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ZURICH, March 5 – The ongoing instability across the Middle East stems directly from the breakdown of international legal standards, according to the European Union’s foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas, who delivered these remarks Thursday.

Speaking at the University of Zurich, Kallas blamed the deterioration of global order on major world powers choosing to act independently rather than following established international protocols. She specifically criticized Russia while also taking aim at China and the United States.

“Today, the chaos we see around us in the Middle East is a direct consequence of the erosion of international law,” she stated, claiming that Russia’s military action in Ukraine has emboldened other nations to ignore international standards.

Regarding China’s role, Kallas accused the nation of exploiting weakened international regulations to expand its reach across the Asia-Pacific area while applying economic pressure to European countries.

“Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos,” Kallas warned.

When addressing America’s role, she described Washington’s foreign policy changes as having “rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world,” characterizing the impact on global stability as “seismic.”

“The current direction is a new world order characterised by competition and coercive power politics, a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence,” Kallas explained.

The EU official delivered her comments during the Churchill Special Lecture, marking approximately eight decades since Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the same university and advocated for creating a “United States of Europe” in the aftermath of World War Two’s destruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Thursday that his country has successfully secured the release of 200 prisoners of war through a new exchange agreement with Russia. The freed soldiers include military personnel who were taken captive during Russia’s prolonged assault on the port city of Mariupol in the early months of 2022.

Speaking on social media platform X, Zelenskiy emphasized his government’s commitment to bringing all captured personnel home. “Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back. No one is forgotten,” the Ukrainian leader stated.

Zelenskiy also acknowledged international assistance in facilitating the prisoner exchange, specifically recognizing American involvement in the process. “We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible,” he said.

The prisoner swap represents the latest in a series of exchanges between the two nations since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

Maritime workers worldwide have gained new protections allowing them to decline assignments on vessels traveling through the Middle East Gulf region, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, following an elevation of the area’s threat assessment to maximum levels, according to major labor organizations and shipping industry representatives who announced the decision Thursday.

Approximately 300 vessels currently remain anchored on either side of the Strait as the U.S.-led conflict with Iran continues to intensify. Starting February 28, nine vessels have sustained damage and at least one crew member has lost their life.

Under new arrangements finalized Thursday through negotiations between maritime workers and commercial shipping operators via the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), crew members may decline to enter the region and receive company-funded transportation home plus compensation equivalent to two months of basic salary.

Additionally, workers will earn increased wages for operating in the area, and death or disability benefits will be doubled, according to a statement from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

“Today’s designation ensures that seafarers on vessels covered by IBF agreements have critical protections if they operate in this dangerous region,” ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said.

“The fact we have to take these measures at all is a damning indictment of the situation facing seafarers today. No worker should have to risk being killed or maimed simply for doing their job – particularly when that job is transporting the oil and goods that keep the world’s economies running.”

The Australian Defense Department has filed a formal complaint with Beijing after describing a Wednesday incident between military helicopters as dangerous and unprofessional conduct by Chinese forces.

According to defense officials, an Australian military helicopter was conducting operations over international waters in the Yellow Sea when a Chinese aircraft intercepted it on Wednesday.

The Chinese helicopter reportedly flew to the same altitude as the Australian aircraft before moving dangerously close, accelerating its speed, and then banking toward the Australian helicopter, forcing the crew to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision.

Defense officials stated in their complaint: “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”

The Australian helicopter was conducting standard patrol operations in the Yellow Sea as part of international efforts to monitor and enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions targeting North Korea, according to the defense department.

Officials confirmed that no crew members were injured during the confrontation between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy helicopter and the Australian Defence Force aircraft.

This confrontation represents another chapter in an ongoing pattern of military incidents involving Chinese forces that Australian officials have publicly denounced using similar language.

Just last October, Australia condemned what it termed dangerous and unprofessional behavior by a Chinese fighter pilot who released flares in close proximity to an Australian maritime surveillance aircraft.

Chinese embassy officials have not yet provided any response to requests for comment regarding the latest incident.

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani disbanded the national legislature on Friday and ordered another round of snap elections after lawmakers missed the constitutional deadline to select a new president.

The 120-member legislative body had until Thursday at midnight to choose a head of state, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s governing Vetevendosje party failed to gather enough support or convince opposition members to back their candidate, Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca.

“A parliament that cannot elect a president cannot continue indefinitely to drag out the process as is being attempted,” Osmani stated.

Opposition groups had requested a compromise candidate that all parties could support, while Kurti pushed forward with his foreign minister as the nominee.

This represents the third emergency election in slightly more than 12 months for Kosovo, which previously held snap voting on December 28 following the legislature’s inability to establish a government after February 2025’s electoral contest.

PARIS – France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot revealed Friday that 60 French vessels remain stranded in Middle Eastern waters as regional tensions continue to disrupt maritime traffic.

The ships are distributed between two critical waterways, with the majority trapped in Persian Gulf waters while others remain stuck in the Red Sea corridor. French officials are maintaining regular communication with crew members aboard the affected vessels.

“There are around fifty ships – 52 to be precise – in the Persian Gulf and eight in the Red Sea, and we are also in permanent contact with the crews, as there are French sailors aboard a number of these vessels,” Tabarot stated during an interview with French media outlets CNews and Europe 1.

The announcement comes as France works to establish an international alliance aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes through the volatile region. The initiative seeks to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic amid escalating Middle Eastern conflicts that have severely impacted global shipping operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday his unwillingness to restore a Russian oil pipeline that supplies Central European nations, even as diplomatic friction intensifies with Hungary and Slovakia over the supply disruption.

Oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline have been suspended since January 27, following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that damaged the infrastructure running through Ukrainian land.

Leaders in Hungary and Slovakia, both nations that continue purchasing Russian energy unlike most EU members, have blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking the oil supply. Ukrainian officials counter that ongoing Russian bombardments make repair work dangerous for workers, and that any fixes would leave the pipeline exposed to additional attacks.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Zelenskyy made clear his opposition to pipeline restoration despite pressure from the affected countries.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t restore it. This is my position,” Zelenskyy said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration, considered Moscow’s strongest EU ally, has prevented a 90-billion euro ($106 billion) European loan to Ukraine due to the oil supply halt, and has threatened to oppose future Ukraine-supporting measures until deliveries restart.

Orbán, currently behind in polling ahead of next month’s significant electoral contest, has intensified his anti-Ukraine rhetoric domestically, characterizing the war-torn nation as a major threat. Without providing proof, he has alleged that Ukraine and Zelenskyy aim to destroy Hungary economically, and has warned citizens that his electoral defeat would drag the country into direct conflict with Russia.

At an economic conference Thursday, Orbán declared his determination to prevail in the oil dispute with Ukraine.

“We will win and we will win with force” in the feud with Ukraine over oil shipments, Orbán said.

“We have political and financial tools, and with these we will compel them, unconditionally and preferably as soon as possible, to reopen the Druzhba pipeline,” Orbán said. “I will make no pact, there will be no compromise. We will defeat them.”

Both Hungary and Slovakia have suggested dispatching an investigation team to examine the pipeline damage in western Ukraine and determine repair possibilities. Zelenskyy stated Thursday that no formal EU request for site access has reached him, though he expects “I think it will certainly come in one format or another.”

Zelenskyy expressed hope that “one person” would not obstruct the crucial 90-billion euro EU loan that Ukraine requires to maintain its defense against Russian aggression.

“This is Russian oil, and there are certain principles that have no price,” he continued. “They kill us, and we have to give oil to Orbán because he cannot win elections without it?”

ZURICH – Switzerland and the European Union announced Thursday their intention to strengthen collaboration on security and defense matters, with plans to share more information about global conflict zones from Ukraine to the Middle East.

The announcement came through a joint declaration released after diplomatic meetings in Zurich between Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

According to a draft of the agreement, the top diplomatic officials from both sides plan to establish annual dialogue sessions and increase information sharing regarding regions of mutual concern, including Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States.

The partnership will enhance collaboration on foreign policy, security and defense matters, with Swiss officials receiving invitations to participate in EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings and related preparatory sessions when deemed appropriate.

The cooperation framework also covers areas such as human rights initiatives, peace mediation efforts, multilateral affairs, restrictive measures, consular services, and international crisis management.

The agreement outlines plans to increase coordination between EU diplomatic missions and Swiss embassies and diplomatic posts in third countries and international organizations.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has finalized petroleum agreements with energy giant Shell, according to state-controlled media reports released Thursday, though specific terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

State broadcaster VTV aired footage without sound showing Rodriguez meeting with formally dressed officials, including U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is currently visiting the South American nation.

Shell has not yet provided a response to requests for information about the agreements.

Military-focused state television channel TV FANB announced the development on their Telegram platform, stating: “In a decisive step toward strengthening our industry, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led the signing of important agreements with international oil company Shell. This strategic alliance reaffirms that Venezuela continues to be a safe and reliable destination for foreign investment, driving the development of the hydrocarbons sector and the nation’s economic stability.”

Burgum, who leads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, has praised Rodriguez’s efforts to welcome international investment in the country’s oil and mining sectors, mirroring statements made by President Donald Trump.

This marks the second visit by a U.S. cabinet member to Venezuela following January’s American military operation that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made a trip to the country in February.

Venezuela’s parliament approved comprehensive oil sector legislation in January that reduced tax burdens, enhanced the petroleum ministry’s authority, and provided independence for private energy companies, among other changes designed to encourage investment.

Israeli military forces unleashed a series of intensive nighttime bombardments against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut after instructing civilians to evacuate the area, while the militant organization issued counter-warnings for Israelis living near the Lebanese border.

The night sky above Beirut’s southern districts was illuminated by explosions and bright flashes, according to video evidence. Israeli defense officials reported conducting 26 separate bombing campaigns throughout the night, focusing on what they described as Hezbollah command centers and ammunition depots.

Israeli military representatives had instructed southern suburb residents on Thursday to relocate toward the east and north, releasing a detailed map that highlighted four major sections of the capital that needed immediate evacuation, including zones near Beirut’s airport.

In response, Hezbollah published a Hebrew-language warning on its Telegram platform early Friday morning, urging Israeli citizens to abandon communities located within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the Lebanese frontier.

“Your military’s aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged,” Hezbollah said.

Throughout the 2024 conflict between the two forces, tens of thousands of Israeli residents were relocated from border communities, though many have subsequently returned home. Israeli government representatives have stated there are currently no immediate plans for additional evacuations.

Lebanon became entangled in the broader Middle Eastern conflict this past Monday when Hezbollah initiated attacks, sparking a fresh Israeli military campaign concentrated on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.

Israeli authorities have also directed Lebanese civilians to abandon extensive areas throughout southern and eastern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s health ministry reports that this week’s Israeli military operations have resulted in 123 deaths and 683 injuries. These statistics do not separate civilian casualties from military personnel.

No Israeli deaths have been documented from Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes.

The Shiite Muslim organization, which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded in 1982, suffered significant losses during Israel’s 2024 military campaign.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan authorities began moving more than 200 Iranian sailors from their disabled vessel to land on Friday, after the ship requested emergency assistance while positioned in international waters near the island nation. The operation follows Wednesday’s sinking of an Iranian warship by an American submarine, which has heightened tensions throughout the Indian Ocean region.

Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath confirmed that crew members from the IRIS Bushehr were initially being transported to Colombo’s port, with plans to relocate the vessel itself to a harbor on the island’s eastern coastline.

“The process of bringing personnel ashore is currently underway,” Sampath explained, noting that the sailors would undergo health screenings and immigration processing before being housed at the Welisara naval facility, located approximately 12 miles north of Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s decision to assume responsibility for the Iranian ship follows Wednesday’s attack when U.S. forces destroyed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in waters near the island. The submarine strike represents one of the uncommon occasions since the Second World War where an underwater vessel has successfully targeted and destroyed a surface military ship, demonstrating the widening reach of American-Israeli operations against Iran.

The destroyed IRIS Dena had recently taken part in multinational naval training exercises organized by India, involving military forces from 74 nations including the United States, which participated with surveillance aircraft and ocean patrol operations, according to India’s Defense Ministry.

Following the underwater assault, Sri Lankan naval forces managed to save 32 crew members while retrieving 87 bodies from the wreckage.

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi condemned the incident as an “atrocity at sea” and warned that America would “bitterly regret” the assault.

On Thursday evening, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake explained that officials chose to take charge of the IRIS Bushehr following consultations with Iranian representatives and the vessel’s commanding officer, after mechanical problems disabled one of the ship’s engines.

“We must recognize this represents an exceptional circumstance. When a vessel from one nation requests entry to our harbor, we must evaluate such requests in accordance with international maritime agreements and protocols,” Dissanayake explained to reporters Thursday evening.

In a Friday social media post, he added: “No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every single life is as precious as our own.”

Iranian state media had previously identified the IRIS Bushehr as a naval support vessel equipped with helicopter landing capabilities.

The situation illustrates how Iran-related conflicts are expanding beyond Middle Eastern boundaries into the Indian Ocean, creating a challenging diplomatic situation for Sri Lanka as it attempts to balance humanitarian duties, international maritime regulations, and its traditional neutral foreign policy stance.

Dissanayake indicated that select crew members would stay aboard to assist Sri Lankan naval personnel in steering the ship to Trincomalee, a port facility on the island’s northeastern shore roughly 165 miles from Colombo. The remaining Iranian sailors will be accommodated at a military installation, he said, emphasizing that Sri Lanka was maintaining neutrality while honoring humanitarian commitments.

“We have maintained a transparent position. We will not show favoritism toward any nation, nor will we bow to pressure from any state,” he declared.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike last week, attention has turned to his son Mojtaba Khamenei as a leading contender for the nation’s highest position, despite his lack of formal government experience.

The 54-year-old has remained out of public view since Saturday’s Israeli airstrike on his father’s offices claimed the life of the 86-year-old leader. The attack also killed Mojtaba’s spouse, Zahra Haddad Adel, whose family has deep connections to Iran’s religious government structure.

While Iranian state media hasn’t disclosed his location, officials believe Mojtaba remains alive and has sought refuge as American and Israeli military operations continue targeting Iran.

His candidacy for succession has previously drawn criticism for potentially establishing a religious dynasty similar to Iran’s historical monarchy. However, the deaths of his father and wife, now viewed by hardliners as war martyrs against America and Israel, may strengthen his position with the elderly religious leaders of the 88-member Assembly of Experts responsible for choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.

The future leader will inherit command of Iran’s military forces during wartime and oversight of the country’s highly enriched uranium reserves that could potentially produce nuclear weapons if authorized.

According to United Against Nuclear Iran, a U.S. advocacy organization, Mojtaba’s role paralleled that of Ahmad Khomeini, son of Iran’s founding Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, serving as “a combination of aide-de-camp, confidant, gatekeeper and power broker.”

President Donald Trump may have inadvertently strengthened Mojtaba’s prospects by denouncing him during a Thursday interview with Axios and demanding involvement in Iran’s leadership selection process.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump stated, referencing his administration’s actions regarding former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Trump further declared: “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

Born in Mashhad in 1969, approximately a decade before Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba witnessed his father’s opposition activities against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during his childhood.

An official account of Ali Khamenei’s life describes an incident where the shah’s secret police, known as SAVAK, raided their residence and assaulted the religious leader. When the children awakened afterward, they were initially told their father had departed for a holiday.

“But I told them, ‘There is no need to lie.’ I told them the truth,” the elder Khamenei reportedly said.

Following the shah’s overthrow, the Khamenei family relocated to Tehran, Iran’s capital city. Mojtaba participated in the Iran-Iraq conflict as part of the Habib ibn Mazahir Battalion, a Revolutionary Guard paramilitary unit whose veterans later gained prominent intelligence roles, likely with Khamenei family support.

When his father assumed the supreme leadership in 1989, Mojtaba and his relatives gained access to billions in assets controlled by Iran’s bonyads, or foundations, which manage wealth from state enterprises and former royal holdings.

His influence expanded alongside his father’s authority as he operated from offices in central Tehran. U.S. diplomatic documents released by WikiLeaks in the late 2000s dubbed the younger Khamenei “the power behind the robes.” One report alleged he monitored his father’s communications, functioned as his “principal gatekeeper,” and was building his own political network.

A 2008 diplomatic cable described Khamenei as “widely viewed within the regime as a capable and forceful leader and manager who may someday succeed to at least a share of national leadership; his father may also see him in that light,” while noting his limited religious credentials and relatively young age.

“Mojtaba is, however, due to his skills, wealth, and unmatched alliances, reportedly seen by a number of regime insiders as a plausible candidate for shared leadership of Iran upon his father’s demise, whether that demise is soon or years in the future,” the document stated.

The U.S. Treasury reports that Mojtaba has maintained close relationships with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including leaders of its overseas Quds Force and the volunteer Basij militia that brutally crushed nationwide demonstrations in January.

During Trump’s initial presidency in 2019, the United States imposed sanctions on him for working to “advance his father’s destabilizing regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives.”

These accusations include claims that Mojtaba secretly backed hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 2005 election victory and his controversial 2009 reelection that triggered Green Movement demonstrations.

Former presidential candidate Mahdi Karroubi, who ran in both 2005 and 2009, condemned Mojtaba as “a master’s son” and accused him of election interference. His father reportedly responded at the time that his son was “a master himself, not a master’s son.”

Iran has experienced only one previous supreme leader transition since the Islamic Revolution. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini passed away at 86 after spearheading the revolution and guiding Iran through its eight-year conflict with Iraq.

The incoming leader will assume power following the 12-day conflict with Israel and during ongoing U.S.-Israeli efforts to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities and military strength, while hoping Iranian citizens will revolt against their theocratic government.

Iran’s supreme leader sits at the center of the nation’s intricate Shiite religious government structure and maintains ultimate authority over all state affairs. The position also includes commander-in-chief responsibilities for the country’s armed forces and the Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary organization the United States classified as terrorist in 2019 and which gained significant power under his father’s leadership.

The Guard directs the self-proclaimed “Axis of Resistance,” a network of militant organizations and allies throughout the Middle East designed to oppose American and Israeli interests, while also controlling substantial business interests in Iran and the nation’s ballistic missile capabilities.

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed Thursday that his country made the determination to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei back in November, with plans to execute the mission approximately six months down the road.

The Iranian leader was eliminated during the opening hours of a combined U.S.-Israeli aerial operation that commenced Saturday, marking the first time a nation’s highest leader has been assassinated via airstrike.

The collaborative military offensive is approaching the conclusion of its initial week following opening strikes that eliminated the nation’s leadership and triggered a broader regional conflict, featuring Iranian strikes on Israel, the Gulf region and Iraq, along with Israeli operations targeting Iran’s partner Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Already in November we were convened with the prime minister in a very tight forum and the prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) set the goal of eliminating Khamenei,” Katz stated during an interview with Israel’s N12 TV news. He indicated the original timeframe was established for mid-2026.

According to Katz, the strategy was ultimately coordinated with Washington and moved up to around January following the outbreak of demonstrations in Iran, when Israel grew worried that the pressured religious leadership might initiate an assault on Israeli and American interests throughout the Middle East.

Israeli officials have stated their objective is to remove what they perceive as an existential danger from Iran’s atomic weapons program and missile development capabilities, while also seeking to achieve governmental transformation. Iran’s leadership has thus far demonstrated no indication of surrendering authority.

NEW DELHI – Karnataka, a southern Indian state known for hosting the technology hub Bengaluru, has implemented a groundbreaking restriction prohibiting minors under 16 from accessing social media platforms, according to an announcement made Friday by the state’s Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who goes by a single name, revealed this historic decision during his budget address on Friday, making Karnataka the first Indian state to enact such a comprehensive ban.

“With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16,” Siddaramaiah stated during his speech.

The announcement positions Karnataka as a pioneer in addressing concerns about young people’s exposure to social media platforms and excessive screen time, particularly significant given the state’s prominence as India’s technology capital.

SINGAPORE – Asian fuel oil markets are facing severe supply disruptions as ongoing conflict in the Middle East dramatically reduces shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway, forcing traders to scramble for alternative sources from Western nations.

The supply crunch is expected to significantly impact bunker fuel availability for maritime vessels, with major shipping ports like Singapore bracing for additional price increases in the coming weeks. These rising refueling expenses will ultimately be passed on to companies that transport goods worldwide.

Market anticipation of worsening shortages triggered a dramatic price surge in fuel oil markets this week, particularly affecting high-sulfur fuel oil that typically originates from Middle Eastern sources.

Data from Kpler reveals that fuel oil shipments from the Strait of Hormuz to Asian markets normally reach 1.2 million metric tons monthly, equivalent to approximately 246,000 barrels daily, with roughly 70% destined for Southeast Asian countries.

Total fuel oil exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz generally amount to about 3.7 million tons each month, according to the data.

Current tanker movement through the strait has dropped to roughly 90% below last week’s levels, based on Kpler’s vessel tracking analysis.

“When such a large share of the global high-sulphur complex depends on a single chokepoint, even partial transit disruption can tighten balances quickly and amplify bunker volatility,” said Sumit Ritolia, lead analyst for refining and supply modelling at Kpler.

High-sulfur bunker fuel prices for delivery in Singapore, the world’s primary ship refueling center, have jumped more than 40% since hostilities began, while low-sulfur fuel oil costs have increased over 30%.

Western refineries could potentially provide some high-sulfur supply, but extremely elevated tanker rates are making trade economics nearly impossible, according to fuel oil traders.

“Everyone is struggling to find oil for the second half of March. Tankers are too expensive and arbitrage to Singapore is closed,” a Singapore-based trader said.

Potential supply alternatives include the United States and Mexico, traders noted, though available quantities remain inadequate. Venezuela represents another possible source, but those shipments have stayed in Western markets throughout this year.

“Obviously there is also Russia but these barrels remain sensitive for some buyers,” another trader said. Russian fuel continues to face sanctions due to the Ukraine conflict.

Iranian fuel oil also operates under longstanding sanctions, though China maintains purchases. However, those deliveries have also ceased due to the current conflict.

Any reduction in Iranian high-sulfur fuel oil supply would likely drive China’s independent asphalt manufacturers to increase straight-run fuel oil purchases from Russia, further limiting availability in the Singapore Strait, according to consultancy FGE NexantECA.

Some are turning to regional Asian refineries, but production volumes are expected to decrease as facilities reduce output amid crude oil shortages caused by the Middle Eastern conflict.

In low-sulfur markets, price increases have been more moderate since some supply continues from Brazil and Nigeria, although shipments from Kuwait’s al-Zour refinery remain blocked in the Gulf region.

Future replenishment expenses are anticipated to rise significantly due to broader market constraints, traders indicated.

Although the market is currently managing with substantial onshore inventory stockpiles in Singapore plus volumes held on vessels, these reserves are expected to decline rapidly in upcoming weeks, traders said.

A devastating explosion shattered the quiet of Tamar Biton’s kitchen as she prepared for what should have been her eldest son’s 17th birthday celebration. The Iranian missile strike that hit her home in Beit Shemesh, Israel, created destruction beyond anything she had ever witnessed.

Rushing to the remains of her window, Biton discovered flames and devastation stretching in every direction.

“I couldn’t find my kids, but I was sure they would be able to rescue them from underneath the rubble,” she recalled.

Her hopes would not be realized. A full day passed before rescue workers confirmed the deaths of three of her four children: Yaakov, who was hours away from his 17th birthday; Avigail, 15; and Sarah, 13.

The three siblings were among nine fatalities when Sunday’s Iranian missile attack leveled a synagogue and surrounding homes in Beit Shemesh. Israeli emergency services reported that 65 individuals required hospitalization, with two in critical condition.

This attack represents the most devastating single incident in Israel since hostilities erupted Saturday with American and Israeli military action against Iran. The expanding conflict now involves 14 nations throughout the Middle East and beyond, with casualty reports showing at least 1,230 deaths in Iran and over 100 in Lebanon, while Israeli losses total 11 people.

The surviving family members – Tamar, her husband Yitzhak, and their 4-year-old daughter Rachel – are now staying at a Jerusalem hotel while observing the traditional Jewish mourning period, their home having been completely destroyed.

Throughout endless hours of visitors offering condolences, Tamar shared memories of each lost child.

She described Yaakov as a born leader and gifted speaker who attended his father’s Jewish seminary and inspired friends to embrace religious observance. Avigail possessed intelligence, sensitivity, and deep thoughtfulness, while Sarah brought endless energy to household and community service.

When recounting these memories, Tamar’s face brightened as she recalled specific moments with each child she laid to rest Monday evening at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives cemetery, among Judaism’s most sacred burial grounds.

Yet between these stories, she appeared to fold inward under the weight of her loss.

That tragic morning, Yitzhak had been leading a religious text study session attended by his son and Yaakov’s closest friend, 16-year-old Gavriel Ravach. Both young men perished in the attack.

Multiple families suffered similar devastating losses, including volunteer paramedic Ronit Elimelech, 45, who died alongside her mother Sara Elimelech. Penina Cohen lost both her husband Yosef and mother-in-law Buria. Her son, scheduled to celebrate his bar mitzvah Monday, instead attended funeral services for his father and grandmother, Cohen explained to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his hospital visit.

When warning sirens announced the incoming missile Sunday afternoon, Yitzhak decided to remain in their house while Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah headed toward the synagogue’s underground shelter, following official civilian safety protocols.

Rescue teams discovered Yaakov inside the protective shelter, though it remains uncertain whether his sisters reached safety in time, Tamar explained. The missile’s impact completely flattened the synagogue above the shelter and demolished homes across multiple nearby blocks.

As rescue efforts continued without finding her children alive, Tamar’s prayers shifted focus.

“I said to my husband, ‘Please let something be left of them — or do you think it’s just ash and that’s why they can’t identify them?’” she shared Thursday.

Yitzhak described attempting to search for his children despite overwhelming fear of what he might discover.

“They started taking out bodies, and I kept saying, ‘Where are my children? Where are my children?’ When they came and asked for a DNA sample, I knew the answer,” he explained.

Both parents maintain their religious faith, sharing stories with visitors about Yaakov’s commitment to avoiding digital devices forbidden by Orthodox Judaism and their daughters’ charitable actions.

Yitzhak plans to establish a Jewish seminary honoring his children’s memory, focused on promoting unity among Israeli youth and addressing divisive issues like unfounded hatred and negativity.

“They sanctified God’s name with their life, and also after their death, they continue sanctifying his name,” Yitzhak said, tears streaming down his face.

Tamar credits her daily spiritual practices with sustaining her faith through this tragedy.

“Faith isn’t built in a day,” she reflected. “Faith is a gift from God, and faith is what gives you the ability to stand in front of these challenges, these experiences, in front of these waves.”

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Thousands of young partygoers packed into a spacious venue in Lekki, an affluent Lagos neighborhood, on a recent Friday evening.

The massive hall remained shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by pulsing green strobe lights emanating from the stage, making it nearly impossible to see faces just a few feet away. These attendees had gathered for what they called therapy.

This was Group Therapy, a wildly popular rave event in Lagos that offers participants an entirely different nighttime experience unavailable elsewhere in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital.

For generations, Lagos nightlife has revolved around table service culture — an exclusive club atmosphere centered on how much patrons spend on beverages and premium seating arrangements. This competitive party environment has increasingly excluded young Nigerians struggling with the country’s soaring inflation rates.

Group Therapy operates differently — no reserved tables exist. Party-goers in Lekki moved together in close quarters on the dance floor. A single modest bar offered beverages at prices significantly lower than standard Lagos nightclubs.

“At raves, the dance floor is present. You go to a usual Lagos party, and there is no dance floor,” DJ Aniko, the founder of Group Therapy, told The Associated Press. “We barely have spaces to just dance, spaces you can just go to literally have a nice time. Most places you have to make a reservation, or book a table, it is a lot more complicated.”

Yetunde Onikoyi, 28, started going to raves last year.

“Ever since then, I have been hooked by the neck; it is like a chokehold. I always want to be here,” Onikoyi said.

Traditional nightclub culture operates on a table service model where partying becomes a competition over who purchases the most beverages at premium prices, with seating arranged in multiple tiers including VVIP, VIP and general admission.

Individual bottles can range from 100,000 naira ($72.34) to nearly one million naira, effectively excluding most young residents dealing with challenging economic conditions. Servers parade through venues carrying drinks with LED displays identifying tables of the evening’s biggest spenders. Group Therapy admission costs only 21,000 naira ($15.19), with no obligation to buy drinks.

Industry observers say rave culture has emerged as a direct response to traditional club table service.

“Raves are more democratic,” said Oluwamayowa Idowu, founder of Culture Custodian, a leading culture publication in Lagos. “What this says is that people don’t have the purchasing power to sustain a club lifestyle. Clubs are still open and busy, but just generally in today’s climate, there is more of a focus on you enjoying yourself as opposed to you performing enjoying yourself.”

Aniko told the AP that several patrons have reached out to create separate seats, requests which they have declined on several occasions.

“Finding a place that still focuses on the human aspects of things, as against the materialism or need to amass as much as possible, is always a blessing,” said Dayo Williams, a consultant who had come to the party.

DJs took turns at their equipment throughout the late evening into early morning hours, delivering continuous high-energy beats that energized the venue, building to thunderous peaks before transitioning into new musical sequences. Crowds of dancers moved rhythmically while bodies swayed energetically.

Beginning around 2022 following post-pandemic integration of South African musical styles, DJs started incorporating African sound elements into house music — an electronic dance music subgenre that has become the preferred choice for Lagos raves. These events, considered more welcoming than traditional clubs, have gained popularity among younger generations challenging Nigeria’s conservative social norms.

House music “evokes feelings,” said Zia Yusuf, a content writer and creator who attended. “You just connect to the music, and you connect to the music with other people who connect to the music with you.”

Cultural analysts view this as part of South African musical influence spreading globally, similar to amapiano’s rise.

Nigeria has recently gained international recognition through its artists’ explosive success, sharing its music worldwide while simultaneously embracing various imported genres. The selection of house music is intentional, according to Aniko. Aniko doesn’t want musicians to control Group Therapy like they often do in big clubs, sometimes previewing unreleased songs or dictating the audience’s choice for the night.

“Once you are reliant on the mainstream industry for the music, the mainstream creeps into the space,” Aniko said.

March 5, 2026

Extensive areas of Cuba experienced widespread power failures this week following a major electrical outage that struck the island’s western regions. Officials attributed the latest blackout to the country’s deteriorating power infrastructure and ongoing fuel shortages that continue to plague the nation’s electrical system.

In Mexico City, Colombian superstar Shakira made history by shattering the attendance record at the iconic Zócalo plaza. Approximately 400,000 devoted fans packed the historic square for the final show of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour, nearly two decades after her initial performance at the same venue.

Tragedy struck Bolivia when a military aircraft transporting 18 tons of fresh currency notes went down, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 individuals aboard the flight.

This photo collection was assembled by Leslie Mazoch, a photo editor based in Mexico City.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Ballot counting commenced Friday across Nepal following the nation’s historic parliamentary election, marking the first countrywide voting since deadly youth-led demonstrations drove the previous administration from office in September.

By Friday morning, the Election Commission had initiated vote tallying in 53 out of 165 districts, with officials planning to start processing ballots in all remaining areas before day’s end.

Authorities deployed helicopters to transport ballot boxes from isolated mountain polling locations, some requiring multiple days of trekking to reach on foot, according to election administrators.

Officials projected final results would be available by weekend, estimating approximately 60% of eligible citizens participated in the voting.

Citizens directly selected 165 representatives for the House of Representatives, parliament’s lower house. The remaining 110 positions in the 275-seat legislature will be filled using proportional representation, where parties receive seats based on their overall vote percentages.

Enthusiastic crowds assembled outside ballot-counting facilities throughout the country. In Kathmandu, the capital city, candidate supporters celebrated with cheers and campaign chants.

Political observers characterize the race as a three-candidate competition, driven by citizen frustration over rampant corruption and calls for increased governmental transparency.

The National Independent Party, established in 2022, has emerged as the leading contender, mounting a serious challenge against two established political forces: the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

The upstart party’s prime ministerial nominee is Balendra Shah, a rapper-turned-politician who captured Kathmandu’s mayoral office in 2022 and became a prominent leader during the 2025 demonstrations that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

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

The 2025 anti-government demonstrations, sparked initially by social media restrictions, evolved into massive public opposition to corruption and ineffective leadership. The unrest resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators stormed government facilities and security forces responded with gunfire.

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

Military operations across the Middle East have intensified as Israeli forces launched attacks on the capitals of both Iran and Lebanon, while American forces reportedly targeted an Iranian naval drone vessel, escalating the campaign against Iran’s maritime fleet.

Early Friday morning brought fresh Iranian counter-attacks against neighboring nations hosting American military installations, though initial reports indicated no casualties from these strikes.

The current round of military action has now entered its second week, with conflicts spanning multiple countries throughout the region.

According to Israeli defense officials, their operations have successfully eliminated the majority of Iran’s air defense systems and missile launching capabilities. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a warning that military operations against Tehran were “about to surge dramatically.”

Iranian officials have issued threats regarding the potential devastation of military and economic infrastructure across the Middle East, with the ongoing conflict creating significant volatility in global financial markets.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported successfully intercepting and destroying three unmanned aircraft in eastern areas surrounding Riyadh.

Earlier on Friday, Saudi officials announced they had successfully stopped a cruise missile targeting the city of Kharj.

Iranian state media reported Friday that a governing council convened to plan a gathering of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.

The governing council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian, chief justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, and religious leader Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi.

Officials provided no specific timeline for selecting the supreme leader and gave no details about whether the 88-member religious assembly would convene in person or conduct remote voting.

Facilities connected to the Assembly of Experts have sustained damage during the ongoing Israeli-American air campaign.

Dubai citizens have begun receiving widespread text alerts cautioning them about their online activities.

According to a message from Dubai law enforcement, “photographing or sharing security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability.”

The warning provided no additional specifics.

This development follows similar but more severe warnings issued by Bahrain as the Iranian conflict continues across the region.

The United Arab Emirates operates as a union of seven ruling territories, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

While the UAE maintains relatively liberal social policies compared to regional neighbors, the nation enforces strict regulations on public expression and prohibits political organizations and worker unions.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday that Iranian authorities are holding a second Japanese citizen, prompting officials to call for the prompt release of both detained individuals.

According to ministry officials, the second person was taken into custody prior to the February 28 military operations conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

While the ministry reported that the detained individual remains safe and healthy, they declined to provide additional information about when the arrest occurred or whether it connects to the detention of a Japanese reporter disclosed last month.

Japanese authorities had previously acknowledged the first person’s detention while declining to reveal the individual’s name.

During a Friday parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that officials successfully made contact with both detainees following the February 28 strikes and verified their well-being. The government is “doing everything to support them, their families and others involved,” Motegi said.

Motegi revealed he had asked for their prompt release during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador earlier this week.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has identified the first detained person as Shinnosuke Kawashima, who serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The organization’s report cited an unnamed source who requested anonymity due to concerns about possible retaliation.

According to CPJ, Kawashima was taken into custody on January 20 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was moved to Evin Prison on February 23.

The press freedom organization has called for Kawashima’s immediate release along with other journalists being held for their professional activities.

JAKARTA, March 6 – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to Islamic leaders that he will exit President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ initiative should it fail to serve Palestinian interests, according to a government announcement released Friday.

The nation with the world’s largest Muslim population has faced domestic backlash for its involvement in the peace board and its commitment to provide military personnel for Gaza stabilization efforts. Critics and religious organizations argue this stance undermines Indonesia’s historic advocacy for Palestinian rights.

During a Thursday evening gathering with Islamic group representatives, Prabowo defended his rationale for board membership, as detailed in an official government communication statement.

According to the statement, Hanif Alatas from the Islamic Brotherhood Front reported that Prabowo would abandon the board if Palestinian and Indonesian priorities are not served.

“The president said that if he sees that there is no longer any benefit for Palestine…and that it is not in line with Indonesia’s national interests, he will withdraw,” Hanif stated.

The Indonesian Ulema Council, a prominent religious authority, had earlier demanded Indonesia’s departure from the board citing America’s involvement in the current Iran conflict.

Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s most significant Muslim organization, suggested the government could leverage board membership to promote Middle Eastern de-escalation.

“Indonesia could declare that the (board’s) agenda is on hold until there are talks on de-escalation and peace from the American-Israeli war against Iran,” stated chief Yahya Cholil Staquf in a Thursday announcement from Prabowo’s office.

Foreign Minister Sugiono previously confirmed that all Board of Peace deliberations have ceased due to the ongoing war.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that his nation will bolster its partnership with Lebanon’s military by delivering armored transport vehicles along with operational and logistical assistance, as the Middle Eastern country becomes increasingly entangled in regional warfare.

“Everything must be done to prevent this country, which is close to France, from being dragged into war once again,” Macron wrote in a social media post on X.

The French president issued direct appeals to regional leaders to avoid expanding the conflict. “In this moment of great danger, I call on the Israeli Prime Minister not to extend the war to Lebanon. I call on Iranian leaders not to involve Lebanon further in a war that is not its own,” Macron stated.

The announcement comes during a week when Lebanon has been drawn deeper into the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, prompting international concern about regional stability.

President Donald Trump stated during a Thursday phone conversation with Reuters that America should have influence in determining who will lead Iran next, while also expressing backing for Kurdish opposition groups taking aggressive action.

During the interview, Trump indicated the leadership selection process remains in early stages but suggested that Mojtaba, the deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, would not be a likely candidate, though he did not provide additional details.

“We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future,” Trump stated. “We don’t have to go back every five years and do this again and again.”

The president also voiced support for Iranian Kurdish forces taking offensive measures against the current regime.

“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” the president commented.

When questioned about whether America would provide or had already offered air support, Trump replied, “I can’t tell you that,” while noting the Kurdish groups’ goal would be “to win.”

“If they’re going to do that, that’s good,” Trump added.

According to three knowledgeable sources, Iranian Kurdish militias have recently discussed with American officials whether and how they might launch attacks against Iran’s security apparatus in the nation’s western regions.

The coalition of Iranian Kurdish organizations, operating from the Iran-Iraq border area within Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, has been preparing for potential attacks designed to weaken the country’s military capabilities, while the United States and Israel continue bombing Iranian positions.

Trump also expressed optimism that the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping passage near Iran would stay operational.

Iran has prioritized shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that handles one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Maritime traffic through this vital energy corridor has nearly stopped following Iranian strikes on six commercial vessels.

“They have no navy, you know the navy is now at the bottom of the sea,” Trump remarked. “I’m watching Hormuz very closely.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department announced Thursday it is expanding charter flight operations to evacuate American citizens stranded throughout the Middle East following regional airspace shutdowns caused by escalating conflict.

The evacuation efforts come after lawmakers criticized the Trump administration’s initial response to assist Americans seeking to leave the region since hostilities between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran erupted.

Military strikes launched Saturday, followed by Iran’s counterattacks against neighboring countries, have forced widespread closure of airspace across the region. The shutdowns have disrupted major flight corridors and left thousands of travelers unable to depart.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s department reported Wednesday that the first government-chartered evacuation flight had left the Middle East headed for the United States, though officials provided limited specifics about the operation.

Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson posted on X Thursday: “At the direction of @SecRubio, Department of State charter flight and ground transportation operations are underway and will continue to ramp up with additional flights and ground transports taking place today.”

Officials have not specified which nations will serve as departure points for the charter flights.

Johnson instructed American citizens currently in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel to complete crisis intake forms to receive updates about upcoming flights and ground transport arrangements. He noted that a newly formed task force has provided assistance to over 10,000 Americans since the crisis started.

Initially, the State Department had only issued travel advisories for U.S. citizens in Israel and Lebanon as regional tensions escalated. However, Iran’s military response has struck American diplomatic facilities and civilian infrastructure across multiple countries, including Gulf Arab states that serve as major transportation centers.

Security warnings for Americans in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Qatar and Bahrain were distributed after fighting commenced. On Monday, the U.S. instructed Americans across 14 Middle Eastern nations to leave immediately using “available commercial transportation” without providing government-backed alternatives, prompting sharp criticism from members of Congress.

JERUSALEM – Former President Donald Trump has intensified his pressure on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that the embattled leader needs to concentrate exclusively on confronting Iran without legal distractions.

During a Thursday interview with Israel’s N12 television network, Trump used Netanyahu’s familiar nickname while making his appeal. “President Herzog must give Bibi a pardon today. I don’t want there to be anything troubling Bibi other than the war with Iran … Herzog is a disgrace … he promised me five times to give Bibi a pardon,” Trump stated.

Herzog’s office responded by emphasizing that during wartime, the pardon matter is not his current priority. The Israeli president’s statement acknowledged Trump’s contributions to Israeli security and his stance on Iran, while affirming Israel’s sovereignty and commitment to legal principles.

“The president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the state, his conscience and free of any internal or external pressure,” Herzog’s office declared.

Netanyahu holds the distinction of being Israel’s first serving prime minister to face criminal charges. He has consistently denied allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust stemming from his 2019 indictment. The prime minister formally submitted his pardon petition in November.

This marks another instance of Trump advocating for Netanyahu’s pardon, though Herzog has previously challenged Trump’s assertions about promised pardons. The timing coincides with recent joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran conducted over the weekend.

Israeli law grants the president pardoning authority for convicted individuals, though no historical precedent exists for mid-trial pardons. The legal procedures involved in such pardons typically require considerable time to complete.

A rescue mission to evacuate French citizens from the United Arab Emirates encountered dangerous conditions Thursday when the chartered aircraft had to reverse course due to missile activity in the area, according to French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.

The Air France plane, commissioned by the French government to retrieve nationals from the UAE, abandoned its mission after coming under threat from missile fire, Tabarot announced on the social media platform X.

“This situation reflects the instability in the region and the complexity of repatriation operations,” Tabarot added.

The evacuation effort began Wednesday as part of France’s emergency response to extract citizens from the Middle East region. Multiple nations are currently working to rescue thousands of their people who remain trapped as tensions escalate between the United States and Israel against Iran.

President Donald Trump has voiced his backing for Iranian Kurdish forces to carry out strikes against Iran as a week-long Middle East conflict continues expanding across the region.

Speaking to Reuters during a Thursday phone interview, Trump expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of Kurdish forces entering Iran. “I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” the president stated.

The expanding warfare has now stretched across seven days, with Iranian forces targeting Israel, Gulf nations, Cyprus, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. The conflict has even reached the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, where an American submarine destroyed an Iranian naval vessel.

Israel announced Friday it had launched what it called a “broad-scale” series of strikes against infrastructure facilities in Tehran, while Iranian forces continued bombarding Gulf cities.

Sources familiar with the situation report that Iranian Kurdish militia groups have been in discussions with U.S. officials recently about potential attacks on Iranian security forces in the country’s western regions. These Kurdish coalitions, operating from the Iran-Iraq border area within Iraqi Kurdistan’s semi-autonomous territory, have been preparing for such operations aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities.

Thursday saw Iranian drone strikes hit an Iranian opposition facility in Iraqi Kurdistan, according to security officials.

Trump also indicated the United States should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leadership following last week’s airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “We’re going to have to choose that person along with Iran. We’re going to have to choose that person,” he declared.

However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified Thursday that U.S. military goals in Iran remain unchanged despite the president’s comments about leadership selection. “There’s no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we’re trying to achieve,” Hegseth explained.

Azerbaijan announced preparations for unspecified retaliation after reporting that four Iranian drones entered its territory and wounded four individuals in the Nakhchivan region. President Ilham Aliyev addressed his Security Council, stating: “We will not tolerate this unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan.” Iran has disputed targeting its neighbor.

Lebanon’s Iran-supported Hezbollah organization issued warnings Friday morning for Israeli civilians to leave communities within three miles of the Lebanese border. The group posted a Hebrew-language message on Telegram declaring: “Your military’s aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged.”

During a briefing at Central Command headquarters in Florida, Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees U.S. Middle East operations, assured that American ammunition supplies can support continued bombardment operations without time limits. “Iran is hoping that we cannot sustain this, which is a really bad miscalculation,” Hegseth told media representatives. “Our munitions are full up and our will is ironclad.”

The Pentagon has designated the military operation as “Operation Epic Fury,” focusing on eliminating Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, missile manufacturing facilities, and naval forces while preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

Cooper reported that U.S. forces have struck at least 30 Iranian vessels, including a massive drone carrier comparable in size to World War II-era aircraft carriers. He noted that B-2 bombers recently deployed dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs against deeply buried ballistic missile sites, while also targeting missile production installations.

According to Cooper’s assessment, Iranian ballistic missile attacks have declined by 90% since the conflict’s opening day, with drone strikes decreasing by 83% over the same period.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports at least 1,230 fatalities within Iran, including 175 schoolchildren and educators killed at an elementary school in Minab during the war’s first day. Lebanon’s Health Ministry has documented 77 deaths in that country. Thousands of residents evacuated southern Beirut Thursday following Israeli evacuation warnings.

The military campaign represents a significant political risk for the Republican president, as polling indicates limited public support and Americans express concern over rising gasoline costs due to energy supply disruptions. Trump has dismissed these economic worries.

Wall Street markets declined Thursday amid climbing oil prices, reflecting the operation’s economic consequences. The global impact has intensified as nations worldwide face reduced access to one-fifth of international oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, while air transportation remains disrupted and worldwide logistics networks face increasing complications.

Initial ballot counting from Nepal’s general election shows a former rapper’s political party building a commanding early advantage over traditional political establishments.

Balendra Shah, age 35, who previously served as mayor of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, sees his centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party holding leads in 37 parliamentary seats based on preliminary tallies released Friday morning by election officials.

The results represent a striking shift from Nepal’s established political order. Former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML) currently leads in just three constituencies, while the historic Nepali Congress party under 49-year-old Gagan Thapa shows strength in five races.

Shah’s three-year-old party appears positioned for a potential upset victory as counting continues across the Himalayan nation. Election authorities expect complete results by Friday night or Saturday.

Nepal’s parliamentary system includes 275 total seats in the lower chamber. Direct voting determines 165 positions, with the remaining 110 allocated through proportional representation.

During campaign events, Shah successfully mobilized younger demographics seeking political transformation, drawing substantial crowds throughout the country. His appeal resonated particularly with voters frustrated by decades of governmental instability and economic stagnation.

The 35-year-old candidate even challenged 74-year-old Oli directly in the Jhapa 5 district near the Indian border, demonstrating his party’s national ambitions.

Nepal’s 30 million citizens have endured persistent political turmoil that has undermined the predominantly agricultural economy while increasing joblessness. Widespread corruption has worsened these fundamental challenges.

These longstanding problems sparked massive street protests last September after authorities imposed social media restrictions. The demonstrations resulted in violent confrontations and deaths, ultimately forcing Oli’s resignation from the prime minister’s office.

The South Asian nation, situated between regional powers China and India, now faces the possibility of significant political realignment under Shah’s leadership.

Fishing communities along Mexico’s Gulf Coast are facing an environmental crisis as oil continues washing up on their shores, threatening the livelihoods of residents who depend on the sea for their income.

In the coastal village of Jicacal, located in Veracruz state, local residents have taken matters into their own hands, working together to clear hardened petroleum from their beaches as the thick substance continues moving along the shoreline. Officials have yet to inform the community about what caused the contamination.

The region serves as a major hub for Mexico’s petroleum industry, with extensive drilling operations both offshore and on land. State-owned oil giant Pemex has stated that none of its installations were responsible for this week’s environmental incident.

Local fisher Aurora Apolonia Martinez explained how she discovered the contamination: “As usual, we went out fishing and cast our nets, and we realized that the net was full of oil.” The crude oil has made fishing equipment completely unusable.

Reuters reached out to Pemex for additional information regarding monitoring activities the company promised to conduct in the affected area, but received no immediate response.

Environmental advocacy group Cemda reported this week that more than twelve contaminated locations have been documented along the Gulf coastline in Veracruz and the adjacent state of Tabasco since March 1st.

While Pemex has rejected any blame for the current incident, the corporation has been linked to multiple similar environmental disasters in recent years. Just last October, crews extracted 2.7 million liters of spilled oil from the Pantepec River in Veracruz following a pipeline rupture.

The contamination has struck two communities that rely heavily on fishing and coastal tourism – Jicacal and the nearby village of Las Barrillas. Local tourism operators report that visitors are avoiding the area due to the environmental damage.

Tourism business owner Nicolás Vargas from Las Barrillas emphasized the urgency of the cleanup effort: “What we are interested in is cleaning up the entire beach,” noting that without proper remediation, tourists will not visit the area.

Two major Middle Eastern airlines have started operating reduced flight schedules despite continued missile threats that are creating chaos for air travelers across the region.

Emirates and Etihad Airways began offering limited service from their United Arab Emirates bases on Friday, as tens of thousands of passengers remain stranded due to widespread airspace closures stemming from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

The dangerous conditions became clear when a French government charter flight attempting to evacuate citizens from the UAE was forced to return Thursday after encountering missile fire, according to French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.

“This situation reflects the instability in the region and the complexity of repatriation operations,” Tabarot stated.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad announced Friday it would operate restricted service through March 19, connecting to 25 cities including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Delhi, New York and Toronto.

Dubai-based Emirates, meanwhile, said it was running reduced operations to 82 destinations including London, Sydney, Singapore and New York, with connecting passengers only accepted if their next flight was confirmed to operate.

Flight tracking data shows Dubai International Airport, typically the world’s busiest, saw traffic nearly double from Wednesday to Thursday but still remained at just 25% of normal capacity.

The disruptions have particularly affected travelers flying between Europe and Asia-Pacific destinations. Under normal circumstances, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad collectively handle about one-third of Europe-to-Asia passengers and more than half of all travelers from Europe to Australia, New Zealand and surrounding Pacific islands.

Qatar’s Doha airport remains completely closed, though the airline has arranged some emergency flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Aviation data reveals the scope of the crisis: between February 28 when fighting began and March 5, over 25,000 of the 44,000 scheduled Middle East flights were canceled.

The conflict has also sent fuel costs skyrocketing, with Singapore jet fuel prices hitting a record $225 per barrel this week before settling around $195 – nearly double last week’s levels. Industry experts blame supply shortage concerns from Middle Eastern refineries.

Airlines worldwide are feeling the financial impact, with share prices falling across the board. Qantas dropped more than 3% Friday, Air New Zealand fell nearly 7%, Cathay Pacific declined over 2%, and Singapore Airlines was down more than 1%. Major Chinese carriers including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern saw declines between 2% and 4%.

Passengers describe desperate and expensive attempts to escape the region. Ed Short, who arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport Thursday, said finding alternative routes home from Dubai was “absolute chaos.”

“We paid 1,500 pounds ($2,005) to get across to Muscat (Oman) to get on the plane,” Short explained. “We’d spent about 20,000 pounds booking Emirates flight instead. So we’re hoping we get those back.”

With no end to the conflict in sight, aviation experts predict the disruptions will continue. Saudi budget airline flynas announced it would begin operating limited flights between Saudi Arabia and Dubai starting Friday.

A former newspaper publisher in Hong Kong who received a 20-year prison sentence will not challenge his national security conviction, according to his attorneys who announced the decision Friday.

Jimmy Lai, age 78, previously operated the Apple Daily publication and has been a vocal opponent of China’s Communist government. In December, a court determined he was guilty of working with foreign entities in a conspiracy and plotting with associates to distribute seditious content.

The Associated Press received confirmation of this decision through a text message from Lai’s legal representatives, bringing to a close several years of court proceedings. The attorneys declined to provide reasons for choosing not to pursue an appeal.

Legal experts suggest his guilty verdict demonstrates how press freedoms and civil liberties have deteriorated in Hong Kong, the former British territory that became part of China again in 1997. Government officials maintain the case was unrelated to journalism freedom, arguing the accused individuals disguised harmful activities against China and Hong Kong as legitimate news work.

Lai became among the first high-profile individuals detained when the security legislation took effect in 2020. Apple Daily’s top editorial staff faced arrests within twelve months, leading the publication – which regularly criticized both Beijing and Hong Kong leadership – to cease operations in June 2021.

Given Lai’s advanced age of 78 years, the substantial prison term has sparked worries he may remain incarcerated for life.

Following his sentencing, Lai’s family members suggested that a potential diplomatic visit from U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing might prove essential for obtaining their father’s freedom, noting that Lai holds British citizenship.

The White House announced Trump’s scheduled trip to China from March 31 through April 2 for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though Beijing has not yet provided official verification.

Officials from both China and Hong Kong have supported Lai’s punishment, stating it demonstrates their commitment to legal principles.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Heavy Israeli bombardments hammered the capitals of both Iran and Lebanon during the early morning hours Friday, while American forces apparently destroyed an Iranian naval drone vessel, escalating military operations against Tehran’s maritime fleet.

Tehran launched fresh counter-strikes across the Middle East following a complete week of sustained attacks, prompting U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to caution that the bombardment was “about to surge dramatically.”

Israeli defense forces announced Friday morning they had initiated “a broad-scale wave of strikes” against Tehran, Iran’s capital city. Local witnesses characterized the Israeli bombardments as exceptionally heavy, causing residential buildings in the vicinity to tremble. Additional reports indicated explosions near the Iranian city of Kermanshah, an area housing several missile installations.

Israeli military officials stated their strikes have already eliminated the majority of Iran’s air defense systems and missile launching platforms.

The conflict has expanded to impact nations throughout the Middle East and beyond. During the early Friday hours, Iran launched missile and drone assaults against Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, all nations that provide bases for American military personnel. No immediate casualty reports were available.

In Lebanon, where the conflict has heightened clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah forces, Israel conducted multiple airstrikes from late Thursday into Friday morning targeting Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and surrounding regions. Vehicle traffic clogged roadways as drivers attempted to evacuate or find protective shelter.

American and Israeli forces have pummeled Iran with nationwide bombardments, focusing on their military infrastructure, leadership structure and atomic weapons program.

Tehran’s assaults have focused on neighboring Arab states, interrupted petroleum deliveries and disrupted international aviation routes. The conflict has claimed at least 1,230 lives in Iran, over 120 in Lebanon and approximately twelve in Israel, based on government reports from these nations. Six American service members have lost their lives.

American military forces reported early Friday they attacked an Iranian drone vessel, causing it to catch fire.

The U.S. military’s Central Command distributed black-and-white video footage showing the burning vessel. Iranian military officials had not immediately confirmed the attack.

The drone vessel, designated IRIS Shahid Bagheri, represents a modified cargo ship featuring a 180-meter-long flight deck for unmanned aircraft. The ship can navigate up to 22,000 nautical miles without requiring port refueling, according to reports from its 2005 commissioning.

Adm. Brad Cooper, commanding officer of U.S. Central Command, characterized the vessel as “roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.”

“And as we speak, it’s on fire,” Cooper informed media representatives.

Speaking with Cooper, Hegseth provided limited information Thursday when he announced an impending escalation.

“It’s more fighter squadrons, it’s more capabilities, it’s more defensive capabilities,” Hegseth stated. “And it’s more bomber pulses more frequently.”

Qatar’s Defense Ministry announced early Friday it successfully intercepted a drone assault aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the forward command center of U.S. Central Command.

Saudi Arabia intercepted and eliminated three ballistic projectiles launched early Friday toward Prince Sultan Air Base south of Riyadh, hosting American personnel, according to a Saudi Defense Ministry representative.

Emergency warning systems activated in Bahrain, where Interior Ministry officials reported Iranian strikes hit two hotels and an apartment complex. Officials stated no casualties occurred. In Kuwait, where six American soldiers died Sunday, Kuwaiti military forces said their air defense systems engaged when missiles and drones violated Kuwait’s airspace.

During brief White House comments Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump once again encouraged Iranian citizens to “help take back your country.” This time he pledged America would provide them “immunity” during the conflict and continuing threats under Iran’s current government.

“So you’ll be perfectly safe with total immunity,” Trump declared, without providing specifics about the meaning. “Or you’ll face absolutely guaranteed death.”

In a discussion with news outlet Axios, Trump stated he should participate in selecting Iran’s new supreme leader to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the war’s initial strikes. Trump spoke critically of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, being considered a leading candidate to succeed his father, describing him as “a lightweight.”

“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump stated.

Iran has not sought discussions with America to end the expanding conflict, Iran’s ambassador to Egypt informed the Associated Press Thursday. Ambassador Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour rejected Trump’s claims that Iran desires negotiations.

He explained that insufficient trust prevents such discussions after nuclear agreement talks failed twice and resulted in warfare.

“There will be no trust in Trump,” Ferdousi Pour stated.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. Navy of conducting “an atrocity at sea” for destroying the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 87 crew deaths.

The Iranian vessel was returning from naval exercises hosted by India’s navy that America also participated in. Sri Lankan officials reported 32 crew members were rescued. Araghchi indicated it carried “almost 130” personnel.

An Iranian religious leader subsequently demanded on state television the killing of both Israelis and “Trump’s blood.”

Israel executed at least 11 airstrikes from late Thursday through early Friday, focusing on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods. Blazes erupted near a fuel station.

Israeli military forces issued an alert Thursday evening, encouraging residents to “save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately.” Two medical facilities evacuated patients and personnel. No casualties were immediately confirmed.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported the fatality count has increased to 123 since renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which attacked Israel during the war’s opening phase.

A representative for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, Tilak Pokharel, stated Thursday that peacekeepers had observed and heard fighting, including ground battles, in southern Lebanon as additional Israeli forces crossed the border.

NEW YORK — Global demand for essential minerals that fuel everything from cell phones to military weapons systems may increase threefold by 2030 and grow four times larger by 2040, according to a senior United Nations official who addressed the Security Council on Thursday.

Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted how dramatically the strategic landscape has shifted in recent years. “A decade ago, minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel had limited strategic importance,” DiCarlo explained. “Today, they underpin the technologies powering the digital economy and the energy transition.”

DiCarlo delivered her remarks during a special Security Council session organized by the United States, which currently leads the council this month. The meeting focused on “Energy, Critical Minerals and Security.”

The UN political chief characterized critical minerals as a primary economic force of this century, noting that global commerce in raw and partially processed minerals totaled roughly $2.5 trillion in 2023.

“This represents more than 10% of global trade,” she explained. “Demand could triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040.” DiCarlo’s office confirmed these statistics came from 2025 UN research reports.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who led the session, emphasized that America and its partners must avoid excessive reliance on any single nation “for materials critical to our economies and national security.”

“The work we’re doing today, especially on the strategic importance of critical minerals and energy, is directly tied to preventing conflict and building a world where countries can cooperate and move forward together,” Wright stated.

The current administration is taking aggressive steps to secure critical mineral supplies necessary for electric cars, advanced aircraft and other cutting-edge technologies. China has maintained tight control over rare earth minerals and restricted their export following President Donald Trump’s comprehensive tariff policies implemented last year.

Although both nations agreed to ease import duties and rare earth limitations, China’s current restrictions remain more stringent than before Trump assumed office. His administration recently announced plans to establish a critical minerals trading partnership with allied nations to challenge China’s market control.

China’s UN representative Fu Cong acknowledged to the council that accelerating global energy transformation and advancing technologies like artificial intelligence are driving increased demand for critical minerals and related resources. He noted that supply and demand imbalances are becoming more severe “as the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation.”

Fu called for enhanced international collaboration to maintain reliable resource availability and supply networks, “thereby supporting global economic growth.”

The Chinese ambassador also encouraged all nations to join China’s “green mining” initiative, which was introduced at November’s G20 summit in South Africa to transform mining industry practices.

The U.S. strategy to diversify critical mineral sources includes partnerships with Australia and Ukraine, while also strengthening cooperation with Venezuela and Congo.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced Thursday that Venezuela’s leadership will provide security guarantees to mining companies investing in mineral-rich regions previously dominated by guerrilla fighters, criminal organizations and other illegal entities.

Last month, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi proposed giving American companies access to eastern Congo’s abundant mineral deposits — largely undeveloped due to ongoing violence and valued at approximately $24 trillion — in exchange for U.S. assistance in combating rebel forces and developing essential infrastructure.

Congo’s UN Ambassador Zenon Mukongo, representing a current council member nation, emphasized the importance of private sector compliance with domestic regulations and ensuring their activities don’t fund armed groups or enable illegal mineral extraction.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo dismissed a rival political party’s alternative military spending plan on Friday, calling their proposed timeline unrealistic and their funding insufficient to meet the island’s security needs.

The Kuomintang opposition party, working with a smaller allied party that together control parliament, put forward their own defense budget proposal this week that would allocate roughly one-third of the $40 billion in additional military spending requested by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

President Lai had announced the substantial defense spending increase last year as a response to escalating military threats from China, which continues pressing Taiwan to acknowledge Chinese sovereignty over the island. The United States has also urged Taiwan to significantly boost its defense expenditures.

Rather than reviewing the president’s original proposal, the opposition parties advanced their own plan limiting spending to T$380 billion ($11.96 billion) with all projects required to finish by the end of 2028.

Speaking to media in Taipei, Minister Koo explained that the government’s spending plan covers advanced artillery systems and unmanned anti-armor equipment.

“If everything is required to be delivered and fully implemented before that deadline, it would in effect shut down these projects, making their execution impossible,” he said.

The opposition’s proposal also restricts weapons purchases to government-to-government deals with the United States while blocking commercial sales channels, which the Kuomintang views as prone to irregularities and insufficient oversight.

Koo countered that eliminating commercial procurement options would “create a major gap in our overall defence and operational capabilities and significantly undermine the improvement of our joint combat capabilities.”

The defense minister emphasized that both the U.S. administration and Congress support the government’s comprehensive spending proposal.

Kuomintang leaders have criticized President Lai’s military budget as “sky-high” and lacking transparency, demanding stronger oversight mechanisms.

KMT chairperson Cheng Li-wun recently revealed her party maintains communication with China’s Communist Party leadership and expressed hopes to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a potential China visit this year.

Beijing regularly conducts military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan and refuses diplomatic engagement with President Lai, whom Chinese officials label a “separatist.” Lai maintains that Taiwan’s citizens alone should determine their island’s future.

The budget dispute comes amid increasing pressure from American lawmakers, who serve as Taiwan’s primary international ally and weapons supplier, to avoid delays in defense spending approvals.