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THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands welcomed its youngest prime minister in history Monday as Dutch King Willem-Alexander administered the oath of office to 38-year-old Rob Jetten and his new minority coalition government.

Jetten leads a three-party alliance consisting of his centrist D66 party, the center-right Christian Democrats, and the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy. The coalition controls just 66 seats in the 150-member lower parliamentary chamber, creating significant governing challenges that will require Jetten to secure opposition backing for every legislative proposal.

The new administration faces immediate resistance from the largest opposition group, the recently combined Green Left and Labor Party, which has voiced strong disapproval of Jetten’s proposed reductions to healthcare and social welfare spending.

Opposition leader Jesse Klaver criticized the government’s fiscal approach in a Friday post on X, stating that under the new administration’s proposals, “ordinary people will have to pay hundreds of euros more, while the wealthiest are not asked to contribute anything extra.” Klaver continued: “We are taking responsibility to adjust these plans. This must change.”

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the royal palace located in a wooded area outside The Hague, where Jetten and his ministerial team formally accepted their positions. Following the traditional Cabinet photograph on the palace steps, the new government held its inaugural meeting.

Jetten secured victory in the October 29th election by the narrowest of margins, earning the same seat count as anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom but receiving slightly more total votes. The final outcome was determined through postal ballot tallying.

The unexpected election occurred after Wilders, who had won the previous contest, pulled his ministers from the four-party right-wing coalition his party controlled in June of last year. Departing Prime Minister Dick Schoof, whose administration lasted only 11 months and ranks among the briefest in Dutch history, has served in a caretaker capacity since then.

The new prime minister aims to establish a fresh period of parliamentary cooperation following years of divisive partisan conflicts across the fragmented political landscape.

Jetten also seeks to restore the Netherlands’ diminished influence within the European Union, which many observers believe weakened under the previous administration.

Speaking to The Associated Press last month, Jetten, who has previously criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, explained that among his initial priorities will be to “talk to my colleagues in Europe to see what role the Dutch can play again in strengthening the European cooperation.”

However, he emphasized the continued significance of Dutch-American relations, noting the United States’ importance as a key economic partner.

Jetten has committed to sustaining robust Dutch assistance for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict against Russia’s four-year military offensive.

Cabinet positions in the new government are distributed among Jetten’s party and his coalition allies.

Christian Democrat Tom Berendsen assumes the foreign ministry role and is anticipated to work toward revitalizing the Netherlands’ European standing, drawing on his experience as his party’s European Parliament delegation leader.

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen continues in his current position from the previous government, where he earned recognition for his prudent fiscal management.

Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, formerly justice minister and head of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, transitions to defense minister, where she will manage efforts to strengthen the country’s armed forces.

Christian Democrat Bart van den Brink takes charge of asylum and immigration policy, with expectations that he will advance the former government’s initiatives to limit migration and expedite asylum application processing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party faces a potential historic upset in Manchester, where a constituency that has backed Labour politicians for nearly a century might break tradition in Thursday’s special election.

The Gorton and Denton constituency in northwest England will choose a new member of parliament after current MP Andrew Gwynne announced his resignation last month. This merged district combines two areas with deep Labour roots – Gorton has elected Labour representatives for almost 100 years, while Denton has done so since World War Two.

Despite Labour’s commanding victory in July 2024’s general election, when the party captured just over 50% of votes in this seat, current polling suggests a dramatically different outcome this time around.

The political landscape has shifted dramatically, with Labour hemorrhaging support in opposite directions. Younger, diverse voters in Manchester’s inner western suburbs are gravitating toward the Green Party, while older, white working-class residents in eastern Denton are considering Reform UK.

Dave Ward, a 59-year-old retired firefighter from Denton, exemplifies this shift. “I’ve always been a staunch Labour voter,” Ward explained. “But now I’m giving Reform a chance. Labour have let us down. They’ve made promises after promises. U-turn after U-turn.”

The constituency encompasses some of Manchester’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, highlighting the challenges facing Britain’s second-largest city after London.

Starmer’s difficulties have intensified due to policy reversals, declining approval ratings, and recent controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson, his chosen U.S. ambassador, who faces allegations of sharing government secrets with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson has denied any misconduct.

A recent Omnisis poll released Friday shows the Green Party holding a slight edge over Reform UK, with Labour trailing closely behind – results that align with betting market predictions.

Financial markets are monitoring the situation closely, as British government bonds have shown volatility during periods of uncertainty about Starmer’s political stability. Bond investors express concern that a Labour leadership change could push policies leftward and increase government borrowing.

The Green Party, under new leadership from Zack Polanski, has attracted former Labour supporters disappointed by the party’s moderate approach after 14 years of Conservative governance.

In Levenshulme, a neighborhood with a substantial Muslim population, Green Party campaign signs are prominently displayed on numerous homes.

Josie, a 37-year-old educator who preferred not to share her surname, represents this demographic shift. “I’ll be voting Green this time around,” she stated. “I’m a former Labour member, but… I don’t think they can win round here anymore,” citing disagreements with Starmer’s Gaza policy and the Mandelson controversy.

Labour’s decision to prevent popular Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from seeking the nomination may have damaged the party’s prospects further. While officials justified this move as avoiding an expensive mayoral election, critics viewed it as blocking a potential leadership rival from entering parliament.

Sue Ashton, a 75-year-old lifelong Labour supporter from Gorton, criticized Starmer for throwing Labour “under the bus” by excluding Burnham from candidacy consideration.

“I’ve got to keep Reform out. It’s the only reason I’m voting Labour this time. I would have gone Green, but… it’s too much of a risk,” Ashton explained.

Green candidate Hannah Spencer, a local councillor and plumber, launched her campaign headquarters to enthusiastic reception from approximately 90 volunteers.

“I think people now are just ready for change,” the 34-year-old Spencer told reporters. “It is between us and Reform.”

Spencer believes her party’s message can appeal to working-class Denton voters, noting “we’re not all one group that thinks and acts the same way.”

Reform UK, the right-wing populist movement led by Brexit advocate Nigel Farage, poses the primary national threat to Labour’s government. Though holding few parliamentary seats, Reform consistently leads in national polling.

At Reform’s campaign base in a Denton warehouse, volunteers worked at computer stations beneath illuminated displays featuring Farage and candidate Matt Goodwin.

“It will probably go to the wire but we’ve got overwhelming support in large parts of the seat,” said Goodwin, a 44-year-old former academic turned media commentator.

When asked about appealing to the constituency’s more diverse western areas, Goodwin, who argues mass migration threatens British cultural identity, insisted the campaign had “nothing to do with race, ethnicity and religion.”

“If you contribute, if you play by the rules, if you’re part of the hard-working majority, then you should be voting Reform,” Goodwin declared.

Both Green and Labour candidates have condemned Reform’s approach as divisive, though they disagree on the best strategy to defeat it.

“This is a choice between Labour and Reform,” Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia said after meeting with pensioners at a community center. “The Greens say a lot but they deliver very, very little.”

Rob Ford, a politics professor at the University of Manchester, warned that a Labour defeat would constitute a “disaster” for Starmer, who recently weathered a leadership challenge that could resurface after May’s local elections.

Ford characterized the situation as “not typical mid-term blues, but signs of an existential crisis.”

An appeals court in Hong Kong has denied requests from 12 pro-democracy advocates to overturn their convictions, maintaining their prison sentences in what critics describe as evidence of China’s suppression of political opposition in the territory.

The ruling on Monday involved defendants from the widely-watched “Hong Kong 47” case, in which numerous prominent democracy supporters and political figures were taken into custody during mass arrests in early 2021 on charges of conspiring to commit subversion. After extensive court proceedings, the majority of these individuals received prison sentences ranging from four to ten years in late 2024, while two defendants were found not guilty.

International human rights organizations and several nations, including the United States and Britain, have denounced the prosecutions as political persecution targeting Hong Kong’s opposition movement and have demanded the immediate freedom of all detained individuals.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed being “deeply concerned” about the failed appeal of Australian national Gordon Ng, stating that Canberra has “expressed our strong objections to Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on the continuing broad application of national security legislation.”

In their written decision, Judges Jeremy Poon, Derek Pang and Anthea Pang determined that the defendants participated in a plot conceived, promoted and carried out by legal academic Benny Tai to create a “constitutional mass destruction weapon” designed to overthrow Hong Kong’s constitutional framework.

The charges focused on an informal “primary election” that democracy advocates organized in mid-2020 to choose their strongest contenders for legislative council seats.

Prosecutors claimed the democracy supporters were plotting to secure a legislative majority so they could cripple government operations by systematically blocking the city’s yearly budget in an attempt to compel Hong Kong’s chief executive to step down.

Among the 11 democracy advocates whose conviction appeals were rejected were former legislators Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan and “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung; former district council members Clarisse Yeung, Kalvin Ho and Tat Cheng; and political activists Gwyneth Ho, Owen Chow, Winnie Yu, and Gordon Ng.

The democracy supporters, along with another activist named Prince Wong, were also unsuccessful in challenging their sentences, except for Gwyneth Ho who only contested her conviction.

Following the announcement, the defendants remained composed and gestured to relatives and supporters in attendance.

“What crimes have they committed?” questioned Chan Po-ying, wife of activist Leung Kwok-hung, following the decision. Her comment reflected defense arguments that Hong Kong lawmakers had the legal right to oppose legislation and reject budgets as a legitimate “check and balance” mechanism under the city’s basic law.

Despite widespread international criticism, both Hong Kong and Beijing maintain that the democracy advocates received proper legal proceedings, and argue that a national security law imposed by China in 2020 helped restore stability to Hong Kong following large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.

The court stated that any strategy to block the budget without regard to its substance or value represented “clearly an abuse of the power (of legislators).”

However, the judges rejected a government appeal challenging the acquittal of attorney Lawrence Lau, determining he had not publicly and explicitly supported budget vetoing like the other defendants.

Lau informed media representatives he was “happy” with the outcome.

To date, 18 of the 45 convicted democracy supporters have been freed after completing their prison terms.

“By failing to overturn these wrongful convictions and sentences today, the court has missed a critical opportunity to correct this mass injustice,” stated Fernando Cheung, a representative for Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas.

“Peaceful opposition to a government is not a crime, and all remaining jailed members of the Hong Kong 47 should be released immediately and unconditionally.”

Two world leaders with remarkably similar backgrounds came together in Seoul Monday to strengthen ties between their nations in what marked Brazil’s first state visit to South Korea in over two decades.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung conducted high-level discussions that resulted in plans to upgrade their countries’ relationship to a strategic partnership level. The meeting produced agreements spanning multiple sectors from commerce to national security.

During a joint news conference, President Lee emphasized the importance of regional stability, stating: “Peace, built on conditions where conflict isn’t needed, is the strongest form of security.”

The summit culminated in the signing of 10 formal agreements addressing cooperation in commerce and industrial policy, essential minerals, artificial intelligence and digital technology, farming, healthcare and biotechnology, small business partnerships, and joint law enforcement efforts targeting cybercrime, drug trafficking, and other international criminal activities.

President Lee revealed that both nations have adopted a comprehensive four-year roadmap designed to outline specific measures for enhanced collaboration across various fields, including strategic mineral resources, defense manufacturing, aerospace industries, and food security initiatives.

The economic dimension proved particularly significant, as Brazil currently serves as South Korea’s primary trading partner throughout South America. President Lula highlighted Brazil’s abundant rare-earth mineral reserves and significant nickel resources, expressing his administration’s desire to draw investment from South Korean corporations.

In a social media post earlier that day, President Lee welcomed his Brazilian counterpart by acknowledging their shared personal histories. “As a former child labourer, you proved with your whole life that democracy is the most powerful tool for social and economic progress,” Lee wrote. “I support your life, your struggle and your achievements, which will remain forever in the history of global democracy.”

The two presidents, who initially connected at last year’s G7 gathering in Canada and later at the G20 meeting in South Africa, have developed a bond based on their common experiences of working in factories as children and suffering workplace injuries.

The diplomatic meetings occurred at South Korea’s presidential Blue House, representing the first major official reception ceremony since President Lee relocated his administration back to the historic building.

The day’s events were scheduled to conclude with an evening state dinner featuring barbecue cuisine and Brazilian bossa nova music performed by a Korean jazz ensemble accompanied by a children’s chorus, according to the presidential office.

ALEPPO, Syria (AP) — Throughout the Arab world, Ramadan brings not only fasting and prayer, but also the cherished annual tradition of television drama series specially produced for viewing during the holy month.

Following their evening meal, families across the region settle in to watch their favorite selections from the year’s collection of soap operas and dramatic productions, enjoying sweets, nuts, tea and coffee late into the night.

Syrian productions have long held the most prestigious position in this tradition. While Egypt dominates cinema and Lebanon leads in music, Syria’s television series have maintained their reputation as the region’s finest for many years.

Now, as Syria moves forward from 14 years of devastating civil war, more than a year since Islamist-led forces ended the Assad family’s authoritarian rule, the country’s television sector is working to establish itself within the new political landscape.

During Assad’s reign, when political speech faced severe restrictions, “television became the main sort of platform for freedom of expression and also for employment for artists and intellectuals,” serving as a space where creators could carefully challenge limits, explained Christa Salamandra, an anthropology professor at Lehman College and the City University of New York who studies Syrian drama.

When widespread anti-government demonstrations began in 2011, they were crushed violently and escalated into civil war.

Following that turning point, “the industry fractured,” Salamandra noted. “Creatives went into exile — or they stayed, but it split.”

Now that Assad has fallen, performers and filmmakers previously separated by political divisions are collaborating once more. Productions exploring formerly prohibited subjects, such as torture within Assad’s infamous detention facilities, are being filmed within Syria’s borders.

However, like all aspects of the new Syria, the post-conflict future of television drama remains complex.

During a cold day in the week leading up to Ramadan, a film crew had converted an Aleppo street into an enchanting scene.

Though destroyed buildings in the distance served as stark reminders that the city had been a major battlefield during Syria’s conflict, the cameras had recreated the atmosphere of a bygone era. Vintage automobiles from the 1970s and a horse-drawn cart filled the street while a vendor in traditional headwear offered sahlep, a warm spiced milk beverage.

The production, “Al-Souriyoun al-Aada” (“The Syrian Enemies”), adapts a novel that authorities banned under Assad due to its examination of troubling periods in Syrian history, including the 1982 “Hama massacre.” During that event, then-President Hafez Assad commanded forces to attack Hama to suppress a Muslim Brotherhood uprising, resulting in 10,000 to 40,000 deaths or disappearances during the month-long offensive that devastated the city.

The television adaptation features Yara Sabri, a well-known performer who spent years abroad due to her Assad opposition, portraying the mother of a disturbed young man from an Alawite community who becomes influential within the nation’s oppressive security system.

Wissam Rida, who portrays her son, explained that as an emerging actor in Damascus, working alongside exiled celebrities like Sabri seemed impossible.

“I used to watch them when I was younger and wish that I could work with them,” he explained. Following Assad’s downfall, Rida observed, “They came back with such beautiful energy you can’t imagine, and you can’t imagine how much we were in need of them.”

Nevertheless, filming has faced challenges.

“Al-Souriyoun al-Aada” director Allaith Hajjo has created programs including “Dayaa Dayaa” (“A Lost Village”), a comedy about small mountain town life, and “Intizar” (“Waiting”), a social drama set in an impoverished Damascus neighborhood. He remained in Syria throughout the conflict.

“In the days of the (Assad) regime’s existence, we were always trying to put forward material that would go over the heads of the censors,” he explained.

During that period, “I dealt with actors who were a red line in the eyes of the regime,” Hajjo stated. “At the same time, now I am dealing with people who may be rejected” by current leadership.

Social media criticism has targeted the production due to certain cast members perceived as Assad supporters. Hajjo maintains that political considerations shouldn’t influence casting decisions.

He noted that current authorities lack experience with artistic projects and the work has encountered “some problems” with review boards.

“It’s their right to need some time to gain experience, but I hope this time won’t affect the quality and the level” of productions, he said.

The National Drama Committee, the governmental organization that examines scripts, did not provide responses to inquiries.

The series, initially scheduled for Ramadan broadcast, has experienced production delays and will likely air following the holy month.

Director Rasha Sharbatji, who created the Ramadan series “Matbatkh al Medina” (“The City’s Kitchen”), described the new authorities as cooperative.

She mentioned meeting interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa “and he is personally interested in drama and appreciates how important it is.”

However, questions remain about whether his administration will allow television dramas to address openly post-Assad issues, including sectarian violence incidents involving government forces.

Salamandra suggested creators will likely “make serials about the old atrocities with subtle references to the recent ones. Because that’s what they’ve always done.”

Jihad Abdo represents one of the returning exiled performers. A leading actor during the 1990s and early 2000s, he left Syria in 2011 after criticizing Assad publicly.

He rebuilt his career in America, where he sought entry-level positions and changed his name from Jihad — a typical name among Muslim and Christian Arabs meaning “striving” — to Jay for Hollywood work, where many connected “jihad” with extremism.

He eventually secured roles in major projects, including appearing with Nicole Kidman in 2015’s “Queen of the Desert.” Despite his success, he yearned to return home.

Back in Damascus, he stars in the web series “Al-Meqaad al-Akheer” (“The Last Seat”), a social drama airing during Ramadan, as someone battling Alzheimer’s. He now heads Syria’s General Organization for Cinema, facing the challenging task of rebuilding the Syrian film industry without funding.

Abdo stated that “the margin of the freedom is bigger” compared to Assad’s era and officials haven’t declared any topics forbidden.

“We’re not sure yet about how this margin of freedom will be shaped,” he said. “We are trying to make it as big as possible, because we need to address the problems in order to solve them.”

Abdo sees the television industry as crucial for Syria’s post-conflict healing by sharing human experiences and demonstrating that people with opposing political beliefs can collaborate.

“The wound is big, it’s bleeding, it is still open,” he said. “But it’s our responsibility, the people in entertainment, the intellectuals, prominent names, to bring everybody together again and to keep talking, no matter how different we are.”

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Along a bustling street in downtown Accra, Clement Azaabire displays carefully crafted fugu smocks on clotheslines, their vibrant striped patterns dancing in the wind. Azaabire has spent a decade and a half proudly marketing these garments that represent his northern Ghanaian heritage. Today, they’ve become the center of national conversation.

A growing number of Ghanaians are embracing these vibrant traditional garments with renewed enthusiasm following a wave of internet criticism.

When Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama traveled to Zambia in early February dressed in traditional fugu attire, social media critics responded with mockery. Ghanaians rallied to protect what they viewed as their valuable cultural legacy, leading Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie to establish Wednesdays as official “Fugu Day.”

Following the February 10th “Fugu Day” announcement, increasing numbers of people have adopted the smock for Wednesday workwear and beyond. Merchants like Azaabire report completely depleted inventory.

“It makes me feel connected to where I come from,” explained businessman Wango Abdul Karim, who dons fugu attire every Wednesday at his workplace.

Ghana enjoys international recognition for its sophisticated fashion culture and centuries-old textile traditions, with traditional smock production historically centered in northern regions where weaving techniques pass between generations.

The fugu smock achieved historical significance in March 1957 when Ghana’s founding President Kwame Nkrumah selected it for the nation’s independence celebration. Currently, it appears at cultural festivals, government events, and modern fashion collections.

Known regionally as batakari, this comfortable fugu garment consists of hand-woven cotton strips assembled into a flowing robe, typically worn over pants with a coordinating hat. Artisans traditionally create the fabric using narrow looms throughout Ghana’s northern grasslands, incorporating distinctive patterns and stitch counts that identify specific regions.

Academic research traces its origins to commercial and population movements throughout West Africa, incorporating elements from Mossi and Hausa cultures. The term batakari originates from Hausa language meaning “outer gown,” while fugu translates to cloth in Mossi dialect. The garment historically symbolizes status among chiefs, fighters, and community officials, with particular designs designated for ceremonial occasions.

Inside Accra’s Arts and Crafts Centre, Moses Adibasa carefully feeds woven strips through his sewing machine, stopping to manually position the narrow sections before joining them.

After nearly twenty years creating traditional smocks professionally, he anticipates positive outcomes from the “Fugu Day” initiative.

“It will benefit those selling thread, those weaving and those of us sewing,” Adibasa explained.

At her Accra workspace, fashion designer Perfectual Linnan, who established Roots by Linnan, transforms fugu material into contemporary jackets, pants, and shirts suitable for daily use. She represents an emerging generation of designers integrating traditional fabrics into current styles.

“We want to show that you can wear the northern fabric in different ways,” she explained. “If you’re not into the traditional smock, you can still carry a piece of culture with you.”

While traditional looms continue producing the clothing, many artisans now depend on foreign yarn because of insufficient domestic cotton cultivation.

The “Fugu Day” initiative has created increased demand and additional challenges for smock producers, many struggling to expand output, according to Abigail Naki Gabor, secretary of Ghana’s smock weavers and sellers association.

Government investment could provide solutions, Gabor suggested. “Using our hands slows the process and limits our ability to be productive. We need industrial machines,” she stated.

Beyond “Fugu Day,” Ghana is developing an expanded “Wear Ghana” initiative promoting domestic fashion and cultural identity through planned trade shows, according to Ghana Tourism Authority representative Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi.

Returning to her Accra studio, Linnan emphasizes respectful treatment of the smock despite its labor-intensive production requirements.

“It is a careful, intentional process,” she states. “If we treat it only as a commodity and not as heritage, we lose something important.”

BRUSSELS (AP) — High-ranking European Union officials plan to convene Monday with Nikolay Mladenov, who heads President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, following mixed reactions from EU nations regarding Trump’s Gaza reconstruction and security plans.

Mladenov, a former Bulgarian political leader and United Nations diplomat selected by Trump to oversee the Board of Peace, is scheduled to meet with EU foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas along with foreign ministers from the 27-member union. The diplomatic gathering will also address ongoing conflict in Ukraine and additional Russian sanctions.

Given its Mediterranean location near the Middle East, the European Union maintains significant connections with both Israeli and Palestinian communities. The bloc currently oversees operations at the Rafah border crossing and serves as the largest financial contributor to the Palestinian Authority.

European capitals from Nicosia to Copenhagen remain divided on whether to collaborate with Trump’s peace board initiative. The EU continues backing the United Nations’ Gaza operations.

Hungary and Bulgaria represent the EU as full board members, while EU candidates Turkey, Kosovo and Albania also hold membership positions.

A dozen additional EU countries participated as observers during Thursday’s inaugural Washington meeting: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Officials displayed the EU flag at the event alongside flags from observer and member nations.

Notable European figures including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declined participation invitations, as did Pope Leo XIV. However, von der Leyen dispatched European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica as an observer to the Washington gathering.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticized Šuica’s attendance, claiming the Commission violated EU protocols by not consulting the European Council leadership group first.

“The European Commission should never have attended the Board of Peace meeting in Washington,” Barrot wrote on X. “Beyond the legitimate political questions raised by the ‘Board of Peace,’ the Commission must scrupulously respect European law and institutional balance in all circumstances.”

Von der Leyen spokesperson Paula Pinho responded Friday, stating “It is in the remit of the Commission to accept invitations.”

While the executive branch won’t join the board officially, it aims to shape Gaza reconstruction and peacekeeping efforts beyond its current role as the Palestinian Authority’s primary financial supporter, Pinho explained.

Trump’s expanding vision for the board encompasses governing and transforming Gaza into a modern metropolis while potentially challenging the UN Security Council’s conflict resolution authority. However, these ambitious goals may face practical constraints given the limited ceasefire progress achieved so far in Gaza.

Beijing officials are conducting a comprehensive review of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned numerous tariffs and are calling on Washington to eliminate unilateral trade penalties against its partners, stating that economic conflicts between the nations cause damage to all involved.

China’s Commerce Ministry issued these statements Monday, following the nation’s highest court delivering a significant blow to President Donald Trump by overturning multiple tariffs he implemented during his global trade conflict, including several targeting China.

Hours following the court’s decision, Trump announced plans to implement a new 10% levy on imports from all nations beginning Tuesday, then quickly escalated it to 15% in a decision that appeared to catch some administration officials off guard.

“U.S. unilateral tariffs … violate international trade rules and U.S. domestic law, and are not in the interests of any party,” the Chinese ministry stated.

“Cooperation between China and the United States is beneficial to both sides, but fighting is harmful,” the ministry added.

Trade policy and tariff discussions are anticipated to be central topics for both nations leading up to Trump’s expected visit to China in late March and early April, during which he will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump’s proposed new duties rely on an untested legal provision called Section 122, which permits tariffs up to 15% but requires congressional authorization to continue beyond 150 days. This section has never been used by any previous president, and its implementation may trigger additional legal disputes.

“China will continue to pay close attention to this and firmly safeguard its interests,” the Commerce Ministry declared.

Gao Lingyun, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted by state-run Global Times describing the U.S. tariff decisions as “highly arbitrary” and being used as a “political weapon.”

“Tariff policy should be based on rigorous assessment, not political preference,” he was quoted as saying.

The Supreme Court’s decision eliminated several tariffs the Trump administration had placed on major Asian exporters including China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, which serves as the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer and crucial technology supply chain participant.

South Korea announced it would maintain discussions with the U.S. to preserve a “balance of interests” between the nations, while its industry minister expressed concerns among officials across multiple sectors, including automotive, battery, and semiconductor industries.

“The public and private sector need to work together to secure Korean companies’ export competitiveness and diversify their markets,” Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated Monday.

India postponed sending a trade delegation to Washington this week to complete an interim trade agreement, primarily due to new tariff uncertainties from the U.S., according to a trade ministry source.

Under the proposed deal, U.S. tariffs on Indian products would decrease to 18%, while India committed to purchasing $500 billion worth of American goods over five years, including energy supplies, aircraft and components, precious metals, and technology products.

In Europe, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde cautioned about business risks, emphasizing that companies seek predictability rather than legal disputes. She stressed that any new tariff proposals must be clearly outlined to prevent additional challenges and ensure constitutional compliance.

“To sort of shake it up again is going to bring about disruptions,” Lagarde said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International Criminal Court prosecutors will begin Monday laying out their case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, presenting evidence of his alleged role in numerous killings during his anti-narcotics campaigns.

The former president faces three charges of crimes against humanity related to lethal drug enforcement operations he directed both during his tenure as mayor of Davao in southern Philippines and throughout his presidency.

Advocacy organizations and victims’ families celebrated Duterte’s March arrest as progress toward accountability.

“We have waited for this for so long, for years we have waited, but we did not relent,” Llore Pasco said during a press briefing before the proceedings. She explained that her two sons departed for work in May 2017 and never came home, with their bullet-riddled bodies discovered later.

Monday’s proceedings represent a confirmation hearing rather than a full trial, providing prosecutors the opportunity to present their case before the court. Following review of the presented evidence, judges will have 60 days to determine whether to validate the charges.

Duterte has chosen not to participate in the Hague-based court proceedings. In a written statement to the judges, he declined to attend legal proceedings “that I will forget within minutes. I am old, tired, and frail.”

The former leader also dismissed the accusations as an “outrageous lie.”

Court officials determined last month that the elderly defendant was mentally competent for trial proceedings, after an earlier hearing was delayed due to health-related concerns.

Duterte’s allies have condemned current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration for apprehending and transferring the former leader to a court whose authority they question. Critics include his daughter, current Vice President Sara Duterte, who declared her intention last week to run for president in 2028.

Sheerah Escudero expressed concern about potential consequences if another Duterte gains power. Her 18-year-old brother’s body was discovered bound with tape in 2017. “We know that the same policy of killings will continue,” she stated to media before the hearing.

ICC prosecutors announced in February 2018 their decision to launch a preliminary examination of the violent drug enforcement operations. Human rights advocates claim Duterte’s subsequent announcement that the Philippines would withdraw from the court was designed to avoid responsibility.

The court dismissed arguments from Duterte’s defense team seeking case dismissal based on jurisdictional challenges following Philippine withdrawal. Nations cannot “abuse” their withdrawal rights from the Rome Statute “by shielding persons from justice in relation to alleged crimes that are already under consideration,” according to the September ruling.

An appeal of that determination remains under review.

Death toll estimates from Duterte’s presidential period range from over 6,000 according to national police records to as many as 30,000 as claimed by human rights organizations.

When Russian forces launched their full-scale assault on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, it marked the start of the most significant military conflict Europe has witnessed since World War II ended. The invasion has now stretched into its fourth year, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape.

A specially assembled collection of photographs, selected by Associated Press photo editors, captures the defining moments and human impact of this prolonged conflict. The visual documentation spans the entire duration of the war, offering a comprehensive look at how the situation has evolved over these four years.

A Moscow-area bakery owner gained national attention after making a desperate plea to Vladimir Putin during the Russian president’s December call-in program. Denis Maksimov, standing outside his bakery Mashenka — named for his eldest daughter — asked Putin via video to reconsider new tax policies that are crushing small business owners nationwide.

“We understand very well that it’s not an easy situation for the country. We understand that raising taxes is necessary,” Maksimov said. “We’re looking ahead without optimism, frankly speaking. Many (businesses) will close down.”

Nearly four years into Putin’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia’s economy is showing significant strain. Oil income is falling, the government’s budget shortfall is growing, and military expenditures that previously drove economic expansion have plateaued.

Moscow is now turning to consumers and small enterprises for additional funding. The government has increased the value-added tax by 2% and dramatically reduced the income thresholds that trigger businesses to pay these taxes.

Russian citizens are experiencing real hardship, according to business owners who spoke with The Associated Press. They report steadily declining customer demand, sudden cost increases as vendors adapt to the tax changes, and tax obligations that have multiplied by tens of times. Some entrepreneurs have reduced their operations to survive, while others have shut down completely.

Social media footage recently highlighted the economic damage: empty storefronts lining St. Petersburg’s famous Nevsky Prospekt, where numerous businesses have failed.

“I’ve never felt so scared as this year, so unprotected, so anxious,” said Darya Demchenko, who operates multiple beauty salons in Russia’s second-largest city.

Maksimov’s public appeal to Putin did not succeed in stopping the tax overhaul, which reduced the threshold requiring businesses to pay VAT from 60 million rubles ($783,000) in yearly sales to 20 million rubles ($261,000) this year, with further reductions to 10 million rubles ($130,500) planned by 2028.

Similar reductions affected the “patent taxation system,” where small businesses previously made fixed annual payments — typically only tens of thousands of rubles — rather than percentage-based taxes on income or profits. Now, those earning more than 20 million rubles must pay at least 6% tax on revenues plus 5% VAT.

During their televised conversation, Maksimov explained he had operated under the patent system for eight years. Putin acknowledged the need for tax reform to address “uncontrolled” illegal imports but promised to examine possible solutions.

Maksimov’s television appearance brought publicity and new customers to Mashenka, which operates three locations in the Moscow area. The bakery sent baked goods to the Kremlin and advertises on its website that Putin “tried our pies.”

Russian news outlets reported that Maksimov’s sales increased temporarily, but without tax policy changes, he considered shutting down.

Putin discussed Mashenka’s situation at a government meeting last month, and Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov suggested measures to exempt Maksimov’s business from VAT and reduce other taxes. Following this, the owner said he was no longer planning to close.

“I think we will grow, maybe slower than before, but no less confidently, I think,” Maksimov told AP this month. However, he acknowledged still waiting for officials to implement the proposed measures, with no clear timeline for when this might occur.

Maksimov’s case sparked outrage among other small and medium business owners. Through an online movement called “We Are Mashenka,” initiated by the Association of Beauty Industry Enterprises, entrepreneurs nationwide shared similar struggles, noting that unlike Maksimov, who gained Putin’s attention, they had no one to rescue them.

Demchenko, who participated in the campaign, told AP that she was forced to close one salon and sell another from her four-location chain — three owned and one franchised — to survive the dramatically higher taxes, increased costs, and reduced demand.

The tax changes disqualified her from the patent system, requiring much higher tax payments and the hiring of a full-time accountant for paperwork, she explained. Her expenses — including rent, supplies, security, and banking — jumped 30%, with suppliers raising prices far beyond the 2% VAT increase.

Customer demand for beauty services has been declining for months.

Russia’s restrictions on social media and messaging platforms eliminated her access to affordable advertising and easy client communication, Demchenko noted.

The beauty industry survived the COVID-19 pandemic with government assistance including tax relief, payment deferrals, and opportunities to negotiate rent waivers with landlords, she said.

“This year, we haven’t felt any support at all. We feel like they want to shut us down,” she said.

Lyalya Sadykova, president of the Association of Beauty Industry Enterprises, reported that approximately 10% of St. Petersburg’s beauty businesses closed and another 10% sold their companies in December and January. She expects additional closures this spring.

“People will do the math. The first deadline for taxes is in April, and people will see that they have nothing to pay with, and that’s when the collapse will begin,” she said. “I think there will be bankruptcies, and mass exodus from the market, because now it seems to me that not everyone has done the math and understood it.”

When the tax reforms were enacted last year, pastry shop owners Ilsiya Gizatullina and Railya Shayhieva decided to close their Kazan business. Like Demchenko, they cited massive tax increases, rising expenses, and declining demand.

The decision was extremely difficult, “like cutting off a body part. Because we lived there, it was our life, 24/7,” Gizatullina told AP.

They launched their business in 2020 and weathered the pandemic, which Gizatullina noted was temporary. The new tax structure is permanent.

“We understand very well that it won’t be abolished the day after tomorrow, and there will likely be an even higher tax burden in the future,” Gizatullina said.

Under the reforms, additional businesses will face increased taxes in 2027 and 2028, as changes will impact those with even smaller revenues.

Small and medium businesses represent just over 20% of Russia’s economy, but remain significant, according to Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd. Consultancy. Expanding VAT application to these businesses will generate “a meaningful amount” of government revenue.

This represents “a deliberate strategy by the Finance Ministry to create more stable, predictable sources of income” during a period of reduced oil revenues and increased budget deficits, Weafer explained.

Small and medium enterprises have faced pressure since 2014, when Russia encountered sanctions over its illegal Crimean Peninsula annexation, and the government focused support on large corporations. The new tax regulations intensify this pressure, Weafer said, and while unlikely to destroy the economy, will hinder growth after the war concludes.

“The one engine of expansion and growth and innovation that you need in an economy is the sector that has suffered most in the last four years and is continuing to suffer today,” he said.

Mexican authorities are working to restore order after the death of one of the world’s most notorious drug lords sparked violent retaliation across multiple states, forcing school closures and prompting residents to shelter in place.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known by his alias “El Mencho,” died Sunday during a military operation in Jalisco state. The 57-year-old commanded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most ruthless criminal organizations responsible for smuggling vast quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States.

The drug lord was fatally wounded during a fierce gunfight when Mexican forces attempted to apprehend him in Tapalpa, located roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported by air to Mexico City, according to defense officials.

Cartel members launched immediate revenge attacks nationwide, establishing over 250 roadblocks spanning 20 states and torching vehicles in the streets. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for citizens to remain calm while announcing that most barriers had been dismantled by late Sunday.

The operation received intelligence assistance from the United States, with the White House praising Mexico’s military for eliminating one of both nations’ most sought-after fugitives. The State Department had placed a $15 million bounty on El Mencho’s head.

Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest metropolitan area, came to a virtual standstill Sunday as frightened residents remained indoors. The city’s international airport operated with skeleton crews, and most incoming flights were grounded due to security concerns.

Jacinta Murcia, a 64-year-old vendor, described her anxiety while navigating the airport late Sunday evening. Earlier that day, travelers had scrambled for cover behind seating areas amid fears of violence.

“My plan today leaving the airport is to see if there are any taxis, but I’m scared of everything. That there are blockades, that there’s a curfew, that something could happen,” she said. “I’m all alone.”

Regional authorities confirmed at least 14 additional deaths Sunday, including seven National Guard personnel killed during the widespread unrest in Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guanajuato states.

Social media footage captured tourists on Puerto Vallarta beaches with smoke columns visible in the background. At the airport, elderly Mexican travelers huddled together planning their journey home.

“We better all go together,” one person was heard saying. “Go with God.”

International Crisis Group analyst David Mora characterized the events as a pivotal moment for President Sheinbaum’s anti-cartel strategy amid mounting pressure from Washington to combat fentanyl trafficking.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded stronger Mexican action against drug smuggling, threatening additional tariffs or potential military intervention without visible progress.

U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson praised the Mexican armed forces’ achievements and sacrifices in a Sunday statement, noting that “under the leadership of President Trump and President Sheinbaum, bilateral cooperation has reached unprecedented levels.”

However, Mora cautioned that the cartel leader’s elimination could trigger additional bloodshed as competing criminal organizations attempt to exploit the weakened Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“This might be a moment in which those other groups see that the cartel is weakened and want to seize the opportunity for them to expand control and to gain control over Cartel Jalisco in those states,” he explained.

The analyst noted Sheinbaum’s administration has adopted a more aggressive military approach against criminal networks compared to previous governments.

“Ever since President Sheinbaum has been in power, the army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups in Mexico,” Mora said. “This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it, we don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil.”

Defense officials reported that troops encountered heavy resistance during the capture attempt, resulting in four immediate fatalities at the scene. Three wounded individuals, including Oseguera Cervantes, later died from their injuries.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed via social media that American intelligence supported the operation, describing El Mencho as “a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland.”

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel emerged around 2009 and rapidly became one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal enterprises. The Trump administration designated the organization as a foreign terrorist group in February 2025.

Despite Sheinbaum’s previous criticism of “kingpin” elimination strategies that historically triggered violence when cartels splintered, mounting security concerns and U.S. diplomatic pressure have intensified demands for results against drug trafficking operations.

The Jalisco organization distinguished itself through particularly aggressive tactics against military forces, including helicopter attacks and pioneering use of drone-delivered explosives and landmines. In 2020, the cartel orchestrated a brazen assassination attempt in central Mexico City using grenades and military-grade weapons against the capital’s police chief, who now serves as federal security secretary.

TOKYO – On his 66th birthday Monday, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito shared his continued worries about those still recovering from the catastrophic 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, with the disaster’s anniversary approaching next month.

In birthday statements released last week, the emperor noted that while physical rebuilding efforts have advanced significantly, deeper healing remains incomplete. “While recovery of infrastructure has made progress, I feel that reconstruction of livelihoods and community still needs to be addressed,” Naruhito said in the remarks made last week. “As I think of those who lost their loved ones and had to cope with complete change of their living environment, I feel their scars have not healed yet … they stay despite the passage of time.”

The emperor appeared alongside Empress Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko, and Crown Prince Akishino’s family on the imperial palace balcony, greeting enthusiastic crowds who gathered with Japanese flags to celebrate the occasion.

The devastating March 2011 natural disasters and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant meltdowns resulted in almost 20,000 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Although most radiation-affected areas have been declared safe for habitation, relatively few former residents have chosen to return due to limited employment opportunities and fractured community bonds.

The nation will also commemorate another tragic milestone this April – a decade since the Kumamoto earthquake claimed close to 300 lives.

During his birthday remarks, Naruhito emphasized the importance of passing disaster preparedness knowledge to future generations while remaining ready for potential future emergencies. The emperor committed to maintaining close connections with citizens, sharing in both their celebrations and hardships, and continuing to hear from those in disaster-impacted regions while hoping for a future free from such tragedies.

Regarding his daughter’s future role, Naruhito expressed his desire for Princess Aiko to carry forward historical awareness to younger people. “We have raised Aiko hoping she will be a fine person as a human being and a royal member,” he said. “And I have a strong wish for her to continue to exert her strength and be active in international peacekeeping.”

Princess Aiko, now 24 and the couple’s sole child, faces restrictions under Japan’s succession laws that prevent her from inheriting the throne. Current regulations require her to abandon royal status if she chooses to marry outside the imperial family, rules that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi continues to support and strengthen.

MEKELE, Ethiopia — Tour guide Gebreegziabher Berehe no longer expects visitors to show up in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, as concerns mount about a possible return to warfare.

The 37-year-old says his tourism business has completely collapsed, bank machines in Mekele sit without cash, and he’s thinking about leaving Ethiopia since he can’t make ends meet anymore.

“If war arises again, I think the situation will be even more severe than before,” Berehe explained. “My colleagues and I are now facing serious economic and moral crises, even before hearing the sound of any gun.”

An uneasy quiet has settled over Mekele, which serves as the regional capital, though friction continues building between regional leaders and Ethiopia’s federal government based in Addis Ababa.

The region has been preparing for potential renewed warfare following a peace agreement signed in November 2022 that ended brutal fighting. That conflict claimed thousands of lives as Ethiopian federal forces, supported by troops from neighboring Eritrea, battled against Tigrayan military units.

Currently, Tigray’s leadership claims Ethiopian federal officials have violated the peace accord through drone attacks. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s government alleges that Eritrea has shifted course to support and finance armed groups within Tigray, which borders the country.

The nightmare scenario involves Eritrea joining forces with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, Tigray’s governing body, in armed conflict against Ethiopian military forces.

The war that concluded in 2022 was devastating, marked by extensive reports of sexual assault and the deliberate restriction of food supplies as a military tactic.

Numerous Mekele residents are seeking ways to flee any new violence while possible, remembering the communication shutdown and movement restrictions Ethiopia’s government placed on the region during the previous conflict.

Some analysts believe a potential trigger for war lies in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s aggressive position regarding efforts to secure Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia through Eritrea, which Ethiopia lost when Eritrea became independent in 1993 following decades of guerrilla conflict.

Abiy declared to parliament earlier this month that the Red Sea and Ethiopia “cannot remain separated forever.” Eritrean government spokesperson Yemane Gebremeskel rejected Abiy’s goal as “delusional malaise” when speaking with The Associated Press.

Eritrea, concerned about a potential military attack on its Assab port, has begun rebuilding relationships with its former enemies in Tigray’s leadership, despite denying any formal partnership. This development has worried officials in Addis Ababa, prompting the Ethiopian government to mobilize reserve troops.

Since assuming power in 2018, Abiy has worked to establish Ethiopia’s international reputation as an emerging power. However, multiple conflicts throughout his tenure have hindered these efforts.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all sides to show restraint, with similar appeals from the European Union and the United Kingdom, which has advised its citizens against visiting the region.

On January 29, Ethiopian Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, suspended flights to Tigray following violent clashes between federal soldiers and Tigrayan forces in Tselemti district, an area claimed by both Tigray and the adjacent Amhara region. Flight service resumed on February 3.

The fighting was followed by drone attacks that left one person dead and another wounded. Tigrayan officials blamed Ethiopian forces for the strike. Ethiopia’s military has not publicly addressed the accusation.

These incidents have damaged travel to Tigray, whose historic stone churches and stunning mountain terrain provide a scarce but crucial source of foreign currency and jobs through tourism.

As business owners like Berehe fear financial losses, Tigray agricultural workers such as Johannes Tesfay share similar concerns.

Tesfay farms north of Mekele in Debretsion, where his family cultivates chili peppers, potatoes and onions at the foot of mountains that Eritrean soldiers previously used to enter Ethiopia during the recent conflict, destroying crops and farm machinery.

Distribution problems linked to the renewed hostilities have left him deeply worried.

“There’s no fuel for my irrigation pumps, there’s no fertilizer and there’s barely any transportation for buyers to bring the produce to market,” he explained.

When asked about his plans if violence returns to the area, Tesfay gazed toward the mountains and responded, “What can we do? All we can do is pray. We need help from the global community to make some kind of reconciliation between all the forces.”

HONG KONG (AP) — An appeals court in Hong Kong on Monday rejected challenges from pro-democracy activists in the territory’s largest prosecution under Beijing’s national security legislation.

The democracy supporters were part of a group of 47 activists who faced charges in 2021 for allegedly conspiring to commit subversion through their participation in an unofficial primary vote. This sweeping legal action against some of the city’s most prominent activists effectively dismantled much of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement, which had peaked during the massive anti-government demonstrations of 2019.

In 2024, forty-five defendants received prison sentences ranging from four to ten years, with international governments and human rights organizations condemning the harsh punishments.

The eleven activists whose conviction appeals were denied included former legislative members Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan and Helena Wong.

The Court of Appeal also rejected all challenges to the sentences handed down.

Lawrence Lau, a former pro-democracy district councilor who was among two activists cleared in the case, saw his acquittal maintained after prosecutors appealed the decision.

Building on momentum from the 2019 demonstrations, the pro-democracy faction had planned to capitalize on the 2020 legislative elections. The unofficial primary was designed to select pro-democracy candidates for the formal election.

The movement hoped to win a legislative majority that could advance protesters’ goals, including increased police oversight and democratic selection of the city’s leadership.

Throughout the proceedings, government lawyers argued the activists sought to paralyze Hong Kong’s administration and compel the city’s chief executive to step down. In their 2024 ruling, judges determined that the activists’ strategy to create change through the unofficial primary would have weakened governmental authority and triggered a constitutional crisis.

Opposition voices argued the activists’ convictions demonstrated how officials suppressed dissent after the 2019 protests. Both Beijing and Hong Kong authorities maintain the national security legislation was essential for maintaining the city’s stability.

The prosecution encompassed democracy advocates from various backgrounds, including legal academic Benny Tai, who received a 10-year sentence, and former student activist Joshua Wong, who was sentenced to four years and eight months.

Close to 20 activists from the case have been freed from custody during the past year. This group included former district councilors Jimmy Sham and Lester Shum. Sham and Lee Yue-shun, another cleared activist, spoke with Lau prior to Monday’s court session.

When imprisoned activists entered the courtroom, several gestured and smiled toward family members and supporters, who responded with waves of their own.

Some citizens waited in line outside the courthouse since Saturday to obtain courtroom seats. Retiree Margaret Chan came Monday morning, wanting to demonstrate solidarity with those she viewed as innocent.

Witnessing some activists freed from prison brought her comfort. “They have survived it,” she said.

SEOUL – South Korean officials are calling on Russia’s diplomatic mission in Seoul to remove a massive banner proclaiming “Victory will be ours” as Tuesday marks four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began.

The South Korean foreign ministry issued a statement Sunday confirming they had expressed their objections to the embassy regarding the display, though officials did not indicate whether Russian diplomats had responded to their request.

Measuring approximately 49 feet in length and featuring Russian flag colors with text written in Russian, the banner was mounted on the embassy’s exterior wall in downtown Seoul. As of Monday, the controversial display remained visible.

In their official statement, ministry officials restated South Korea’s stance that Russia’s military actions against Ukraine violate international law.

The ministry further emphasized that the military partnership between Russia and North Korea must end, calling it a serious danger to South Korean national security and a breach of both the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions.

This month, Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev publicly commended North Korean forces for their combat role in Russia’s Kursk region, according to news reports.

Following a mutual defense agreement signed in 2024, North Korea deployed approximately 14,000 troops to support Russian forces in their conflict with Ukraine. South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western intelligence sources report that over 6,000 of these North Korean soldiers have been killed in action.

Attempts to contact the Russian embassy in Seoul for their response were unsuccessful. An automated phone message indicated the embassy was closed Monday due to a public holiday.

HONG KONG – An appeals court in Hong Kong on Monday denied requests from a dozen pro-democracy advocates seeking to overturn their convictions in a significant national security prosecution that observers describe as emblematic of Beijing’s tightening grip on the territory.

The court decision involves the high-profile “Hong Kong 47” prosecution, in which numerous prominent democracy advocates and elected officials were taken into custody during widespread arrests in early 2021. They faced charges of conspiring to undermine state authority. After extensive court proceedings that stretched over years, the vast majority of defendants received prison terms of four to ten years in late 2024, with just two individuals found not guilty.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican military forces achieved a significant victory against organized crime on Sunday by killing the nation’s most influential drug cartel boss, who was also among America’s most sought-after criminals. However, the operation triggered widespread violent retaliation throughout Mexico.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died during a military operation aimed at capturing him in Jalisco state. This represents the most significant success against criminal organizations since authorities recaptured former Sinaloa cartel chief Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán ten years ago.

In response to Oseguera Cervantes’ death, armed groups launched violent attacks nationwide. Criminal members set vehicles ablaze to block highways in approximately twelve Mexican states, sending smoke clouds into the sky. Residents barricaded themselves inside their homes in Guadalajara, the nation’s second-most populous city and Jalisco’s state capital, while Monday classes were suspended in multiple states as security personnel went on high alert across the country. Guatemala even strengthened border security along its Mexican frontier.

This success could strengthen Mexico’s position in negotiations with the incoming Trump administration, which has threatened economic sanctions or direct military intervention unless Mexico demonstrates progress in combating criminal organizations.

However, experts remain uncertain about the long-term impact on Mexico’s security situation.

Oseguera Cervantes, commonly called “El Mencho,” was 59 years old and originally from Michoacan state in western Mexico. His involvement in criminal enterprises spanned at least thirty years.

In 1994, American courts convicted him of heroin trafficking, resulting in a three-year prison sentence. After returning to Mexico, he rapidly advanced through the country’s drug trafficking hierarchy.

Approximately in 2009, he established the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which developed into Mexico’s most rapidly expanding criminal enterprise. The organization trafficked cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl and migrants into the United States while pioneering violent tactics including drone warfare and homemade explosive devices.

The organization gained notoriety for bold assaults on Mexican law enforcement, including shooting down a military helicopter in Jalisco during 2015 and orchestrating a failed but dramatic attempt to assassinate Mexico City Police Chief Omar García Harfuch, who currently serves as Mexico’s federal security secretary.

The cartel recruited members aggressively and explored innovative online methods to attract potential recruits.

Oseguera Cervantes died while his supporters battled Mexican troops attempting to arrest him.

Mexico’s Defense Department released a statement explaining that army units initiated an operation in southern Jalisco state to apprehend Oseguera Cervantes, deploying the Mexican Air Force and elite military units.

Criminal forces launched a counteroffensive, and during the resulting battle, federal troops killed four criminal organization members, including their leader, while wounding three others who later died during helicopter transport to Mexico City, the statement indicated.

Three military personnel sustained injuries and two individuals were arrested during the action. Authorities confiscated rocket launchers capable of destroying aircraft and armored vehicles at the location.

Oseguera Cervantes’ elimination will assist Mexico’s government in demonstrating results to the United States, which is demanding more aggressive action against drug cartels from its southern neighbor. Officials from both nations confirmed that intelligence sharing contributed to Sunday’s successful operation.

Oseguera Cervantes faced numerous criminal charges in the United States, and the State Department had established a $15 million bounty for information leading to his capture. The Trump administration classified his cartel and similar organizations as foreign terrorist groups one year ago.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico during Trump’s first presidency, praised the operation on X, stating “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys. Congratulations to the forces of law and order in the great Mexican nation.”

Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, explained that Mexico had delivered “a strong message to Donald Trump’s administration that they are fighting aggressively and effectively” against the most powerful cartels. He emphasized that “the majority of the information came from the Mexican armed forces and all credit goes to Mexico.”

The identity of Oseguera Cervantes’ successor remains unknown, and it’s uncertain whether any single individual can fill his role.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jalisco cartel operates in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and maintains activity throughout nearly all American territory. The organization also functions globally, meaning their leader’s death could impact operations far beyond Mexico.

“El Mencho controlled everything, he was like a country’s dictator,” Vigil explained.

His death could decelerate the cartel’s aggressive growth and territorial expansion while initially weakening it against the Sinaloa cartel across multiple conflict zones where they or their allies are engaged. However, the Sinaloa organization faces its own internal leadership conflict between “El Chapo’s” sons and supporters of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who remains in American custody.

Vigil urged Mexico to capitalize on this opportunity by launching “an effective frontal assault based on intelligence.”

“This is a big opportunity for Mexico and the United States if they work together,” he stated.

Security expert David Saucedo warned that if Oseguera Cervantes’ family members assume cartel leadership, the violence witnessed Sunday could persist. If other individuals seize control, they might be more inclined to move forward and maintain operations.

The most concerning scenario would involve the cartel adopting indiscriminate violence tactics. They could choose to “launch narcoterrorism attacks … and generate a scenario similar to what Colombia lived in the 1990s,” launching comprehensive attacks against the government including “car bombs, assassinations and attacks on aircraft.”

Japan’s central bank could move to increase interest rates as soon as next month if the nation’s currency continues its downward trend before an anticipated meeting between Japanese and American leaders, according to a former monetary policy official.

Makoto Sakurai, who previously served on the Bank of Japan’s board, told Reuters that the timing could coincide with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expected trip to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump around the central bank’s upcoming policy session scheduled for March 18-19.

According to Sakurai, Takaichi might request assistance from the Bank of Japan to prevent further currency depreciation, especially since Washington’s recent actions to support the yen suggest American officials prefer a stronger Japanese currency relative to the dollar.

“Currency intervention has only a temporary effect in combating yen-selling pressure. The best way to counter a weak yen is for the BOJ to raise interest rates,” Sakurai explained during a Friday interview, noting he maintains connections with current policymakers.

The former official explained that additional currency weakness would drive up inflation through increased import expenses, which would counteract some downward price pressure from government fuel subsidies.

Should the need arise to address significant currency declines, the Bank of Japan could justify a March rate increase by highlighting expectations for robust wage increases in the country’s annual spring labor negotiations, Sakurai noted.

“It would make better sense to wait until April but depending on yen moves, there’s a chance the BOJ could raise rates in March,” he stated.

Sakurai held his position on the central bank’s board from 2016 through 2021, during a period when the institution transitioned from massive asset purchasing programs toward managing long-term rates through bond yield controls.

Looking ahead, he suggested the Bank of Japan might need to implement two rate increases each in 2026 and 2027 to bring its benchmark rate from the current 0.75% to 1.75%, which he believes represents a neutral level that neither restricts nor stimulates economic growth.

Moving too quickly with rate increases could damage Japan’s banking sector by causing more small business failures and weakening regional bank balance sheets, Sakurai cautioned.

The central bank concluded its decade-long massive stimulus program in 2024 and has implemented several rate increases, including a December move that brought the short-term policy rate to 0.75%, its highest level in three decades.

With inflation running above the Bank of Japan’s 2% goal for almost four years, Governor Kazuo Ueda has indicated the institution’s willingness to continue raising rates if economic conditions develop as projected.

Most economists surveyed by Reuters anticipate the Bank of Japan will increase rates to 1% by the end of June, while financial markets indicate approximately 70% odds of a rate hike by April.

The central bank’s next policy meeting is set for March 18-19, followed by an April 27-28 session that will include updated quarterly economic growth and inflation projections.

Currency weakness has created political challenges for Japanese officials as it increases costs for households and businesses by making imported fuel and food more expensive.

Since Takaichi, known for favoring loose fiscal and monetary policies, assumed the prime minister role in October, the yen has declined roughly 8% against the dollar, reaching an 18-month low of 159.45 in January.

While the currency has recovered somewhat from those lows, it currently trades around 155 per dollar, significantly weaker than the 147 level seen before Takaichi took office.

The death of one of Mexico’s most wanted drug kingpins has unleashed a wave of retaliatory violence that spread across multiple states on Sunday, forcing tourists to shelter indoors and airlines to cancel flights.

Nemesio Oseguera, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known by his alias ‘El Mencho,’ was killed during a military operation in the town of Tapalpa. Within hours, suspected cartel supporters began setting fire to vehicles and businesses while establishing roadblocks on major highways throughout the region.

The chaos reached the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, where visitors watched in shock as smoke clouds filled the sky above the normally peaceful destination. Major carriers including Air Canada, United Airlines, and Aeromexico scrapped their scheduled flights to the tourist hotspot as the situation deteriorated.

Local authorities in several towns issued warnings for residents and visitors to remain inside their homes and hotels, while transportation companies advised truck drivers to seek safe routes or return to their facilities until the unrest subsided.

A member of Oseguera’s criminal organization, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed the attacks were launched as payback for their leader’s death. The source also issued an ominous warning about additional violence to come.

“The attacks were carried out in revenge for the leader’s death, at first against the government and out of discontent,” the cartel member explained. “But later the internal killings are coming, by the groups moving in to take over.”

The widespread disorder represents a troubling but familiar pattern for Mexico, where decades of government campaigns against drug trafficking organizations have repeatedly resulted in devastating cycles of violence across large portions of the country.

In Puerto Vallarta, located about five hours from where the military strike occurred, beachgoers used their mobile phones to record the disturbing scenes of thick smoke obscuring their ocean views.

Daniel Drolet, a Canadian visitor who has spent multiple winters in Puerto Vallarta, expressed alarm about what this could mean for the traditionally peaceful resort area. “I have never seen anything like this before,” he stated during a telephone conversation.

The state of Jalisco saw gunmen launch an assault on a National Guard facility, prompting officials to advise hotel guests to stay inside and halt public transportation services.

Government security officials shared additional footage showing the scope of the crisis: military tanks rolling through residential areas in Aguascalientes state, roadblocks shutting down the heavily traveled Mexico-Puebla highway, and armed cartel members in pickup trucks blocking roads in Colima state.

A trucking industry organization released a statement expressing deep concern about the highway violence and urged drivers to stick to secure areas or head back to their home bases until conditions stabilized.

Guanajuato state, considered a stronghold of the Jalisco cartel, documented 55 separate incidents spanning 23 municipalities, resulting in 18 arrests. Officials reported that all situations were brought under control by evening.

Carlo Gutierrez, a resident of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, described how people were using WhatsApp messaging groups to encourage others to stay home. “There is fear and a lot of caution,” he said about the city, which is scheduled to host World Cup soccer matches this summer.

Beyond the cartel members and officials killed during the initial military operation, authorities have not reported additional casualties from the subsequent violence.

This pattern of retaliation following major cartel arrests or killings has become a recurring concern for Mexican officials, often causing them to reconsider launching significant operations against criminal organizations.

Similar incidents occurred in 2019 when Ovidio Guzman, son of imprisoned Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, was captured but quickly released after widespread gun battles erupted. His eventual arrest in 2023 also triggered more violence.

The 2024 capture of Sinaloa Cartel chief Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada sparked an ongoing power struggle within that criminal organization that has continued for more than a year.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who previously served as ambassador to Mexico, shared his reaction on social media. “I’m watching the scenes of violence from Mexico with great sadness and concern,” he wrote. “It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the violence through her own social media post, attempting to project calm amid the chaos. “In most of the national territory activities are happening with absolute normalcy,” she stated.

SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Jong Un has secured another term leading North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, with party officials praising his expansion of the nation’s nuclear weapons program and enhanced international influence, according to state media reports released Monday.

The party congress proceedings, where Kim is anticipated to reveal his primary political and defense objectives for the coming five years, indicate he plans to accelerate his nuclear weapons program that already possesses missiles threatening U.S. partners in Asia and America itself.

The gathering, which commenced last Thursday, occurs as Kim becomes more aggressive in regional affairs, after dramatically expanding his nuclear capabilities and developing stronger relationships with Russia through collaborative involvement in Ukraine’s conflict, intensifying tensions with both Washington and Seoul.

Political observers believe Kim will likely announce fresh military objectives during this meeting, including enhancing traditional military forces and combining them with nuclear weapons, while reinforcing his push for economic independence through mass citizen participation, building on steady post-COVID recovery driven by renewed Chinese trade and Russian arms sales.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Kim’s reelection as party general secretary occurred with the “unshakable will and unanimous desire” of thousands of party representatives during Sunday’s fourth day of proceedings.

According to party regulations, this congress, which Kim has convened every five years beginning in 2016, selects the general secretary to lead the organization. The 42-year-old Kim has maintained the party’s highest position throughout his leadership, although his official title evolved from first secretary to chairman during 2016’s congress, then to general secretary at 2021’s gathering.

Party officials stated in their announcement that through nuclear force development, Kim has established military capabilities to counter “any threat of aggression” and “any form of war,” while praising his guidance for “reliably guaranteeing” the nation’s prospects and “boosting the pride and self-esteem” of North Korean citizens.

KCNA reported the congress approved changes to party regulations during Sunday’s session but provided no immediate specifics. Political experts had expected Kim might use this congress to solidify his aggressive position toward South Korea and potentially modify party guidelines to formalize his description of inter-Korean relations as between two “hostile” nations.

Official media reports have not yet revealed any remarks from Kim or other top officials at the congress directly discussing relationships with Washington and Seoul.

North Korea has halted all significant diplomatic engagement with both the United States and South Korea following the breakdown of 2019 negotiations between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump over disagreements regarding sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear program reductions.

Kim’s administration has declined diplomatic overtures from Trump following the American leader’s return to office, pressing Washington to abandon its requirement for North Korean denuclearization before resuming discussions. Relations between the two Koreas worsened further in 2024 when Kim rejected the North’s historical objective of peaceful reunification and labeled the divided South a perpetual adversary.

A young Pakistani girl’s incredible cricket talents have captured global attention, but the viral fame came with dangerous consequences for those who helped share her story.

Aina Wazir, just eight years old, has become an international sensation after footage of her remarkable bowling abilities spread across social media platforms. The young athlete comes from Shiga Zalwal Khel, an isolated village in North Waziristan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The girl’s background adds another layer to her inspiring story – she lost her father, Omar Wazir, who worked as a respected educator before being murdered by militants. Despite facing such tragedy at a young age, Aina has found solace and skill in the sport of cricket.

However, the viral success brought unexpected danger. The cameraman responsible for recording Aina’s impressive cricket demonstration was later taken captive by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). The militant group eventually freed him, but only after forcing him to issue a public apology.

The incident highlights the complex security challenges faced in the volatile border region, even as young Aina’s story continues to inspire cricket fans and supporters around the world. The talented youngster is now seeking opportunities for formal education alongside her athletic pursuits.

Mexican military forces eliminated the head of the nation’s most dominant criminal organization on Sunday, taking down Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known by his alias ‘El Mencho.’ His death marks the end of leadership for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which had risen to become the country’s most influential drug trafficking network.

The operation’s aftermath sparked widespread disorder across multiple Mexican states, with reports of automobiles set ablaze in various locations. Military personnel took defensive positions around the General Prosecutor’s offices in the nation’s capital as authorities braced for potential retaliation from cartel members.

Ukrainian forces conducted a large-scale missile strike early Monday morning that severely damaged power systems and left residents without basic utilities in Russia’s Belgorod region, according to local officials.

Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Telegram that the strike caused “serious damage to energy infrastructure” and resulted in widespread outages. “In residences, there are interruptions in supplies of electricity, water and heat,” Gladkov stated.

The governor characterized the Monday morning assault as “massive,” impacting both Belgorod city, located 25 miles from the Ukrainian border, and surrounding communities. Officials planned to conduct a full damage assessment once daylight arrived.

The border region has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian military operations throughout the ongoing war, which will reach its fourth anniversary later this week.

Kim Jong Un will continue leading North Korea’s Workers’ Party after being confirmed for another term as general secretary, according to an announcement from the country’s state-controlled news agency KCNA on Monday.

The decision came during the fourth day of the party’s congress meetings, which took place on Sunday. Along with confirming Kim’s leadership position, party members also selected new Central Committee members and approved changes to party regulations, though KCNA did not reveal specific details about what modifications were made.

The congress meetings represent significant political events in North Korea, where the Workers’ Party maintains complete control over the isolated nation’s government and policy decisions.