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TELL, West Bank — A mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank was attacked by vandals who set fires and spray-painted hateful messages during the early morning hours Monday, coinciding with the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to Palestinian officials.

The Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in Tell, located near Nablus, sustained damage when attackers ignited fires that continued smoldering when morning worshippers arrived for daily prayers. Dark smoke billowed from the mosque’s entrance, while the decorative doorway bore stains from the blaze.

Munir Ramdan, a nearby resident, described his reaction upon discovering the destruction. “I was shocked when I opened the door,” Ramdan stated. “The fire had been burning here in the area, the glass was broken here, and the door was broken.”

Surveillance video captured two individuals approaching the religious building while carrying gasoline and spray paint before fleeing moments later, according to Ramdan.

Palestinian religious authorities report that 45 mosques across the West Bank faced vandalism or attacks from settlers during the previous year. This latest incident occurred as Muslims worldwide began observing Ramadan.

Tell resident Salem Ishtayeh explained the timing’s significance, saying: “The provocation is directed especially at the person who is fasting, because you are fasting and entering a month of mercy and forgiveness from God. So they like to provoke you with words — it’s not that they are attacking you personally, they are attacking your religion, the Islamic faith.”

Israeli military and police officials confirmed their response to the incident and stated they are actively seeking the perpetrators. Military representatives said they “strongly condemn” any damage inflicted upon religious sites.

Palestinian officials and human rights organizations maintain that Israeli authorities consistently fail to pursue legal action against settlers or ensure accountability for acts of violence.

Settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have escalated recently. Just last week, settlers fatally shot Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian-American.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered inside a Catholic cathedral in Uganda’s capital Monday for a prayer service supporting detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, defying government pressure to cancel the event as they demanded his release after more than a year behind bars on treason charges.

The planned Mass at Lubaga Cathedral was supposed to be led by Kampala’s archbishop, Paul Ssemogerere, but attendees learned upon arrival that the service had been delayed. Archdiocese chancellor Pius Male explained to The Associated Press that the archbishop requested the postponement “because there were issues which were still being discussed so that may have harmony,” though he declined to elaborate.

Rather than leaving, the crowd inside the cathedral sang religious songs and offered prayers, with Winnie Byanyima leading the gathering. Byanyima serves as UNAIDS director and is Besigye’s wife, having married him in the same church years earlier.

This marked the first organized religious gathering advocating for Besigye’s freedom. The 69-year-old has made several court appearances in a wheelchair and continues to be refused bail despite widespread calls for mercy from Ugandans. His formal trial has yet to begin.

Byanyima informed those present that the archbishop had received word from President Yoweri Museveni asking to delay the event while officials determined whether it constituted political activity.

“So we are here and unable to have the Mass that we wanted because of the order of our president,” she said. “I would like that we still pray because we came to pray.”

Presidential spokesperson Sandor Walusimbi did not return calls seeking comment.

Museveni has previously stated that Besigye must face consequences for “the very serious offenses he is alleged to have been planning,” while advocating for “a quick trial so that facts come out.”

Besigye, formerly Uganda’s leading opposition voice and a candidate in four presidential races, stands accused of conspiring to overthrow Museveni through violent means.

The opposition figure vanished while in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2024. Several days afterward, he appeared before a military court in Kampala facing national security-related accusations. The case was subsequently moved to civilian courts and upgraded to treason charges, which could result in execution.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and Uganda’s chief military officer, has claimed Besigye planned to assassinate the president. Last week, Kainerugaba referred to Besigye as “a dead man walking.”

Advocates pushing for Besigye’s compassionate release cite his advanced age and argue he should be allowed to see a physician of his choosing rather than only government-selected medical staff at the high-security prison where he’s detained.

Besigye previously served as one of Museveni’s closest allies during the rebel campaign that brought the current president to power in 1986. He worked as both Museveni’s personal physician and military aide.

He eventually became one of the president’s harshest critics, denouncing what he viewed as a slide toward dictatorship that violated the democratic ideals of Museveni’s initial leadership. Constitutional restrictions on presidential terms and age have since been eliminated.

Museveni was announced as the victor in last month’s election with over 71% of votes cast, securing his seventh consecutive term. His primary challenger, opposition leader known as Bobi Wine, has since gone into hiding due to safety concerns.

BRUSSELS – The European Union announced Monday it has targeted eight Russian officials with fresh sanctions over alleged severe human rights abuses and attacks on democratic institutions within Russia, according to a statement from the Council.

Those facing penalties include judicial officials who handed down sentences to well-known Russian opposition figures in what European leaders characterize as cases driven by political motives, along with administrators of correctional facilities where political detainees endured cruel and dehumanizing treatment, the announcement detailed.

Among those hit with sanctions are Aleksei Vasilyevich Valizer, who runs a correctional facility, and Anton Vladimirovisch Rychar, who oversees a detention center for those awaiting trial.

The penalties prevent the eight individuals from entering or passing through European Union territory, lock down any assets they hold, and prohibit European individuals and businesses from providing them with financial resources, the statement explained.

LONDON – The populist Reform UK party announced sweeping immigration proposals on Monday, calling for the establishment of a deportation agency modeled after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove thousands of undocumented migrants from Britain.

The party, headed by Brexit advocate Nigel Farage, is leading in polling data ahead of the country’s next election scheduled for August 2029 at the latest. Reform UK has been increasing its policy announcements as it seeks to demonstrate its readiness to lead the nation.

Speaking from Dover, the primary entry point for migrants crossing from France, Reform’s home affairs policy leader Zia Yusuf characterized current immigration levels as a crisis requiring immediate action. Yusuf, whose parents were immigrants themselves, called for the creation of a “Deportation Command” similar to America’s ICE.

“Our country is being invaded … Make no mistake, as Home Secretary (interior minister) I will end and indeed reverse this invasion,” Yusuf declared to assembled reporters at the English Channel port city.

The ruling Labour Party responded by highlighting its own immigration enforcement efforts, noting it has expelled nearly 60,000 individuals without legal status since taking office in 2024.

“Reform wants to divide our country, not deliver for the British people,” stated Labour party chair Anna Turley.

Though Reform holds just eight seats in Britain’s 650-member parliament, the party expresses growing confidence about defeating both Labour and the Conservative opposition in a nation where immigration ranks among voters’ primary concerns.

Government statistics show that while Britain’s overall net migration decreased last year, Channel crossings have increased. More than 41,000 asylum seekers arrived via small boats in 2025, marking the second-highest total ever recorded.

In Reform’s most comprehensive immigration policy outline to date, Yusuf proposed an “Illegal Migration Mass Deportation Act” that would mandate government deportations of undocumented migrants while preventing judicial interference.

The proposed Deportation Command would have capacity to remove up to 288,000 people annually, according to Yusuf, who drew parallels to ICE while claiming Britain would avoid similar controversies that have plagued the U.S. agency.

ICE operations in America have faced significant criticism, particularly following incidents where agents killed two American citizens in separate Minneapolis encounters. While U.S. officials supported the agents involved, ICE has since reduced large-scale street operations.

Additional Reform proposals include ending benefit payments to foreign nationals and imposing visa restrictions on countries like Pakistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan for allegedly refusing to accept returned migrants.

Nigerian law enforcement officials report that 38 individuals lost their lives while numerous others were taken captive during a violent assault last Thursday in the country’s northwestern Zamfara state.

State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar revealed to The Associated Press that authorities had received advance warning about the impending assault, but poor transportation infrastructure prevented officers from arriving at the location before the violence occurred.

“By the time we have our way, the assailants have invaded the community and killed 38 while also abducting many residents,” Abubakar stated on Monday.

According to Abubakar, officials in the West African country are currently working to create a comprehensive record of the women and children who were taken during the raid.

The violence occurred in Tungan Duste, located within the Anka local government district of Zamfara state, marking another incident in a series of civilian attacks plaguing Nigeria’s northern territories where such violence occurs regularly. A separate incident in neighboring Kebbi resulted in 33 deaths during coordinated strikes the same week.

On Sunday, the African Union, representing 55 continental member nations, issued a condemnation of the assault and demanded the immediate freedom of all captured women and children.

“The African Union unequivocally rejects all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children, as grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability,” the organization said in a statement.

Nigeria continues to confront a multifaceted security emergency involving various militant organizations. American military personnel have been deployed to the West African country to provide strategic guidance to Nigerian forces in their efforts to combat widespread insecurity.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Survivors of a deadly attack in South Sudan report that over a dozen civilians lost their lives after being deceived by government-allied fighters who falsely promised food aid registration.

The tragic incident occurred Saturday morning in Pankor village, located in Ayod County within conflict-torn Jonglei State, approximately 250 miles north of Juba, the nation’s capital. The victims included women and children.

Two survivors, who requested anonymity fearing reprisals, described how dozens of armed fighters arrived in pickup trucks and used loudspeakers to announce they were there to register villagers for food assistance.

“They gathered them in a luak,” one witness explained, describing a traditional mud structure typically used for cattle. “People were thinking they would get aid or some help.”

The fighters then restrained several men’s hands and began shooting at the assembled group. While the two survivors reported 22 deaths and multiple injuries, the government-appointed county commissioner stated 16 people died. The Associated Press could not independently confirm either count.

Graphic photographs obtained by the AP from an opposition representative showed bodies of women and young men, some with bound hands, appearing to have been shot at close range.

Makuach Muot, 34, made the journey to Pankor on Sunday to attend funeral services for eight family members. He explained that most village residents had evacuated due to earlier fighting, leaving primarily elderly residents and young children behind.

Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang was unavailable for comment.

James Chuol Jiek, Ayod’s government-appointed county commissioner, verified that more than a dozen people, primarily women and children, died in the assault.

According to Jiek, the attackers were members of the Agwelek militia, composed of fighters from the Shilluk ethnic community who remain outside full national army integration despite participating extensively in recent military campaigns.

Jiek reported that the fighters departed their base overnight without their commander’s authorization. He said they claimed the killings were retaliation for a 2022 Nuer militia assault on Shilluk communities that resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and abductions.

The county commissioner denounced the killings and announced that multiple officers had been detained while the army confiscated weapons from 150 fighters in the involved battalion. He rejected claims that civilians were deceived with aid registration promises, calling this “an opposition lie.”

In January, Agwelek militia leader Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony was recorded instructing his troops to target civilians during Jonglei state operations. “Spare no lives,” he commanded. “When we arrive there, don’t spare an elderly, don’t spare a chicken, don’t spare a house or anything.”

His statements prompted widespread condemnation from the United Nations and other organizations. Olony has since issued an apology.

Ongoing armed conflicts, aerial strikes, and prolonged severe flooding have created severe food insecurity for more than half of Ayod County’s population.

Ayod County sits in northern Jonglei state, an opposition stronghold and center of renewed violence that the U.N. estimates has displaced 280,000 people since December. Humanitarian organizations have cautioned that restricted access to opposition-controlled areas threatens civilian safety.

Northern Jonglei residents are predominantly from the Nuer ethnic community of suspended vice president and opposition figure Riek Machar.

Opposition leaders have consistently characterized government actions in Nuer territories as “genocidal.” Reath Tang Muoch, a senior SPLM-IO official, described Olony’s recorded statements as “an early indicator of genocidal intent.”

Ukrainian military leadership announced Monday that their forces have successfully reclaimed 400 square kilometers of land, encompassing eight communities, in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region since the final weeks of January.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi revealed these territorial victories, which represent an unusual bright spot for Ukrainian forces amid what has largely been a pattern of gradual Russian territorial expansion over the conflict’s duration.

The announcement comes as Ukraine approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military assault, which began on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian officials appear eager to demonstrate military progress to international observers, especially to U.S. President Donald Trump, as Washington increases diplomatic pressure for peace negotiations.

Syrskyi’s announcement left unclear whether the recaptured areas had been under direct Russian occupation or were part of contested “grey zone” territories where neither military maintained firm control.

Ukrainian military officials have not yet provided additional details when asked for clarification about the nature of the reclaimed territory.

Modern warfare conditions have made frontline boundaries increasingly fluid, with thousands of unmanned aircraft operating daily overhead, forcing ground troops to seek underground shelter and creating areas where neither army maintains complete authority.

President Trump has previously argued that Ukraine should consider territorial concessions, suggesting the country risks defeat in the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian leadership and European partners have contested this assessment, emphasizing that Russian forces have secured barely more than 1% of Ukrainian territory since 2023, while suffering substantial casualties and facing increasing threats to Moscow’s critical petroleum facilities from Ukrainian drone operations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commended Ukraine’s February territorial successes as “astonishing” on Monday, arguing these victories prove Ukrainian military resistance remains more capable than commonly believed.

JOHANNESBURG – Conservative writer and activist Leo Brent Bozell III officially began his role as the United States ambassador to South Africa on Monday, formally presenting his diplomatic credentials to government officials in Johannesburg.

According to South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry, Bozell delivered his official letters of credence to Deputy Director-General Clayson Monyela during the formal ceremony.

The new ambassador’s arrival earlier this month comes during a particularly challenging period for diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Recent tensions have emerged over multiple issues, including President Trump’s allegations that South Africa mistreats its white population, criticism of the country’s relationships with Russia and China, the implementation of significant trade tariffs on South African goods, and the complete elimination of US aid to the nation.

South African officials have firmly denied any persecution of white citizens within their borders.

During his Senate confirmation process in October, Bozell expressed optimism about his diplomatic mission, stating he would approach his ambassadorship “with respect for the South African people” and noting he saw “real opportunity for a lasting partnership” even amid current disagreements between the countries.

The diplomatic relationship has been further complicated by the fact that South Africa currently has no ambassador stationed in Washington, following the Trump administration’s decision to expel the previous representative.

JOHANNESBURG – The youngest child of Zimbabwe’s late former president Robert Mugabe made his initial court appearance Monday in South Africa, facing charges of attempted murder following a shooting incident that injured a groundskeeper at a Johannesburg residence where he had been living.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe was not required to submit a plea during the hearing. The proceedings involving him and another defendant have been delayed until March 3 to permit additional investigation work.

The court determined that Bellarmine Mugabe, thought to be in his late twenties, will stay behind bars until his upcoming hearing date.

The two defendants are also facing charges related to obstructing justice, since authorities have not yet located the firearm believed to have been used in the incident.

Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, representing Bellarmine Mugabe, refused to discuss his client’s stance regarding the accusations, stating he would provide a response to Reuters at a later time.

According to a police representative, the groundskeeper continues to receive medical treatment at a hospital after being shot on Thursday.

Robert Mugabe led Zimbabwe for nearly four decades following the country’s independence from British rule in 1980. Military forces removed him from power in 2017, and he passed away in 2019 at a Singapore medical facility at age 95.

LONDON – Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his government’s support for efforts to strip Prince Andrew from the British royal succession line, according to correspondence released by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on February 23.

The development follows last week’s announcement from a British official that the UK government is exploring legislative options to permanently bar Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who currently holds the eighth position in the royal succession, from ascending to the throne. This consideration comes after his arrest in connection with an ongoing police probe into his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

The matter carries significance for Australia since King Charles serves not only as Britain’s monarch and head of state, but also holds the same roles across Australia and 13 additional nations.

According to the correspondence, Albanese informed Starmer that his administration would support any initiative aimed at removing Mountbatten-Windsor from the succession order given recent developments.

“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation,” Albanese wrote in his letter. “These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”

Iraq’s top diplomat announced Monday that Turkey has committed to accepting the return of its nationals who are among thousands of ISIS detainees recently moved from Syria to Iraq following the closure of detention facilities.

The massive transfer of prisoners took place through a U.S.-coordinated operation after Kurdish military forces pulled back and closed detention camps and facilities that had held suspected Islamic State members for almost ten years.

Iraqi officials have stated they plan to prosecute the suspects under their own terrorism laws, while simultaneously urging other nations to reclaim their citizens from the detainee population.

During discussions with U.S. representative Tom Barrack, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed that Iraq is conducting negotiations with multiple countries regarding the return of their nationals and has successfully secured Turkey’s cooperation.

Speaking to the U.N. Human Rights Council in a separate address, Hussein stated: “We would call the states across the world to recover their citizens who’ve been involved in terrorist acts so that they be tried in their countries of origin.”

The situation involving suspected ISIS fighters and thousands of associated women and children has become critically urgent following the collapse of Kurdish security forces amid a Syrian government military campaign.

During its peak control between 2014 and 2017, the Islamic State commanded vast territories across Syria and Iraq under its declared caliphate, governing millions while drawing foreign fighters from around the globe. The extremist group’s control ended following coordinated military operations by regional authorities and a coalition led by the United States.

Hungary appeared poised Monday to obstruct additional European Union penalties against Russia and prevent a 90-billion-euro financial package for Ukraine, while strikes in Ukraine’s Odesa region claimed two lives just before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military assault.

With Tuesday marking four years since the invasion began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared to the BBC that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “already started” a third world war, urging global leaders to apply maximum pressure in response.

“The question is how much territory he (Putin) will be able to seize and how to stop him… Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves,” Zelenskyy stated.

Moscow has consistently rejected accusations of seeking broader confrontation with Western nations, describing its “special military operation” in Ukraine as necessary to defend against what it characterizes as Western hostility and aggression. Ukrainian officials and their Western supporters maintain Putin is pursuing territorial expansion in an imperial fashion.

American officials have attempted to facilitate negotiations between the warring nations, though meaningful progress remains out of reach. The most recent diplomatic discussions in Geneva on February 17-18 failed to produce any significant breakthrough.

Moscow demands Ukraine surrender approximately 20% of the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control, a requirement Zelenskyy firmly rejected during his BBC appearance, explaining it would mean “abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.”

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks coincided with Hungary’s pledge to obstruct the EU’s 20th sanctions package targeting Russia and the 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) Ukrainian loan due to an oil pipeline disruption that Budapest attributes to Kyiv.

European Union foreign ministers convened in Brussels following escalating tensions between Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine regarding the Druzhba pipeline outage, which threatens to undermine the bloc’s latest support efforts for Ukraine.

Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through Druzhba ceased on January 27, when Ukrainian officials reported a Russian drone strike damaged pipeline infrastructure. Both Slovakia and Hungary hold Ukraine responsible for the extended disruption.

“We do not hate Ukraine… but the Ukrainian state behaves in a hostile manner towards Hungary,” declared Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. “The ball is in Ukraine’s court.”

In correspondence reviewed by Reuters, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban informed European Council leader Antonio Costa that the Druzhba disruption represented an “unprovoked act of hostility that undermines the energy security of Hungary,” promising to block the loan until resolution.

Orban, who has preserved friendly ties with Russia, has framed Hungary’s April 12 election as a fundamental decision between “war or peace,” claiming his political rivals seek to involve the nation in the conflict, allegations they vehemently reject.

EU foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas indicated member nations would likely fail to reach consensus on the proposed Russian sanctions package during Monday’s session, though negotiations are expected to continue until agreement is achieved.

Both Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine unless oil shipments resume, though operational data from Slovakia’s transmission operator SEPS showed power exports to Ukraine continued Monday.

German and Polish foreign ministers both pressed Hungary to reconsider its stance.

“I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine,” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Brussels reporters, referencing the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary.

“And instead, with the help of state propaganda… the ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And now it’s trying to exploit that in the general election. It’s quite shocking,” Sikorski added.

The ongoing war has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, forced over five million people to seek refuge throughout Europe, and devastated Ukrainian communities. The conflict has evolved into a prolonged battle of attrition in eastern regions, where Russian forces have achieved gradual territorial advances.

Ukraine’s military commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced Monday that his forces had “restored control” over 400 square kilometers along a portion of the southern front.

Russian drone strikes continued overnight, killing two civilians and wounding three others in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, according to emergency response teams.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that Russia targeted port facilities in the Odesa area.

Russian state media RIA, citing defense ministry sources, claimed Moscow’s military successfully struck Ukrainian transportation, energy and fuel infrastructure.

The youngest son of Zimbabwe’s deceased longtime ruler Robert Mugabe made his first court appearance Monday in South Africa, where he’s charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident at his residence.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, age 29, stood before an Alexandra Magistrates Court judge alongside co-defendant Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, 33. Both men are charged with attempted murder, obstructing justice, and illegal firearm possession.

The charges stem from a Thursday shooting at the Mugabe residence located in Hyde Park, an upscale Johannesburg neighborhood. A household employee working as a gardener was wounded in the incident and required hospitalization.

Authorities report that following what they describe as an “altercation,” the gardener was shot, though investigators have not determined what sparked the confrontation.

Both defendants were taken into custody Thursday, but law enforcement officials say they have been unable to locate the weapon believed used in the shooting.

The pair will return to court March 3rd to request bail.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is the child of Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe, the former president’s second spouse.

Robert Mugabe controlled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades until military forces removed him from power in 2017. The former dictator passed away in Singapore in 2019 at 95 years old.

International Criminal Court prosecutors are pushing forward with murder charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming he played a central role in the deaths of thousands during his anti-drug campaign.

During pre-trial proceedings that began Monday at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, prosecutors outlined three counts of murder as a crime against humanity against the 80-year-old former leader.

“Duterte’s so-called war on drugs resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians and many of these victims were children,” prosecutor Mame Niang told the court during opening statements for the confirmation hearings.

“Mr Duterte must be held to account and this case should be confirmed for trial,” Niang added.

The charges involve dozens of specific victims, though prosecutors argue this represents only a small portion of the actual casualties from Duterte’s crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Court officials arrested Duterte and brought him to The Hague last March. Prosecutors allege he established, financed and equipped death squads specifically to hunt down and eliminate people accused of drug-related activities.

“Mr Duterte played a pivotal role in the committing of the charged crimes. His contribution was essential, as he was at the very heart of the plan to neutralise alleged criminals including through murder,” Niang stated.

Throughout his presidency, Duterte maintained that he only authorized police to use deadly force when defending themselves and consistently justified his anti-drug operations.

Outside the courthouse, Duterte’s critics demonstrated, shouting “Hold Duterte accountable!” in the Filipino language Tagalog.

“I hope, and I am quite confident, that the charges of murder and attempted murder will be confirmed” and Duterte’s guilt ultimately proven, said Cristina Palabay, who works with the human rights organization Karapatan.

Duterte will not attend the hearings, with his legal team citing cognitive deterioration that would prevent him from comprehending the proceedings.

“For us, it’s cowardice,” responded Sheerah Escudero, whose brother died during the anti-drug campaign. “We know that Duterte will not be able to escape accountability.”

The hearings will wrap up Friday, after which judges have up to 60 days to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial. Under ICC procedures, judges must approve the charges before any trial can begin.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Regional tensions are rising as Gulf Arab nations have thrown their support behind Kuwait in a renewed territorial disagreement with Iraq concerning their shared maritime boundaries in the Persian Gulf.

The conflict escalated after Baghdad recently provided the United Nations with maps and coordinates outlining what it considers Iraqi territorial waters — boundaries that Kuwait argues violate its sovereign territory.

While diplomatic ties between the two nations have strengthened following the removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003 — who launched an invasion of Kuwait in 1990 — disagreements over water boundaries continue to create ongoing tensions.

According to Kuwait’s foreign ministry, Iraq’s territorial claims violate Kuwaiti sovereignty by incorporating areas that belong to Kuwait, specifically the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, into Iraqi territory.

Several of Kuwait’s regional allies have expressed support for its position, with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman releasing solidarity statements. Saudi Arabia expressed “serious concerns” regarding Iraq’s maritime map, stating it also intrudes upon a jointly administered Saudi-Kuwaiti area.

In response, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated Monday that Kuwait had “deposited its maps with the United Nations in 2014, without consulting Iraq at the time.”

Hussein emphasized that Iraq remains dedicated to “the provisions of international law and … to regulating its maritime rights within the established legal frameworks, thereby contributing to the strengthening of stability and cooperation in the region.”

Back in 2019, Iraq filed a formal complaint with the UN, claiming Kuwait was implementing a “policy of fait accompli by creating a new situation that changes the geography of the region” following construction of a port facility on the Fasht al-Aij shoal.

The two countries have maintained a long-standing disagreement over Khor Abdullah, a narrow channel shared between Iraq and Kuwait that flows into the Persian Gulf.

While both nations signed an accord in 2012 governing navigation through the waterway, two Iraqi legislators challenged the agreement in 2023, claiming it violated Iraq’s sovereignty and lacked proper parliamentary approval. Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court later invalidated the agreement.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands has ushered in a new era of leadership as Rob Jetten was sworn into office Monday, making history as both the nation’s youngest prime minister and its first openly gay leader.

At 38 years old, Jetten breaks the previous age record held by Christian Democrat Ruud Lubbers, who assumed the role of premier in 1982 at 43. Lubbers later became one of the Netherlands’ most enduring political leaders.

Jetten’s path to the country’s highest office began with his initial election to parliament in 2017, representing the centrist, pro-European D66 party that he now heads. His political journey spans nearly ten years in Dutch national government.

During his early political career, Jetten struggled with a robotic public image, earning the moniker ‘Robot’ Jetten due to his tendency to deliver rehearsed, uninspiring answers during media interviews.

His public persona has since transformed dramatically, with Jetten developing a more casual approach that resonates with voters. His popularity received a boost when he advanced to the finals of a popular television quiz show called ‘The Smartest Person.’

Jetten maintains an active social media presence, frequently sharing images with his partner Nicolás Keenan, an Argentine field hockey player who earned bronze with his national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Netherlands pioneered marriage equality globally, becoming the first country to recognize same-sex unions in 2001.

Following his victory in October’s snap election, Jetten shared a photograph of himself embracing Keenan, accompanied by a bilingual message in Dutch and Spanish: ‘Dear Nico, thanks for your unconditional support, I couldn’t do it without you.’

Despite his electoral success, Jetten faces significant legislative challenges ahead. His three-party coalition commands just 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, forcing him to seek opposition support for any major initiatives. The coalition also lacks control of the upper chamber.

Since joining parliament in 2017, Jetten built his reputation as his party’s environmental spokesperson, earning the label ‘climate pusher.’ During his tenure as a cabinet minister under former prime minister Mark Rutte, who now serves as NATO’s chief, Jetten spearheaded an ambitious environmental agenda featuring 120 different measures worth 28 billion euros designed to reduce Dutch carbon output by 60% by 2030 compared to 1990 benchmarks.

The new prime minister’s roots trace back to Uden, a town in the country’s southeast. After completing his business administration studies, he worked for ProRail, the state railway infrastructure company. In his youth, Jetten showed athletic promise and even served as a training partner for Sifan Hassan, who later became an Olympic distance running champion.

LONDON (AP) — The British Broadcasting Corporation and Britain’s film academy issued formal apologies to television viewers following an incident where a guest diagnosed with Tourette syndrome involuntarily yelled a racial epithet during the British Academy Film Awards ceremony.

The deeply offensive language was audible as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo from “Sinners” were announcing the winner for outstanding visual effects during Sunday evening’s awards show.

Earlier in the program, ceremony host Alan Cumming had introduced audience member John Davidson to viewers, identifying him as a Scottish advocate for individuals living with Tourette’s whose life story served as inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated movie “I Swear.”

The neurological condition known as Tourette syndrome causes individuals to experience uncontrollable, recurring physical movements and vocal outbursts, which can include speaking inappropriate or offensive words.

Following the verbal outburst, Cumming addressed attendees at London’s Royal Festival Hall with an apology for the “strong and offensive language.”

“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language,” Cumming said. “We apologize if you were offended.”

When contacted for additional comment on Monday, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts pointed to Cumming’s remarks from the ceremony.

Television audiences heard the slur when the BBC aired the delayed broadcast approximately two hours following the live ceremony. The network issued its own apology on Monday, despite the offensive language remaining audible on the broadcaster’s online streaming platform.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional,” it said in a statement. “We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”

The film “I Swear” received two BAFTA honors, with Robert Aramayo taking home the best actor award for his portrayal of Davidson.

Ed Palmer, who serves as vice chairman for the charitable organization Tourettes Action, suggested the BBC should have edited out the offensive word.

“This is really one of the most acute examples of where something that is a disability can cause quite understandably huge amounts of offense to someone,” he told Times Radio. “So, if it’s being prerecorded now, then bleeping it out, for example, might be a reasonable compromise.”

Chad announced Monday it would seal its eastern frontier with Sudan following deadly weekend violence that claimed the lives of five Chadian military personnel, according to two sources speaking with Reuters.

Sudan’s internal warfare between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023, has repeatedly crossed into Chad’s territory, resulting in casualties and damage to property.

According to a Chadian government official, Saturday’s fighting in the border community of Tine between RSF fighters and pro-government militia groups resulted in five military deaths, three civilian fatalities, and twelve injuries.

A border security officer stationed in Tine verified the soldier casualties and emphasized the necessity for enhanced protective measures to safeguard Chadian civilians in the area.

The two sources, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, indicated that Chad is sending additional military forces to the region.

On Monday, Chad’s administration announced the frontier would stay shut indefinitely, pointing to “repeated incursions and violations committed by forces in Sudan’s conflict.”

According to an official government statement, the decision “aims to prevent any risk of the conflict spreading to our soil, to protect our fellow citizens and refugee populations, and to guarantee the stability and territorial integrity of our country.”

Neither Sudan’s military nor the RSF provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

In a previous incident last year, a drone strike killed two Chadian military personnel, though authorities could not determine who was responsible for the attack.

“One thing is certain: whether we like it or not, Chad now appears to be a party to the conflict,” said Ahmat Yacoub from the Center for Studies for the Development and Prevention of Extremism, a think tank.

India’s chief drug regulator announced Monday that comprehensive inspections of the country’s cough syrup manufacturing facilities have revealed widespread safety violations, as the nation works to address international concerns over contaminated medications.

Speaking at a pharmaceutical summit in Mumbai, Drugs Controller General of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi disclosed that regulatory officials have examined approximately 1,100 facilities representing nearly 90% of all cough syrup producers in the country.

The extensive inspection campaign was launched following a tragic incident last October when 24 children died after consuming contaminated cough syrup. The deadly product, called Coldrif and manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceutical, contained dangerous levels of diethylene glycol.

“We took serious actions on serious non-compliances, and our belief is that the rot of cough syrup manufacturing will be removed,” Raghuvanshi stated during his address at the IPA 11th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit.

The regulatory crackdown comes as India faces mounting international pressure to strengthen oversight of its massive $42 billion pharmaceutical sector, which consists primarily of smaller manufacturing operations. Since 2022, Indian-produced cough syrups have been implicated in the deaths of over 140 children across Africa and Central Asia, damaging the country’s reputation as a global medicine supplier.

According to Raghuvanshi, the inspections revealed multiple serious violations including poor manufacturing standards, inadequate testing of raw materials, and the use of improper production methods. However, he did not identify which specific companies were found to be non-compliant.

Beyond the cough syrup facilities, regulators have also conducted preventive inspections at an additional 1,250 drug manufacturing plants since 2022 to assess potential risks. Raghuvanshi declined to specify how many of these facilities had compliance problems or were temporarily shut down.

The regulatory agency is now working toward achieving standards comparable to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through various reforms including addressing staff shortages, accelerating approval processes, and increasing available resources.

Plans are underway to establish 1,500 new positions within the regulatory framework, with approximately 40% designated as flexible contract roles. The agency may also recruit international industry specialists as advisors and is testing artificial intelligence technology to streamline application reviews.

In a separate development, the regulator has simplified export procedures by eliminating no-objection certificate requirements for medications shipped to the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada. This change is expected to reduce processing time and administrative costs.

BRUSSELS – Hungary is standing in the way of the European Union’s newest round of economic penalties against Russia, according to the bloc’s leading foreign policy official who spoke Monday.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters that the union’s 27 foreign ministers meeting in Brussels would probably fail to reach agreement on the 20th sanctions package, which officials had hoped to finalize before Tuesday’s fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine.

“I think there is not going to be progress regarding this today,” Kallas stated prior to the regular gathering of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where the 20th sanctions package was scheduled for discussion.

The diplomatic session followed Hungary’s weekend announcement threatening to halt both the EU sanctions proposal and a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine unless Russian oil shipments to Hungary are restored.

Oil deliveries from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia have been cut off since January 27 following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that harmed the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil through Ukrainian land into Central Europe. This disruption has escalated friction between Budapest and Kyiv.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reinforced his unsupported claim Monday that Ukraine was intentionally blocking Russian oil shipments, while also charging that Kyiv aims to overthrow his administration.

Through a social media message, Orbán characterized the oil supply interruptions as a “Ukrainian oil blockade” orchestrated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We have given President Zelenskyy firm and proportionate responses,” Orbán posted. “He, too, must understand: by attacking Hungary, he can only lose.”

The sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member nations to take effect.

Kallas indicated that work would continue Monday to move forward with the EU’s 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.

With a critical election approaching in under two months, Orbán has initiated an aggressive campaign against Ukraine and claimed the opposition Tisza party, which polls show leading, is working with the EU and Ukraine to establish what he termed Monday a “pro-Ukraine government aligned with Brussels and Kyiv.”

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski suggested Hungary’s unexpected Sunday declaration might actually relate to Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán’s intense battle to retain power.

“I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine,” he stated in Brussels. “The ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And then it is now trying to exploit that in the general election. It’s quite shocking.”

Almost all European nations have substantially reduced or completely stopped Russian energy purchases since Moscow began its comprehensive war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. However, Hungary and Slovakia, both EU and NATO allies, have continued and even expanded their Russian oil and gas supplies, receiving temporary permission to bypass an EU ban on Russian oil imports.

“Tomorrow we are entering the fifth year of the war,” stated Latvian foreign minister Baiba Braže before the meeting. “We are fully committed both to the 20th sanctions package including maritime and maritime services ban, but also political commitment, economic commitment, military commitment to support European values.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed surprise at Hungary’s stance.

“I don’t think it is right if Hungary betrays its own fight for freedom and European sovereignty,” Wadephul informed reporters in Brussels, referencing Hungary’s participation in ending European communism in 1989. “So we will once again come to the Hungarians with our arguments, in Budapest but of course also here in Brussels, for them to reconsider their position.”

“The German position is very clear: we must now show strength, we must support Ukraine sustainably, and we must do exactly what we did last year too: continue to raise the pressure on Russia,” Wadephul added, expressing confidence the EU will ultimately reach agreement on the 20th sanctions package “at the end of the day.”

Also at stake is a substantial 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan to Ukraine designed to help Kyiv address its military and economic requirements for the coming two years.

“We must release that. We must find an agreement between the member states because Ukraine needs this money heavily,” said Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially installed a new coalition government on Monday, with 38-year-old Rob Jetten taking the helm as the country’s youngest prime minister in history.

Jetten will lead a three-party minority government comprising his centrist D66 party, the Christian Democrats, and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy. The coalition controls just 66 seats in the 150-member parliament, meaning Jetten must build consensus with opposition members to advance any legislative agenda and complete a full four-year term.

The swearing-in ceremony took place in the elaborate Orange Hall at the royal palace located in a wooded area near The Hague. During the proceedings, King Willem-Alexander offered his best wishes to the new administration for success during these “uncertain times.”

Environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion gathered outside the palace gates during the ceremony, blowing sirens while the newly appointed ministers posed for their official photograph.

After completing the customary cabinet photo on the palace steps, the administration planned to hold its inaugural cabinet session that afternoon.

Taking to social media platform X, Jetten expressed that serving as prime minister represents “an enormous honor to be able to get to work.”

The government formation process took 117 days following national elections where Jetten’s party secured a slim victory over Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam Party for Freedom. The final outcome wasn’t determined until postal votes were tallied in what marked the Netherlands’ fourth national election since 2017, reflecting the country’s fragmented political landscape.

The new administration assumes power just one day before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine. Jetten has committed to maintaining the Netherlands’ robust support for Ukraine in its conflict against Vladimir Putin’s forces.

Additionally, Jetten has indicated plans to continue increasing defense spending to strengthen Dutch military capabilities amid current global uncertainties.

NEW DELHI — A veteran Associated Press photographer who spent nearly two decades documenting India’s political landscape and the vibrant street life of Mumbai has passed away at age 55.

Rajanish Kakade passed away Monday at his Mumbai residence after battling an illness, according to his family members.

Kakade began his career with the Associated Press in 2008, working from Mumbai where he helped create a comprehensive visual documentation of India’s commercial hub. Prior to his AP tenure, he gained experience working for the Sakal Group media company and the Hindustan Times publication.

The Mumbai Press Club issued a tribute, stating: “Through his work, he captured defining moments with integrity and sensitivity. Through his mentorship, he shaped countless careers, always encouraging young photographers to pursue the truth with courage and compassion.”

Photography ran in Kakade’s family, as he represented the third generation of photojournalists, continuing a tradition established by both his grandfather and father.

During his time with the Associated Press, Kakade’s assignments spanned the breadth of Indian society — covering significant political developments, electoral campaigns, and sporting events, as well as tragic incidents like the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 health crisis. His photography of Mumbai’s daily life revealed the pulse of a city in constant transformation, showing both its enormous scope and personal moments.

Colleagues at the AP remembered Kakade as a gentle professional who showed unwavering dedication to his photography work.

Manish Swarup, who serves as the AP’s chief photographer for South Asia, remarked that Kakade “possessed that rare, quiet grace of a true observer.”

“He didn’t just take pictures; he earned the trust of those in his frame. That is why his photographs always stand out — they carry an intimacy and a truth that only a person of his character could capture,” Swarup explained.

Swarup, who collaborated closely with Kakade over many years, described him as “more than a talented eye for The Associated Press,” calling him “a steadfast friend and a cherished colleague.”

“We haven’t just lost a great photojournalist; we have lost a beautiful soul, whose kindness was as luminous as his work,” he added.

Yirmiyan Arthur, who manages photography and visual storytelling for the AP across the Asia Pacific area, noted that Kakade “helped us understand everyday Mumbai, a city of contradictions, with utter honesty,” through his documentation of economic disparities, the seasonal monsoon experiences, and the bustling commuter rail system.

“He was a son of Mumbai and made sure he told its story the right way,” Arthur stated.

Kakade leaves behind surviving family members.

Polish prosecutors announced Monday that authorities have arrested a Belarusian citizen accused of gathering classified information for Belarus military intelligence services, amid ongoing concerns about Russian and Belarusian efforts to undermine nations supporting Ukraine.

Tensions between Poland and Belarus have deteriorated significantly since Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine, given Belarus’s alliance with Moscow.

The suspect, identified only as Pavlov T. in accordance with Polish privacy regulations, remains in custody and could face a minimum five-year prison sentence if found guilty, according to prosecutorial statements.

Authorities have charged him with collecting sensitive information for Belarus across three NATO member countries: Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. His alleged activities involved surveilling vital infrastructure, particularly facilities crucial to Polish and NATO defense operations, prosecutors revealed.

The Belarusian diplomatic mission in Warsaw has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the arrest.

The American diplomatic representative in Portugal is making a strong push for the European nation to modernize its military aircraft with advanced F-35 fighters, arguing the move would strengthen ties with premier European air forces.

In a recent interview with CNN Portugal, Ambassador John Arrigo advocated for replacing Portugal’s outdated F-16 aircraft with Lockheed Martin’s cutting-edge F-35 jets, emphasizing their stealth technology and compatibility benefits.

“F-35 is the best fighter – it’s a fifth-generation stealth fighter, it’ll get them (the Portuguese Air Force) into the Champions League when it comes to the EU,” Arrigo stated during the Sunday evening broadcast.

The ambassador also discussed his goals to leverage his commercial background to assist Portugal in increasing military expenditures to meet NATO’s 5% GDP target by 2035, up from the present 2% allocation.

Portugal’s Defense Minister Nuno Melo indicated in November that the country has not yet begun the selection process for new fighter aircraft.

Arrigo highlighted that over 900 F-35 aircraft are currently operational or ordered throughout Europe, stating that for “interoperability, the F-35 is definitely the way to go.” He also noted that European manufacturers contribute 25% of the aircraft’s components.

Regarding U.S.-China relations, the ambassador clarified that the Trump administration is not forcing Portugal to pick sides between Washington and Beijing or completely separate from Chinese partnerships. Instead, the U.S. is promoting a “de-risking” approach focused on cybersecurity protection and investment oversight.

Chinese investment in Portugal expanded significantly after the 2011-14 financial rescue package, when reduced asset values attracted international buyers.

The country received a 78 billion euro bailout in May 2011 from the European Union, International Monetary Fund, and European Central Bank after rising borrowing costs during the eurozone crisis blocked market access, requiring strict austerity measures that triggered a severe economic downturn.

Currently, China Three Gorges maintains a 21.4% stake in utility company EDP, China State Grid controls 25% of grid operator REN, and Hong Kong-based Fosun owns 20% of Millennium BCP bank and 85% of insurer Fidelidade.

The ambassador described the United States as Portugal’s “best partner but wants to keep any adversary… at arm’s length.”

Portugal became part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in December 2018. Arrigo suggested that Lisbon’s relationship with Washington would “flourish” if Portugal withdrew from the program, following Italy’s example in 2023.

At age 38, Rob Jetten has made history as the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister after King Willem-Alexander officially installed his minority government on Monday.

Jetten led his progressive, pro-European Union D66 party to an unexpected electoral win last October through a polished campaign that promised to move away from the divisive policies of the previous administration led by nationalist Geert Wilders.

However, his optimistic outlook will face immediate challenges, as his center-right coalition government lacks majority control in both chambers of the Dutch parliament, requiring opposition backing for every legislative proposal.

The partnership between D66, the conservative Christian Democrats, and the right-wing VVD represents an unusual political experiment in Europe’s fifth-largest economy, where majority coalitions with comprehensive governing agreements have been the norm.

Finding majority support has grown increasingly challenging in the Netherlands’ fragmented political environment, where voter loyalties shift with each election cycle and moderate parties continue losing ground.

Opposition groups across the political spectrum have already criticized the coalition’s strategy to finance a significant defense spending boost through reductions in social programs and healthcare funding.

Left-wing opposition leader Jesse Klaver condemned the proposals as “unfair” last Friday, citing independent analysis showing the plans would disproportionately impact lower-income citizens.

“Working families will face hundreds of euros in additional costs, while the wealthy face no extra burden,” Klaver wrote on social media platform X. “This must be changed.”

Wilders has vowed to block every initiative from Jetten’s administration, while numerous smaller parties have expressed reservations about the coalition’s announced policies.

The government has committed to raising defense expenditures to NATO’s new 3.5% of GDP benchmark by 2035, up from the current 2%, through what they call a “freedom tax” – an additional income tax surcharge.

Additional coalition goals include restricting unemployment benefit duration, increasing individual healthcare contributions, and speeding up retirement age increases to match longer life expectancy.

The government has also pledged stricter asylum and migration policies, an issue that has divided Dutch politics for years and contributed to the collapse of the two previous administrations.

Jetten has attempted to minimize concerns about controlling just 66 of 150 lower house seats, framing it as a chance for enhanced parliamentary cooperation following years of political gridlock under Wilders that prevented progress on major policy initiatives.

Leading up to his government’s installation, he indicated flexibility in adjusting their proposals.

“We recognize that everyone bears costs, but the distribution isn’t completely balanced,” Jetten acknowledged.

“We have time over the coming months to refine these plans before finalizing our budget.”

Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz will oversee the military spending increase. She assumed leadership of the VVD party in 2023, succeeding Mark Rutte, who served as the Netherlands’ longest-tenured prime minister and now heads NATO.

Former European Parliament member Tom Berendsen has been appointed Foreign Minister, while Eelco Heinen continues in his role as Finance Minister.

The war in Ukraine marks its fifth year this Tuesday, representing the largest European military conflict since World War II and causing devastating losses for both military personnel and civilians while fundamentally altering Europe’s security landscape.

As the conflict continues with no clear end in sight, the Trump administration has facilitated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives over the past year in pursuit of peace. However, major obstacles remain, including disputes over territories currently under Russian control and ensuring Ukraine’s security in any post-conflict arrangement.

Combat operations have claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers from both nations, while Ukrainian civilians continue to endure Russian airstrikes that have resulted in prolonged electrical blackouts and water service disruptions.

According to recent analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, total military casualties on both sides may reach as high as 2 million soldiers killed, wounded, or reported missing since the February 24, 2022 invasion began.

The research organization calculated that Russian forces have sustained approximately 1.2 million casualties, with troop fatalities potentially reaching 325,000 between February 2022 and December 2025. This would represent the highest military death toll for any major nation in any conflict since World War II.

Moscow has not provided updated casualty figures since January 2023, when officials reported over 80 soldiers killed in a Ukrainian attack, bringing Russia’s acknowledged military deaths to slightly more than 6,000 total.

The same analysis suggests Ukraine has experienced between 500,000 and 600,000 military casualties, with fatalities potentially reaching 140,000.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian service members have perished in the fighting, noting that many others remain unaccounted for.

Both governments rarely provide current information about military losses, making independent confirmation impossible.

The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission has documented civilian deaths in Ukraine since the large-scale invasion began, though officials acknowledge this figure likely represents an undercount. Their December report also recorded more than 40,600 civilian injuries during the same timeframe.

At least 763 children have died as a result of the war, according to U.N. data.

Civilian casualties reached their highest levels since 2022 during the past year. The fighting resulted in 2,514 civilian deaths and 12,142 injuries throughout Ukraine in 2025, marking a 31% rise in civilian casualties compared to the previous year.

Russian forces currently occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, based on calculations from the Institute for the Study of War.

During the most recent year of fighting, Russia has captured just 0.79% additional Ukrainian land in what has become a grueling war of attrition, according to the Washington-based research group’s analysis shared with The Associated Press earlier this month. This minimal territorial gain highlights the limited advancement Moscow’s military has achieved despite enormous losses in personnel and equipment.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, Russian control extended over nearly 7% of Ukraine, encompassing Crimea and portions of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Moscow-supported separatists had been battling Ukrainian forces, according to Ukrainian government sources and Western intelligence assessments.

International military assistance to Ukraine decreased significantly last year, falling by the percentage indicated compared to the annual average from 2022 through 2024, according to tracking data from Germany’s Kiel Institute.

Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration just over a year ago, the United States ceased shipments of American-funded weapons to Ukraine. European nations have attempted to compensate for this reduction, boosting their military aid by 67% last year compared to the 2022-2024 timeframe, the institute reported this month.

International humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine declined by 5% last year when measured against the average provided during the previous three-year period.

The conflict has displaced millions of Ukrainian civilians, with many seeking safety in other countries.

European nations have provided sanctuary to approximately 5.3 million of these displaced individuals, according to a recent United Nations office report from Ukraine.

An additional 3.7 million Ukrainians have been forced to relocate within their own country’s borders, the U.N. reported in December.

Ukraine’s population before the war exceeded 40 million people.

Russian military actions have disrupted medical services in Ukraine through numerous attacks, according to World Health Organization documentation covering the period from the invasion’s start through February 11.

These incidents include 2,347 direct strikes on healthcare facilities, along with attacks that damaged medical transport vehicles and supply storage locations.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Tragedy struck on a mountain highway in Nepal during the early morning hours Monday when a passenger bus carrying dozens of travelers crashed off the roadway, claiming 19 lives and injuring 25 others.

The fatal accident happened shortly after midnight as the crowded vehicle made its journey from the tourist destination of Pokhara toward Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. The bus veered off the Prithvi highway and tumbled down the mountainside, eventually coming to rest along the Trishuli river near Benighat, located approximately 50 miles west of Kathmandu.

Authorities from the Dhading district police office confirmed that a 24-year-old British citizen was among the fatalities. Officials have only been able to identify nine of the victims so far.

The wounded passengers included international travelers, with a Chinese national receiving care at Kathmandu’s National Trauma Center and a 27-year-old New Zealand woman being treated for minor injuries at a nearby medical facility. China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported through the Chinese Embassy in Nepal that another Chinese citizen remains unaccounted for.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the crash scene and worked to extract the injured from the damaged bus before transporting them to area hospitals, according to government administrator Mohan Prasad Neupane.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the deadly crash.

Such transportation disasters occur frequently throughout Nepal, primarily attributed to inadequate road maintenance and vehicle upkeep. The mountainous Himalayan nation relies heavily on narrow roadways that wind through challenging terrain.

The bus came to rest beside the rapidly flowing mountain waterway. In 2024, two separate buses carrying 65 passengers plunged into this same river and disappeared, with most occupants either confirmed dead or never recovered. Debris from one of those vehicles was only discovered this year, buried beneath layers of sand.

Two civilians lost their lives and three others sustained injuries during an overnight Russian assault on Ukraine’s Odesa region, according to Monday statements from Ukrainian emergency services and government officials.

The fatalities occurred after a Russian drone crashed into a truck stop facility, sparking a deadly blaze, emergency responders reported via the Telegram messaging platform.

Infrastructure Minister Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed through Telegram that Russian forces had targeted port facilities within the Odesa region during the strike.

“This is yet another blow to civilian logistics and port infrastructure. Russia is systematically attacking facilities that have no military purpose, trying to undermine the economy of the region and the country as a whole,” Kuleba said.

The minister reported that cargo transport storage facilities sustained damage during the bombardment.

The Odesa region houses a major maritime shipping center featuring terminals at the Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi, and has faced repeated attacks throughout Russia’s comprehensive invasion that began in 2022.

Moscow dramatically escalated its assault frequency against Black Sea port facilities in late 2023 after President Vladimir Putin made threats to “cut Ukraine off from the sea.”

An anonymous transportation industry source told Reuters last week that recent months of strikes against Odesa’s ports have diminished their export capabilities by as much as 30% compared to levels before the war began.

Philippine government officials experienced a jarring reminder of territorial disputes Saturday when their cell phones displayed an unexpected roaming message upon arriving at a contested South China Sea outpost: “Welcome to CHINA.”

The message greeted passengers aboard a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft as it approached Thitu Island, including Senator Risa Hontiveros and Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela, both vocal opponents of Beijing’s regional activities.

Following their Saturday arrival, the officials addressed local inhabitants to emphasize that Thitu Island “is ours,” despite Chinese Coast Guard ships, a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel, and Chinese fishing boats remaining visible near the coastline.

Beijing’s continuous maritime presence has forced island dwellers, whose livelihoods depend on surrounding waters, to retreat from seas they previously accessed without restriction.

Measuring only 37 hectares, the coral-surrounded Thitu – called Pag-asa or “Hope” by Filipinos – represents the largest and most valuable of nine Philippine-controlled territories in the Spratly chain, situated 450 kilometers from the mainland.

Approximately 400 inhabitants live simply on the island, distant from urban conveniences. However, their steady residence strengthens Philippine sovereignty assertions amid escalating Chinese territorial pressure.

The officials’ arrival, occurring during a period of heightened bilateral tensions, will likely attract Beijing’s attention and intensify the already strained territorial conflict.

“We will never give up the Kalayaan Island Group, including Pag-asa,” Hontiveros declared to residents, referencing Manila’s claimed and administered portion of the Spratly Islands that encompasses Thitu.

Chinese Embassy communications and digital campaigns have repeatedly targeted both officials as part of broader efforts to influence South China Sea narratives.

Manila’s decision to assign a dedicated foreign ministry maritime spokesperson demonstrates increasing government concern as China escalates both physical and information warfare tactics.

For Pag-asa residents, Chinese pressure creates tangible daily challenges.

Fisherman Rando Asiado, 45, explained to Hontiveros how persistent Chinese vessel presence prevents him from reaching productive fishing areas near Subi Reef and adjacent Sandy Cays.

“There are times when Chinese Coast Guard vessels would chase us away, so we are forced to stay on one side of the island. And when we try to fish on the other side, Chinese drones fly over us,” stated Asiado, a 2012 island arrival.

Beijing maintains territorial claims over most South China Sea waters, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in The Hague that invalidated these assertions.

Located merely 14 nautical miles from Thitu, Subi Reef hosts one of seven man-made islands China constructed throughout the Spratlys to support territorial claims. Several artificial installations feature surface-to-air missile systems, aircraft storage facilities, and landing strips.

Chinese Coast Guard encounters have become so commonplace that Filipino fishermen now work less productive waters to prevent confrontations.

Beijing’s South China Sea operations, including water cannon attacks and aggressive ship maneuvering, have caused vessel collisions and injured Philippine crew members.

China defends its actions as lawful and professional while accusing Manila’s vessels of territorial violations.

“We’re not afraid because we know we’re in the right, but they’re using ships while we only have small boats. We don’t stand a chance, so to avoid trouble, we just steer away,” explained 51-year-old fisherman Ronnie Cojamco.

The world’s top United Nations official delivered a stark warning Monday about the deteriorating state of global human rights, pointing to civilian casualties in multiple international conflicts as evidence of widespread violations.

Speaking at the Human Rights Council’s opening session in Geneva, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres highlighted the devastating impact on civilians caught in conflicts across Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine as examples of how international law is being ignored.

“The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force,” Guterres told the assembled delegates.

The UN leader emphasized that human rights protections are facing intentional rollbacks worldwide, cautioning member nations against treating international human rights standards as optional choices rather than binding obligations.

Guterres also mounted a strong defense of the United Nations’ human rights infrastructure, which he described as operating in “survival mode” due to severe financial constraints. The system faces mounting pressure from budget reductions, attacks against its experts, and the United States’ decision to withdraw from a crucial universal rights accountability framework.

“Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses,” the Secretary General stated.

The UN’s human rights division is experiencing the same financial difficulties affecting other parts of the organization, stemming largely from reduced contributions by the United States and other donor countries. As the UN’s largest financial contributor, America’s funding decisions significantly impact the organization’s operations.

According to a UN spokesperson who spoke Thursday, Washington made a payment of approximately $160 million in February toward its outstanding UN obligations, which total more than $4 billion.

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s top diplomat announced Monday that member nations will not reach consensus on a new set of penalties targeting Russia during today’s scheduled meeting.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, informed journalists that Hungary’s persistent opposition has prevented agreement on the latest sanctions proposal ahead of the foreign ministers’ gathering in Brussels on Monday.

The announcement came as Kallas spoke with reporters prior to the start of the ministerial meeting, indicating that the diplomatic deadlock would continue despite ongoing discussions among the 27-member bloc.

KATHMANDU – A tragic bus accident in western Nepal claimed 19 lives early Monday morning when the vehicle tumbled off a mountainous roadway, according to local police officials.

Among the fatalities was a citizen from the United Kingdom, authorities confirmed. Police report that only nine victims have been positively identified at this time.

The accident occurred before sunrise when the passenger bus, traveling from the popular tourist destination of Pokhara to Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu, plummeted approximately 650 feet down an embankment near Behighat in Dhading district. The crash site is located roughly 50 miles west of Kathmandu.

Twenty-five passengers survived the crash with injuries, including citizens from New Zealand and China. All injured victims have been transported to medical facilities in Kathmandu for treatment, police officials stated.

The bus was transporting a total of 44 passengers at the time of the accident.

Such transportation disasters occur frequently throughout Nepal’s predominantly mountainous terrain, where roadway infrastructure remains inadequate. The country experiences hundreds of traffic-related fatalities each year due to these challenging conditions.