region.

The sources, who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of the intelligence, emphasized that there’s no evidence Russia is instructing Iran on how to use this information.

This marks the initial sign that Russia may be getting involved in the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran that began a week ago. Moscow maintains one of the few remaining diplomatic relationships with Tehran, as Iran faces international isolation due to its nuclear activities and backing of regional militant organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.

The White House minimized concerns about Russia potentially sharing intelligence regarding U.S. targets in the area. During a Friday briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that “it clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them.”

When asked if President Trump had discussed the alleged intelligence sharing with Russian President Vladimir Putin or if Russia should face consequences, Leavitt declined to respond, stating she would allow the president to address those questions directly.

Regarding whether Russia might extend beyond diplomatic support to provide military aid to Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated Tehran had made no such requests.

“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” Peskov stated Friday.

When pressed about whether Moscow had supplied military or intelligence support to Tehran since the Iran conflict began, he chose not to comment.

Moscow has strengthened ties with Iran while seeking crucial missiles and drones for its ongoing four-year conflict in Ukraine.

The previous Biden administration released classified intelligence showing Iran provides Moscow with attack drones and has helped Russia establish a drone production facility.

The prior U.S. administration also claimed Iran had delivered short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.

The Washington Post initially reported details about this U.S. intelligence.

When asked if these revelations had affected Trump’s confidence in Putin’s capacity to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Leavitt responded, “I think the president would say that peace is still an achievable objective with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war.”

The Treasury Department granted authorization Friday for specific Venezuelan gold transactions, according to its website, following Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s completion of a mining-centered visit to the South American nation.

Burgum, who leads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, has praised interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez’s initiatives to welcome foreign investment in oil and mineral sectors, reflecting similar commendations from President Donald Trump.

During Thursday remarks, Burgum stated that Rodriguez’s proposed mining legislation would generate business opportunities, with operating permits expected soon, and that Rodriguez has committed to ensuring corporate security.

The Treasury authorization permits dealings with government-owned mining company Minerven and related entities for exporting, selling, buying, delivering, or transporting Venezuelan gold to the United States, provided contracts follow U.S. legal frameworks, according to the department’s statement.

The statement specified that payments to sanctioned persons, except local taxes or permits, must go through Foreign Government Deposit Funds, while prohibiting transactions involving debt exchanges or Venezuelan government digital currencies.

The license also blocks dealings with individuals from nations historically aligned with Venezuela’s government, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba, plus joint ventures with China.

Venezuela possesses enormous mineral wealth including gold, iron ore, bauxite and coltan, yet production remains well below potential due to facilities requiring extensive repairs and investment for modernization and expansion.

Both Minerven and state metals corporation Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana have faced U.S. sanctions for years, while foreign investment dropped significantly after nationalizations under former President Hugo Chavez.

Industry analysts suggest immediate export recovery possibilities, especially for gold, but warn that substantial investment exceeding oil sector needs is required, alongside renewed exploration initiatives.

Burgum’s two-day visit included over two dozen mining and minerals companies, with the secretary expressing confidence about expanding both petroleum and mining operations in Venezuela.

Rodriguez, who assumed acting leadership after the U.S. removal of President Nicolas Maduro in January, indicated that recent oil reforms reducing taxes, expanding ministry authority and granting private producer independence will serve as the template for upcoming mining regulation changes expected to reach legislators soon.

In January, Rodriguez reported that gold production reached 9.5 tons during 2025.

WASHINGTON, March 6 – The Biden administration announced Friday that American forces are making substantial progress in establishing control over Iran’s airspace, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt projecting completion of achievable military objectives within the next month and a half.

During a briefing with reporters at the White House, Leavitt revealed that the administration is also evaluating potential candidates for Iran’s future leadership. This announcement came one day after President Donald Trump stated in a Reuters interview that America should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader.

“I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt stated when pressed for details.

In Thursday’s interview, Trump expressed doubt that the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son would assume power, despite being considered a leading candidate to replace his father, who died in a military strike when the current conflict began.

Trump declared earlier Friday that negotiations with Iran would only occur under terms of “unconditional surrender.”

Leavitt clarified the President’s position, explaining: “What the President means is that when he, as Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury has been fully realized, then Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not.”

Satellite imagery and military expert analysis point to a U.S. airstrike as the probable cause of a devastating explosion at an Iranian elementary school that claimed more than 165 lives, primarily children, according to information from American and Israeli defense officials.

The February 28th attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School has drawn the heaviest civilian casualties reported since current hostilities began, prompting severe condemnation from United Nations officials and international human rights organizations. The strike occurred during regular school hours in Minab, located approximately 680 miles southeast of Tehran.

New satellite photographs obtained Wednesday and examined by news organizations reveal the school building largely destroyed, with debris scattered throughout the area and a distinctive curved gap torn through the structure’s roof. Military analysts indicate the concentrated damage pattern shown in these aerial images matches characteristics typical of precision airstrikes.

Iranian officials have pointed fingers at both Israel and the United States for the deadly blast. However, neither nation has claimed responsibility for the attack. During a Wednesday Pentagon briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed questions about the school incident, stating, “All I can say is that we’re investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we’re taking a look and investigating that.”

Multiple indicators suggest American military involvement in the strike. The Pentagon’s decision to initiate a formal investigation represents one key factor, as military protocols require such assessments only when initial reviews determine potential U.S. responsibility for civilian casualties.

The school’s strategic placement also raises questions – positioned directly beside a Revolutionary Guard installation in Hormozgan Province and near housing for naval personnel. American forces have concentrated operations against maritime targets in this region and have confirmed conducting strikes in the province, including operations near the school’s location.

Israeli military operations, while denying involvement in this particular strike, have concentrated on Iranian territories closer to Israeli borders and have not reported any missions extending south of Isfahan, which sits 500 miles from the school site. Meanwhile, U.S. naval vessels, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, maintain positions in the Arabian Sea within striking distance of the target area.

When contacted for comment about these findings, U.S. Central Command officials declined to provide details, explaining, “It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”

Farzin Nadimi, a senior researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy specializing in Iranian military affairs, offered his assessment of the incident. “My assumption is that probably there were some activities recently there and they detected and tracked them, but … they weren’t aware or didn’t have an up-to-date database that a girls’ school was there and they bombed it,” Nadimi explained.

The educational facility sits adjacent to a fortified area identified on mapping systems as the Seyyed Al-Shohada Cultural Complex of the Guard, housing medical facilities, fitness centers, and recreational areas.

Satellite photography reveals the destruction extended beyond the school grounds, with explosive damage affecting at least five structures within the Guard installation, creating numerous blast craters, burned roof sections, and rubble piles throughout the compound. Historical satellite records indicate the school building remained connected to the Guard facility until approximately ten years ago when barriers were constructed between the properties.

Iranian digital mapping services identify residential quarters for the Assef Brigades positioned roughly 165 yards from the school within the Revolutionary Guard complex. According to Nadimi, the 16th Assef Coastal Missile Group operates as part of the Guard’s naval forces. This unit falls under the 1st Naval District’s authority, which oversees the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway handling one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments. This strait has remained a focal point of regional tensions.

Following the attack, footage broadcast by Iranian state television and confirmed through satellite image verification displayed numerous newly excavated burial sites at a local cemetery. Nadimi suggested the school likely served children of Guard military families.

The incident has generated widespread international criticism from United Nations leadership and global human rights organizations. This condemnation comes alongside reports of additional educational facilities being targeted in Iran.

Airwars, a London-headquartered organization monitoring conflict casualties, currently examines three additional school attacks that resulted in civilian injuries. Beyond these cases, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency documented at least two more school strikes within the past 48 hours.

According to Elise Baker, senior legal counsel at the Atlantic Council, a Washington nonprofit research organization, deliberately targeting educational institutions constitutes a clear breach of international warfare regulations.

“Strikes can only legally target military objectives and combatants, but the school was a civilian object and the students and teachers were civilians,” Baker explained. “The school’s proximity to (Guard) facilities and the attendance of children of (Guard) members at the school does not change that conclusion: It was a civilian object.”

Three independent experts who reviewed the satellite evidence and scene footage told news organizations the materials strongly indicate multiple weapons struck the compound. However, any comprehensive evaluation faces complications due to the absence of bomb fragment photographs from the blast site. No independent investigative teams have accessed the location during the ongoing conflict.

The surrounding residential areas show no crater marks or explosive evidence, indicating remarkable targeting precision, according to Corey Scher, a researcher who analyzes satellite and radar information to study battlefield landscape changes.

“All the strikes are clustered within the walled-off compound,” Scher observed. “That’s one level of precision at the block level. And then most of the strikes are basically leading to direct hits on buildings. That’s another level of precision.”

Scher determined the school and other damaged compound structures displayed destruction patterns consistent with air-to-ground munitions usage.

“They didn’t explode in the air above the building,” he noted. “It looks like the explosion happened at the time they hit the surface, whether it was the building or the ground.”

Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer with explosive ordnance expertise, stated the available satellite imagery provided insufficient detail to identify specific weapon types used in the attack. However, he indicated the visible destruction aligned with expected results from multiple 2,000-pound high-explosive warhead impacts. The precise multiple strikes would contradict theories suggesting a malfunctioning Iranian missile caused the school damage.

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, concluded the school and Guard compound experienced “multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous strikes.” He noted that videos recorded immediately after the attack show smoke billowing from the Guard facility, while satellite images and witness accounts describe multiple building impacts and several explosion sounds.

“If indeed it is confirmed that an American or Israeli strike hit the school, there are several potential points of failure in the targeting cycle,” Jenzen-Jones stated. “We might be seeing an intelligence failure, likely rather early in the process, which misidentified the target or failed to update a targeting list following the building’s change in use.”

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó leveled accusations against Ukraine on Friday, claiming the neighboring country is attempting to meddle in Hungary’s upcoming elections where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confronts his most significant political challenge to date.

Szijjártó delivered his remarks to hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Ukraine’s embassy in Budapest. The rally was coordinated by a mysterious pro-government group connected to Orbán’s Fidesz party, occurring on the same day Hungarian authorities arrested seven employees of a Ukrainian state bank and confiscated two armored vehicles transporting approximately $80 million in cash. Ukrainian officials condemned the action as unlawful hostage-taking.

During his address to the crowd, Szijjártó presented multiple unproven claims, including assertions that Ukraine had been working alongside the European Union and Orbán’s political opponents to prevent Russian oil deliveries to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline.

The crowd responded with outrage when Szijjártó claimed Ukraine was attempting to sway Hungary’s April elections to install a government more sympathetic to Ukrainian interests.

“This is something that will not happen in Hungary. There will be no pro-Ukraine government, and Hungary will not have a pro-Ukraine prime minister,” Szijjártó declared.

“Ukraine is fighting for itself, not for us and not in place of us, so we owe absolutely nothing to Ukraine,” he stated.

The rally, featuring speeches from additional ruling party officials, unfolded amid deteriorating relations between Hungary and Ukraine, as both nations remain locked in a contentious dispute over Hungary’s access to Russian petroleum through a pipeline traversing Ukrainian soil.

Petroleum deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted since January 27. Ukrainian officials report that Russian drone attacks damaged pipeline infrastructure, with repairs posing safety hazards to workers. They noted that even if restored, the system would remain susceptible to additional Russian strikes.

Hungarian leadership has blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking Russian crude deliveries and pledged severe countermeasures against Kyiv until petroleum flows restart.

Orbán, who has preserved strong ties with the Kremlin while intensifying an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s election, has labeled Ukraine Hungary’s “enemy,” and claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to trigger an energy crisis to influence the April 12 vote.

The Hungarian leader has previously halted diesel exports to Ukraine, blocked new EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a substantial 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan to Kyiv in response to the oil supply disruption. He has also positioned military personnel at crucial energy facilities throughout Hungary, alleging Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.

Currently behind in most polling data against a well-regarded center-right opponent, the populist Orbán has centered his campaign on persuading voters that Ukraine represents a fundamental threat to Hungarian security.

Serving since 2010, the European Union’s most tenured leader has argued that losing the election would result in the EU forcing Hungary into financial ruin by eliminating Russian energy imports, and that Hungarian young people would face death on Ukrainian battlefields.

Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, visited Moscow on Wednesday for a friendly meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking assurances from Russian officials that Hungary would maintain access to Russian oil and gas despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict and Druzhba pipeline interruptions.

On Friday, he characterized Ukraine as imposing an “oil blockade” designed to benefit Orbán’s electoral opponent ahead of the vote.

“They know precisely that if there is a crisis in Hungary’s oil supply … it is bad for the government,” he remarked.

LIMA, Peru — Peru must provide financial compensation to the family of a woman who lost her life during a government-mandated sterilization initiative, according to a decision from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Thursday’s groundbreaking decision marks the first time Latin America’s premier human rights tribunal has ruled on Peru’s controversial sterilization campaign, which disproportionately affected poor and Indigenous women during former President Alberto Fujimori’s tenure.

Court documents reveal that Celia Ramos, a 34-year-old mother from an Andean community, sought medical treatment at a government facility in 1997 but was instead pressured into undergoing tubal ligation surgery. The operation took place under substandard conditions without adequate equipment or medications to address potential complications.

During the procedure, Ramos suffered a serious allergic reaction, yet medical staff delayed transferring her to intensive care for thirty minutes. She passed away nineteen days later on July 22, 1997. Government officials avoided conducting a complete autopsy and failed to provide her family with adequate information about the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the court’s findings.

The tribunal has mandated that Peru provide roughly $340,000 to the Ramos family, covering both the medical costs from the failed attempt to save her life and compensation for the income she would have generated during her remaining working years.

Peru’s justice ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling.

Last August, Peru’s judicial system dismissed criminal charges against Fujimori related to the sterilization program, turning down prosecutors’ appeal. After Fujimori’s death in 2024, the case returned to its initial complaint phase. Legal proceedings now concentrate on establishing criminal liability for other former government officials, including multiple ex-health ministers.

FRANKFURT, Germany — A temporary authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department permitting India to purchase Russian crude oil for the next 30 days has provided an unexpected financial lifeline to Moscow amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, as energy revenues continue funding Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Treasury officials announced this week that India may continue importing crude oil and petroleum products from Russia through April 4.

The temporary authorization aims to reduce pressure on oil prices that impact American consumers at the gas pump. However, it also highlights how the escalating U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran is creating tighter global energy markets — benefiting Russian crude exports.

Following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China and India emerged as Moscow’s primary oil customers after the European Union — previously Russia’s largest buyer — implemented a comprehensive boycott.

President Donald Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on India for maintaining Russian oil purchases. Indian imports from Russia decreased after Trump removed the tariff on February 6, following what he described as India’s commitment to cease Russian oil purchases.

International benchmark Brent crude climbed to $89 per barrel on Friday, rising from approximately $73 one week earlier, just before the Middle East conflict intensified. Russia’s Urals export blend reached $70, jumping from below $40 as recently as December.

The expanding Iranian conflict and threats of Iranian drone or missile strikes have effectively halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the sole maritime route from the Persian Gulf that handles 20% of global oil transportation.

Vessels navigating the strait, which borders Iran to the north, transport energy supplies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Currently, no shipments are passing through the waterway.

Rising oil prices following the practical closure of the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint have created at least a temporary financial recovery for Russia’s energy sector revenues.

These revenues had declined due to previously low global prices and intensifying Western sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels with unclear ownership used to circumvent price limits established by the Group of Seven nations, along with sanctions against Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

In approving India’s month-long exemption, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the 30-day timeframe would “not provide significant financial benefit” to Moscow since it only covers Russian oil sitting on tankers without buyers.

Industry experts estimate approximately 125 million barrels of crude could be involved.

“This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage,” Bessent wrote on X.

Russian oil continues trading at a substantial discount compared to international benchmark Brent. Nevertheless, Russian crude now exceeds the $59 per barrel baseline included in the Russian Finance Ministry’s 2026 budget projections.

Energy tax revenues can represent 20% to 30% of Russia’s federal budget. Taxation is calculated on oil prices after Russian producers cover approximately $15 per barrel in costs, meaning price drops can significantly reduce government income.

Furthermore, the suspension of seaborne liquefied natural gas production by major supplier Qatar — halted following an Iranian drone attack on Qatar’s primary LNG facility early in the Iran conflict — will dramatically intensify global competition for available shipments, including Russian supplies.

European natural gas futures prices have skyrocketed, creating uncertainty about the EU’s strategy to eliminate remaining Russian gas imports by 2027.

The conflict’s duration will largely determine the outcome. During the first week, consequences from the confrontation that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 are expanding to involve more than a dozen nations.

Energy market specialists suggest that if hostilities conclude within one to two weeks, oil prices could rapidly return to pre-conflict levels around $65 per barrel, providing minimal benefit to Russia.

However, an extended conflict — one causing lasting damage to oil infrastructure, pipelines and terminals in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and Kuwait, driving oil prices above $100 per barrel — could generate substantial long-term profits for Russia.

Russia experienced state oil and gas revenue dropping to a four-year low of 393 billion rubles ($5 billion) in January, with the month’s budget deficit of 1.7 trillion rubles ($21.8 billion) marking the largest on record, according to Finance Ministry data.

Economic expansion has stalled as massive military expenditures have plateaued. With declining oil and gas revenues for the state budget, President Vladimir Putin has implemented tax increases and expanded borrowing from cooperative domestic banks to maintain fiscal stability in the war’s fifth year.

When questioned about the waiver, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged increased demand for Russian oil amid the Middle East war and stated that “India and China are guided by their national interests, and we do the same.”

“We continue our cooperation, including the energy field and energy trade, with India and China,” Peskov stated.

“We note a significant increase in demand for Russian energy resources in connection with the Iran war,” he continued. “Russia has been a reliable supplier of oil and gas. It can guarantee all contracted supplies.”

The World Health Organization announced Thursday that it has confirmed 13 separate attacks targeting healthcare facilities in Iran during current military operations in the region, with officials investigating reports of medical personnel casualties.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed during a Geneva press conference that the organization has documented the healthcare attacks in Iran along with one incident in Lebanon, though he did not specify who was responsible for the strikes.

“WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran and one in Lebanon,” Ghebreyesus stated during the briefing.

According to Dr. Hanan Balkhy, who spoke at the same press conference, Iranian officials reported that four healthcare workers lost their lives while 25 others sustained injuries in the incidents. She noted that four ambulances were also impacted and that medical facilities and hospitals experienced minor structural damage from nearby strikes.

The attacks forced at least one hospital in Tehran, Iran’s capital city, to evacuate its patients and staff, according to previous statements from the UN health agency.

Earlier this week, Iran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva sent correspondence to Tedros claiming that military strikes had damaged 10 healthcare facilities.

Balkhy also mentioned that the WHO’s logistics center in Dubai, which distributes medical supplies to numerous countries throughout the region, has temporarily suspended operations due to transportation limitations caused by the regional conflict.

A senior American military official pledged Friday that the United States will take action following Iran’s targeting of civilian populations across the Middle East region.

U.S. Central Command leader Brad Cooper revealed that Iran has launched attacks against 12 separate nations following joint American and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic in the previous week. Among these incidents, Iran deployed seven attack drones Thursday evening that struck civilian residential areas in Bahrain.

“This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered,” Cooper declared in his official statement.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made a high-profile trip to Jalisco state Friday, working to calm safety fears before the FIFA World Cup after deadly cartel violence swept through the region.

The bloodshed began after Mexico’s military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the country’s most influential drug cartel leader, last month. His death sparked violent clashes between cartel members and authorities, along with car burnings throughout Mexico, with Jalisco and its capital city Guadalajara experiencing the worst of the chaos.

The deadly confrontations claimed more than 70 lives, including 25 National Guard officers, creating serious questions both domestically and internationally about whether Guadalajara can safely welcome thousands of World Cup visitors.

Flanked by her security team and top military officials Friday, Sheinbaum conducted her daily press conference from military facilities in the same municipality where “El Mencho” was recently laid to rest under tight security and where World Cup matches will take place.

“We are here … to tell everyone in Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are together, that we are working for peace, security and the well-being of the inhabitants of this beautiful state,” Sheinbaum said.

With less than 100 days remaining before World Cup kickoff, Sheinbaum and security leaders outlined comprehensive safety measures for the international tournament, involving more than 20 federal agencies, military branches, and local law enforcement.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who spearheads Mexico’s anti-cartel operations, explained that Mexican officials have coordinated with counterparts in the United States, Canada and FIFA to enhance preparation and emergency response capabilities.

The security framework will feature specialized officer training, practice drills, alert systems, protective details around venues, airports, transportation routes and hotels, plus safety protocols for teams and spectators, García Harfuch noted.

Sheinbaum has worked to demonstrate assurance despite widespread concerns, including speaking directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by phone soon after the February violence outbreak, during which he voiced his “full confidence” in Mexico’s ability to co-host the tournament. Earlier this week, she publicly wore a FIFA scarf and posed alongside the World Cup trophy.

General Román Villalvazo, who oversees World Cup security coordination, announced Friday the establishment of three joint operation centers in host cities Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada represents an unprecedented event,” he said.

“For Mexico, it entails two challenges: to present a reliable and secure country before the international community, and to have the capacity to confront any threats that undermine national security.”

European law enforcement agencies announced Friday they have identified 22 individuals connected to a coordinated campaign of explosive package attacks throughout Europe last year, with investigators pointing to Russia’s military intelligence service as the orchestrating force.

The incidents involved detonations at shipping facilities across Britain, Germany, and Poland, with security experts believing these attacks served as rehearsals for a broader Russian scheme targeting cargo aircraft headed to the United States.

Russian officials have consistently rejected any involvement in these operations or broader allegations of conducting sabotage campaigns, including arson incidents, designed to undermine nations supporting Ukraine.

Eurojust, which coordinates criminal investigations across European Union member states, revealed that investigators from Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Britain, and Lithuania worked together to identify the suspects located in Lithuania and Poland, all allegedly operating under direction from Russia’s GRU intelligence service.

“The suspected perpetrators were recruited from Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine and were often in a vulnerable socio-economic situation,” the Eurojust statement said.

“It is suspected that the acts carried out by these suspects were executed on behalf of the military-intelligence service of the Russian Federation.”

Russia’s defense ministry, which oversees military intelligence operations, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Moscow routinely dismisses such accusations as anti-Russian sentiment.

Lithuania’s Deputy General Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis announced during a news briefing that five individuals holding Russian, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian citizenship will face terrorism charges in Lithuanian courts, with potential sentences reaching 10 years imprisonment upon conviction.

Lithuanian authorities reported that four packages containing “self-made, explosive-incendiary charges” were dispatched from Vilnius on July 19, 2024.

One package being handled by DHL ignited at Leipzig airport in eastern Germany just before workers planned to load it onto a Britain-bound aircraft, according to Lithuanian officials.

A second explosive device detonated aboard a DPD delivery truck traveling through Poland, while a third package exploded inside a DHL storage facility in Birmingham, England.

The fourth package, also transported by DPD truck in Poland, failed to activate due to technical problems, investigators reported. None of these incidents resulted in injuries.

Eurojust investigators also discovered evidence of two ‘test packages’ sent to destinations in the United States and Canada, along with two additional parcels intercepted in Amsterdam that were destined for North American locations.

British law enforcement confirmed that counter-terrorism specialists continue investigating the Birmingham explosion. Last year, authorities arrested a Romanian citizen on charges of assisting foreign intelligence services before releasing him pending further investigation.

“The strength of cooperation in this case has led us to collectively identify what we believe to be Russian military intelligence involvement in a series of incidents across Europe,” said Vicki Evans, Britain’s Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

A deadly assault on a military installation in northern Benin has left 15 soldiers dead and five others wounded, according to military officials who confirmed the attack on Friday.

The violence occurred Wednesday in the northern village of Kofouno, where extremist fighters targeted a military camp in the latest escalation of regional conflict. Militant organizations with ties to al Qaeda and ISIS have been expanding their operations across border areas connecting Niger, Benin and Nigeria, transforming remote travel routes into dangerous battlegrounds.

Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an organization affiliated with al Qaeda, has taken credit for orchestrating the deadly assault.

“The attack resulted in the loss of 15 of our personnel and five wounded, whose lives are not in danger,” stated Colonel James Johnson, who serves as spokesperson for Benin’s armed forces.

Johnson reported that military forces managed to eliminate at least four of the “terrorists” and destroyed multiple motorcycles as the attackers fled the scene. He also disputed JNIM’s assertion that the group had gained control of the Kofouno military facility.

The West African nation seldom makes public statements regarding extremist violence in its northern territories, though officials acknowledged last April that a JNIM operation had resulted in 54 military deaths.

Security challenges in northern Benin contributed to an unsuccessful military coup attempt in December, when dissatisfied soldiers tried to remove President Patrice Talon from power. The conspirators cited worsening security conditions in the north “coupled with the disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms” as justification for their actions.

Assistance from neighboring nations, including Nigeria, helped prevent the coup from succeeding.

Benin is preparing for a presidential election scheduled for next month, which will conclude Talon’s time in office.

Moscow is sharing sensitive intelligence with Tehran that reveals the whereabouts of American naval vessels and aircraft operating throughout the Middle East, according to a Friday report from the Washington Post citing three sources with knowledge of the intelligence.

The Washington Post indicated that while the full scope of Moscow’s assistance to Tehran remains unclear, Iran’s capacity to track American forces has been compromised following strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Tehran in recent days.

The regional conflict has intensified dramatically, sparking a cycle of retaliatory attacks by Iran while drawing in neighboring countries as Tehran attempts to inflict significant costs on America, Israel, and their regional partners.

American military officials have confirmed that six reserve personnel were killed in Kuwait after a drone attack struck a US military installation at Port Shuaiba. Trump and other high-ranking officials have cautioned that the ongoing conflict will likely lead to additional American military casualties.

When asked about the reported Russian assistance to Iran, a White House representative chose not to address the allegations directly.

“The Iranian regime is being absolutely crushed. Their ballistic missile retaliation is decreasing every day, their navy is being wiped out, their production capacity is being demolished, and proxies are hardly putting up a fight,” stated White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly in response to Reuters’ inquiries.

The Kremlin acknowledged Friday that Russia maintains communication with Iranian leadership representatives but refused to elaborate when reporters questioned whether Moscow was providing assistance to Tehran.

For Russia, the Middle East conflict has delivered unexpected economic benefits, with substantially increased demand for Russian oil and natural gas, helping to revive exports that had suffered under sanctions imposed due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. During Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, Washington has provided Kiev with intelligence support.

Neither the Russian Embassy in Washington nor Russia’s United Nations mission in New York provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Danish officials announced Friday that military conflicts across the Middle East could delay overseas ballots from reaching Denmark ahead of the nation’s upcoming general election on March 24.

The Iranian war has created widespread aviation disruptions throughout the region, forcing the shutdown of major transportation centers in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. This has left both travelers and mail shipments without reliable routing options.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can’t under these circumstances guarantee that postal votes cast in countries affected by the current situation will arrive in time for the general election,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to ministry officials, the delivery concerns affect ballots submitted from Middle Eastern nations, as well as potentially from Asian countries where mail routing typically travels through Middle Eastern transit points before reaching Europe.

The ministry has not released estimates regarding the number of Danish citizens living abroad who planned to participate in the election through overseas voting.

IRBIL, Iraq — Leaders of an armed Kurdish opposition group operating from northern Iraq have clarified to The Associated Press that while they’re not preparing immediate strikes against Iran, they would participate in any U.S.-led ground invasion of their homeland.

These statements seem designed to calm Iraqi Kurdish authorities, who have expressed concerns about attacks being launched from their region against Iran, worried about being drawn deeper into the Middle Eastern conflict that has escalated following American and Israeli military actions against Iran.

Speaking to the AP on Thursday, Khalil Nadiri from the Kurdistan Freedom Party PAK explained that in case of American ground operations, “then we would enter alongside the coalition forces.” However, he emphasized that “The Kurds must not place themselves as the spearhead of the attack.”

Nadiri revealed that his organization maintains armed members already operating within Iran’s borders and wouldn’t necessarily need cross-border assistance to launch an internal uprising.

According to Nadiri, the Kurdish organizations have maintained communication with both American and Israeli officials, though he rejected claims that they’ve received material support from either nation.

These clarifications follow earlier reports this week from Kurdish officials indicating that Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq were preparing for possible cross-border military actions, with the U.S. allegedly requesting Iraqi Kurdish support for such operations.

PAK military commander Rebaz Sharifi described potential U.S. and allied weapons support for Kurdish groups as “a very positive development,” while also confirming they haven’t received such assistance to date.

Sharifi expressed expectations that President Donald Trump “might want the peshmerga forces of Eastern Kurdistan to participate in the conflict during a ground invasion,” adding that “if it reaches that point, we, for our part, would be pleased with it.”

Both officials worked to address Iraqi Kurdish leaders’ concerns about using Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish territory as a staging area for attacks.

Kurdistan Regional Government spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani stated earlier this week that “allegations claiming that we are part of a plan to arm and send Kurdish opposition parties into Iranian territory are completely unfounded,” emphasizing that Iraqi Kurdish parties don’t want to “expand the war and tensions in the region.”

Iranian forces and affiliated Iraqi militias have already conducted numerous missile and drone strikes targeting northern Iraq, hitting American military installations and the consulate in Irbil, along with Iranian Kurdish opposition group facilities.

Sharifi reported that PAK locations have endured two ballistic missile strikes and four drone attacks since the conflict began, resulting in one fighter’s death and three wounded personnel.

Nadiri explained that “since the (Iraqi) Kurdistan region has adopted a policy of not becoming a part of this conflict and because we do not want to disrupt the stability and security here and we respect the laws of this region, consequently, the environment has not yet been established for us to move our forces back into Eastern Kurdistan.”

The term “Eastern Kurdistan” refers to Iran’s Kurdish-populated regions, according to these groups.

The prospect of Kurdish military participation has created friction with other Iranian opposition factions, particularly those aligned with former shah’s son Reza Pahlavi, who has criticized the Kurds as separatists seeking to divide Iran.

Sharifi stated that his organization’s “ultimate goal is the statehood of the Kurds in all four regions and the reunification of Kurdistan,” referencing Kurdish populations spread across Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria.

Nadiri suggested that a confederal arrangement might serve as a “viable solution,” allowing Kurdish areas to remain within Iran while preserving their “own sovereignty, identity, and unique characteristics.”

ABUJA, Nigeria — Extremist fighters launched a devastating assault on a northeastern Nigerian community Friday, seizing more than 300 civilians including women and children, according to local authorities.

The mass abduction occurred in Ngoshe, a town located in Borno state, regional official Bulama Sawa confirmed. Speaking to The Associated Press, Sawa indicated the assault appeared to be revenge for a recent military strike that eliminated three leaders from the extremist organization Boko Haram.

No organization has stepped forward to take credit for Friday’s mass kidnapping. Nigeria continues struggling with widespread security challenges involving multiple armed factions. The United States has deployed military personnel to the West African country to provide guidance to local forces combating the ongoing violence.

Additional assaults occurred this week targeting the settlements of Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok from Wednesday through early Friday morning, a military representative confirmed.

Military spokesman Uba Sani reported that forces successfully defended against the attacks on Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok communities, though “a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” including a senior officer. Sani declined to provide specific casualty figures.

Sani characterized the operations as “failed attacks” that demonstrated the “increasing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure” from government forces.

Security analyst Ulf Laessing from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation explained that Friday’s Ngoshe assault exploited the Nigerian military’s struggle to maintain control across vast territories where extremist organizations operate. These groups have also gained strength through enhanced coordination across borders and deploying drones for reconnaissance before launching strikes.

“The army is fighting a ghost — fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing observed.

The most significant extremist organizations include Boko Haram and a splinter group aligned with the Islamic State known as Islamic State West Africa Province. Additional threats come from the IS-connected Lakurawa organization and various criminal gangs focused on kidnapping for profit and illegal resource extraction.

The security situation has deteriorated further with the involvement of additional militants from nearby Sahel countries, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its inaugural attack on Nigerian territory last year.

United Nations statistics indicate several thousand Nigerians have lost their lives in the ongoing violence. Security experts argue the government’s efforts to safeguard civilians remain inadequate.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has freed 18 additional prisoners as he continues working to rebuild diplomatic relationships with the United States.

Thursday’s presidential decree released 18 individuals, with 15 of them previously convicted on extremism charges that Belarus commonly uses in cases with political motivations. Officials reported that 11 of those granted clemency were women.

The prisoner releases represent the most recent development in a series encouraged by President Donald Trump’s administration. Lukashenko, who has faced Western isolation following his contested 2020 reelection that sparked widespread demonstrations and harsh government responses, has been working to repair relations with Washington through these releases.

Following a phone conversation between the two presidents in August, Lukashenko has freed 123 individuals, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and notable opposition leaders Maria Kolesnikova and Viktar Babaryka. The United States responded by removing sanctions from Belarus’ potash fertilizer industry and national carrier Belavia.

This week’s pardons push the total beyond 140 releases. U.S. special envoy for Belarus John Coale praised the action on X Thursday, calling it “another notable step in the relationship between the U.S. and Belarus as President Trump has tasked me with getting all the political prisoners out.”

However, the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna reports that 1,140 political prisoners still remain incarcerated.

Human rights advocates continue warning that government oppression persists alongside the releases, with new arrests and convictions ongoing.

This week alone, well-known Belarusian musician and poet Aleh Khamenka received a three-year prison sentence plus substantial fines for extremist activities related to his work with a prohibited radio station. Khamenka was arrested in June following a home search and has been imprisoned for over six months.

Additionally, Belarusian officials this week classified the PEN Belarus writers’ association, which includes more than 100 members, as an extremist group.

PEN Belarus leader Tatsyana Nyadbay told The Associated Press in a phone interview that the designation was “horrendous” because it “puts the writers who remain in Belarus at risk.”

The organization’s membership includes 2015 Nobel Literature Prize recipient Svetlana Alexievich and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner Bialiatski. Alexievich departed Belarus after the 2020 demonstrations, while Bialiatski served more than five years in prison on charges widely considered politically driven.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney finalized a comprehensive strategic partnership Friday, establishing enhanced cooperation across defense, economic, and energy sectors amid rising concerns over global oil supplies due to Middle Eastern conflicts.

The two leaders emphasized the critical nature of energy security during these times of “geopolitical uncertainty,” as outlined in an official statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Meeting in Tokyo, Takaichi and Carney committed to collaborative efforts in diversifying energy sources and expanding trade relationships to strengthen energy supply networks, according to the ministry’s published roadmap.

“The world is at a turning point. We see the manifestations in the Middle East. We see it everywhere,” Carney stated during their joint press briefing.

This marked Carney’s inaugural visit to Japan since assuming office last year, occurring as Middle Eastern warfare raises alarm over petroleum shipments passing through Iran’s Strait of Hormuz. During his Australia trip earlier this week, Carney advocated for reducing tensions in the Iranian conflict.

The leaders also established plans for bilateral discussions on economic security and cybersecurity policies, addressing China’s increasing assertiveness in commercial and military spheres throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Tokyo and Ottawa will begin negotiations toward a defense agreement designed to streamline military visit procedures, joint training exercises, and other collaborative operations.

Both nations plan to enhance cooperation between their defense industries as Japan works to expand its limited defense export sector, supporting Takaichi’s initiative to strengthen Japan’s military capabilities and arms manufacturing to improve partnerships with allied countries.

On Friday morning, Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Japan Innovation Party presented a proposal to eliminate restrictions on lethal weapons exports, marking another departure from Japan’s post-war pacifist policies. Government officials expect formal approval of this proposal within the coming months.

Travel blogger Alyssa Ramos endured a grueling 48-hour escape from Kuwait that spanned four continents, but she says federal officials provided no assistance during her ordeal.

“They keep going on the news and saying they’re doing everything they can to get Americans out,” Ramos stated upon reaching Miami Thursday. “I know for a fact they’re not.”

According to Ramos, her multiple attempts to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait led her to the consular section, where staff members told her they were unable to assist with departure arrangements and advised her to register for the government’s smart traveler program while remaining sheltered.

Ramos represents numerous American nationals and foreign citizens who fled Middle Eastern countries or remained trapped there Friday, nearly seven days after Israeli-American strikes against Iran quickly drew more than a dozen neighboring nations into the conflict. U.S. travelers expressed mounting anxiety and irritation as they faced shuttered airports, grounded flights, and concerning federal advisories, while nations like Poland, Australia, and France rapidly deployed military aircraft or hired commercial planes to retrieve their citizens.

“Having the State Department or whoever tell us, you need to get out immediately, well, but there’s no help. So you’re on your own to get your own travel plans. That was the most stressful thing,” Chicago resident Susan Daley remarked after touching down Thursday on the initial commercial flight from Dubai to San Francisco since Iran hostilities commenced February 28. Daley had been conducting business in the United Arab Emirates.

The Trump administration has rejected accusations that the federal response was inadequate.

State Department officials announced that the first government-arranged evacuation flight returned from the Middle East Thursday, with additional flights expected each day. Officials did not immediately specify passenger counts or departure locations. The agency reports that through Thursday, it has “directly assisted” 10,000 citizens throughout the region who sought help or information.

A social media update from the assistant secretary of state for public affairs featured a photograph of Americans boarding a chartered aircraft displaying the New England Patriots NFL team logo. This plane appears to be at least the second such flight to arrive at Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Through Thursday, approximately 20,000 Americans had returned safely to the United States since warfare began, according to State Department figures. Regional U.S. embassies continued advising Americans to depend on commercial aviation for departure, despite widespread closures or severe restrictions across Gulf airspace.

Without guidance from Washington or consular offices, some travelers reported using WhatsApp group conversations and social media crowdsourcing for commercial flight information and alternate departure routes from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and neighboring countries. Several established GoFundMe fundraising campaigns to cover hotel costs and other expenses accumulated during extended stays in Dubai and additional Gulf cities.

Ramos established WhatsApp group discussions Monday to assist individuals who contacted her through her social media presence, “My Life’s a Travel Movie,” seeking evacuation guidance following her challenging departure.

Within three days, over 2,200 people joined conversations focused on leaving Dubai, Doha, Qatar, and Kuwait. Participants coordinated shared transportation to functioning airports, exchanged trusted driver recommendations, and shared pricing information including accepted payment methods.

Thursday brought a message from one member explaining that her spouse and two children had attempted leaving Dubai but experienced two flight cancellations, with their diabetic 2-year-old’s medication supply dwindling. Fellow members immediately provided suggestions and assistance.

Jason Altmire, a former three-term Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, successfully departed Dubai after the UAE partially restored airspace access and Emirates airline restarted limited service.

“We never heard anything from the State Department other than the general email advising us to find our own way out,” Altmire explained in an email interview. “I found this, along with the ‘you’re on your own’ State Department voicemail, to be infuriating.”

Congressional Democrats wrote Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tuesday, stating that “the lack of clear preparation, planning, and communication to Americans abroad is unacceptable and a violation of the State Department’s basic mission to provide consular assistance and the protection of U.S. citizens overseas.”

Rubio acknowledged Tuesday that the U.S. had arranged recovery flights but faced obstacles from airspace restrictions.

“We know that we’re going to be able to help them,” he stated, while noting that “it’s going to take a little time because we don’t control the airspace closures.”

American Cory McKane, trapped in Dubai, secured departure from the region Wednesday following an exhausting, sleepless, and costly journey to Muscat, Oman.

Rather than risk complications at Dubai’s congested airport, McKane and companions rented a vehicle and drove to the Oman border. There, he reported, taxi operators demanded up to $650 to transport stranded travelers to Muscat’s airport, where flights continued operating.

McKane credited knowledgeable local contacts and a WhatsApp group created by stranded travelers for sharing resources and guidance.

“Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the U.S. has not done a single thing in any capacity. That’s been really disappointing,” McKane stated.

Commercial flight availability has remained restricted since conflict began. Aviation analytics company Cirium reported that more than 29,000 of roughly 51,000 scheduled Middle East airport flights were canceled through Friday.

Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have become crucial departure points for evacuation flights due to continued flight operations in those nations. However, airspace over Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria remained closed, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.

Azerbaijan shuttered its southern airspace Thursday after accusing Iran of a drone strike on its territory that wounded four civilians and damaged airport infrastructure.

Trenten Higgins, who traveled by taxi from Israel to Jordan, managed to fly from its capital to New York Thursday. He described the State Department as unhelpful.

“Every alert that they gave and all the advice they gave was a day at least too late,” he explained. “Even when it wasn’t too late, it was impossible to act upon and then they would just hang up.”

America sided with Russia, China, and Niger on Thursday when voting against a United Nations nuclear agency resolution that criticized strikes on Ukraine’s electrical systems, according to diplomatic sources.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-member Board of Governors approved the measure, marking the seventh Ukraine-focused resolution since Russia’s invasion of its neighbor four years ago. However, this represents the first instance of American opposition to such a resolution.

“While we continue supporting the IAEA’s work in-country, we do not support the Board’s current consideration of an unnecessary resolution that does not help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia,” the United States said in its statement to the board before the vote.

President Donald Trump has recently pushed Ukraine toward accepting a rapid peace agreement that might require surrendering territory to Russia. Ukrainian leadership has rejected any territorial concessions.

Diplomats present at the private session reported the resolution succeeded with 20 supporting votes from nations including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Argentina, while facing 10 abstentions and four opposing votes. Countries abstaining included Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

According to the text reviewed by Reuters, the current resolution used less forceful language than earlier versions. The document stated the board “reemphasizes that attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the off-site power supply of nuclear power plants, including at the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant), represent a direct threat to nuclear safety and security.”

This action comes after America abstained during a UN General Assembly vote in February marking the invasion anniversary, when members approved a resolution supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and expressing alarm over escalating Russian strikes against civilians and essential energy systems.

That General Assembly measure succeeded with 107 nations supporting, 12 opposing, and 51 abstaining.

American officials explained their General Assembly abstention by stating the resolution contained provisions that might interfere with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Israeli authorities announced Thursday that over 20,000 citizens have successfully returned to their homeland following the closure of the country’s airspace during weekend military operations involving Iran, according to the Transportation Ministry.

Officials began gradually reopening Israeli airspace Thursday, permitting limited flights to touch down at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv.

The country shut down its airspace Saturday when U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran commenced, leading to retaliatory missile attacks from Iran that left tens of thousands of travelers stranded in foreign countries.

Transportation Ministry data indicates approximately 120,000 Israeli citizens currently overseas are requesting assistance to return home, with officials estimating the complete repatriation process will require seven to 10 days to complete.

According to Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, nearly 300,000 Israelis traveled internationally over the past three months, while airlines report tens of thousands of customers are now seeking return passage.

The Transportation Ministry stated it is working to increase travel options through air, land, and sea entry points for both arrivals and departures.

The majority of returning Israelis have entered the country through land border crossings into Eilat, the southern Red Sea resort destination.

Israeli carriers have conducted evacuation flights from European destinations to Taba, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan — both cities neighboring Eilat.

While these alternative route flights continue, Israel’s four national airlines — flag carrier El Al, Israir, Arkia and Air Haifa — have resumed service to Tel Aviv. Despite the gradual airspace reopening, only arriving aircraft are currently permitted, limited to one landing hourly due to ongoing Iranian missile threats.

“We are doing everything to return every Israeli home safely,” stated Transportation Minister Miri Regev, a former military Brigadier General.

“With the opening of airspace, the return of Israelis to Israel began, and we continue to work around the clock together with all parties to expand the options for returning and leaving the country in accordance with security restrictions,” she added.

The initial aircraft to reach Ben Gurion included Israir and Arkia flights arriving from Rome, plus an El Al flight from Athens. Additional flights from European cities, the United States, and Asia are scheduled.

Ben Gurion Airport announced outbound flights will restart Sunday, though initially restricted to 50 passengers per departure.

Israeli airlines have suspended ticket sales from March 15 through March 21 to prioritize rebooking customers whose previous flights were canceled when airspace restrictions were implemented.

Iceland’s Cabinet has greenlit a proposal for a summer referendum asking voters whether the nation should restart negotiations to join the European Union, according to national broadcaster RUV.

The government approved the resolution Friday, scheduling the vote for August 29. However, Iceland’s parliament, known as the Althingi, must first give its approval before citizens can head to the polls.

This Arctic island nation of 400,000 residents is reconsidering its relationship with the EU as geopolitical tensions mount and economic pressures intensify.

The center-left coalition led by Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, which took office in 2024, originally planned to conduct this referendum by 2027. However, recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland prompted officials to accelerate their timeline.

During heated international discussions about his territorial ambitions, Trump repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland in his public remarks.

Multiple factors have heightened Iceland’s security anxieties, including inflation concerns, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and strained relationships across the Atlantic. Without its own military forces, Iceland depends on NATO protection and a defense partnership with the United States.

Iceland has historically resisted EU membership due to fears of losing control over its valuable fishing territories in the North Atlantic to vessels from other European countries.

The nation initially sought EU membership in 2009 following the devastating collapse of its banking industry during the worldwide financial meltdown. However, negotiations were put on hold in 2013 when conservatives took power, and talks officially concluded in 2015.

Currently, Iceland maintains access to EU markets through the European Economic Area agreement and participates in the Schengen zone, which allows unrestricted travel between member countries.

The EU is presently conducting membership discussions with ten nations, including Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine leading the queue.

EU membership involves an extensive, multi-year evaluation process overseen by the European Commission, examining 35 different areas ranging from government transparency and financial systems to fishing rights, transportation infrastructure, farming policies, and fundamental freedoms including expression and worship.

Every existing EU member must vote unanimously to accept new applicants. Hungary has indicated it may block Ukraine’s potential membership.

BEIRUT, March 5 – Israeli military officials directed civilians to evacuate Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods in southern Beirut on Thursday, creating widespread panic as thousands fled the densely populated areas during the fourth day of intense fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.

Through a social media post, an Israeli military representative instructed people living in the southern districts to move toward the east and north, sharing a detailed map of four large neighborhoods that must be cleared. Some of these areas sit close to Beirut’s main airport.

“Save your lives, evacuate your homes immediately,” wrote Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee in his warning message, adding that traveling southward could put residents in grave danger.

Television broadcasts captured scenes of congested roadways as civilians escaped both in vehicles and on foot from the targeted neighborhoods. Warning shots echoed through the southern districts, alerting remaining residents to leave immediately.

The conflict expanded to include Lebanon this Monday after Hezbollah launched attacks, prompting Israel to respond with concentrated air campaigns targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, along with areas in southern and eastern Lebanon.

A day earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces had instructed residents across roughly 8% of southern Lebanon’s territory to abandon their homes.

The combination of Israeli strikes and evacuation directives has displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens from both the southern suburbs and southern regions this week. Lebanese health officials report 77 deaths so far.

No Israeli casualties have been documented from Hezbollah’s attacks during this period.

The southern suburbs of Beirut house predominantly Shi’ite Muslim communities and rank among the capital’s most crowded residential zones. These same neighborhoods suffered extensive damage from Israeli bombardment during conflicts with Hezbollah in both 2024 and 2006.