Blog

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Tuesday that his nation’s military experts are providing guidance on operations in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, while Asian countries have expressed interest in Ukraine’s naval defense capabilities.

Following conflicts involving Iran, Ukraine deployed hundreds of military specialists to the Middle East to share their proven methods for intercepting Iranian-made drones, the same type Russia deployed during the initial phase of its invasion.

“Ukrainian military personnel are taking part in consultations on the further operation of the Strait of Hormuz. Safe navigation is a global value; we know this from our experience defending the Black Sea,” Zelenskiy stated during his nightly address to the nation.

During the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has successfully prevented Russia from completely cutting off its Black Sea access, which remains vital for both economic and military purposes.

Despite lacking a substantial naval force, Ukraine has used creative solutions like unmanned sea vessels to push Russia’s Black Sea fleet away from its headquarters in Russian-controlled Crimea.

The Ukrainian president noted that international interest in his country’s defense innovations—which are often more sophisticated and significantly less expensive than conventional armaments—has expanded beyond European borders.

“Our diplomats have received a corresponding request from Asian countries, and I have instructed them to work through all this promptly,” Zelenskiy stated.

The president did not identify which specific nations have made these requests.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Donald Trump Wednesday to grant a two-week extension on his ultimatum demanding Iran cease its oil blockade in the Gulf region.

In a social media post on X, Sharif made his appeal for additional time to pursue diplomatic solutions. “To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,” Sharif wrote.

The Pakistani leader’s intervention comes as Trump’s ultimatum approaches its deadline of 8 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday night, which corresponds to 3:30 a.m. Thursday in Tehran. The President has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities, if the oil blockade continues.

Sharif also called for a broader two-week ceasefire among “all warring parties” to create space for negotiations aimed at “conclusive termination of war.”

The Prime Minister expressed optimism about ongoing peace efforts, describing diplomatic initiatives as “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future.”

The White House has not yet provided a response to the Pakistani leader’s request.

According to sources familiar with the situation, negotiations between Washington and Tehran faced setbacks following Iran’s strikes on Saudi industrial targets this week.

Pakistan has emerged as the primary intermediary facilitating communication between the United States and Iran, though no breakthrough agreement has materialized thus far.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Asghar Hashemi requires kidney dialysis three times weekly at a medical facility in Tehran’s northern district. The 56-year-old transit worker worries his survival could be at risk if electrical infrastructure gets targeted, as President Donald Trump has warned in recent escalating statements.

Citizens across Tehran hurried on Tuesday to purchase bottled water and power up electronic devices including phones, flashlights and backup batteries while time counted down toward Trump’s newest ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes against electrical facilities and transportation infrastructure. Even with these threats endangering his medical care, Hashemi said his situation mirrors that of fellow Iranians enduring more than five weeks of conflict.

“I am worried, but I am more worried about my fellow citizens,” Hashemi said, lying on his bed at Tajrish Martyrs Hospital for the treatment. “Whatever happens, we will stand until the end.”

While Trump emphasized his 8 p.m. Washington deadline was non-negotiable, Iranian reactions varied from terror to acceptance to defiance like Hashemi’s.

“I will be ready to pick up a gun and start a fight against the enemy,” he said.

The Associated Press has been granted permission by the Iranian government to send an additional team into the country for a brief reporting trip. AP already operates in Iran. The visiting team must be accompanied by a media assistant from a government-affiliated company. AP retains full editorial control of its content.

Tehran and surrounding regions have experienced nearly continuous air bombardments from American and Israeli forces starting February 28. Electrical supply became Iranians’ primary anxiety as Trump’s deadline approached.

“When there is no electricity, there will be no water, no hygiene, nothing,” said Mahan Qayoumi, 23, who works at an artisan shop, where he said business would stop under a power outage. He brought emergency lights to his apartment to prepare, noting that “all aspects of life” would be affected.

A young designer in central Tehran, speaking on condition of anonymity for her safety, said her parents left at the beginning of the war, but she stayed behind to take care of her cat, Maya. Now, because of Trump’s threats, she said she plans to drive north — which has largely been spared heavy strikes — with Maya and join her family.

“If there is no electricity, there is no water,” she told AP on the messaging app Telegram, noting Tehran’s low water pressure and electric water pumps. “You can’t cook, either.”

The avenues of expansive Tehran, watched over by snow-covered peaks, have experienced reduced vehicle movement in recent weeks as many inhabitants departed for more secure locations. Educational institutions and numerous government offices continue closure.

Despite some residents’ urgent preparations and food stockpiling, activity at a major covered marketplace in northern Tehran appeared relatively routine Tuesday. Commerce continued normally, bakeries produced fresh loaves, and traditional Iranian confections like gaz and sohan were being made.

“We are living our normal lives,” said Said Motazavi, 58, who owns a home appliances shop. Motazavi said Iranians have a lot of experience preparing for and living with conflict, referring to the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war and the 12-day war with Israel last year.

At Tajrish Martyrs Hospital, the director told AP that a generator can keep much of the medical facility functioning if needed. He said the hospital has enough fuel to power it, as well as ample medicine and supplies for six months.

“I do not see any problem,” Dr. Masoud Moslemifard said, adding that the hospital has been prioritizing operations for those wounded in the war and postponing nonurgent surgeries.

Security presence increased noticeably throughout Tehran’s streets Tuesday, featuring inspection points across multiple areas of the capital. Military vehicles equipped with mounted heavy weaponry were positioned at key traffic junctions.

Iran’s internet access remains severely restricted, limiting information flow while anxiety mounted over Trump’s warnings.

A 26-year-old Pilates instructor told AP on condition of anonymity for her safety via Telegram that she’s been unable to prepare for possible attacks. She called this week the “worst atmosphere” since the war began.

“Honestly, we’ve kind of lost it at this point,” she said, describing how she’s not left home for the last few days and she and her family refuse to leave Tehran. “Whatever is going to happen, let it happen. We are dying bit by bit.”

One resident told AP that if the U.S. follows through on its threat, the people of Iran — not the government — will be the victims.

“By attacking infrastructure, the Islamic Republic will not be destroyed, only we will be destroyed,” the woman, a teacher in her 20s, told AP via a message on Telegram, on condition of anonymity for her safety.

She fears the attacks will spread chaos. “If we don’t have the internet, and if we don’t have electricity, water, and gas, we’re really going back to the Stone Age, as Trump said.”

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s legislature began deliberating Tuesday on proposed legislation that would ban minors under 15 from using social media platforms, joining a growing number of nations implementing measures to shield young people from online dangers.

The proposed legislation would mandate that social media companies implement age-verification technology, create parental oversight features, and quickly address content flagged as dangerous. The duration of parliamentary discussions on the measure remains uncertain.

Officials in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration describe the legislation as an effort to reduce digital threats to children’s well-being and personal information security.

“Protecting our children from all kinds of risks, threats and harmful content is our top priority,” Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, Turkey’s minister for family and social services, said earlier this year.

Opposition lawmakers from the Republican People’s Party or CHP have voiced objections to the plan, arguing that youth protection should come “not with bans but with rights-based policies.”

The proposed regulations would require digital services including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and similar platforms to prevent minors under 15 from creating accounts while establishing parental oversight features to monitor children’s online activity.

Gaming companies operating online would also need to designate Turkish representatives to guarantee compliance with the new rules. Violations could result in reduced internet speeds and monetary sanctions from Turkey’s telecommunications regulatory agency.

Turkey’s leadership has previously limited online platform access as these services have become channels for political opposition. Internet communications faced widespread limitations during protests last year supporting Istanbul’s imprisoned opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Australia pioneered social media age restrictions for those under 16 beginning in December, leading platforms to close approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors.

Indonesia launched similar regulations last month, prohibiting digital platform access for children under 16 to prevent exposure to adult content, online harassment, digital fraud and compulsive usage.

Additional nations including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are implementing or evaluating comparable restrictions on youth social media access due to mounting concerns about harm from unmoderated online content.

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV delivered sharp criticism Tuesday regarding President Donald Trump’s threatening remarks toward Iranian civilization, describing the statements as “completely unacceptable” while emphasizing that targeting civilian infrastructure breaks international law.

Speaking from his residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, the pontiff made some of his most forceful statements to date regarding the escalating conflict, calling on Americans and others to pressure their elected officials to pursue peaceful resolutions instead of military action.

“Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” the Pope stated during his departure from the papal retreat.

His remarks addressed Trump’s warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight” should Iran fail to comply with his most recent ultimatum concerning a deal that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Leo referenced his previous Easter message promoting peace and rejecting military conflict “especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything.”

The Pope called upon citizens worldwide to reach out to their government officials and legislative representatives, emphasizing that striking civilian infrastructure violates “international law” and represents a “sign of the hatred, the division, the destruction human beings are capable of, and we all want to work for peace.”

A British political party led by Nigel Farage has unveiled a controversial immigration proposal that would block visa applications from nations seeking compensation for historical slavery, sparking fierce criticism from Caribbean officials.

Reform UK announced Tuesday that it would refuse visa requests from countries pursuing reparations for transatlantic slavery, including former British colonies like Ghana and Jamaica. Despite having just eight members of parliament, the anti-immigration party currently leads in polling ahead of Britain’s next election scheduled by 2029.

Zia Yusuf, who oversees Reform’s domestic policy, defended the proposal by calling reparations demands offensive. He argued these requests “ignore the fact that Britain made huge sacrifices to be the first major power to outlaw slavery and enforce this prohibition,” describing the calls as “insulting.”

The announcement drew sharp condemnation from Hilary Beckles, who leads the Caribbean Community’s reparations commission. At a press conference, Beckles characterized the proposal as evidence that the “legacy of toxic racism… is still so intense that Black people are deemed undeserving” of compensation.

“Punishing the victims again is in fact consistent with those people at the time of emancipation who did not wish… to see the African people freed,” Beckles stated, urging the party to reconsider what he called a “tragic” position.

Multiple international groups have pressed for reparations in recent years, including the Caribbean Community, the African Union, and various Latin American nations. These organizations seek not just financial compensation but also formal apologies and the return of cultural artifacts taken during colonial periods.

However, resistance to reparations discussions has grown among Western leadership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed preference to “look forward” instead of engaging in “endless discussions about reparations on the past.”

The debate gained additional prominence last month when the United Nations passed a Ghana-sponsored resolution labeling transatlantic slavery the “gravest crime against humanity” and supporting reparations efforts. Britain and other former colonial powers chose not to support the measure.

Reform UK did not respond to requests for additional comment on their proposal.

BAGHDAD – An Iranian-backed militia organization announced Tuesday that it plans to free American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad, but is demanding her immediate departure from Iraq.

The Iran-aligned group Kataib Hezbollah took Kittleson captive in Baghdad during the final days of March.

According to Middle East publication Al-Monitor, Kittleson works as an independent American correspondent operating from Rome who has reported on multiple conflicts throughout the region and has written pieces for their publication.

On Tuesday, a social media platform with ties to Kataib Hezbollah distributed a video that allegedly shows Kittleson.

Reuters was unable to confirm independently whether the video is genuine, though if authentic, it would mark the first footage of Kittleson made public since her abduction.

The footage shows a woman who says she is Kittleson positioned in front of a simple backdrop, addressing the camera in English. Reuters could not confirm the location or timing of the recording.

According to a government source familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, her pending release comes after increased pressure from Iraq’s government and prominent Shiite religious figures who urged the militia to free her.

This follows a similar incident in March 2023 when Kataib Hezbollah militants abducted Elizabeth Tsurkov, a graduate student from Princeton University with Israeli-Russian citizenship, during an academic research visit to Iraq. She was freed in 2025.

YAHSHOUSH, Lebanon — The sound of church bells mixed with gunfire rang through the mountainous valley Tuesday as hundreds of mourners attended funeral services for a Lebanese Christian political leader and his wife, both victims of an Israeli airstrike this past weekend.

The deaths have intensified political divisions within Lebanon, a nation already fractured by the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militia — part of the broader regional conflict spreading across the Middle East.

Pierre Mouawad, his spouse, and a family visitor died Sunday when an Israeli strike hit an apartment unit located above their residence in Ain Saadeh, a town situated east of Beirut. Israeli military officials stated they were attempting to eliminate a Hezbollah fighter, though details surrounding the attack remain murky.

Mouawad served with the regional chapter of the Lebanese Forces, a Christian political organization widely recognized as Hezbollah’s most vocal political adversary. The party has spent years demanding the militant group’s disarmament and recently accused Hezbollah of pulling Lebanon into another conflict by launching rockets toward Israel in support of Iran, their primary ally and financial backer.

The Lebanese Forces maintains four cabinet positions in Lebanon’s government and controls the largest parliamentary bloc.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that 1,530 individuals have died in Israeli attacks since the Israel-Hezbollah conflict reignited last month in the small Mediterranean nation. Over one million residents have fled their homes, primarily from southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, areas where Hezbollah maintains strong support and control.

As fighting continues and Israeli troops enter Lebanese territory, hostility has increased in Christian, Sunni, and Druze communities toward displaced Shiite residents, who represent Hezbollah’s primary support base.

Host community residents worry that Hezbollah fighters might be concealed among the Shiite civilians who have relocated to their neighborhoods.

The caskets containing Mouawad and his wife, covered with the white Lebanese Forces banner, were carried into St. Simon Church on a mountainside in Yahshoush, located north of Beirut.

Church bells, gunshots, and political music from speakers created a cacophony as government officials, local residents, and party supporters gathered in large numbers for the memorial service.

“They died because Hezbollah dragged us into a war,” declared Lebanese Forces parliamentarian Pierre Bou Assi, describing the conflict as “an Iranian decision with Hezbollah’s implementation.”

“Nobody among all the Lebanese asked them to start this war,” he stated.

While Lebanon’s military announced it is examining the incident, and the government banned Hezbollah’s armed operations and Iranian Revolutionary Guard presence in Lebanon last month, the Ain Saadeh attack has worsened existing tensions.

Many Lebanese citizens who believed they would avoid the war’s impact due to their lack of Hezbollah connections have been shocked as Israeli strikes have hit Hezbollah operatives and Iranian Guard members renting apartments or hotel rooms in their communities.

The property owner of the apartment above the Mouawads, the local mayor, and Lebanese military investigators all confirmed the unit was vacant.

However, the victims’ family members and Mouawad’s political party insist someone — the strike’s intended target — was residing in that apartment, endangering nearby residents.

“If that person had died, it would have been better for us,” said Raymond Mouawad, Pierre’s brother. “Instead, my brother died while he escaped.”

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina — The president’s eldest son delivered harsh criticism of the European Union during a Tuesday visit to Bosnia, claiming the bloc’s progressive policies are driving away investors and forecasting a significant rift between eastern and western member nations.

Donald Trump Jr. told attendees at a business forum that top figures in banking, finance, technology and artificial intelligence view Europe as troubled but fixable. “The biggest players, the biggest names in banking and finance, in tech and AI across the board” believe that “Europe is a disaster,” but “the disaster that they feel also needs to be fixed,” he stated.

“The only way it gets fixed, though, in my opinion is if they (Europe) get out of of their own way,” Trump Jr. remarked during the business discussion in the northwestern Bosnian city, according to footage from state broadcaster RTRS.

The visit took place in Banja Luka, the primary city of Republika Srpska, the Serbian-controlled portion of Bosnia whose officials strongly support both President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Embassy officials in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city, confirmed to The Associated Press via email that Trump Jr. was visiting “in a private capacity.” However, local observers interpreted the trip as an endorsement of Serb separatist political figures.

The visit occurred simultaneously with Vice President JD Vance’s journey to Hungary, where he campaigned for nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of a closely-watched election this weekend.

Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb leader and former Republika Srpska president who maintains ties with Orbán, wrote on X that both visits “signal an important shift of the U.S. administration under the leadership of President Trump and the care for this part of Europe regarding the position of Christians.”

Speaking in Banja Luka, Trump Jr. praised eastern European nations for maintaining “a work ethic that has (withstood) some of the ‘woke’ nonsense that has really been a parasitic thing in the mind in Western Europe.”

“I see that creating major fractures in the European Union between those few countries in eastern Europe that actually still believe in common sense, and Western Europe that’s clearly missing in the political discourse these days,” he added.

Dodik has consistently advocated for the Serbian half of Bosnia to separate from areas governed by Bosniaks, who are predominantly Muslim, and Croats. This Serbian push for independence and potential merger with Serbia was considered the primary trigger of the 1992-95 ethnic conflict that claimed over 100,000 lives before concluding with a U.S.-mediated peace deal.

The Biden administration sanctioned Dodik and related individuals and entities in 2022 due to separatist activities that raised concerns about renewed conflict. These sanctions were removed by the Trump administration last year.

The current administration has maintained longstanding criticism of the EU, particularly regarding trade disputes and EU oversight of technology companies. This criticism of traditional European partners has grown stronger during the Iran war.

Bosnia holds candidate status for EU membership, and the 27-member union describes itself as Bosnia’s largest trading partner, investor and source of financial assistance.

PANAMA CITY — A deadly fuel truck explosion Monday afternoon has forced officials to shut down a crucial bridge spanning the Panama Canal while investigators work to determine what caused the blast and engineers examine potential structural damage.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the base of Panama’s Bridge of the Americas, creating a towering fireball that rose nearly to the bridge’s peak. Security cameras recorded the dramatic explosion on the vital span that links the nation’s capital to the airport and western residential areas. While multiple vehicles were crossing during the blast, their occupants escaped injury.

One fuel truck employee perished in the explosion, while two firefighters sustained injuries while battling the resulting blaze, according to officials.

“We have no confirmation of any other people injured,” stated Víctor Raúl Álvarez, who heads Panama’s Fire Department. He noted that investigators are just beginning their work and have not yet identified what triggered the explosion.

The intense fire has raised concerns about potential damage to the aging bridge, which serves as a critical transportation link between Panama City and the country’s western regions.

On Tuesday, Panama’s Public Works Ministry shared video footage on social media platforms showing engineers examining the site for structural compromises. President José Raúl Mulino posted on X that the bridge closure would “cause disruption” and expressed hope for a swift “return to normal.”

“The Bridge of the Americas is a structure that is over 60 years old. Due to the effects of the fire, if the metal structure was subjected to excessively high temperatures, it may have sustained damage,” explained Edwin Lewis, a ministry engineer.

Expert teams are currently analyzing both concrete and steel elements of the bridge. Authorities have declared the span will stay closed until safety can be guaranteed.

HAVANA — Hundreds of women took to the streets of Cuba’s capital Tuesday, staging a demonstration against U.S. energy restrictions and other sanctions implemented during Donald Trump’s presidency that they say are choking the island nation.

The Federation of Cuban Women, a large government-affiliated organization with strong Communist Party connections, coordinated the protest to pay tribute to Vilma Espín, who founded the group, fought as a guerrilla, and was married to Raúl Castro.

Demonstrators assembled at a park dedicated to a 19th-century independence hero, displaying Cuban flags, carrying banners reading “Down with the Blockade” and holding photographs of Fidel Castro and Espín.

Leading the protest were Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman, Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal, and Mariela Castro, who is Espín’s daughter and former President Raúl Castro’s child.

“This policy of abuse has to stop,” Vidal told The Associated Press. “The Cuban people don’t deserve this. It’s the most comprehensive, all-encompassing, and longest-running system of coercive measures ever imposed against an entire country.”

Vidal, who played a crucial role in the historic Cuba-U.S. diplomatic warming in 2014 during Barack Obama’s presidency, continued: “It subjects us to collective punishment, recognized as such under international law, and we couldn’t fail to be here.”

Early this January, U.S. forces targeted Venezuela and detained its former leader, cutting off vital oil deliveries to Cuba. Trump later in the month warned of tariffs against any nation providing oil to the Caribbean island.

Nevertheless, Trump expressed no objection when a Russian vessel loaded with 730,000 barrels of crude reached Cuba recently, representing the island’s first oil delivery in three months. Russia has announced plans to dispatch another tanker.

The island generates just 40% of its required fuel, and this shortage has crippled the nation, impacting healthcare, mass transit, manufacturing, and worsening an economic downturn that has persisted for five years.

“I am here fighting for the people of Cuba,” said Leydys de la Cruz, a 57-year-old seamstress who joined Tuesday’s rally. “I would ask Trump to leave us in peace. The situation is very bad because of the blockade he’s imposed on us.”

Georgina Reyes, a 36-year-old IT technician, also pleaded with Trump: “I would tell him that we don’t hurt anyone. … Please don’t hurt us.”

Trump has pushed for government overthrow in Cuba and threatened military action while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose parents emigrated from Cuba — has called for freeing political detainees and implementing free-market changes.

Both American and Cuban officials have acknowledged ongoing discussions, though details about their scope remain uncertain.

A humanitarian mission organized by Vatican officials was compelled to retreat Tuesday when artillery fire erupted near a Christian community in southern Lebanon that has been cut off from essential supplies.

The relief convoy, coordinated through the Vatican’s Lebanese embassy, was attempting to reach the town of Debel with desperately needed provisions when nearby combat forced the mission to abort, according to Father Fadi Falfil, a local priest.

Christian communities across southern Lebanon have remained in their homes throughout the intensifying conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, hoping their neutrality might protect them from the violence engulfing neighboring areas.

However, ongoing military operations and aerial bombardments in surrounding regions have made transportation extremely hazardous, creating severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

“We don’t have basic medication like insulin – we don’t even have drinking water,” Father Falfil stated in an interview.

The priest explained that the relief mission was initially scheduled for Easter Sunday but had to be postponed due to intense artillery activity in the region.

“We were waiting all day, and they were at pains all day to try to get this aid to us. It was five minutes away and it had to turn back,” Falfil described.

According to the priest’s briefing, Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah fighters in the vicinity prevented the delivery from proceeding, with no alternative date currently established for another attempt.

Neither Israeli military officials, Hezbollah representatives, nor Vatican embassy personnel in Lebanon provided immediate responses to media inquiries.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, designated as UNIFIL, was providing security escort for Tuesday’s humanitarian convoy.

“The mission had to be cut short due to shelling in the area. We did have some very minor injuries among peacekeepers due to the impacts nearby,” explained UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

Lebanese television network MTV reported the aid shipment contained three trucks loaded with essential items including bread and fresh vegetables.

“No matter what happens, we’re going to stay. We stay because of our faith and our history here – it isn’t a choice, it’s a message,” Father Falfil declared.

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The eldest son of President Donald Trump made a controversial visit to Bosnia’s Serb Republic on Tuesday, where he delivered sharp criticism of the European Union during a private gathering with regional leaders.

During his stop in Banja Luka, the de facto capital of the Serb Republic, Donald Trump Jr. described the European Union as “a little bit of a mess” while speaking to a closed panel of political figures and business leaders. He was invited by Igor Dodik, son of the region’s former separatist leader Milorad Dodik.

Trump Jr., who serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization alongside his brother Eric, shared feedback he claimed to have received from international business contacts. “But it’s a disaster they feel also needs to be fixed because of the impact that it does have on the values and Western civilization,” he stated, referring to concerns about Europe’s current state.

The timing of the visit aligned with Vice President JD Vance’s appearance in Budapest, where he accused the EU of interfering in Hungarian electoral processes.

The Serb Republic represents one half of Bosnia’s dual autonomous structure, established through the U.S.-brokered Dayton peace agreement in 1995. This accord ended a devastating three-year conflict that claimed approximately 100,000 lives and forced around 2 million people from their homes.

Milorad Dodik, who previously led the region, lost his political position last August following a court ruling that prohibited him from holding office. He had faced U.S. sanctions for violations of the Dayton peace framework but has emerged as a vocal supporter of Trump administration policies.

“The arrival of Vance in Hungary and Donald Trump Jr. in Banja Luka is a signal of an important shift in the U.S. administration under President Trump, showing concern for this part of Europe,” Dodik wrote on social media platform X.

The Treasury Department removed sanctions against Dodik and his associates in October without providing public justification for the decision. Serbian officials indicate they have been working behind the scenes to strengthen ties with Washington while preserving their relationship with Russia.

The panel discussion was restricted to government-friendly media organizations, though footage was subsequently aired on regional television networks.

LISBON, April 7 – Portuguese officials have granted permission for 76 American military aircraft to land at the Lajes air facility in the Azores, along with 25 flights over Portuguese airspace during the current U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, according to government statements made Monday.

The approvals come with strict stipulations that American forces avoid striking civilian targets, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel disclosed during testimony before parliament. Rangel confirmed that Washington has honored these requirements as part of what he described as “loyal cooperation” between the NATO partners, though he noted that Portuguese authorities have denied some landing requests.

Multiple European nations including Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland have either limited or completely blocked American military aircraft from using their airspace and facilities during the Iranian conflict.

The restrictions come as President Donald Trump has set a Tuesday 8 p.m. Washington time deadline – which translates to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tehran – for Iran to lift its Gulf oil blockade or face American strikes against Iranian bridges and power facilities.

“We are against any attack on civilian infrastructure, and we made that a condition for the use of the Lajes air base,” Rangel explained to lawmakers. He said Lisbon provides base access for military responses to attacks on America, but only when the retaliation is “necessary and proportional” and avoids civilian casualties.

“The Portuguese government has always made a point of handling this transparently. We say when we authorise it and when there are transits of U.S. aircraft, other (European) governments do as they see fit,” the Foreign Minister stated, emphasizing Portugal’s preference for diplomatic solutions to the Iranian crisis.

The Lajes facility serves as a crucial strategic location housing the U.S. Air Force’s 65th Air Base Wing, which supports American, NATO and allied military operations throughout the region.

Ukrainian military personnel have established operations in western Libya through a secret agreement backed by Western nations, and launched a drone strike against a Russian gas tanker from Libyan territory last month, two Libyan officials revealed Tuesday.

The Russian vessel Arctic Metagaz, loaded with 61,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, sustained severe damage from what authorities believe was a sea drone assault near Malta’s waters in early March. The ship has since been drifting off Libya’s coast. Rescue teams evacuated all 30 crew members to another ship bound for Benghazi, according to Libya’s Maritime Authority.

The targeted vessel belongs to Russia’s unofficial shadow fleet that transports oil despite international sanctions imposed over Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which began more than four years ago. Recent temporary U.S. sanctions relief aims to address supply shortages during the Iran conflict.

Moscow has attributed the assault to Ukrainian sea drones. Ukraine maintains that oil export profits are financing Russia’s military campaign.

The Ukrainian personnel, primarily drone specialists, are based mainly at a Misrata air facility along the coast, while also maintaining presence at military installations in Tripoli and the coastal community of Zawiya, the officials informed The Associated Press. Both requested anonymity when discussing sensitive information.

According to one official, Ukrainian operatives launched the March 3 drone assault from a Tripoli military installation.

Libya’s Maritime Authority reported at the time that the vessel suffered “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Sirte. The maritime agency incorrectly initially announced the tanker had been destroyed.

Following the strike, the Arctic Metagaz stayed afloat and ocean currents pushed it toward Libya’s shoreline, the World Wide Fund for Nature reported. Recently, Libyan officials tried towing the vessel to safer waters off their western coastline. These attempts were unsuccessful due to severe weather and powerful winds that left the tanker drifting without control.

Russian and Ukrainian representatives have not immediately responded to these allegations. Tripoli’s government also did not provide immediate comment.

Ukraine has emerged as a center for rapid military technological advancement, particularly in unmanned aircraft systems, while defending against Russia’s larger military force.

Ukraine’s Sea Baby naval drones have successfully targeted Russian vessels throughout the Black Sea. These effective operations forced Russia to modify its tactics, reducing Black Sea attack opportunities and pushing Ukrainian specialists to plan more ambitious strikes.

The officials explained that Ukrainian forces were progressively positioned in western Libya over recent months through what one described as a “covert deal” between Kyiv and the struggling administration of Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli.

Western nations, including the United States, supported this arrangement. U.S. African affairs adviser Massad Boulos has created a proposal to resolve Libya’s prolonged conflict while maintaining Dbeibah as prime minister, the officials stated.

Boulos’ plan also involves naming Saddam Hifter, son of influential eastern military leader Khalifa Hifter, to lead the presidential council. Saddam Hifter serves as chief of staff for the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army controlling eastern and southern Libya, including significant oil reserves.

For over ten years, the nation has remained divided between a U.N.-recognized Tripoli government under Dbeibah and a competing eastern administration supporting Russia-aligned Hifter. Various armed factions and international governments have backed each side.

Dbeibah’s governmental authority ended when Libya couldn’t conduct its planned presidential election in December 2021. He has since resisted attempts to form a new government and guide the petroleum-rich country toward elections, cautioning that his removal could spark warfare.

Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya expert with the Royal United Services Institute, indicated that Ukrainian forces in western Libya represent NATO’s continuing efforts to prevent the region from falling under “Russia’s reach.”

“It is entirely plausible that, with the knowledge and blessing of NATO powers — chiefly the United States but also the United Kingdom and Turkey — several small groups of Ukrainian operatives now maintain a presence in the greater Tripoli area,” he stated.

Libya has experienced turmoil since a NATO-supported rebellion overthrew and killed longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The oil-wealthy country has become a battleground for ongoing competition between Russia and Western powers. With borders touching six nations, Libya has created challenges for Europe by serving as a migration route for people attempting to reach European territories.

Two French citizens who spent more than three years imprisoned in Iran have been released and are traveling back to France, according to French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Tuesday.

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were permitted to depart Iran after being confined to French diplomatic facilities since their prison release in November. “Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and on route toward French territory, after three and a half years of detention in Iran,” Macron wrote on social media platform X.

The breakthrough came after extensive diplomatic efforts by France to secure their departure from Iranian territory. Macron acknowledged Oman’s assistance in mediating the release, stating “It’s a relief for us all and obviously for their families.”

According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, Tehran agreed to release the French pair in exchange for Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari. Iranian officials had been demanding Esfandiari’s release since last year following her conviction in France for promoting terrorism through statements she made regarding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.

The prisoner exchange highlights Iran’s strategic approach to international relations during ongoing regional conflicts. Macron has maintained France’s distance from the broader Middle East tensions, stating his nation was not consulted about U.S.-Israeli military operations.

Iranian authorities had freed Kohler and Paris from prison in November but prevented their departure from the country. The two had been detained since May 2022 on espionage allegations that French officials consistently rejected as baseless.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed he spoke with both released citizens, who “expressed their emotion and their joy at soon being reunited with their country and their loved ones.” He praised France’s embassy staff in Tehran for keeping them secure “under very difficult conditions.”

France has long criticized Iran for what it calls a “hostage policy,” using foreign nationals as diplomatic leverage. Tehran denies these accusations from Western governments.

In September, Iranian officials indicated the two nations were close to finalizing a prisoner exchange involving Esfandiari. France subsequently withdrew its case against Iran at the International Court of Justice, where it had accused Tehran of violating consular protection rights.

A French court convicted Esfandiari in February on terrorism incitement charges, sentencing her to one year in prison plus a three-year suspended sentence and permanent ban from French territory.

O’SMACH, Cambodia (AP) — Thai military officials provided journalists with an unprecedented look inside what may be the largest online fraud operation ever discovered, a massive complex spanning 197 acres along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

The facility, known as the O’Smach Resort, covers an area equivalent to 150 football fields and housed an estimated 10,000 people engaged in elaborate online scamming operations targeting victims across the globe.

Thai forces seized control of the compound in December amid border tensions with Cambodia, with military officials stating they captured the area after Cambodian forces used it to launch cross-border attacks.

The sprawling operation represents the growing scale of online fraud networks that have expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia following the pandemic. United Nations human rights officials estimate approximately 300,000 workers are involved in similar scamming enterprises throughout the region.

The complex belonged to Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat, who currently faces U.S. sanctions for human rights violations connected to this same facility. Construction materials and cranes scattered throughout the grounds suggest ongoing expansion plans.

Inside a four-story office building, evidence of the sophisticated American-targeted schemes remained scattered across desks. Investigators found detailed instruction manuals written in Chinese, along with American SIM cards and leftover snacks from the previous occupants.

Among the materials discovered was an elaborate 24-page character profile for a fictional woman named Mila, created to deceive targets interested in gold options trading. The fabricated backstory included tragic personal details about losing her husband to leukemia, childhood bullying experiences, and a manufactured history of living in South Africa with relatives.

The compound featured 157 buildings total, with 29 structures dedicated to housing the fraudulent operations and their administrative offices. The remaining buildings included large dormitory facilities and upscale living quarters featuring apartments and three-story residential villas.

To serve the predominantly Chinese workforce, the facility included multiple restaurants offering regional cuisines from Hunan, Shaxian, and Sichuan provinces, complete with traditional dishes like hot and sour rice noodles.

Recent FBI statistics reveal Americans suffered losses approaching $21 billion from various scam operations during 2025 alone, highlighting the financial impact of these international fraud networks.

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, who guided the media tour, emphasized the global nature of the challenge facing law enforcement agencies.

“Every country of the world has to join together to solve this problem, (we) cannot do it alone with Cambodia and Thailand,” Sornchaidee stated.

Despite commitments from both Thailand and Cambodia to address these criminal enterprises, officials acknowledge the international scope of the problem requires coordinated global response efforts.

Residents living along Israel’s northern border are taking a stand, refusing to abandon their homes despite facing renewed rocket attacks from Hezbollah forces across the Lebanese frontier.

Fifty-nine-year-old Orna Weinberg was among those who evacuated from her home in Manara after a Hezbollah rocket damaged her property in October 2023. She spent two years away from her close-knit community, which sits mere meters from Lebanon’s border.

Weinberg characterized those years of displacement as “pretty tough,” marked by devastating personal losses. Several elderly community members, including her mother-in-law and uncle, passed away while living away from home.

“The day we had electricity, and we could put a mattress in, we got back, and we started fixing the house from inside out,” Weinberg explained about returning to her damaged home.

Despite current rocket fire targeting northern Israel as military forces engage Hezbollah in broader regional conflict, Weinberg and fellow residents of the small kibbutz are determined to remain, having only returned last October.

“We will never, ever leave this place again,” Weinberg declared.

The kibbutz of Manara was founded in 1943 by Jewish immigrants during the British Mandatory Palestine period, five years before Israel’s establishment as a state.

From Manara’s perimeter, Lebanese villages are easily visible, highlighting the community’s exposure to cross-border attacks. The sound of Israeli artillery responding into Lebanon regularly reverberates across the area.

People living in Manara and neighboring northern Israeli settlements, which house hundreds of thousands of residents, typically have mere seconds to reach protective shelters when rockets launch from Lebanon, unlike those in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem who have several minutes. Occasionally, alerts arrive only after projectiles have already hit their targets.

Construction work on Weinberg’s residence has stopped due to safety concerns. Other damaged homes in the kibbutz await demolition after sustaining damage from Hezbollah rockets during more than a year of combat that paralleled the Gaza conflict. The Israel-Hezbollah hostilities decreased following a ceasefire agreement in 2024.

At Hagoshrim, another kibbutz located approximately two kilometers from the Lebanese border, residents have similarly committed to staying despite deadly rocket threats. A community member was killed by Hezbollah fire in 2024.

Hagoshrim resident Dror Gavish acknowledges the terror posed by the Lebanese militant organization. Two Israelis have died in Hezbollah strikes since the group began launching rockets in support of Iran on March 2 this year.

Nevertheless, forty-two-year-old Gavish said he, his spouse, and their three children chose to remain rather than evacuate. “We are here and we’re not going to go anywhere.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has maintained that no northern residents will face forced evacuation as combat continues.

This approach contrasts sharply with conditions across the border, where Israeli forces have commanded hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians to flee their communities as bombing campaigns destroy villages, with Israel claiming Hezbollah uses these areas for launching attacks. Israel’s renewed military campaign in Lebanon has displaced over 1.2 million people.

Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, Manara’s population evacuated, fearing Hezbollah might execute a similar attack. Tens of thousands of northern Israeli residents received government support to stay in temporary housing throughout the country, with many still not returned.

Currently, Netanyahu’s government has not provided funding for residents to stay in hotels elsewhere until hostilities end. Instead, officials have promised to capture Lebanese territory to prevent Hezbollah from threatening northern Israeli communities with short-range weapons.

Weinberg expresses criticism toward Netanyahu’s government. Like numerous Israelis, she believes an investigation must examine the failures leading to the October 7 attack, which resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths, including two of her family members. Another relative was kidnapped to Gaza and subsequently killed, she reported.

Netanyahu has denied personal accountability for the failures and has resisted an independent investigation, instead supporting an inquiry where the government would select half the panel members.

“I don’t think the government are our saviours, and I don’t expect them to be,” Weinberg stated. She believes Israel’s leadership should pursue peaceful relations with neighboring countries rather than engaging in warfare.

Gavish from Hagoshrim said that while he, like many Israelis, views Iran as a significant threat, he lacks confidence in Netanyahu’s government to act in the nation’s best interests.

He anticipates upcoming elections will produce new leadership focused on diplomatic solutions, including peace agreements with Lebanon.

“I really believe things here can be much better for us,” he said.

The escalating Middle East conflict has reached extraordinary intensity as American and Israeli forces work together to dismantle Iran’s military and economic infrastructure, according to a senior Israeli defense official.

Brigadier General Amir Avivi, who founded and leads the Israel Defense and Security Forum, shared his analysis of the current situation with The Media Line. Despite facing continuous attacks across multiple fronts, Avivi expressed confidence in the coalition’s progress. “Obviously, it’s very, very challenging, but we are winning decisively,” he stated.

The general revealed details of recent joint operations, including a dramatic rescue mission where American forces, supported by Israeli intelligence and special units, extracted a downed US pilot from Iran’s mountainous regions. Avivi described how the airman moved “towards the top of the mountain to … a place where he can hide” while the US “built a whole base in the area in order to support the troops that were involved in the rescue itself.” Israeli forces provided intelligence support and elite unit participation in the operation.

According to Avivi’s assessment, the allied campaign has achieved remarkable success in degrading Iran’s capabilities, destroying 90% of the country’s essential military production facilities and eliminating 85% of petrochemical operations. The economic impact has been severe, with “tens of billions of dollars have gone to the drain,” he observed. The strategy aims to reach a point where “Iran cannot sustain anymore, where this regime cannot pay salaries, cannot sustain its economy and its military capabilities.”

Drawing parallels to World War II strategy against Japan, Avivi explained that current efforts focus on forcing surrender without requiring American ground forces. He noted that President Trump has discussed targeting electrical infrastructure and seizing control of Iranian oil resources. Supporting this approach, Avivi warned, “They have to lose everything,” predicting that “in a few attacks, this country will not function anymore at all.”

Regarding Iran’s interference with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Avivi argued there “shouldn’t be a problem for the US to take over the Strait,” describing it as strategically essential. He emphasized the waterway’s importance, noting “Twenty percent of the oil and gas goes through this Strait” and stressed that “Whoever controls it has a lot of power. And this power shouldn’t be in the hands of this apocalyptic, crazy regime.”

To address potential disruptions to global energy supplies, Avivi described an alternative transportation route through Saudi Arabia and Israel. This corridor would utilize Saudi pipelines and move petroleum from the Red Sea through Eilat to Ashkelon, making “Israel will become a corridor of energy that will supply huge amounts of oil to Europe.” Combined with increased exports from America, Venezuela, and Azerbaijan, he estimated this alternative route could address approximately half of the market disruption caused by strait closures.

The general emphasized that complete victory requires total elimination of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats. “If you want to get to the point where the Iranians give all the enriched uranium, where you have forces going in and dismantling all their underground cities with ballistic missiles. … This can be done only when the regime surrenders or falls,” he argued.

Avivi’s most dramatic recommendation involves destroying Iran’s electrical grid to paralyze the government’s ability to function. He believes this would leave the state without operational banking systems, command centers, or computer networks. “When you take down the electricity, they will have maybe a few days to use generators. … But this is good for a few days, not anymore. And once this is done, they’re done,” he explained.

Using biblical imagery, he advocated for “a plague of darkness in Iran, taking out their electricity plants and rendering this regime completely incapable.” However, Avivi clarified that the strategy targets the regime rather than ordinary Iranians. “You can destroy certain elements that can be rebuilt later on,” he noted, seeking to “enable the Iranian people to rebuild their future once there is a change of regime.”

On the home front, Avivi described the ongoing impact of Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Israeli civilians. While Israel’s defense systems intercept more than 90% of incoming threats, he acknowledged the psychological burden on the population. “People wake up in the middle of the night to sirens and in the middle of the day and little children,” Avivi described, adding that Iran’s indiscriminate targeting of civilians proves “It’s not a regime that can continue to exist.”

In Lebanon, Israeli forces have advanced five to six miles into the southern region to reduce anti-tank missile threats. When questioned about the permanence of this presence, Avivi responded, “Probably. We’ll see.” Israeli air operations continue targeting Hezbollah leadership, weapons systems, and financial networks. However, he stressed that Iran remains the primary target, serving as the financial backbone for “militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza.” He noted that “it’s the Iranian regime that is sustaining Hezbollah, that paid them in 2025, $2 billion.”

While Israeli operations have eliminated over a thousand Hezbollah operatives, Avivi argued that logistical advantages over Iran are crucial for overall victory. He pointed out that Israel and America maintain continuous weapons production while Iran’s manufacturing facilities have been destroyed. Quoting a military principle often attributed to General Omar Bradley, Avivi said, “Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics.”

Despite significant progress, he counseled patience in achieving complete victory. “We are winning the war. But we have to understand what was built in 47 years, you don’t destroy in a few weeks. It takes some time.” He summarized his strategic philosophy by declaring, “Iran is the key. And we really need to cut the head of the snake.”

Avivi strongly criticized NATO’s decision not to participate in the conflict, calling it a historic error that could reshape international alliances. He predicted growing tensions, stating, “I think the US understands that they cannot trust NATO anymore. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the US leaving NATO.” He warned that European nations will need to rebuild their military capabilities to counter Russian threats while observing that US-Israel cooperation is strengthening, potentially expanding the Abraham Accords after the conflict ends. “The US understands that they only have one really serious, capable ally. Nobody else really stepped [up] and helped in this war,” he observed.

Regarding Gaza operations, Avivi confirmed that Israeli forces control more than half the territory while maintaining clear objectives about Hamas’s future. “If anybody thinks that Israel will let Hamas stay armed in Gaza, this is not going to happen,” he stated firmly.

The general also addressed domestic Israeli debates about military conscription during wartime. He criticized exemptions that allow some groups to avoid service during what he considers an existential crisis, arguing that all Israeli society must contribute to defense efforts. “In Israel, everybody needs to serve,” he declared, calling draft avoidance “completely against our Jewish values.”

Looking back on the conflict’s development, Avivi expressed surprise at the rapid success achieved during last June’s 12-day campaign against Iran, particularly the swift destruction of Iranian air defenses within thirty-six hours. Comparing actual results to pre-war projections, he admitted, “With all the challenges that we have now, it’s not even 1% of what we thought it might be.”

Intelligence sources indicate that Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains unconscious and in grave condition in the city of Qom, creating uncertainty about who holds power in Tehran, according to a diplomatic briefing citing American and Israeli intelligence that was published Tuesday in The Times of London.

Former President Trump has questioned whether the Iranian leader remains alive or capable of governing. Speaking last month, Trump stated, “The supreme leader of Iran is dead or seriously wounded because nobody hears from him. Who would want to lead Iran? Nobody.”

Mojtaba Khamenei has been absent from public view since early March, just weeks after taking over as supreme leader. His current medical crisis stems from wounds he received during a combined American-Israeli military strike on February 28 that marked the beginning of the conflict. That same attack resulted in the deaths of his father Ali Khamenei, along with his mother, spouse, and child.

The intelligence memo reveals that funeral arrangements are being made in Qom for Ali Khamenei, with construction of an expansive mausoleum designed to accommodate “more than one grave,” suggesting additional family members may be interred at the location.

Meanwhile, Iran International, an opposition news source, has reported that a military committee consisting of high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders has taken control of governmental decisions in Iran. This council is allegedly blocking Mojtaba Khamenei from receiving updates about the nation’s wartime situation.

Additional friction has emerged between President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government and the Revolutionary Guards. Reports indicate that Pezeshkian sought an audience with Mojtaba Khamenei, but his request received no response and contact was never made.

Israeli military forces launched extensive bombing operations across Iran on Monday, striking facilities the military claims were essential to the country’s weapons manufacturing capabilities, according to statements from the Israel Defense Forces.

Military officials reported that warplanes targeted a chemical manufacturing complex in Shiraz that produced nitric acid, a substance Israeli forces describe as crucial for creating explosives and developing ballistic missiles. Israeli military representatives stated this location was among the limited number of Iranian sites still capable of manufacturing vital chemical materials for weapons production.

The Israeli military indicated these latest attacks followed previous bombardments of other major chemical manufacturing complexes, including what they characterized as Iran’s largest petrochemical operation and another facility in Mahshahr. Military officials claim these combined strikes have disabled more than 85% of Iran’s chemical export capabilities.

In addition to the Shiraz facility, Israeli forces reported hitting a major ballistic missile installation in Iran’s northwestern region during the same military operation.

Israeli officials expect the infrastructure damage will significantly hamper Iran’s capacity to produce essential missile components, which they say Iran uses to threaten Israel and neighboring Middle Eastern nations.

The United Nations migration agency reported Tuesday that over 80 migrants remain unaccounted for following a devastating boat accident in the central Mediterranean Sea. Two bodies have been found so far from the tragedy.

The vessel was carrying approximately 120 individuals when it left Tajoura, a coastal community in northwestern Libya, on Sunday. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat took on water and flipped over due to severe weather conditions in the area.

Rescue operations by a commercial ship and tugboat successfully pulled 32 survivors from the water, who were subsequently transported by Italy’s coast guard to Lampedusa, a southern Italian island. Officials confirmed the recovery of two victims’ bodies during the operation.

The North African nation has become a primary departure point for people escaping conflict and economic hardship across Africa and the Middle East. Libya descended into turmoil following the 2011 rebellion that resulted in the death of long-ruling leader Moammar Gadhafi.

This latest tragedy occurred roughly one week following another deadly incident when Italian coast guard personnel discovered 19 bodies and saved 58 individuals from a migrant dinghy approximately 80 nautical miles from Lampedusa. That rescue operation took place in Libya’s search and rescue waters during challenging weather.

The small Mediterranean island of Lampedusa serves as Europe’s primary arrival destination for migrants making the dangerous crossing from North Africa, with thousands perishing during these treacherous voyages. Most fatalities occur when small vessels launch from Tunisian and Libyan shores.

According to Tuesday’s IOM report, early 2026 has become the most lethal beginning to any year for Mediterranean crossings since 2014, with no fewer than 990 documented deaths already recorded. In the Central Mediterranean specifically, 765 people have lost their lives in 2026, representing approximately a 150% surge compared to the same timeframe last year.

IOM Director General Amy Pope recently told The Associated Press that the organization is observing increasing numbers of migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan aboard Mediterranean vessels.

“The issue of people crossing the Mediterranean is really dependent on what else is happening in the world and the factors at the moment, war, instability, lack of access to food, sexual violence, all of these things will drive people to move,” she said.

BULLY-LES-MINES, France — A locomotive engineer lost his life Tuesday when a high-speed passenger train collided with a truck transporting military equipment at a railroad crossing in northern France, according to local officials.

Sixteen passengers sustained injuries in the crash, with two in serious condition, authorities reported. The truck operator has been taken into custody as investigators launch an aggravated manslaughter probe, though Prosecutor Etienne Thieffry told media it remains too soon to pinpoint what caused the deadly collision.

Jean Castex, who leads France’s national railway system SNCF, confirmed that the crossing’s safety gates were operating properly at the time of impact.

Emergency responders descended on the crash site in Bully-les-Mines, located along the rail line connecting Dunkirk to Paris, regional officials stated. More than 200 train passengers were safely evacuated from the scene following the accident.

An Associated Press reporter observed extensive damage to both vehicles, with the locomotive’s front end severely crushed and the truck also heavily damaged. The train cars stayed upright on the rails, though railway operations were suspended while emergency crews conducted their response operations.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan diplomatic officials announced Tuesday that peace negotiations taking place in China between Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed at stopping cross-border violence have shown encouraging progress.

The diplomatic meetings commenced last week in Urumqi, a city in western China, after Beijing extended an invitation to both nations in hopes of resolving the deadly conflict that erupted in February and has claimed hundreds of lives. Pakistan previously declared it was engaged in “open war” with Afghanistan and has conducted aerial bombardments on Afghan territory, including strikes in Kabul.

According to a Tuesday post by the United Nations humanitarian coordination office in Afghanistan, the ongoing violence has forced 94,000 people from their homes, while another 100,000 residents in two Afghan border districts have been completely isolated by the fighting since February began.

The escalating violence has created significant concern among international observers, especially given that extremist groups like al-Qaida and ISIS maintain operations in the contested region.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held discussions with China’s ambassador to Afghanistan on Tuesday, as reported by Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal on social media. Takal expressed gratitude to Beijing for organizing and facilitating the negotiations, while also acknowledging mediation assistance from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“Noting that constructive discussions have taken place so far, FM Muttaqi expressed hope that minor interpretations would not hinder the progress of the negotiations,” Takal wrote.

Official communications about the diplomatic talks have remained limited since mid-level representatives from both countries began meeting on April 1.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Afghanistan has repeatedly alleged that Pakistan continued cross-border artillery attacks during the talks, resulting in civilian casualties. Pakistani officials have not responded to these accusations.

Pakistan frequently claims that Afghanistan allows militant groups to operate from its territory and launch deadly strikes inside Pakistan, particularly the Pakistani Taliban organization known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. This group maintains ties with but operates separately from the Afghan Taliban, which assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021 after U.S.-led forces withdrew. Afghan authorities reject these allegations.

Pakistani military leadership pledged Tuesday to maintain current anti-terrorism operations until what they described as “militant safe havens” are destroyed and “the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan” ceases.

These statements emerged from a high-level military conference led by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to an official military announcement.

The gathering assessed current domestic and international security conditions. The statement indicated that “terrorist proxies” working for “external sponsors” and their supporters would be tracked down and eliminated “relentlessly and without exception.”

The current violence represents the most intense fighting between the neighboring countries and began when Afghanistan launched retaliatory cross-border operations following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil. These clashes shattered a Qatar-mediated ceasefire agreement from October that had ended earlier fighting which killed dozens of military personnel, civilians and suspected militants.

A Pakistani airstrike on March 17 targeted a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, with Afghan authorities reporting more than 400 deaths. Pakistan disputed targeting civilians, claiming its operations focused on military installations.

Crude oil costs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels approaching $150 per barrel as the escalating Middle East conflict continues to strangle global energy supplies, according to industry data released April 7.

The ongoing war involving the U.S.-Israel alliance against Iran has resulted in the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off approximately 12 million barrels of oil per day from reaching world markets. This represents roughly 12% of global oil production, creating severe supply shortages that are driving prices to historic peaks.

While Brent crude futures climbed to $119.50 per barrel last month – the highest level since 2022 – the actual cost of physical oil deliveries has far surpassed even those elevated prices. North Sea Forties crude reached an all-time high of $146.09 per barrel on Tuesday, surpassing the previous 2008 record of $147.50.

The dramatic price surge stems from desperate competition among refineries in Europe and Asia scrambling to secure alternative oil sources to replace the lost Middle Eastern supplies. This has created a bidding war for immediately available crude from regions like Europe and Africa.

Veteran oil trader Adi Imsirovic attributed the extreme pricing to widespread “panic” in the marketplace. “When there is a real, physical shortage, people are not thinking about July delivery – June loading and hence June futures prices – but oil NOW,” Imsirovic explained.

The gap between immediate delivery prices and future contracts has widened dramatically, with dated Brent crude – which reflects actual cargo prices – trading nearly $20 above June futures contracts. This premium reflects the urgent need for oil that can be delivered immediately rather than months down the road.

“At the moment, the market is scrambling for prompt, refinery-usable barrels, and stress is appearing first in the part of the benchmark that is closest to the immediate physical problem,” Morgan Stanley analysts noted in their latest market assessment.

S&P Global Energy Platts, a major oil price publisher, valued dated Brent at $141.365 on April 2, approaching the 2008 record of $144.22. Using this benchmark would push many physical oil cargoes, including Forties crude, well beyond the $150 threshold.

The supply crisis has also sent refined fuel costs soaring across European markets. Jet fuel prices reached $226.40 per barrel on Tuesday, nearly matching record highs set in mid-March. Diesel prices climbed to $203.59 per barrel, though still below the peaks reached in 2022.

BAGHDAD — Three Iraqi government sources revealed Tuesday that local officials suspect the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia orchestrated the March 31 kidnapping of American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson from a Baghdad street corner, though efforts to secure her freedom have encountered significant roadblocks.

While U.S. authorities had previously pointed to this group as responsible for Kittleson’s abduction, Iraq’s government has not officially identified the perpetrators, and the militia organization has made no public claims regarding the kidnapping.

When contacted for comment, representatives from Kataib Hezbollah refused to respond.

Two Iraqi security officials and one member of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework political alliance shared details with The Associated Press under anonymity, as they lacked authorization to discuss the sensitive matter publicly.

According to one security source, a representative from the Popular Mobilization Forces — an umbrella organization of Iran-backed militias operating under nominal Iraqi military oversight — was assigned to establish contact with the kidnappers for Kittleson’s release but encountered substantial communication barriers with Kataib Hezbollah’s leadership.

“The primary challenge is that the leaders of the Kataib militia — specifically, the commanders of the battalions — are nowhere to be found. No one knows their whereabouts, and the process of establishing contact with them is extremely complex,” they said. “These leaders have gone underground, maintaining no active lines of communication, out of fear of being targeted.”

The political source indicated that Iraqi officials sent communications to Kataib leadership seeking their conditions for the journalist’s release. While authorities expressed readiness to free six detained Kataib Hezbollah members — most held for attacks on a U.S. facility in Syria — the militia has yet to clearly state its demands.

A second security official noted additional complications, explaining that the Iraqi official overseeing the case still awaits authorization from U.S. authorities to move forward with negotiations.

U.S. officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. The State Department has previously stated it is collaborating with the FBI to secure Kittleson’s freedom.

Press freedom organizations have called on the U.S. government to officially classify Kittleson as a hostage or “wrongful detainee,” a status that would activate enhanced government response protocols.

The 49-year-old Kittleson spent years working internationally, previously operating from Rome while establishing a distinguished journalism career throughout the Middle East, with particular focus on Iraq and Syria. As is common for independent journalists, she frequently operated with limited resources and without the security measures provided by major news organizations to their staff reporters.

She had recently re-entered Iraq before her capture. U.S. officials report they repeatedly warned her about threats to her safety, but she chose to remain in the country.

Iraqi authorities described the kidnapping as involving two vehicles, with one crashing during a pursuit near al-Haswa in Babil province, located southwest of Baghdad. The journalist was subsequently moved to a second vehicle that escaped.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council will cast ballots Tuesday on a significantly diluted measure calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though uncertainty remains over whether Russia and China will block the Bahrain-backed proposal.

The balloting comes just hours ahead of an 8 p.m. Eastern time ultimatum issued by U.S. President Donald Trump requiring Iran to reopen the crucial shipping lane or face military strikes on its infrastructure including power facilities and bridges. Approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments normally transit through this waterway, and Iran’s blockade amid the ongoing conflict has caused energy costs to spike dramatically.

Even if the measure passes, it’s unlikely to influence the conflict, which has now entered its fifth week, given how substantially it has been diluted in attempts to persuade Russia and China to abstain instead of using their veto power.

The original proposal from Bahrain would have permitted nations to employ “all necessary means” — diplomatic language at the UN that encompasses military force — to guarantee passage through the Strait of Hormuz and prevent closure attempts.

Following objections from Russia, China and France, all permanent Security Council members with veto authority on the 15-nation body, regarding the authorization of force, the measure was amended to remove all references to offensive operations. The revised version would have permitted only “all defensive means necessary.” Voting had been anticipated for Saturday.

However, the proposal underwent further weakening to remove any mention of Security Council authorization — which constitutes a directive for action — and restrict its scope specifically to the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier versions had encompassed surrounding waters.

Tuesday’s resolution “strongly encourages states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate with the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz.”

This would encompass providing protection for merchant and commercial ships, and preventing efforts to shut down, block or disrupt international shipping through the waterway, according to the text.

The measure also calls on Iran to immediately cease attacks on merchant and commercial vessels and stop hindering their navigation freedom through the Strait of Hormuz and targeting civilian infrastructure.

Following U.S. and Israeli military operations that began February 28, Iran has struck hotels, airports, residential areas and other civilian targets across more than 10 nations, including the Islamic Republic’s Gulf neighbors, some of whom rank among the world’s leading oil and natural gas exporters.

Gulf states view Iran’s strait blockade as a threat to their survival. Bahrain, which houses the U.S. Fifth Fleet and currently serves as the Security Council’s Arab representative and monthly president, has been advocating for UN intervention.

Meanwhile, Trump reiterated Monday his demand for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while praising U.S. forces for their bold rescue of two fighter jet crew members shot down over Iran. The Republican leader cautioned Iran that the “entire country can be taken out in one night, and that might be tomorrow night.”

He echoed this threat Tuesday, stating a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless Tehran meets his deadline to accept an agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia and China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong have held the U.S. and Israel responsible for initiating the conflict and creating a widening international crisis. They informed the Security Council last week that the most pressing need is an immediate cessation of military activities.

Following Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors, the Security Council passed a Bahrain-sponsored resolution March 11 denouncing the “egregious attacks” and demanding Tehran immediately stop its strikes.

That measure, approved 13-0 with Russia and China not participating, also criticized Iran’s Strait of Hormuz actions as endangering global peace and security and demanded an immediate end to all shipping blockade activities.

Turkish law enforcement officers fatally shot an assailant during an armed confrontation outside the structure that houses Israel’s consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, officials and eyewitnesses confirmed.

The violent encounter brings attention to Turkey’s extensive record of extremist violence spanning nearly a decade. Here’s a chronological overview of significant terrorist incidents that have occurred across the country:

December 29, 2025 – Six Islamic State fighters and three Turkish law enforcement officers died during armed combat in Yalova, located in Turkey’s northwest region.

September 8, 2025 – Authorities detained a teenager, age 16, in connection with the fatal shooting of two officers during an assault on a police facility in Izmir, a western Turkish municipality.

October 24, 2024 – A pair of armed assailants murdered five individuals at TUSAS, Turkey’s premier aerospace company in Ankara. Officials attributed the assault to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) extremist organization.

January 28, 2024 – Two masked shooters fatally wounded one person while attacking a religious service in Istanbul. Law enforcement apprehended the suspects and established connections to Islamic State.

October 1, 2023 – Two militants set off an explosive device outside government facilities in Ankara, killing themselves and injuring two law enforcement officers. The PKK took credit for the bombing.

November 13, 2022 – An explosion on a crowded Istanbul street resulted in six deaths and 81 injuries. Turkish officials accused the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which they regard as a PKK affiliate, though both organizations rejected involvement.

January 5, 2017 – A vehicle bomb in Izmir claimed the lives of one police officer and one court worker. Officials determined PKK members carried out the attack.

December 31, 2016 – Islamic State accepted responsibility for a New Year’s Eve mass shooting at an Istanbul entertainment venue that resulted in 39 fatalities.

December 17, 2016 – A car bomb explosion killed 13 military personnel in Kayseri. A PKK splinter group claimed the attack.

December 10, 2016 – Dual explosive attacks near an Istanbul football stadium killed 44 people, primarily law enforcement officers. The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), affiliated with PKK, claimed responsibility.

August 26, 2016 – A suicide truck bomb targeting a police station in southeastern Turkey killed no fewer than 11 people. The PKK claimed the operation.

August 20, 2016 – A suicide bomber struck a wedding celebration in Gaziantep, killing at least 51 attendees. President Tayyip Erdogan stated the perpetrator had Islamic State connections.

June 28, 2016 – A coordinated attack involving three suicide bombers and gunmen at Istanbul’s primary airport killed 45 and injured more than 160. The attackers, believed connected to Islamic State, received life imprisonment sentences.

March 19, 2016 – A suicide bomber killed four people in Istanbul, including three Israeli citizens (two holding dual U.S. citizenship) and one Iranian national. A Turkish Islamic State member was responsible.

March 13, 2016 – An explosive-laden vehicle detonated at a busy transportation center in Ankara, killing 37 people. TAK claimed responsibility.

February 17, 2016 – A car bomb targeted military transport vehicles near the armed forces headquarters, parliament, and additional government structures in Ankara, killing 28 and wounding many others. TAK claimed the attack.

January 12, 2016 – A suicide bomber killed at least 10 individuals, predominantly German visitors, in Istanbul’s historic district. Authorities attributed the incident to Islamic State.

October 10, 2015 – Twin bomb attacks outside Ankara’s central railway station killed more than 100 people. Turkish courts gave life sentences to the perpetrators, who had Islamic State ties.

September 8, 2015 – PKK fighters killed 15 law enforcement officers in the eastern provinces of Mardin and Igdir.

July 20, 2015 – An Islamic State suicide bomber killed over 30 people, mainly young students, in Suruc, a predominantly Kurdish community near Syria’s border.

Two French citizens who spent more than three years imprisoned in Iran are now heading home, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday.

Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris are “free and on their way to France, after three and a half years of detention in Iran,” Macron wrote on the social media platform X.

The news prompted French legislators to rise in a standing ovation when the announcement was shared at the National Assembly in Paris.