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Armed assailants stormed a university community in Nigeria’s Plateau state Sunday evening, opening fire and killing at least 13 people, according to local residents and government officials. The deadly assault marks another tragic incident in a region that has experienced ongoing violence between different groups.

The attackers targeted the Gari Ya Waye community within the Angwan Rukuba district, where they fired weapons at civilians without discrimination, witnesses reported. State authorities have identified the perpetrators as unknown gunmen and responded by establishing a 48-hour curfew across the affected district.

The violence has disrupted academic activities, with the University of Jos announcing the postponement of examinations that were scheduled to begin Monday morning. The institution cited security concerns following the overnight attack.

“People were here in the evening and unfortunately, wicked terrorists came and attacked our people. We have counted scores of people who are now dead and then so many others are also in the hospital receiving treatment,” said Paul Mancha, a local resident who serves as chairperson of the youth council in Plateau.

The central Nigerian region, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt, has been experiencing persistent deadly confrontations. While these conflicts are sometimes characterized as religious tensions between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farming communities, analysts and political leaders point to environmental factors as underlying causes. Climate change and agricultural expansion have intensified competition for land resources, creating disputes that transcend religious and ethnic boundaries.

The violence in Nigeria has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump designating the country “a country of particular concern” last November. Trump cited targeting of Christians and alleged government failures to provide adequate protection, claims that Nigerian officials have disputed.

Kosovo’s leadership announced Monday their commitment to deploy military personnel to Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping operation supported by the United States, following last year’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The Balkan nation joins several other countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Albania, in contributing forces to what’s being called the International Stabilization Force. This peacekeeping mission aims to maintain stability and support a transitional government in Gaza under President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative.

During a televised government meeting on Monday, Kosovo’s defense ministry confirmed the deployment decision after receiving an invitation from Washington in December.

“We are ready to participate and help the people of Gaza, because we ourselves have been and are beneficiaries of international forces since 1999,” Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated during the session.

Officials did not disclose the specific number of troops Kosovo plans to send to the region.

Despite the ceasefire that took effect in November, tensions remain high in Gaza. Local health authorities report that Israeli forces have killed more than 680 Palestinians since the truce began. The broader conflict, which started in October 2023, has resulted in over 72,000 deaths according to local officials.

Kosovo, home to 1.6 million people in the Balkans, maintains strong ties with the United States, which supported the country’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.

HALABJA, Iraq (AP) — Yaser Fattahi depends on elaborate phone relays to hear his mother’s voice across the Iran-Iraq border, waiting anxiously for his cousin to make dangerous trips near the frontier where cell signals can briefly connect the separated family.

The trained nurse escaped to Iraq last December after Iranian authorities began targeting him for treating wounded anti-government demonstrators in private homes, helping them avoid surveillance at government-controlled medical facilities.

With regional warfare escalating, Fattahi now lives in constant anxiety about his mother’s wellbeing as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue.

The ongoing conflict has severed telecommunications networks and prompted Iran to mass troops along the border, effectively cutting off both communication channels and commercial activity across the region.

Fattahi’s cousin orchestrates their calls by carrying two devices to the border area – one connected to Iraq’s cellular network to reach Fattahi, while using the second phone to contact his mother through Iran’s system via WhatsApp.

“The calls last a minute or two,” Fattahi explained from his location in Sulaymaniyah, situated in Iraq’s Kurdish territory near the Iranian frontier. “She tells me to take care of myself, and that they are okay.”

Four days have elapsed since their most recent conversation. Fattahi continuously checks his device. “I thought he would call today but he hasn’t,” he noted.

The frontier separating Iran from northern Iraq’s Kurdish areas has historically remained fluid, sustained by family connections, commercial exchange, and illicit trafficking. Currently, households find themselves isolated from relatives, while merchants and even contraband runners avoid crossing. Iranian military units have expanded their deployment to block infiltration attempts by Iranian Kurdish resistance organizations.

Individuals who venture toward the boundary seeking Iraqi cellular coverage face potential shooting, according to advocacy groups. Alternative communication methods include illegally obtained Starlink access, though at considerable expense.

Within the mountainous Iraqi region of Byara, family members previously made routine border crossings for celebrations and religious observances.

The warfare has disrupted these established customs.

Nyan Fayaq, a 25-year-old legal studies student, supervised large cooking vessels while helping prepare an iftar meal during Ramadan’s concluding week as numerous family members assembled in traditional Kurdish attire among verdant hills populated with livestock.

Her concerns centered on relatives in Iran’s Saqqez city, whom she hasn’t contacted for over thirty days.

Born in Iran, Fayaq relocated to Iraq with her mother following her parents’ separation when she was two years old, returning to her mother’s native country. She reconnected with her Iranian uncles eighteen years later and maintained regular contact.

“They have electricity, gas and water, but everything has become very expensive because of America,” she stated.

An Iranian Kurdish worker employed in Iraq returned to his native Merivan two weeks prior to retrieve his spouse, bringing her to Iraq due to safety concerns. He requested anonymity, worried that identification might prevent future returns.

Since that time, his family communications have been extremely limited. He reported that relatives informed him Iranian law enforcement and security personnel operate outside their usual facilities because airstrikes have destroyed many installations. The Associated Press cannot verify these claims independently.

According to his sources, security forces have occupied educational institutions and recreational facilities despite local opposition.

The conflict has completely halted cross-border smuggling activities.

These carriers, called kolbars, transport merchandise including tobacco products, electronic devices, and apparel throughout Iran’s western regions. They function within legal ambiguity while risking death from border security, severe climate conditions, and dangerous mountain passages.

Occasionally, kolbars also facilitate human smuggling across the frontier. Many clients are Iranian Kurds lacking travel documents due to incomplete military obligations, while others seek asylum hoping to reach Europe. Kurdish militant organizations utilize identical mountain paths for moving personnel and supplies into Iran for operations.

Twenty-five-year-old Bilal Osman has known only kolbar work, inheriting the profession from previous generations.

He remembers Iranian forces firing on a twelve-mule convoy transporting merchandise through mountain terrain last year. “One bullet even hit a man’s leg,” he recalled.

“Sometimes a lot of soldiers are stationed along the border. If they see us, they shoot, beat us, or throw stones. Our life is hard, but this is how we make money to feed our families,” he explained.

At the base of mountains bordering Iran near Halabja, he cares for his animals while awaiting communication from Iranian kolbars across the boundary. Since warfare commenced, no contact has occurred.

“The kolbars simply can’t cross. We are always ready, but the borders are tightly controlled,” Osman stated.

Iranian authorities have “brought cameras for each spot, increased soldiers from five to at eac30 h location, and now even place soldiers between checkpoints,” he reported. “We speak to people on the Iranian side every day, and they tell us they can’t come because the border is too heavily guarded.”

An Iranian kolbar, speaking anonymously for security reasons, confirmed to The Associated Press that operations have virtually ceased since hostilities began due to enhanced security measures.

Shiwa Hassanpour, representing the Hengaw Organization human rights monitoring group based in Iraqi Kurdistan, reported that individuals approaching the border face shooting because Iranian forces suspect espionage activities.

Gathering intelligence from within Iran has become progressively challenging, she noted. Residents depend on expensive virtual private networks to report incidents and transmit footage, causing delayed news emergence. Hassanpour herself hasn’t reached her family for over twenty days.

She indicated that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard has positioned substantial troop numbers throughout Kurdish regional cities. These actions intensified following Iranian Kurdish opposition groups’ coalition announcement.

Subsequently, Hengaw has recorded significant increases in temporary checkpoints, vehicle inspections, and civilian violence.

VPN services to circumvent internet limitations cost approximately $25. Family communication with overseas relatives requires up to $50, beyond most households’ financial capacity, she explained. Residents also pay premium rates for smuggled Starlink connectivity.

To block Iranians from accessing Iraqi networks for calls, Iran attacked cellular infrastructure operated by Iraqi companies Asiacell and Korek near the frontier, then instructed security forces to shoot anyone approaching those areas, according to Hassanpour.

Officials have also detained anyone discovered with VPN applications, accusing them of espionage for Israel or the United States, she added.

Fattahi continues awaiting word from his mother. Their conversations often suffer from interference and ambient noise because his cousin employs two devices – one contacting Fattahi while the other reaches his mother.

“It’s hard to hear her,” he said. “But it’s enough.”

Medical officials reported Monday that Israeli military actions resulted in four Palestinian deaths across Gaza and the West Bank, marking continued violence despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States over five months ago.

According to local healthcare authorities, three Palestinians died and two sustained injuries when Israeli aircraft launched a missile strike targeting a group near Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. Israeli officials have not yet provided a response to the incident.

The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in more than 72,000 fatalities. Israel is currently engaged in military operations against Iran with U.S. support, while also conducting a fresh offensive against Hezbollah that includes Israeli ground forces operating in southern Lebanon.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, hostilities in Gaza have continued alongside Israel’s conflict with Iran. Medical authorities in the territory report that Israeli forces have killed at least 50 Palestinians since the Iran confrontation started one month ago.

In the Israeli-controlled West Bank, healthcare officials confirmed that Israeli troops fatally shot a 22-year-old man in the vicinity of Hebron, with soldiers subsequently removing the victim’s body.

Palestinian security officials named the deceased as Ramzi Awawada and alleged that Israeli forces allowed him to die from blood loss while blocking emergency responders from providing aid.

Israeli military representatives stated that their personnel shot and killed a Palestinian individual who approached them while carrying a knife.

Human rights organizations and medical personnel report that Israeli settlers are exploiting movement restrictions implemented during the Iran conflict to launch attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, with military checkpoints hindering ambulances from quickly reaching those injured.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, settlers have been responsible for at least five Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since the current conflict commenced on February 28.

MADRID, March 30 – Spanish authorities have prohibited United States military aircraft participating in operations against Iran from entering the country’s airspace, according to a report published Monday by the Spanish daily El Pais, which cited defense sources.

The airspace restriction requires American military aircraft to find alternative flight paths around the NATO ally as they travel toward Middle Eastern targets, though emergency situations would be exempt from the ban, El Pais reported.

Spanish defense officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the reported policy change.

When asked whether the airspace closure might damage diplomatic ties with Washington, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo explained the rationale during a radio interview with Cadena Ser. “This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” Cuerpo stated.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emerged as one of the strongest critics of American and Israeli military actions against Iran, characterizing the operations as both reckless and illegal.

In response to Spain’s refusal to provide access to its military facilities for the conflict, President Donald Trump has warned of potential trade restrictions against Madrid.

Taiwanese officials announced Monday they are conducting investigations into 11 Chinese companies suspected of unlawfully recruiting semiconductor engineers and other technology professionals from Taiwan, as the island nation intensifies efforts to prevent technology transfers amid escalating tensions with China.

The Investigation Bureau of Taiwan reported that over 185 agents conducted searches at 49 different sites and interviewed 90 individuals during this month’s coordinated operation targeting Chinese businesses allegedly hiring Taiwanese engineers without proper authorization.

According to the bureau, the Chinese corporations being investigated concealed their true ownership by creating Taiwanese operations using foreign-funded shell companies as fronts, or by establishing unauthorized offices to illegally recruit workers and conduct business activities on the island.

China maintains claims over Taiwan, which governs itself democratically, asserting it as Chinese territory while refusing to rule out military action to gain control of the island. Taiwan rejects these territorial claims and maintains that only its citizens have the right to determine the island’s future.

Taiwan’s legal framework bans Chinese investment in certain semiconductor industry sectors, particularly chip design, while requiring government approval for other areas like chip packaging. These restrictions make it challenging for Chinese semiconductor companies to establish legitimate operations in Taiwan.

The investigation targets several major companies, including electronics manufacturer Huaqin Technology, mobile power device producer Anker Innovations, semiconductor and circuit board equipment maker Circuit Fabology Microelectronics Equipment, power semiconductor company Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co Ltd, and chip design firm SG Micro.

None of these companies provided immediate responses when contacted for comment by Reuters.

Beijing’s pursuit of semiconductor expertise and skilled workers has grown more aggressive as Chinese leadership prioritizes achieving independence in advanced chip technology, driven by intensifying technological competition with the United States.

A specialized task force established in late 2020 has processed over 100 comparable cases involving suspected unauthorized recruitment efforts and illegal business operations conducted by Chinese companies, according to bureau officials.

International trade discussions concluded without success early Monday morning following four days of negotiations in Yaounde, Cameroon, as countries failed to reach consensus on key digital commerce policies and broader trade reforms.

The ministerial conference ended with Brazil preventing the United States and other nations from securing an extension of current policies that prevent tariffs on digital transactions such as online downloads and streaming services.

While expectations were modest going into the talks, many hoped the existing digital commerce agreement would at least be renewed. However, disagreements between Brazil and other member countries made even this limited goal unattainable, according to diplomatic sources.

Brazil was only willing to support a two-year extension, far short of what the United States wanted, and trade representatives couldn’t find middle ground that satisfied both sides.

American officials and business organizations voiced disappointment with the stalemate. Britain’s Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle characterized the inability to reach consensus as a “major setback for global trade.”

These discussions were viewed as a crucial test for the World Trade Organization’s continued importance following a turbulent year of trade disputes and recent disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Securing agreement on digital commerce policies was considered essential for maintaining U.S. support of the WTO, particularly as President Donald Trump has moved away from international multilateral organizations while implementing his “America First” strategy.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed hope that the digital commerce agreement could still be restored, noting that Brazil and the United States continue working toward a compromise.

The organization reported some advancement on reform plans before time expired, with further discussions on making subsidy regulations more transparent and streamlining decision-making processes scheduled for Geneva in May.

Both the United States and European Union contend that China has particularly benefited from existing regulations to their disadvantage.

Negotiators spent Sunday attempting to bridge the divide between Brazil’s initial two-year proposal and America’s preference for permanent extension by creating a four-year plan with additional provisions extending through 2031.

Brazil subsequently offered a four-year extension including a midpoint review, but this compromise failed to gain sufficient backing.

Nations in the developing world have resisted lengthy extensions, claiming the current moratorium costs them valuable tax income.

A U.S. representative stated Brazil had rejected a “near-consensus document,” explaining “it’s not U.S. vs Brazil. It’s Brazil and Turkey v 164 members.” A Brazilian negotiator responded that “the U.S. wanted the sky,” arguing that pursuing longer extensions wasn’t wise given rapid changes occurring in digital commerce.

Another diplomat who attended the meetings said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer made participants “uncomfortable” when he implied there “would be consequences” if America didn’t obtain a long-term moratorium extension.

Keith Rockwell, a trade expert with the Hinrich Foundation and former WTO director, explained that Brazil’s attempt to use digital commerce negotiations to gain agricultural concessions failed because America is less committed to the WTO than previously.

“In the old days because they felt responsibility for the system the Americans would have swallowed hard and taken a hit,” he stated. “But now they won’t do that anymore.”

Rockwell predicted the deadlock would strengthen alternative trade frameworks like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes 12 nations such as Japan, Britain, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Malaysia, but excludes the United States.

“Now what you’re going to see is a lot more energy and momentum into things like the CPTPP. They could immediately just agree on the framework (on e-commerce),” Rockwell explained.

TEL AVIV, Israel — During a lengthy overnight legislative session on Monday, Israel’s parliament approved the nation’s annual budget, enabling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to serve out its complete term through the autumn months.

The country faced a critical April 1 deadline to approve budget legislation or automatically trigger snap elections. While Netanyahu retains the option to call for earlier voting if he chooses, the budget approval removes that immediate threat.

Critics from opposition parties harshly condemned the spending plan, arguing it inappropriately increases allocations to ultra-Orthodox religious communities while Israel grapples with enormous expenses from its ongoing conflicts with Iran and the extended Gaza war.

“The greatest theft in the state’s history,” declared opposition leader Yair Lapid regarding the budget.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, anticipated to run against Netanyahu in future elections, posted on X: “The government of gluttony and evasion carried out a nocturnal heist.”

Opposition lawmakers expressed particular outrage over a final-hour amendment allocating an extra $250 million to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions. Public frustration has grown toward the ultra-Orthodox population due to their resistance to military conscription while Israel’s armed forces face severe manpower shortages and desperately need additional troops. Most Jewish citizens must complete mandatory military service.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, representing the far-right, defended the budget as “taking care of all Israeli citizens, without exception.”

Netanyahu’s administration enters its final months of a four-year mandate, with elections required no later than October’s end. Israeli governments typically don’t complete full terms, but the budget’s approval suggests Netanyahu, whose approval ratings have plummeted since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault, will likely finish his current term.

The legislation passed by a 62-55 margin. Parliamentary proceedings were interrupted three times by air raid sirens alerting of Iranian missile attacks targeting Jerusalem, according to the legislature’s spokesperson. Lawmakers met in the building’s auditorium instead of the main chamber due to its proximity to protective shelters.

The $270 billion spending plan represents Israel’s largest budget ever, featuring a 20% boost for the Defense Ministry due to the continuing Iranian conflict. Defense spending has expanded to $45 billion, necessitating reductions across other government departments.

Current polling data shows that while Israelis broadly support the military campaign, Netanyahu and his governing coalition aren’t gaining political advantage.

Iran maintains daily missile attacks against Israel, disrupting daily life for millions of stressed and weary citizens. Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon is also escalating, while Persian Gulf oil supply disruptions have destabilized the worldwide economy.

Delaying elections until autumn might help Netanyahu capitalize on wartime momentum once nightly air raid warnings become distant memories for Israelis. However, the voting would occur near the anniversary of the October 7 attack, Israel’s most devastating in history.

Israeli military officials recently extended civilian wartime restrictions for another week, maintaining prohibitions on large gatherings and requirements to remain near bomb shelters. These measures will now cover at least the initial portion of the week-long Passover celebration beginning Wednesday.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s legislative body is preparing to cast ballots on proposed legislation that would establish capital punishment as the standard sentence for West Bank Palestinians found guilty of killing Israelis.

Parliamentary discussions commenced Monday, just prior to the spring legislative break. If approved, the measure would represent the successful conclusion of a multi-year campaign by Israel’s extreme right wing to intensify penalties for Palestinians found guilty of nationalist crimes against Israelis — delivering a political win for Israel’s controversial national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose religious political party sponsored the proposed law.

Those opposing the proposed legislation describe it as discriminatory, harsh, and ineffective at preventing attacks by Palestinian militants. The proposed law stipulates that capital punishment would take effect within a month, although advocacy organizations are anticipated to challenge it before Israel’s highest court.

Leading up to the legislative vote, Ben-Gvir has promoted the proposal by wearing a miniature noose on his jacket lapel — a clear symbol referencing the bill’s preferred method of execution.

“With God’s help, we will fully implement this law and kill our enemies,” he stated following the bill’s advancement to a final vote, describing it as “the most important law” approved by parliament in recent years.

Ben-Gvir’s political party plays a vital role in the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Opposition comes from both Israelis and Palestinians, along with international human rights organizations and the United Nations. They argue the legislation creates different standards within Israel’s judicial system that would limit death sentences to Palestinians convicted of murdering Jewish Israeli citizens.

The proposed law directs military tribunals to impose death sentences on those found guilty of killing an Israeli “as an act of terror.” These military courts handle cases only for West Bank Palestinians, who lack Israeli citizenship. The legislation allows military courts to substitute life imprisonment under “special circumstances.”

Israeli civilian courts, which handle cases for Israeli citizens including Palestinian citizens of Israel, may select between life imprisonment or capital punishment for murders intended to harm Israeli citizens and residents or “with the intent of rejecting the existence of the state of Israel.”

Amichai Cohen, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute’s Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, described this difference as discriminatory.

“It will apply in territories with military courts, which are Palestinian courts. It will apply in Israeli courts, but only to terrorist activities that are motivated by the wish to undermine the existence of Israel. That means Jews will not be indicted under this law,” he explained.

Cohen noted that according to international law, Israel’s parliament lacks authority to create legislation for the West Bank, which remains outside Israeli sovereignty. Many members of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition support annexing the West Bank to Israel.

The legal counsel for parliament’s National Security Committee identified multiple issues during previous discussions, pointing out the law’s lack of clemency provisions, which conflicts with international agreements. The proposed legislation mandates executions occur within three months of sentencing.

While Israel maintains capital punishment as a potential sentence for genocide, wartime espionage, and specific terrorist crimes, the nation has not executed anyone since Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.

The proposed law would not apply retroactively to militants Israel currently detains who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack. A separate piece of legislation under review addresses punishment for those attackers.

Some opposition legislators express concern the bill might damage future prisoner exchange negotiations. Israel traded approximately 250 hostages captured during the October 2023 assault for thousands of Palestinian detainees.

The Public Committee against Torture in Israel, a domestic advocacy organization, notes the state has repeatedly supported abolishing capital punishment at the United Nations. Israel’s Shin Bet security service had — until recently — opposed the practice, fearing it might trigger additional revenge attacks by Palestinian militants.

Officials in South Korea are evaluating whether to implement widespread driving limitations for all citizens as global crude oil costs continue climbing due to Middle East conflicts involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced Sunday that the government might broaden current vehicle usage restrictions beyond government agencies if oil prices reach approximately $120-130 per barrel, compared to today’s $100-110 range.

Such widespread restrictions would represent the nation’s first comprehensive driving limitations since 1991’s Gulf War, when officials implemented a 10-day vehicle rotation program to preserve energy resources.

“If the Middle East situation worsens, the crisis alert would have to move up to the ‘warning’ stage, and around that point we would need to curb consumption,” Koo stated during a local television appearance, describing a potential escalation to the third level of the nation’s four-tier resource security warning system.

The finance minister also indicated officials might pursue additional fuel tax reductions to help households manage rising costs.

Monday’s statement from the finance ministry clarified that mandatory vehicle restrictions for private citizens haven’t been finalized, noting that officials will evaluate energy supply situations and economic conditions before making decisions.

The nation relies on Middle East imports for approximately 70% of its crude oil supply, creating significant vulnerability to regional supply interruptions and price fluctuations from area conflicts.

Last week, officials implemented mandatory five-day vehicle rotation requirements for government agencies, limiting vehicle usage according to license plate numbers.

Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan stated Thursday that officials are examining stricter demand control policies if warning levels increase further, potentially expanding driving restriction enforcement while encouraging voluntary corporate and financial sector participation.

Large corporations including Samsung Electronics and SK Group have supported these initiatives, encouraging workers to reduce personal vehicle usage and implement fuel conservation practices.

Political leaders and legislators have utilized social media platforms to demonstrate public transportation and bicycle usage, encouraging citizens to participate in energy conservation initiatives.

JAKARTA – Indonesia has announced plans to send a pair of endangered Komodo dragons to Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture as part of an international wildlife conservation exchange program, according to officials who spoke Monday.

The Indonesian Forestry Ministry explained that this animal exchange will enhance “contributions from both parties toward wildlife protection and conservation, as well as raising public awareness of biodiversity.” Ministry officials emphasized the program’s goal of breeding these critically threatened reptiles, which are listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Conservation official Ahmad Munawir from the ministry confirmed to Reuters that both a male and female Komodo dragon will be transported to a Shizuoka zoo. As part of the reciprocal arrangement, Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture will provide Indonesia with multiple animals, including red pandas and giraffes, Ahmad explained.

Officials finalized the exchange agreement last week, timing it before President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming diplomatic visit to Japan, where he is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Government statistics show Indonesia houses more than 3,000 Komodo dragons within its borders. These massive reptiles hold the distinction of being Earth’s largest lizard species, capable of reaching lengths of approximately 3 meters or 10 feet. The creatures are distinguished by their distinctive yellow forked tongues and deadly venomous bites.

According to reports from Japan’s TV Shizuoka, the two dragons could arrive as soon as June to begin the breeding program. Ahmad noted that the actual transfer will occur following the completion of a business agreement between the participating zoos in both countries.

Iranian authorities acknowledged Monday that Revolutionary Guards Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri has died from critical injuries, according to reports from Iranian media citing an official statement from the guards.

Several days earlier on March 26, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had announced the military action, stating: “In a precise and lethal operation, the IDF eliminated the commander of the IRGC Navy, Tangsiri, along with senior naval command officials.”

The confirmation from Tehran comes after the Israeli official’s public declaration of the targeted strike that killed the high-ranking Iranian military leader and other naval commanders.

Economic analysts anticipate that Chinese manufacturing activity rebounded in March, ending a two-month period of decline, as the country’s export sector continues to show strength despite growing international concerns.

According to a survey of 28 economic experts conducted by Reuters, China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index is expected to climb to 50.1 from February’s reading of 49.0. This would mark the first time since January that the index has crossed above the critical 50-point threshold that indicates growth rather than contraction.

The official statistics, compiled through the National Bureau of Statistics’ survey of businesses nationwide, are scheduled for release on Tuesday.

Manufacturing activity had remained below the expansion level throughout most of 2025 and the opening months of 2026, as domestic consumer weakness led to destructive price competition that eroded company profits. Additionally, strained relationships with international trade partners undermined business confidence.

Despite challenges from American tariff policies, China’s export sector demonstrated remarkable strength in 2025 and surged during the first two months of 2026, providing crucial support for economic growth.

Even a modest improvement in manufacturing indicators would provide encouragement to government officials working to maintain stable economic progress while navigating increasing global uncertainties.

The Middle Eastern conflict that began in late February, featuring U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, has disrupted worldwide supply networks and created an energy shortage as Iran has limited shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. These complications may pressure Chinese manufacturers’ profit margins as transportation and raw material expenses increase.

Economic researchers surveyed by Reuters predict the private RatingDog Manufacturing PMI, scheduled for Wednesday release, will register 51.6, representing a decrease from February’s 52.1 reading.

Senior economist Xu Tianchen from the Economist Intelligence Unit noted that the manufacturing index faces pressure from oil market disruptions, particularly affecting refinery and petrochemical sectors. “The PMI will be constrained by the oil shock, which has hit industries such as refineries and petrochemicals,” Xu said.

Xu suggested that government intervention could help businesses weather these challenges. “To cushion the impact on businesses, the government can help small and medium-sized companies reduce operating costs through cheaper credit and lighter social security inspection,” he explained.

Chinese leadership established a more modest economic growth goal of 4.5%-5% for the current year in early March, following 2025’s 5% expansion rate. This adjustment provides additional flexibility to tackle persistent imbalances between domestic production capacity and consumer demand.

Officials have committed to expanding investment in essential infrastructure and public services, while allocating additional government resources to stimulate consumer spending and private sector investment through a dedicated 100 billion yuan ($14.47 billion) fiscal coordination program.

A delegation of American senators traveled to Taiwan’s capital this week, pressing the island nation’s leaders to move forward with a massive $40 billion defense spending package that has been stuck in legislative gridlock.

The lawmakers cautioned that continued delays in approving President Lai Ching-te’s military budget proposal could weaken Taiwan’s capacity to defend itself against mounting Chinese military threats, even as the United States speeds up weapons deliveries and security assistance to the region.

Taiwan relies heavily on American military support and diplomatic backing, making the U.S. its primary international ally despite the absence of official diplomatic relations. Beijing maintains its claim over Taiwan, which the island continues to reject.

The proposed defense spending increase remains blocked in Taiwan’s legislature, where opposition parties hold majority control.

Republican Senator John Curtis led the four-member congressional delegation that arrived Monday, continuing his longstanding support for Taiwan. The visit occurs amid escalating Chinese military and political campaigns aimed at forcing the democratic island to submit to Beijing’s control.

Speaking to media at Taiwan’s presidential office following his meeting with President Lai, Curtis emphasized American solidarity with the island nation.

“We’re here to enforce that message and demonstrate to the people here in Taiwan that we are together a very important part of the safety and the unity around this world,” Curtis stated.

The senator directly advocated for the defense budget’s passage, telling reporters: “I’d like to personally endorse the special defence budget and tell you back in Washington, D.C., that my colleagues are watching, that this is important. We want to make sure that as we invest in this part of the world, that you are also investing and that we’re in this together.”

While Taiwan’s opposition-led parliament continues debating the spending proposal, lawmakers have already given approval for the government to finalize American weapons deals totaling approximately $9 billion across four separate arms packages, even before the broader budget receives final approval.

The meeting included Raymond Greene, America’s top diplomatic representative in Taiwan, and Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General. Washington has thrown its weight behind Lai’s military modernization efforts as part of broader American policy encouraging allies to increase their defense investments.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who serves as the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed alarm over Beijing’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan.

“We are concerned by the increased pressure from Beijing, including military activity around Taiwan that raises the risk of miscalculation,” Shaheen said.

Chinese military and political pressure campaigns against Taiwan have intensified significantly, including conducting military exercises near the island. The most recent war games occurred in December, shortly after Washington greenlit an $11 billion weapons sale to Taiwan.

According to previous Reuters reporting, American officials are currently preparing another substantial arms package for Taiwan valued at approximately $14 billion.

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — According to legend, a South Sudanese spiritual leader brandished a mystical wooden staff during tribal warfare in 1878, calling forth lightning that killed enemy warriors.

This ceremonial object, called Ngundeng Bong’s dang, continues to hold legendary status as a supernatural weapon and now influences the ongoing bloodshed in the world’s newest country.

The wooden staff has become a disputed artifact in the conflict between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and opposition figure Riek Machar, who has possessed the relic for years. Machar’s supporters view him as the gap-toothed, left-handed leader prophesied by Ngundeng to eventually rule the nation.

This belief fuels Machar’s political campaign while simultaneously making him a target for adversaries. The two leaders represent different tribal communities — Kiir belongs to the Dinka, the nation’s dominant ethnic group, while Machar shares the Nuer heritage of the prophet Ngundeng.

Ethnic warfare erupted when the two politicians clashed in 2013. Kiir accused Machar of orchestrating a government overthrow attempt. Machar subsequently started an armed uprising that developed into a devastating civil conflict claiming approximately 400,000 lives. Following a 2018 ceasefire agreement that has since failed, Machar briefly returned as Kiir’s second-in-command.

Current hostilities have intensified to the point where officials are commanding citizens to flee rebel-controlled areas. This occurs despite Machar being confined to his residence and facing treason charges. Military footage recently showed a South Sudanese commander instructing government forces to “spare no lives.”

Various rebel groups, including the militia called the White Army, believe their fight serves to realize Ngundeng’s predictions and place Machar in the presidency.

Douglas H. Johnson, the British-American scholar who returned the staff to South Sudan, likens the relic’s significance to a parliamentary mace required for conducting official proceedings.

According to Johnson and other sources who discussed the matter with The Associated Press, Machar treats the staff as a spiritual artifact while using it to build political alliances.

“Much of this conflict connects to spiritual beliefs,” explained Mawal Marko, an independent researcher in Juba. “Many fighters, particularly eastern Nuer people, are battling in Ngundeng’s name.”

South Sudanese folklore contains numerous tales of brutality, and the Kiir-Machar rivalry represents the latest chapter in the tribal animosity that Ngundeng witnessed and attempted to end: Dinka fighting Nuer, Nuer fighting Dinka.

Ngundeng communicated his predictions through songs that people still listen to online today, seeking insights about their nation’s destiny. Interpretations of Ngundeng’s messages often vary.

“When examining prophecies over time, uncertainty always exists,” noted Christopher Tounsel, a historian specializing in greater Sudan at the University of Washington, discussing Ngundeng’s predictions.

“The most influential factor is people’s beliefs and emotions. That creates the greatest impact — not objective reality, but public perception.”

Ngundeng, who passed away in 1906, allegedly foretold his nation’s eventual independence. He envisioned future violence. Legend claims he prophesied about a messianic Nuer ruler for South Sudan who would lack traditional tribal facial scarification, be left-handed and gap-toothed, and have relationships with white women. Machar reportedly fits this description.

“We understand it possesses influence,” said Alex Miskin from the Rift Valley Institute research organization, referring to Ngundeng’s staff. “Whether Machar can channel authority through that object remains unknown to me.”

“Machar’s possession of the staff and its associated legend might intimidate some people,” Miskin observed.

The staff was carved from tamarind tree roots and adorned with copper wire. It measures approximately 110 centimeters (three and a half feet) in length. One section broke during the 1878 battle that the Nuer won. Subsequently, Ngundeng declared the staff damaged; no records exist of him wielding it successfully again.

Ngundeng’s son inherited the staff but was killed attempting to use it against colonial forces. Reports describe him weeping when he lifted the object and nothing occurred.

Taken as war spoils, the staff was thought permanently lost until Johnson, a respected South Sudan expert, found it in Bournemouth, England. He purchased the artifact and worked to return it to South Sudan, which lacked a proper museum.

In 2009, Machar received the staff in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, as the senior Nuer official in a government approaching independence from Sudan. A ceremonial white ox sacrifice accompanied the handover, with Machar photographed raising the staff overhead.

The staff’s homecoming was treated as a significant national occasion. Kiir acknowledged its arrival in an official statement cautioning against using the staff for warfare.

While serving as vice president, Machar stored the staff at his residence and displayed it to visiting Nuer dignitaries, Johnson reported. “He essentially used this as a cultural symbol, something meaningful to the Nuer rather than all of South Sudan, to recruit others into his political alliance,” he explained.

Johnson remembered the staff appearing unremarkable in an umbrella holder when he first encountered it. However, if Machar controls the staff, Kiir’s concern about it being “outside government oversight” would be understandable, he noted.

The Associated Press could not contact Machar for his perspective. His representative, Puok Both Baluang, stated that releasing Machar would be “equivalent to bringing peace.”

Despite his confinement, the 73-year-old Machar remains a powerful rival to Kiir, who has ruled without voter approval for 15 years. Officials promise elections in December. However, a vote excluding Machar that reinstalls Kiir would be viewed as denying Nuer people representation.

Their military competition started in the wilderness during the 1990s, when Machar commanded a splinter group that faced betrayal accusations during the extended independence war. During this division, Machar’s forces conducted a massacre targeting Dinka people, enraging Kiir and others.

Internal southern fighting temporarily weakened their independence movement and created permanent mistrust between Machar and Kiir. Machar maintained influence through Nuer fighter loyalty.

Kiir removed Machar from his deputy position in September after accusations that Machar remotely participated in an assault on government troops. Machar regularly appears in a courtroom cage during what he calls a politically motivated trial. Whether Ngundeng’s staff remains at his home is uncertain.

The staff “represents South Sudan’s heritage,” despite not being housed at Juba’s national archives building, said archivist Peter Tako.

“We understand it’s with Riek Machar,” Tako said about the staff. “I avoid discussing it.”

He described the staff as a sacred object “infused” with political power that made him feel unqualified to comment on it.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Manager Kushtrim Ajvazi takes pride in working for a thriving enterprise in a nation ranked among Europe’s most economically disadvantaged. His company manufactures potato chips and snack foods distributed throughout Kosovo’s retail outlets and shipped internationally.

However, Ajvazi’s firm now confronts unexpected obstacles due to soaring fuel costs triggered by Iran’s ongoing conflict, with economic shockwaves reaching this small southeastern European nation.

The Pestova corporation operates nearly 100 acres of potato cultivation in Kosovo’s eastern region, supplying raw materials for their Vipa-branded chips. According to Ajvazi, both the company and its distribution channels suffered when fuel wholesale rates climbed from 1.10 euros ($1.27) to as much as 1.7 euros ($1.96) per liter.

Since Kosovo lacks domestic fuel production capabilities, diesel and gasoline pricing depends on importers operating under a 12% profit margin ceiling.

With spring potato planting season approaching, Ajvazi appealed to government officials for relief assistance.

The company requires substantial fuel quantities, making expenses “extremely high,” he explained. Fertilizer costs have also increased, though the company maintained stockpiles.

“We are analyzing and calculating every additional cost, and if we see that this process of rising costs continues, we will be forced to adjust our prices,” Ajvazi stated.

Unlike neighboring Balkan nations that have implemented farmer relief measures, Kosovo’s administration has yet to respond. Government officials did not answer inquiries.

Romania, Hungary and Serbia have established special agricultural diesel pricing or reduced state tax burdens.

Kosovo’s economic analysts cautioned that officials must urgently address potential further price increases to prevent broader economic harm.

“There is not one sector that is not affected by the price increase,” economist Safet Gerxhaliu observed.

Ajvazi noted his company encounters additional difficulties since approximately 40% of production goes to export markets under predetermined, fixed contracts requiring 90-day advance notice for price modifications. He emphasized the challenge of planning without price stability.

“We call on the government to ease this phase for us,” he said. “We are a company that exports to more than 23 different countries, including those in Europe.”

Rising costs have also impacted regular citizens. IT worker Bardh Mehmeti from Pristina now spends 100 euros ($115) to fill his vehicle’s tank, compared to 80 euros ($92) before the crisis began. Mehmeti is now “seriously considering” purchasing an electric vehicle.

Kosovo’s economy has faced ongoing challenges since declaring independence from Serbia in 2008 after armed conflict. Serbia refuses to acknowledge the separation, and this unresolved dispute has hindered both nations’ European Union membership aspirations.

A lengthy political crisis that left Kosovo without full government functionality for most of last year has further complicated the economic landscape. Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s current administration remains deadlocked over presidential election failures.

The primary opposition Democratic Party has denounced perceived government inactivity and advocated for temporary tax reductions to support citizens and businesses.

MELBOURNE, Australia — A seven-month manhunt in Australia has ended with police fatally shooting a man they believe killed two officers and critically injured another in a remote forest area.

The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, had evaded capture since allegedly firing on law enforcement officers who arrived to execute a warrant at his residence near Porepunkah in Victoria state on August 26 of last year, according to Victoria’s Chief Commissioner of Police Mike Bush.

Authorities located and killed a man they believe to be Freeman on Monday in an isolated area close to Thologolong, approximately two hours by car north of where the original shooting occurred.

“We believe it is Freeman, but we have to go through a formal identification process,” Bush explained to media representatives in Melbourne. He noted that confirming the identity could require up to 48 hours using methods such as fingerprint analysis.

Elite tactical officers from the Special Operations Group engaged in a three-hour confrontation before the fatal shooting occurred. The individual had taken refuge in a structure resembling a shipping container and declined police attempts to negotiate his surrender, Bush reported.

“This was all about bringing this to a conclusion as safely as possible. Our ultimate goal was to arrest the person there … as peacefully as possible,” Bush stated.

The police commissioner expressed his strong conviction that the suspect possessed weapons, though he could not confirm whether the man fired upon officers during the final encounter.

Media reports indicated that Freeman held sovereign citizen ideologies and harbored animosity toward law enforcement. His wilderness survival expertise raised concerns among police that he could remain at large indefinitely in the outdoors.

The attack on three officers triggered an extensive search operation throughout Victoria’s densely wooded mountain territory. Recent months saw police considering the possibility that Freeman had committed suicide.

“We have to follow every avenue of inquiry and there was a lot to suggest that Freedman had taken his own life,” Bush noted.

The commissioner declined to reveal whether a tip from the public led to Monday’s discovery. Law enforcement had posted a reward of 1 million Australian dollars ($678,000) for information leading to Freeman’s capture.

Investigators continue examining whether additional individuals assisted the fugitive in avoiding apprehension.

President Donald Trump floated the possibility of U.S. military forces capturing Iran’s Kharg Island, the nation’s primary oil export facility located in the Persian Gulf.

During a Monday interview with the Financial Times, Trump stated, “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options.” He acknowledged that such an operation “would also mean we had to be there (on Kharg Island) for a while.”

The comments come as tensions escalate in the region, with Iran warning it would plant mines throughout the Persian Gulf if its territory faces invasion. Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions showing some promise, both American and Israeli forces continued their military operations against the Islamic Republic on Monday. Meanwhile, Iran launched an attack on a critical utilities facility in Kuwait as part of its broader offensive against Gulf Arab nations.

Trump also revealed that Iran had committed to permitting 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday morning and continuing for several days “out of a sign of respect.”

“I would only say that we’re doing extremely well in that negotiation but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up,” Trump remarked.

The ongoing conflict has created significant disruptions to worldwide energy markets, caused shortages in fertilizer supplies, and interfered with international aviation. Iran’s control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane has created volatility in both commodity markets and pricing.

Additional developments include:

Iranian official Alaeddin Boroujerdi’s comments to state media followed longstanding calls from hardliners in Tehran for such action.

“Why should we accept the restrictions?” Boroujerdi questioned. “We are not seeking a nuclear weapon anyway. But it’s not like that we are supposed to observe the rules of the game and they bomb us.”

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty represents a crucial international agreement designed to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation. Signatory nations commit to avoiding nuclear weapons development or acquisition while permitting International Atomic Energy Agency inspections to verify program compliance. Iran has limited IAEA access for years and blocked inspectors from visiting three uranium enrichment facilities targeted by U.S. strikes in June.

— Israeli forces announced Monday morning strikes against ‘military infrastructure’ throughout Tehran.

— Bahrain activated its missile warning systems twice during Monday.

— Early Monday, Israel’s military reported Iranian missile launches targeting the country, marking the day’s first such attack from Iran. Warning sirens activated near Israel’s primary nuclear research facility, an area repeatedly targeted in recent days.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — While diplomatic negotiations show potential progress, President Donald Trump has publicly considered capturing Iran’s Kharg Island oil facility in the Persian Gulf, even as military confrontations between the United States, Israel, and Iran continued Monday across the region. Iran responded by striking a critical utilities facility in Kuwait, continuing its campaign against Gulf Arab nations.

Despite Pakistan facilitating diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, Trump indicated Iran had agreed to permit 20 oil tankers passage through the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday as “a sign of respect.” However, with 2,500 U.S. Marines currently deployed to the area and additional forces en route, the president floated the possibility of seizing Iran’s Kharg Island facility.

“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” Trump stated in a Financial Times interview released Monday morning. “We have a lot of options.”

Dawn brought air raid warnings near Israel’s primary nuclear research facility, an area facing repeated targeting in recent days. Israeli defense forces reported destroying two drones launched from Yemen, where Iranian-supported Houthi rebels joined the conflict Saturday with their initial missile strike.

Iran maintained its assault on neighboring Gulf Arab states, with Saudi Arabia intercepting five missiles aimed at its oil-producing Eastern Province, Bahrain activating missile warnings, and Dubai’s defense systems creating a fireball while destroying an incoming projectile.

Kuwait suffered casualties when an Iranian strike damaged a power and water treatment facility, resulting in one civilian death and 10 military personnel injuries, according to the state-run KUNA news agency.

Water treatment facilities remain vital for Gulf Arab nations’ water security, with Iran having previously damaged a similar facility in Bahrain during the ongoing conflict. These plants typically operate alongside power generation facilities due to the substantial energy requirements for converting seawater into drinking water.

Israeli forces conducted fresh strikes against Iran, targeting what they described as “military infrastructure” throughout Tehran. Iranian outlets reported damage to a Tabriz Petrochemical facility in the country’s northern region, though officials stated no dangerous materials were released.

In Lebanon, where Israeli ground operations are underway, an Indonesian peacekeeper died and three others sustained injuries when a projectile detonated near a southern village.

During the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to expand military operations, extending the “existing security strip” in southern Lebanon while pursuing the Iran-affiliated Hezbollah organization.

Iran’s assault on regional energy facilities and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-fifth of global oil shipments during peacetime, has caused oil prices to surge and sparked fears of a worldwide energy shortage.

During early Monday trading, Brent crude oil prices reached approximately $115, representing nearly a 60% increase since U.S. and Israeli forces initiated the conflict with February 28 attacks on Iran.

With mounting pressure on Trump to resolve the crisis, American officials have presented Iran with a 15-point proposal requiring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. Iran has countered with its own five-point framework, insisting on maintaining control over the strategic waterway.

Pakistan announced Sunday its intention to facilitate upcoming U.S.-Iran discussions, though neither Washington nor Tehran immediately confirmed the arrangement, and the format of potential talks regarding the month-long war remained unclear.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated the negotiations would occur “in the coming days.”

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Sunday evening, Trump confirmed the U.S. was engaging “directly and indirectly” with Iran, despite Iranian denials of any Washington communications.

“We’re doing extremely well in that negotiation but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up,” Trump commented.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, rejected the Pakistani talks as a diversion while additional U.S. forces deploy to the region. He declared Iranian forces were “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” state media reported.

In his Financial Times discussion, Trump acknowledged that capturing Kharg Island could require an extended American presence, noting “it would mean we had to be there for a while.”

“I don’t think they have any defense,” he continued. “We could take it very easily.”

U.S. forces have already conducted airstrikes targeting military positions on the island. Iran has warned it would launch ground invasions of Gulf Arab countries and deploy mines throughout the Persian Gulf if American troops land on Iranian soil.

Any amphibious assault on Kharg would require passage through the Strait of Hormuz and most of the Persian Gulf. Military analysts note that maintaining control of the island would present significant challenges, as Iran’s missiles, drones, and artillery from the mainland could easily reach the facility.

Lebanese officials report over 1,200 deaths and more than 1 million displaced residents. Five Israeli soldiers have also perished.

Iranian authorities report more than 1,900 casualties, while Israel has confirmed 19 deaths.

In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militias have joined the fighting, 80 security force members have died.

Gulf states have reported 20 fatalities. Four deaths have occurred in the occupied West Bank.

Thirteen U.S. service members have lost their lives in the conflict.

Border warfare has resumed between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both nations confirming intense military exchanges occurred over the weekend, just days following their agreement to temporarily halt combat operations.

The renewed hostilities took place on Sunday as Pakistan was simultaneously hosting regional leaders to discuss reducing tensions in Middle Eastern conflicts, with announcements that the country may facilitate upcoming diplomatic meetings between American and Iranian officials.

Military officials reported that both countries deployed artillery and heavy armaments, striking targets across Afghanistan’s Kunar province and Pakistan’s adjacent Bajur district.

According to Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban government in Kabul, Pakistani bombardment resulted in one fatality and wounded 16 additional people, with women and children comprising the majority of casualties.

Pakistani security sources, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization for media statements, maintained their forces only retaliated against intense Afghan shelling and avoided targeting civilian areas. Pakistan’s military command did not provide official comment when contacted.

The neighboring countries experienced their most severe military confrontation in years during the previous month, resulting in substantial casualties for both sides.

Taliban officials claimed Pakistani airstrikes against a drug treatment facility in Afghanistan’s capital killed over 400 individuals earlier this month, prior to the suspension of fighting.

Pakistani authorities disputed the Taliban’s account of the airstrike, stating they had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.”

A temporary halt to combat operations had been declared during the Islamic celebration of Eid al-Fitr, following requests from Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which Pakistan concluded the previous week.

Kabul has not yet provided official confirmation regarding whether they continue to observe the ceasefire arrangement.

Pakistan maintains that Afghanistan’s Taliban government provides sanctuary and assistance to Islamic extremist groups conducting attacks within Pakistani territory. The Taliban administration rejects these allegations, asserting that militant activity represents Pakistan’s internal security challenge.

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concerns Monday about the lack of clear direction from President Donald Trump regarding the current military conflict with Iran.

“I want to see more certainty in what the objectives of the war are and I want to see a de-escalation,” Albanese stated when asked about his assessment of Trump’s approach to the conflict.

The conflict began after an Israeli military operation on February 28 resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to his son Mojtaba taking over the leadership role.

The military action has expanded throughout the Middle East region, resulting in thousands of casualties and creating unprecedented disruptions to global energy markets, significantly impacting the worldwide economy.

Australia has contributed military aircraft to support defensive operations in the United Arab Emirates following a formal request from that nation, though Australian officials have declined to deploy naval vessels to help restore access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian judicial authorities have carried out the executions of two individuals who were found guilty of maintaining ties to the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran opposition movement, according to reports from the country’s judiciary news service on Monday.

The two men were also convicted of planning armed assaults in Tehran utilizing makeshift launching equipment, the judicial outlet reported.

Officials did not release information regarding the timing of the men’s arrests or other details surrounding their cases.

Beijing announced sanctions Monday against Keiji Furuya, a Japanese legislator who serves as a key advisor to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, citing his connections to Taiwan independence movements.

The Chinese foreign ministry declared that Furuya will be prohibited from entering China and any property or financial holdings he maintains in the country will be frozen with immediate effect.

As chairman of a bipartisan Japanese-Taiwanese legislative alliance, Furuya has made numerous trips to Taiwan while accompanying Japanese government officials. His most recent visit occurred earlier in March when he met with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te in the capital city of Taipei.

Beijing’s foreign ministry criticized Furuya for working with what they termed “separatist forces” in Taiwan, claiming he continued making these visits “in defiance of China’s strong opposition.”

China considers Taiwan, which operates as a democratic government, to be part of Chinese territory and opposes diplomatic visits by international officials to the island, viewing such actions as violations of the “One China” policy and challenges to Beijing’s territorial claims.

Taiwan’s leadership disputes Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty over the island.

The ministry declared that Furuya’s activities “constitute gross interference in China’s internal affairs, and seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

When questioned by journalists at Japan’s legislative building, Furuya defended his Taiwan visits as routine responsibilities of the parliamentary organization he chairs. He noted that he has not traveled to mainland China in many years and maintains no financial interests there, according to Kyodo news service.

Furuya played a significant role as a trusted advisor to Prime Minister Takaichi, backing her campaign for leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party in the previous year.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have grown increasingly strained since Takaichi stated in November that Japan might respond militarily if China were to attack Taiwan.

Beijing previously imposed sanctions on another Japanese legislator, Seki Hei, who was born in China, for his public statements regarding Taiwan and related matters.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Young volunteers in their mid-twenties knocked on doors throughout a Hungarian town last week, backing a political movement that could potentially topple Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decade-and-a-half hold on leadership.

These volunteers from Hungary’s Lake Balaton area were working for the center-right Tisza party and its candidate, Péter Magyar, as they sought to advance beyond what they called Orbán’s failing governance.

“Our entire lives have been spent under this administration, and we’re curious to experience what lies beyond it,” explained Florián Végh, a 25-year-old university student. “Speaking for my classmates and peers, I can confidently say this administration is completely broken.”

An expanding age-based political divide shows Hungary’s younger generation strongly demanding an end to Orbán’s authoritarian leadership, while elderly voters continue supporting the prime minister — a division that may prove crucial in the April 12 elections.

The 62-year-old Orbán currently lags in polling behind Magyar, a 45-year-old attorney who departed from Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz party following a political controversy in 2024. Magyar has guided Tisza through remarkable political growth, energizing voters who had stayed away from politics for roughly twenty years.

Fidesz’s weakening support amid economic slowdown and various political and corruption controversies has expanded the age-related political gap. Recent polling from 21 Research Center revealed that 65% of voters under 30 favor Tisza, compared to just 14% supporting Orbán.

Levente Koltai, a 24-year-old student volunteering for Tisza, noted that Fidesz originally stood for “Alliance of Young Democrats” in Hungarian. However, he argues the party has abandoned those founding principles.

“Fidesz has abandoned its claims to being young, democratic and unified,” he explained to The Associated Press. “It has transformed from youthful to aged, from democratic to authoritarian-leaning, and from a coalition to an inner circle of loyalists.”

Andrea Szabó, a senior researcher at Eötvös Loránd University’s Institute for Political Science in Budapest, described an emerging leadership transition in Hungary, where “a fresh, engaged political generation is starting to emerge.”

While Orbán’s political cohort was shaped by opposition to Hungary’s Soviet-era communist government during the 1980s and 1990s, “we’ve now arrived at a moment where, after 25 years, there exists a new political generation opposed to the Orbán administration,” Szabó explained.

Orbán’s administration characterizes itself as both Christian-national and “illiberal,” and has moved away from European Union partnerships while strengthening ties with Russia and China.

Critics have long alleged that Orbán has captured Hungary’s institutions, restricted media independence and overseen widespread political corruption — allegations he rejects — and he has emerged as a prominent figure in the international far-right movement.

Supporters praise his stance against immigration and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, and celebrate benefits for young families including tax exemptions for mothers with multiple children and government-supported loans for first-time home purchasers.

These policies, along with additional pension benefits for seniors, attract many older voters. Fidesz maintains a 50% to 19% advantage over Tisza among retirement-age Hungarians, according to 21 Research Center polling.

Zsuzsanna Prépos, a retiree attending one of Orbán’s recent campaign events, expressed satisfaction with the government’s pension programs, stating she supports Fidesz because it “assists young people.”

“During my youth… I received nothing. Today’s young people receive substantial assistance,” she stated.

However, these programs haven’t generated youth support for Orbán. In multiple recent addresses, he has both criticized young people for their anti-government positions and appealed for their reconsideration.

“Young people, wake up!” he declared at a rally last week. “These are not times for taking risks, experimenting or trying new things… Believe me, today only Fidesz and my humble self can provide this country with security.”

Szabó, the researcher, noted that while many young people appreciate Orbán’s family assistance programs, their “very strong sense of justice” conflicts with “the authoritarian exercise of power, the corruption, the fact that they feel vulnerable and that there is insecurity in the country.”

“Their lives essentially took place entirely within the Orbán regime, so they know nothing other than this kind of functioning of power,” she explained.

Recent developments in Hungary have turned significant numbers of young people against the governing party.

Hungary experienced major controversy in February 2024 when reports emerged that the president, a close Orbán supporter, had pardoned someone involved in a child sexual abuse case. This revelation stunned the nation, leading to resignations by both the president and justice minister.

Shortly afterward, several prominent social media influencers organized a protest calling for political change. Drawing tens of thousands of participants, it represented a pivotal moment that “opened the door to politicization for a lot of young people,” Szabó stated.

Following the pardon controversy, Magyar left Fidesz and established Tisza. Three months later, the party captured 30% of votes in European Parliament elections.

Magyar has centered his campaign on pledges to reverse Orbán’s alignment with Russia and restore Hungary’s Western partnerships, and to revitalize the struggling economy by recovering billions in EU funding currently withheld due to rule-of-law and corruption issues.

This economic platform has connected with young voters. Végh, the Tisza volunteer, explained that his internet-connected generation can easily access diverse information sources and travel to neighboring countries where governments effectively utilize public resources.

“In Austria, you observe a much more tranquil, peaceful, educated society with superior infrastructure and healthcare,” he noted. “You cross the border and realize you’ve entered a developed European nation.”

Despite Tisza’s polling advantage, victory remains uncertain. Orbán maintains support among older voters and throughout much of rural Hungary.

At a recent Budapest rally attracting over 100,000 attendees, Tisza supporter Dorina Csobán described how the electoral contest had become “pretty divisive in my family for the older people, because we younger people are saying clearly that there must be change.”

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A 33-year-old Brazilian woman named Emily de Souza jumped at the chance to participate in an unusual program that would cut four days from her prison term simply by reading a book, allowing her to revive a beloved pastime.

Alongside thousands of other prisoners nationwide — including former President Jair Bolsonaro — she enrolled in a sentence reduction initiative that motivates incarcerated individuals to dive into literature in return for trimming up to 48 days annually from their prison terms.

The prospect of reuniting sooner with her 9-year-old autistic child, currently cared for by her mother and aunt, intensified her desire to join the program.

“One day is an eternity because it feels like it’s never going to end,” de Souza explained from the Djanira Dolores de Oliveira Women’s Prison in Rio de Janeiro, which holds roughly 820 female prisoners.

She described reading as “a kind of escape, to get out of this environment for a bit, to think about other things: other stories, other people, not just me.”

De Souza, like many of her fellow prisoners, was convicted on drug trafficking charges. She received a five-year sentence for distributing cannabis-infused Brazilian chocolate confections called “brigadeiro.” After arriving last November, she anticipates advancing to Brazil’s semi-open prison system by August, which would permit daytime release for employment.

Brazil, home to one of Latin America’s highest incarceration rates per capita, distinguishes itself by operating one of the world’s most structured and widespread sentence reduction programs through reading. This expanding initiative, initially regulated in 2012 and standardized nationally in 2021, gained fresh attention this year when the Supreme Court permitted Bolsonaro — currently serving 27 years for coup attempt charges — to participate.

Andréia Oliveira, who oversees female prisons and LGBTIQ+ programs in Rio state facilities, emphasized that providing reading opportunities and education benefits both former inmates and the broader community. “When we encourage education, ludic activities, knowledge, we return to society someone who can reconnect, respect rules,” she explained.

Literature professor Paulo Roberto Tonani has facilitated prison workshops since 2022, enabling Rio detainees to access this program.

The process begins with participants selecting or receiving a book during an introductory session. During subsequent meetings, they discuss their reading material and ultimately create either a written review or artwork demonstrating their understanding.

Prisoners have engaged with works including “Captain of the Sands” by celebrated Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado, “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker.

According to Tonani, participants particularly embrace the illustrated story “Father Francisco” by Marina Miyazaki Araujo, which portrays an imprisoned father through his child’s viewpoint. Many Brazilian inmates come from impoverished backgrounds and lack completed elementary education.

During a late March workshop at the Djanira Dolores de Oliveira facility, several participants were studying “Unsubmissive Tears of Women” by Brazilian author Conceição Evaristo — including Celina Maria de Conceição, a 50-year-old woman from Pernambuco state.

De Conceição, who participated in previous workshops and re-enrolled, credited the program with fostering her appreciation for reading.

“It helps us a lot because we’re locked up and it gets very stressful, very noisy,” she noted. “We get to go to somewhere else, interact with other people and talk about good things, like the book we’re studying.”

However, she abandoned Evaristo’s book, which examines violence’s effects on Black women’s experiences, after finding it emotionally disturbing.

“It wasn’t good for me, because it stirs up our emotions, and we’re in a place where the environment is already truly heavy,” she said.

Brazilian correctional facilities are notorious for overcrowding and brutal conditions. In 2023, the Supreme Court acknowledged widespread human rights violations within the prison system and mandated federal action to address these issues. The resulting “Just Punishment” plan, launched in 2025, aims to broaden educational and employment opportunities among other objectives.

Despite improvements, access to sentence reduction through reading varies significantly across Brazil, according to Rodrigo Dias, who leads education, culture and sports initiatives for the National Secretariat of Penal Policies.

While northeastern Alagoas state provided some inmates with Kindles containing 300 literary works, other more traditional states maintain heavy administrative barriers that restrict access, Dias observed.

A 2023 government assessment revealed that approximately 30% of Brazilian prison facilities lack libraries or suitable reading areas. Nevertheless, Dias highlighted secretariat data showing a sevenfold increase in reading-based remission applications since 2021.

Similar to de Conceição, many participants seek to continue once they begin. “The book gives them the possibility to dream, and often to ‘talk’ with other people — not those who are imprisoned or working in the facility, but with the characters in the stories,” Dias said.

While Elionaldo Fernandes Julião, co-author of “Sentence Remission Through Reading in Brazil: The Right to Education in Contest” and professor at Fluminense Federal University, recognizes the value of prison book access, he contends that reading-based sentence reduction often substitutes for developing educational access, which requires significantly more resources.

Julião also noted that program and book availability frequently relies on local initiatives. “Unfortunately, these are very easy to eliminate or shut down as quickly as possible,” he warned.

During the recent workshop, de Souza read aloud poetry by formerly incarcerated Argentine writer Liliana Cabrera. One verse declares the narrator is “Also something more / than the letters in black / of a court case.”

De Souza found deep meaning in these words.

“Someone knew how to explain with beautiful terms (…) that I’m a lot more than a court case, a lot more than the mistake I made, that I’m a human with my story,” she reflected.

BEIJING — For the first time in six years, China’s national airline has reestablished direct air service to North Korea, with flights now operating between Beijing and Pyongyang as of Monday.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun and other diplomatic officials were on hand to mark the return of Air China service to the North Korean capital, state media reported.

The airline resumption comes shortly after rail connections between the two nations returned to operation on March 12.

Both air and rail passenger services had been halted since 2020 when the COVID-19 outbreak began, cutting off most international travel to the isolated nation.

North Korea’s own airline, Air Koryo, had already restarted flights between the two capitals in 2023.

During the health crisis, North Korea implemented a complete prohibition on foreign tourism, though recent months have seen a gradual relaxation of these policies. A Russian tourist delegation was permitted entry in 2024.

Before the travel restrictions took effect, visitors from China represented approximately 90 percent of all tourism to North Korea, making the extended delay in Chinese tour resumption unexpected to many analysts.

Beijing serves as Pyongyang’s most significant economic partner and political supporter, though Chinese officials have periodically criticized North Korea’s missile testing programs that could potentially threaten South Korea and the United States.

In a notable diplomatic gesture last September, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made the trip to Beijing to observe a large-scale military parade, representing the first attendance by a North Korean leader at such a Chinese event in many years.

A parliamentary member has put forward Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing as a candidate for the nation’s presidency on Monday, setting up a legislative vote to choose the next leader of the conflict-stricken Southeast Asian country.

The nomination comes as Myanmar continues to face ongoing internal strife following the military takeover of the government.

President Trump expressed optimism about potential negotiations with Iran’s new leadership Sunday, describing the country’s replacement officials as ‘very reasonable’ while Pakistan announced its willingness to facilitate peace discussions between the two nations.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday evening, Trump revealed that Washington and Tehran have been engaging through both direct and indirect channels since the conflict began last month.

‘I think we’ll make a deal with them, I’m pretty sure, but it’s possible we won’t,’ Trump stated during his flight back to the capital.

The President indicated that Washington had achieved its goal of changing Iran’s government structure through military action that eliminated the nation’s supreme leader and other senior officials, though he emphasized twice that their successors appeared ‘reasonable.’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli attack on February 28, with his son Mojtaba taking over leadership responsibilities.

The ongoing conflict has expanded throughout the Middle East, resulting in thousands of casualties, unprecedented disruption to global energy markets, and significant economic consequences worldwide.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced following Sunday discussions among regional diplomats that his country stands ready to facilitate negotiations aimed at resolving the crisis.

‘Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,’ Dar declared. Officials have not confirmed whether both Washington and Tehran have committed to participating in the proposed discussions.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded skeptically to potential negotiations, claiming the United States was simultaneously preparing for a ground invasion while discussing diplomacy. He warned that Iran would respond if American forces were deployed.

‘As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation,’ Qalibaf said in his message to the Iranian people.

The Pentagon has deployed thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, providing Trump with options for potential ground operations if diplomatic efforts fail.

Israeli officials indicated they have no plans to reduce their military operations against Iran ahead of any possible Washington-Tehran negotiations, stating they would continue targeting what they characterize as military installations.

Israel’s military reported conducting more than 140 airstrikes across central and western Iran, including the capital Tehran, during the 24-hour period ending Sunday evening. The strikes targeted ballistic missile facilities and storage sites among other objectives.

Iranian state media confirmed attacks hit Mehrabad airport and a petrochemical facility in Tabriz in the country’s north.

A chemical facility near Beersheba in southern Israel was struck by Iranian missiles or debris, prompting authorities to warn residents to avoid the area due to dangerous materials.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil and gas shipments pass, has driven energy prices higher and created economic difficulties worldwide.

Asian markets declined Monday as investors prepared for an extended Gulf region conflict, with oil prices approaching record monthly increases that threaten to trigger inflation and potential recession globally. Japan’s Nikkei index dropped 4.7%.

Oil markets continued their upward trajectory, with Brent crude futures rising $3.09 or 2.74% to $115.66 per barrel by late Sunday, following Friday’s 4.2% gain.

The New York Times reported Sunday that several hundred special operations personnel have arrived in the region, adding to thousands of Marines who deployed Friday aboard an amphibious assault vessel as part of the first of two planned contingents.

Reuters has reported that Pentagon officials are evaluating military options including ground forces, though Trump has not approved any such plans according to multiple media outlets.

In a Financial Times interview published Sunday, Trump expressed interest in ‘taking the oil in Iran’ and potentially seizing Kharg Island, the country’s primary export facility. Controlling Kharg, which handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports, would require ground troops but could severely damage Tehran’s energy trade and economic stability.

Most Americans oppose the war and further military escalation, which could hurt Trump’s approval ratings ahead of November’s congressional midterm elections.

Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthis entered the conflict Saturday with their first attacks on Israel, raising concerns they could block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another crucial shipping route. Israeli authorities reported intercepting two drones launched from Yemen on Sunday.

The head of Taiwan’s primary opposition party will make a diplomatic journey to China next month following a personal invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to announcements from both sides.

Cheng Li-wun, who chairs the Kuomintang (KMT) party after winning election to the position in October, will travel to the mainland from April 7 through April 12. Her itinerary includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu province in eastern China.

The KMT released a statement Monday indicating that Cheng welcomed the invitation and accepted it with enthusiasm. According to the party, Cheng “expressed hope that the two parties (the KMT and China’s Communist Party) would work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, strengthen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, secure peace in the Taiwan Strait, and enhance the well-being of the people.”

This diplomatic outreach represents a shift toward warmer relations with Beijing compared to Cheng’s predecessor Eric Chu, who led the party starting in 2021 but never made the trip across the Taiwan Strait during his tenure.

Beijing considers democratic Taiwan part of its territory and maintains a policy of not engaging with President Lai Ching-te’s administration, labeling him a “separatist.” However, Chinese officials regularly host senior KMT representatives, and Cheng had previously indicated her intention to visit.

The timing of this visit coincides with ongoing political battles in Taiwan’s legislature, where President Lai’s administration is seeking approval for an additional $40 billion in military spending from the opposition-controlled Parliament. While the KMT has expressed support for bolstering Taiwan’s defense capabilities, party leaders have stated they won’t approve “blank cheques” without receiving more detailed information from the government.

This diplomatic activity occurs ahead of a planned meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leadership scheduled for mid-May, though Beijing has not yet officially confirmed those arrangements. The Trump meeting was originally planned for early April but was delayed due to the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran.

The historical context of cross-strait relations dates back to 1949, when the Republic of China government, then controlled by the KMT, retreated to Taiwan following their defeat in a civil war against Mao Zedong’s communist forces. No formal peace agreement or armistice was ever established, and neither government officially recognizes the other’s legitimacy.

A significant precedent for such high-level meetings was set in late 2015, when then-Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, also a KMT member, conducted a historic summit with Xi in Singapore.

Both Chinese state media and the KMT referred to Xi using his Communist Party title of general secretary rather than his role as China’s head of state in their announcements about the upcoming visit.

A Russian oil tanker loaded with hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude has reached Cuban territorial waters, delivering critical fuel supplies as President Donald Trump signals a shift away from his previous oil embargo against the island nation.

The vessel Anatoly Kolodkin, flying under Russian colors, was positioned near Cuba’s eastern coastline on Sunday and scheduled to dock at Matanzas port on Monday, according to Cuban state media outlet Cubadebate.

Speaking with reporters while traveling on Air Force One, President Trump demonstrated newfound flexibility regarding oil deliveries to Cuba, stating: “If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba, right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not.”

This represents a significant departure from Trump’s previous policy, which had successfully blocked virtually all petroleum shipments to Cuba in an effort to apply economic pressure on the Havana government, accompanied by harsh rhetoric directed at Cuban leadership.

According to The New York Times, citing an informed U.S. official, the Coast Guard permitted the sanctioned tanker to proceed toward Cuba, though the reasoning behind this decision remains unclear. However, attempting to forcibly stop the vessel could have heightened tensions with Russia during an already volatile period in international relations.

Cuban media characterized the Russian delivery as a direct confrontation to America’s oil embargo, noting that Russian naval forces provided escort protection for the sanctioned ship as it traveled through the English Channel en route to the Caribbean.

The fuel delivery comes at a crucial time for Cuba, which has implemented severe gasoline rationing measures due to the U.S. oil restrictions and has endured widespread electrical blackouts throughout the Communist nation.

Ship monitoring information from LSEG indicates the Anatoly Kolodkin departed from Russia’s Primorsk terminal with approximately 650,000 barrels of crude oil, though alternative sources suggest the cargo may contain as much as 730,000 barrels.

In earlier March developments, the United States temporarily relaxed certain Russian sanctions to facilitate improved global oil distribution, which had been constrained by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — The Mongolian People’s Party has chosen a replacement candidate for prime minister following the departure of Zandanshatar Gombojav, who stepped down after serving less than a year in the position.

Party officials nominated Uchral Nyam-Osor during a Sunday gathering, as reported by the state-run Montsame news agency. Currently serving as both party chairman and parliamentary speaker, Uchral became a party member in 2009 and represents a middle-ground choice between competing party wings.

Gombojav’s departure followed corruption accusations against one of his top cabinet officials. The former prime minister also dealt with opposition from the Democratic Party, whose members have staged a parliamentary walkout since early this month over concerns that too much authority has been consolidated within the governing party.

This political upheaval threatens to further undermine public confidence in Mongolia’s government institutions. The nation made its democratic transition from single-party Communist rule in 1990, but despite regular elections, citizens continue to voice frustrations about widespread corruption and a political structure that appears to serve wealthy elites.

International business interests have grown increasingly concerned about Mongolia’s unstable political climate and the brief terms served by consecutive administrations.

With a population of 3.4 million, Mongolia relies heavily on mineral exports to China and continues to grapple with inconsistent regulatory policies and ongoing corruption issues.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered a stark warning to the United States Monday, declaring that Iranian forces “are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever.”

Qalibaf continued with defiant remarks: “Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased.”

These threatening statements emerged as regional leaders convened in Pakistan seeking solutions to end the Middle Eastern conflicts, coinciding with approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines deploying to the area and Iranian-supported Houthi rebels joining the monthlong conflict.

The ongoing warfare has created widespread economic disruption, threatening worldwide oil and natural gas supplies while causing fertilizer shortages and interrupting air transportation. Iran’s control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz has created market instability and price fluctuations.

The Houthis’ involvement raises concerns about additional damage to international shipping, particularly if they resume attacking vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea, a waterway that handles approximately 12% of global trade.

UN Peacekeeper Fatality in Southern Lebanon

Early Monday, UNIFIL reported that one United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile hit their position close to a southern Lebanese village.

Officials stated that the “origin of the projectile” remained undetermined.

The mountainous border region where UNIFIL forces conduct patrols has experienced decades of cross-border conflicts.

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants engaged in comprehensive warfare in 2024 and are currently fighting again after Hezbollah aligned with Iran in launching attacks against Israel in the present conflict. Israel has deployed thousands of soldiers across the Lebanese border.

Israel Reports Preventing West Bank Attacks

Israeli military forces shot two individuals they determined posed threats during separate overnight incidents in the occupied West Bank, resulting in one death and “neutralizing” the other, according to early Monday military statements.

Military reports indicate one knife-wielding man charged toward soldiers near Dura in the southern West Bank and was fatally shot. Another individual accelerated his vehicle toward troops near a village north of Jerusalem, prompting soldiers to open fire.

Holy Sepulchre Receives Limited Prayer Authorization

Israeli police announced approval of a “limited prayer framework” allowing worship at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the sacred Holy Week period begins.

Jerusalem’s Old City religious sites important to Christians, Jews and Muslims have remained shuttered throughout the Iran conflict due to security concerns. Earlier this month, debris from intercepting an Iranian missile landed on a rooftop near the church, which Christians consider the crucifixion site of Jesus.

Police officials said they collaborated with a representative of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch who had been previously denied entry, and promised additional details about permitted activities would follow.

Israeli Forces Intercept Yemeni Drones

Israel’s military confirmed its air force successfully intercepted two unmanned aircraft launched from Yemen during early Monday morning hours.

The Iranian-supported Houthi rebels took credit for their initial attack in the current conflict — a missile launched at Israel that was also intercepted — early Saturday morning.

Northern Iran Petrochemical Plant Hit

Iranian news outlets reported early Monday that a Tabriz Petrochemical facility in the country’s northern region was struck. Officials confirmed no dangerous materials were released.

The company processes oil and natural gas into chemical products used for manufacturing everyday items including plastics and various chemicals.

SAN BARTOLO MORELOS, Mexico (AP) — Cruz Monroy has spent over three decades navigating the streets of a small community near Mexico’s capital city, balancing towering structures of tiny cages containing colorful birds.

The songs of crimson cardinals, emerald and sapphire parakeets, and vibrant finches provide the soundtrack for “pajareros” — street vendors who sell birds like Monroy.

The practice of marketing birds in towering cage formations, often reaching heights that dwarf the vendors themselves, spans multiple generations. These sellers have remained a constant presence in Mexican marketplaces and represent part of the 1.5 million street vendors operating throughout Mexico.

“Hearing their songs, it brings people joy,” Monroy said, the sounds of dozens of birdsongs echoing over him from his home in his small town outside Mexico’s capital, where he cares for and raises the birds. “This is our tradition, my father was also a bird-seller.”

Each Palm Sunday during the Catholic celebration, hundreds of bird vendors from throughout the nation gather in Mexico City, creating elaborate 10-foot cage displays decorated with vibrant flowers, shimmering tinsel, and pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the country’s beloved patron saint.

These vendors journey for miles on foot through the capital’s streets alongside their families and feathered companions, making their way to the city’s famous basilica.

However, the number of pajareros working the streets has steadily declined in recent times due to increasing government regulations and harsh opposition from animal welfare organizations, who label the practice as cruelty and illegal wildlife trade.

Monroy and fellow vendors maintain they avoid capturing prohibited species like parrots and other birds banned by Mexican officials — who classify tropical varieties as “wild birds, not pets” — and instead often raise their own birds while providing proper care. Nevertheless, Monroy acknowledges that within his own family, this time-honored practice is fading away.

Facing pressure from officials and growing opposition, he hopes his children will pursue more reliable employment opportunities.

“Because of the restrictions, harassment by certain authorities, many friends have left selling birds behind,” Monroy said. “For my children, it’s not stable work anymore. We have to look for other alternatives.”

SYDNEY – A seven-month manhunt in Australia came to an end Monday when authorities fatally shot a fugitive accused of murdering two police officers, according to Australian media reports.

Dezi Freeman, formerly known as Desmond Filby, had evaded capture since August following a deadly confrontation that claimed the lives of two officers and wounded another in Victoria state. Law enforcement had placed a substantial A$1 million ($684,700) bounty on information that would lead to his arrest.

The deadly incident occurred when Freeman allegedly attacked a 10-member police squad, which included officers from the sexual offences and child investigation unit, as they attempted to serve a search warrant at a residence in Porepunkah. The location sits approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Melbourne.

After the attack, Freeman escaped into the wilderness of Mount Buffalo National Park. Authorities described him as having extensive survival expertise and access to high-powered weapons. Local news outlets characterized the 56-year-old as a “sovereign citizen” who rejected government authority.

The fatal shooting occurred around 8:30 a.m. Monday (2130 GMT Sunday), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Victoria Police confirmed in an official statement that officers killed a man during an operation targeting Freeman at a property in northeastern Victoria, though they did not confirm the individual’s identity.

“No police officers were injured during the incident,” the statement said, adding that further details would be released later on Monday.

Israel’s Knesset voted to approve the nation’s 2026 budget early Monday morning, according to a parliamentary spokesperson, preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration from facing potential snap elections while the country remains engaged in military conflicts with Iran and operations in Lebanon.

The defense-focused spending plan totals 699 billion shekels and was passed one month into Israel’s ongoing military operations, which include fighting against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. The economic impact of these conflicts has reached approximately $1.6 billion per week.

Had lawmakers rejected the budget proposal, Israel would have faced mandatory early elections within 90 days – a scenario that polling data suggests Netanyahu would likely lose.

While regular elections are scheduled for late October, no specific date has been confirmed. Netanyahu has indicated the vote could potentially occur in September.

The budget’s approval at the final hour eliminates significant uncertainty for Israel’s financial markets and economic outlook, which had been functioning on an extended 2025 budget since January.

Defense spending received an additional 32 billion shekels under the new budget, pushing the deficit target to approximately 5% of the nation’s gross domestic product.

Economic analysts warn this increased spending could trigger inflationary pressures, potentially delaying the return to sound fiscal management and limiting opportunities for future interest rate cuts.

A United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile struck their position close to the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr on Sunday, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

The UN mission, known as UNIFIL, announced the casualties in a statement released early Monday morning.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” UNIFIL stated.

The peacekeeping force operates in southern Lebanon to oversee tensions along the border with Israel, a region that has become a flashpoint for fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants backed by Iran.

The peacekeeping operation, scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, has repeatedly found itself caught between Israeli and Hezbollah forces during recent conflicts.

Earlier this month on March 6, Ghana’s military reported that missile strikes targeted the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping unit in Lebanon, critically wounding two soldiers.

Israeli military officials later confirmed their tank artillery had struck a UN facility in southern Lebanon on that date, injuring the Ghanaian peacekeepers.

The Israeli military stated its forces had retaliated against anti-tank missile attacks from Hezbollah that moderately injured two Israeli soldiers.

“Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger,” UNIFIL said.

Lebanon became involved in the broader Middle Eastern conflict when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran two days earlier. This Hezbollah assault triggered a fresh Israeli military campaign against the organization.

A vessel flying the Russian flag and loaded with crude oil moved into Cuban territorial waters on Sunday, marking what appears to be the Caribbean island’s first petroleum shipment in over two months, according to maritime tracking information.

The vessel Anatoly Kolodkin, which set sail from the Russian port of Primorsk with approximately 650,000 barrels of Urals crude oil aboard, appears destined for Cuba’s Matanzas port based on its current trajectory, maritime tracking services Marine Traffic and LSEG report.

The shipment represents a significant development for Cuba, which has experienced an extended period without oil imports stretching back more than eight weeks.

One person died and eight others sustained injuries when Ukrainian drones struck the Russian port city of Taganrog on Sunday, according to local authorities.

The attack sparked multiple fires and caused extensive damage to residential neighborhoods and industrial facilities, forcing officials to evacuate affected areas where drone wreckage had fallen.

Rostov region Governor Yuri Slyusar reported on Telegram that rescue teams were deployed to locations where debris had crashed. “Emergency crews are working at the site of the incident, where the debris fell,” Slyusar stated. “Fires and damage have occurred. People have been evacuated.”

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova detailed the scope of destruction across the city in her own Telegram message, revealing that emergency responders handled 49 separate incidents related to the drone assault.

“Due to falling drone debris, several residential houses, social sites, and industrial enterprises were damaged,” Kambulova reported.

Defense systems continued operating in the area following the attack. Taganrog sits along the Sea of Azov’s eastern shore, positioned as a strategic port city near Ukraine’s border.