Blog

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for diplomatic discussions as his country seeks to strengthen partnerships with Middle Eastern nations during its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Ukraine is providing air defense knowledge and drone technology to regional nations that have experienced Iranian attacks, hoping to receive backing in its fight against Russian forces in return.

“Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security,” Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X.

Rustem Umerov, who leads Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, traveled with Zelenskyy for these diplomatic discussions.

According to recent statements from Zelenskyy, Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, seeking financial backing and technology in exchange for their military expertise.

As the conflict with Russia enters its fifth year, Ukrainian military forces are preparing for another spring campaign from Moscow while U.S.-supported peace negotiations remain at a standstill.

SEOUL/BEIJING – Asian manufacturers are confronting an unprecedented supply crisis as the conflict in Iran disrupts global energy markets, affecting everything from instant noodles and snack foods to beauty products and toys.

The impact is already devastating businesses across the region. Choi Gun-soo, who manages a South Korean facility that has produced plastic films for 57 years, reports that suppliers are hiking raw material costs by up to 50%, while others have completely exhausted their inventory.

“Since we’re out of raw materials for some products, we’ll have to gradually shut down the machines, and the next one to two weeks is likely to be very critical,” Choi explained.

Despite surviving previous oil crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, this situation is different, according to Choi. His facility has slashed production to just 20% to 30% of normal capacity.

“This is the first time we’ve been hit this hard. We’re really shaken,” he stated.

The crisis stems from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway along Iran’s southern border that typically handles approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Asian nations face the greatest risk because they depend more heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil, natural gas, fuel, and fertilizer compared to other regions worldwide.

The most severe shortages involve oil-based products like naphtha, primarily obtained from Gulf nations and essential for Asian refineries producing plastics and petrochemicals found in nearly all manufactured goods.

Costs for essential materials including plastic and rubber have reached record highs.

Samyang Foods, the South Korean company behind the widely popular spicy Buldak instant ramen, warns that an extended conflict could create packaging material shortages and drive up expenses.

Instant ramen products depend heavily on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most commonly used plastics globally, which is also crucial for packaging various items from food to personal care products.

Competing South Korean ramen manufacturer Nongshim maintains a two to three-month supply of packaging materials and is preparing for the possibility that the war, which started with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, may continue.

Yonwoo, which produces containers for L’Oreal and Korean beauty companies including Amorepacific, informed Reuters that it is working urgently to obtain plastic resin supplies needed for manufacturing skincare and cosmetic containers. The company has limited material visibility beyond June.

“The issue isn’t the price – if supply itself isn’t available, then without containers, you simply can’t sell the product,” an unnamed company representative told Reuters, noting they lacked authorization to speak publicly.

“We are stockpiling supplies, but beyond that, we don’t really have any substantial measures in place; we’re simply hoping that the situation would be resolved by May.”

The conflict has created fuel shortages globally, with businesses ranging from airlines to grocery stores and used car dealerships facing challenges including increased costs, declining demand, and broken supply chains.

In Japan, department store chain Takashimaya indicated that if the crisis continues, price increases and supply problems could extend to clothing and home appliances.

Demonstrating the widespread effects, Japanese consumers of Wasabeef potato chips became alarmed this month when producer Yamayoshi Seika stopped manufacturing, citing a lack of heavy oil needed for boilers that heat frying oil.

China manufactures nearly half of the world’s synthetic rubber, and naphtha shortages required for production are creating downstream effects, pushing tire and glove manufacturers to consider price increases or switching to natural rubber alternatives.

Chinese production is expected to drop by approximately one-third in April due to the war, according to SCI analyst Xinhua Jing.

Tire manufacturer Michelin told Reuters that its supply chain teams are “fully mobilised” and the company is managing and modifying deliveries to fulfill contracts “as much as possible.”

In India, the conflict has already increased bottled water costs due to rising prices for plastic bottles and caps, while international brewing companies operating there have cautioned about price increases and supply interruptions caused by gas shortages.

High oil prices and supply chain disruptions are also affecting China’s southern manufacturing center of Dongguan.

Liu Chaonan, whose toy manufacturing business supplies major U.S. retailer Walmart, said escalating raw material expenses are creating significant challenges.

“The situation in Iran is having a very significant impact on our toy industry,” Liu, who has more than 150 employees, told Reuters. “We will likely make price adjustments when quoting new products.”

Rising crude oil prices directly influence retail fuel costs, increasing expenses for gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, cooking gas, and business and manufacturing operations globally.

Dominic Desmarais, chief solutions officer at Liya Solutions, which connects companies with Chinese suppliers producing everything from furniture to titanium products, noted that petroleum-based product prices are climbing.

“We buy a lot of expandable polystyrene from Taiwan, and the prices went up 35%, but our client still bought about 500 tonnes, and they didn’t argue on the price, they just want supply,” he explained.

Consumer panic has already emerged, leading to stockpiling of items like garbage bags, with South Korean supermarkets experiencing shortages and implementing purchase limits.

South Korean student Ryu June-ho, 24, recently purchased trash bags along with ramen noodles.

“I was worried that garbage bags would get more expensive, so I bought ten 20-litre ones. I also bought lots of ramen … because the cost of plastic packaging probably accounts for a big part of the product’s price.”

TOKYO (AP) — Two people died Thursday following a violent incident at a Pokemon retail location in central Tokyo, where an armed assailant fatally wounded a store employee before ending his own life, according to Japanese authorities.

Emergency responders arrived at the busy commercial complex after receiving reports of an armed individual attacking people with a blade.

Authorities confirmed the victim was a female employee in her twenties who worked at the Pokemon retail outlet located on the building’s second level within the Sunshine City complex, a multi-use facility containing various businesses and offices. She sustained fatal neck wounds during the assault.

The perpetrator subsequently inflicted a similar wound upon himself, Tokyo law enforcement officials reported. Medical personnel transported both individuals to a hospital in critical condition, but doctors later declared both deceased.

Investigators are treating the incident as a homicide case, police stated.

The Pokemon Company released a statement via social media platform X announcing the indefinite closure of Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo while they assist with the ongoing investigation and provide support to their staff members.

“We deeply apologize to our customers for the tremendous worry and inconveniences,” the company said.

A customer present during the attack described the chaotic scene to the Asahi newspaper, explaining how he evacuated after hearing screams for assistance and the sound of merchandise displays falling. Upon looking back, he witnessed a staff member with bloodstained clothing and observed the black-clad attacker pushing toward the checkout area.

Japan’s NHK public broadcaster reported that customers evacuated the vicinity while workers at surrounding businesses lowered security barriers as a precautionary measure.

While Japan maintains stringent firearm regulations and experiences relatively low violent crime rates, the nation has witnessed several notable blade-related attacks in recent years.

WASHINGTON – Pentagon officials verified Thursday that a high-ranking Iranian military leader was killed during an Israeli military operation, according to an announcement from U.S. Central Command posted on social media.

The deceased officer has been identified as Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who served as the naval commander for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. Central Command confirmed his death resulted from an Israeli airstrike, marking a significant development in regional military tensions.

The verification came through an official post on the social media platform X, representing the first American confirmation of the Iranian commander’s death.

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will face a federal judge in New York on Thursday as his legal team fights to dismiss drug trafficking charges against him amid complications over attorney payment arrangements.

This marks the second court appearance for Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores since their January hearing where he proclaimed his innocence following their capture by American military personnel, stating: “I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.” Flores has similarly entered a not guilty plea.

Both defendants continue to be held at a Brooklyn detention facility without requesting bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein may announce a trial schedule during Thursday’s proceedings.

In Caracas, several hundred supporters including government party members, public workers, and militia participants assembled at a central plaza Thursday morning to offer prayers for the couple and attempt to view the court session, not realizing federal courtrooms prohibit recording devices.

A massive display screen showed images of Maduro alongside Venezuela’s national flag and highlights from the nation’s recent World Baseball Classic victory.

“We are going to see him today,” party official Carmen Melendez addressed the gathering. “We may see him skinnier. … But that’s our president.”

Protesters waved Venezuelan banners and held placards reading “Free President Maduro” while chanting “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air. U.S. out of everywhere,” criticizing American military involvement worldwide.

Several demonstrators carried an inflatable figure dressed like Maduro in orange prison-style clothing.

Signage revealed connections to the Workers World Party, an organization that identifies as a revolutionary socialist movement.

During Maduro’s previous courthouse visit, authorities transported him in dramatic style via helicopter from Brooklyn to a Manhattan landing pad, followed by a high-speed law enforcement convoy to the federal building.

New York’s various police and federal agencies have perfected the process of moving high-profile individuals through typically congested city streets.

Similar security measures were employed in 2024 when Trump faced trial at a nearby Lower Manhattan courthouse, with police ensuring his Secret Service detail had clear passage.

The presiding judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein, is 92 years old and received his appointment from President Bill Clinton in 1998. The New York native, while senior, is not the oldest federal judge in the district – that distinction belongs to 98-year-old Judge Louis L. Stanton.

Hellerstein brings extensive experience with major cases, including nearly 25 years overseeing civil lawsuits stemming from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

While the drug trafficking prosecution against Maduro involves complex legal questions, Thursday’s hearing will likely focus primarily on attorney fee arrangements rather than substantive case issues.

The central problem involves compensating Maduro’s defense team. U.S. sanctions prevent his lawyers from accepting direct payment from Venezuela’s government without special authorization from American officials, who argue Maduro should fund his own defense.

This financial dispute requires judicial resolution.

Limited courtroom seating prompted people to begin queuing a full day before the hearing, with professional line-holders setting up small tents outside the building by Wednesday afternoon.

Media organizations paid hundreds of dollars to secure spots for their reporters who would arrive when the courthouse opened Thursday morning.

Federal prosecutors allege Maduro orchestrated an extensive drug trafficking operation spanning over 25 years, facilitating the movement of thousands of tons of cocaine into American markets by collaborating with Venezuelan law enforcement to assist major drug dealers.

Maduro maintains his innocence, while his supporters claim U.S. military forces captured him as part of President Trump’s efforts to force governmental change in Venezuela.

TOKYO – A tragic stabbing incident claimed two lives at a popular Pokemon retail location in Tokyo’s bustling shopping district Thursday evening, authorities confirmed.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a woman in her twenties working at the store suffered fatal neck wounds when attacked by a male assailant, also in his twenties, at approximately 7:16 p.m. local time. The attacker subsequently turned the weapon on himself.

Medical personnel declared both individuals deceased at a local hospital less than an hour after the violence occurred, police officials stated.

TV Asahi reported that the victim worked as staff at the Pokemon Center retail outlet housed within the commercial building, while witnesses described the perpetrator as carrying blades in each hand during the assault.

Authorities have not yet determined what drove the attacker to commit the violent act, according to local news outlets.

Social media footage captured panicked customers evacuating the area as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene, located mere blocks from Ikebukuro terminal – among Tokyo’s most heavily trafficked railway hubs.

The timing proved particularly disturbing as the attack unfolded during Japan’s spring school holiday period, when families with children typically crowd shopping centers.

Representatives from Pokemon Co, which manages roughly two dozen retail locations across Japan featuring merchandise from the beloved entertainment franchise, had not responded to media inquiries by press time.

Japan’s stringent firearm restrictions mean blade-related violence represents the predominant form of public attacks, with several stabbing incidents occurring at transit facilities and aboard trains in recent years.

Burning fuel facilities releasing toxic smoke. Wreckage contaminating the Persian Gulf. Military installations under bombardment.

Environmental scientists warn that the ongoing conflict in Iran has created a dangerous cocktail of pollutants, toxic metals, and harmful chemicals that pose serious threats to farming, water supplies, and public health — with environmental consequences that may last for generations.

“All the burning of oil and gas fields in the coastal areas, all the ships that are there, the oil tankers that are being burned or (sunk) — all of these mean pollution,” stated Kaveh Madani, an Iranian scientist serving as director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. “For someone like me who has fought for sustainability and protection of the environment in that region, this is like going many years backward.”

Recording the full extent of environmental harm has proven challenging, with complete assessment currently impossible, according to Doug Weir, who leads the Conflict and Environment Observatory, a United Kingdom-based organization tracking environmental impacts from military conflicts.

The organization employs satellite monitoring and open-source intelligence gathering to identify environmental damage and assess risks to communities, natural habitats, and farmland. Their research has documented over 400 environmentally harmful incidents connected to the conflict, though significant gaps remain due to delayed satellite data and Iran’s internet shutdown, Weir explained.

Strikes targeting petroleum and natural gas infrastructure pose the greatest environmental dangers through air quality degradation and contamination of soil and groundwater, along with direct health hazards. More difficult to measure are the risks from bombed military installations, some located deep underground and others near residential areas, creating “huge uncertainties” about potential consequences, Weir noted.

The conflict’s most memorable visuals may be the blackened skies from burning oil infrastructure hit by air attacks, including an incident two weeks ago when contaminated rainfall occurred near Tehran, Iran’s capital city.

Particles, ash, and poisonous compounds from attacks on fuel storage areas and a refinery mixed with atmospheric moisture and returned to ground level as greasy, acidic precipitation that led authorities to advise residents to remain inside. Tiny soot particles increase risks for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, while dangerous chemicals create long-term cancer threats and toxic metals from the contamination could poison soil and water sources, scientists explained.

Wreckage and pollution from missile strikes, along with possible attacks on manufacturing plants and other critical infrastructure, could also spread dangerous contamination across the region, researchers warned.

“If you hit an ammonia-producing plant for fertilizer or for food production … those release chemicals that are absolutely toxic and harmful if they spread,” explained Mohammed Mahmoud, who heads Middle East Climate and Water Policy at the United Nations University Institute of Water, Environment and Health and established the Climate and Water Initiative.

Heavy fossil fuel burning is also dramatically increasing greenhouse gas levels that drive climate change, scientists noted. Carbon tracking firm Greenly calculated that U.S. military operations alone produced nearly 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases during just the conflict’s first six days, indicating the total emissions from all fighting are substantially higher when including Israeli and Iranian activities plus infrastructure damage.

This represents a substantial amount for such a brief period, considering approximately 50 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases are released globally each year, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

Worldwide petroleum shortages are also forcing some nations to restart or expand coal usage, generating additional air pollution that harms human health and increases greenhouse gas output.

Nations throughout the dry Persian Gulf area depend on hundreds of water treatment facilities for drinking supplies, creating health and security concerns if plants suffer damage or water becomes contaminated, experts warn.

Iran has claimed a U.S. airstrike harmed one of its water treatment plants, while nearby Bahrain has blamed Iran for damaging one of its facilities. Scientists worry additional plants could become targets as the conflict continues.

Regional residents “struggle with having access to clean drinking water, even at peace times,” noted Madani, the Iranian scientist and U.N. official. “Any damage to water infrastructure can have long-lasting impacts.”

Weir expresses concern that contamination, including petroleum from sunken vessels and other sources, might block water treatment plants or that facilities could be shut down by attacks on electrical generation sites.

Scientists say pollution could also harm fishing industries and critical ecosystems. While some contaminants will spread and become diluted by water circulation through the gulf, heavy metals and toxic substances may still accumulate in bottom sediments.

“It’s an enclosed basin, quite shallow,” Weir observed. “There are sensitive habitats there, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sensitive species which could be impacted.”

The U.N. nuclear monitoring agency has been denied access to Iranian nuclear installations, including sites attacked in June by the United States and Israel, leaving their condition largely undetermined.

Potential strikes on major and minor nuclear facilities throughout the area represent “another thing to worry about,” due to immediate and lasting health and environmental effects, Madani said. Radiation exposure can cause skin injuries and acute radiation syndrome, while long-term dangers include cancer, cardiovascular disease, and genetic harm.

American and Israeli leaders have stated that destroying Iran’s nuclear weapons capability is among the conflict’s objectives.

Following joint Israeli and U.S. bombing of an Iranian uranium processing facility this month, Iran responded by launching missiles at two Israeli communities, including one housing a nuclear research facility. Israel reported the installation sustained no damage.

“We are hearing that there is no major radiation or change in the level of pollutants so that makes us hopeful that nothing has gone wrong,” Madani said. “But the risk is always there.”

Following the conflict’s end, as Iran and neighboring countries begin reconstruction, environmental restoration may receive limited attention, experts predicted.

Priority will go to power and water systems, industrial facilities, and food production sites, Mahmoud said. Some contamination, particularly affecting the gulf or other waterways, “I doubt will be addressed soon, and in some cases, not at all.”

Weir said environmental restoration receives inadequate attention following most conflicts due to high costs and because “humanitarian needs come first,” despite potentially severe environmental risks.

In heavily populated Tehran, for instance, numerous strikes have targeted not only petroleum infrastructure but also buildings and neighborhoods, creating harmful contamination from crushed construction materials. Residents face exposure to dust and chemicals that may persist long after the conflict ends and reconstruction efforts begin.

Financial police in Italy have confiscated property, artwork and financial holdings valued at 20 million euros (approximately $23 million) in the Florence area, claiming these assets were bought using funds fraudulently taken from Bond actress Ursula Andress, according to a Thursday announcement from Italian authorities.

The asset seizures followed an investigation that began when Andress filed a complaint with Swiss law enforcement, alleging she had been defrauded by her financial advisers.

In January, the 90-year-old actress spoke to Swiss publication Blick about losing 18 million Swiss francs (roughly 20 million euros) to her longtime financial adviser across an eight-year span. The publication reported that the adviser has since passed away.

“I am still in shock,” Andress stated. “I was deliberately chosen as a victim. For eight years, I was courted and wooed. They lied to me shamelessly and exploited my goodwill in a perfidious, indeed criminal, way in order to take everything from me. They took advantage of my age.”

According to Italian investigators, the fraudulent funds were placed into overseas companies, utilized for asset purchases, and moved through various transactions intended to hide their origins.

Authorities tracked the money to the acquisition of 11 properties, 14 parcels of land used for vineyards and olive cultivation, plus artwork and financial holdings throughout Florence and surrounding Tuscan regions.

Officials have not disclosed whether any individuals have been taken into custody.

Born in Switzerland, Andress gained fame as the original Bond girl Honey Ryder in 1962’s “Dr. No,” particularly remembered for her iconic scene walking out of the ocean wearing a white bikini. Her career continued with roles alongside Elvis Presley in “Fun in Acapulco” and with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in “Four for Texas.” She later focused on European film and television projects before stepping away from acting in the early 2000s.

Northern European nations announced Thursday their commitment to intensify efforts against Russia’s fleet of oil vessels used to circumvent sanctions, coinciding with reports from Turkish authorities that a naval drone struck one such tanker near the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.

This fleet consists of older vessels purchased secondhand, frequently by obscure organizations registered in nations that haven’t imposed sanctions on Russia. Moscow relies on these ships to bypass Western restrictions and continue selling oil and petroleum products that primarily fund its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

During a gathering with allies in Finland, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that “we should go after the shadow fleet even harder.”

Meeting with fellow members of the Joint Expeditionary Force—a coalition of 10 nations monitoring these vessels—Starmer announced that British forces would now have authority to board these tankers when they pass through United Kingdom territorial waters, following the lead of other partner nations.

“Together, we must close off critical sea routes to this vital trade, to keep up the pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and to help change the narrative of this war” in Ukraine, Starmer stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized in a video statement that Russia’s energy exports are powering Moscow’s campaign to conquer Ukraine.

“So please keep the pressure on Russia — its tankers and shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters,” he declared.

Turkish officials reported that all 27 Turkish crew members aboard the Altura tanker escaped injury during Thursday’s early morning assault, which damaged the vessel’s bridge and engine compartment.

The Altura, reportedly transporting 140,000 tonnes of crude oil at the time of the incident approximately 14 nautical miles north of the Bosphorus, has been under Turkey-based Pergamon Maritime’s ownership since November.

According to the Open Sanctions database, the European Union has sanctioned the vessel since October for its involvement in transporting Russian oil exports that violate sanctions.

Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed the tanker suffered an “attack by an unmanned sea vessel.” He declined to speculate whether Ukraine was responsible for the assault.

Ukrainian forces have previously acknowledged using maritime drones to destroy Russian ships in the Black Sea. Earlier this month, Russia attributed the sinking of a Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya to a Ukrainian naval drone.

TORONTO (AP) — Air Canada’s chief executive issued a public apology Thursday for delivering condolences entirely in English following Sunday’s fatal aircraft accident at LaGuardia Airport, as political leaders demanded his resignation over the language controversy.

Michael Rousseau, who heads the Canadian airline, faced harsh criticism after posting a four-minute online condolence message that contained just two French phrases — “bonjour” and “merci.”

“I am deeply saddened that my inability to speak French has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families and the great resilience of Air Canada’s employees, who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism despite the events of the past few days,” Rousseau stated.

“Despite many lessons over several years, unfortunately, I am still unable to express myself adequately in French. I sincerely apologize for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.”

Quebec’s top official demanded the airline leader step down Wednesday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the response as lacking compassion and proper judgment, saying he anticipated further action from Air Canada’s governing board.

The fatal accident claimed the lives of pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther when their Air Canada Jazz aircraft struck a fire vehicle during landing Sunday night. Forest was a French-speaking resident of Quebec.

The nation’s biggest airline operates from its Montreal headquarters in Quebec, where French serves as the dominant language. Rousseau has faced previous criticism for his English-only communications. His condolence message was delivered in English with French translations displayed on screen.

Carney emphasized that Canada maintains two official languages as a bilingual nation.

The language debate in Quebec dates back to the 1760s British conquest of New France. Today, approximately 80 percent of Quebec residents speak French.

Quebec Premier François Legault pointed out that Rousseau committed to learning French when he took the airline’s top position in February 2021.

The federal language commissioner’s office has logged hundreds of complaints regarding Rousseau’s video message.

“Back in November 2021, less than a year after he was appointed CEO of Air Canada, one of his first major speeches in his role triggered a strong controversy among Francophones, as the speech was almost exclusively in English,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.

“At the time, in response to that controversy, Rousseau apologized and pledged to learn French. He did later take French lessons but, as the new controversy suggests, it was probably not very successful to say the least.”

Jason Kenney, a former Conservative Cabinet minister, said he would rather the CEO of Canada’s flagship carrier focus his scarce time on safety and reliability than language training.

KABUL, Afghanistan — A second mass burial ceremony took place Thursday in a Kabul cemetery for dozens more victims of a devastating airstrike that destroyed a drug rehabilitation facility in Afghanistan’s capital earlier this month.

Heavy machinery carved out a massive grave site where individual burial plots were prepared for 60 coffins. According to Afghan authorities, hundreds lost their lives when Pakistani forces targeted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility, on March 16.

United Nations humanitarian officials continue working to confirm the exact number of casualties. Pakistani leadership maintains they did not intentionally strike civilian targets, claiming their forces hit a weapons storage facility instead.

The attack occurred during a period of intensifying hostilities between the neighboring countries that started in February, marked by repeated border skirmishes and aerial bombardments within Afghan territory, including multiple strikes in the capital city.

Pakistani officials claim Afghanistan shelters extremist groups responsible for terrorist activities on Pakistani soil, particularly the Pakistani Taliban movement. This organization operates independently from but maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in 2021 as U.S.-led coalition forces withdrew. Afghan leadership rejects these allegations.

Last month, Pakistan officially announced it considers itself in “open war” with Afghanistan. This escalating conflict has drawn international concern, especially given the region’s continued presence of other terrorist organizations like al-Qaida and ISIS, which have been attempting to reestablish themselves.

Both nations agreed to a temporary ceasefire last week before the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, brokered through diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. However, the truce ended this week, and combat resumed Wednesday, with Afghan officials reporting at least two civilian deaths and multiple injuries in eastern provinces.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban — officially called Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP — announced they have restarted operations within Pakistan following their own three-day Eid ceasefire.

This Thursday ceremony marked the second large-scale funeral for the treatment center victims, following an earlier service for more than 50 people on March 18.

Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman announced Thursday that fatalities from the hospital strike have reached 411 people, after two injured patients died in medical care and rescue teams recovered another body from the debris in recent days. An additional 263 people sustained injuries, he reported.

The Omid facility had been expanded from an existing treatment center as part of the Taliban government’s campaign to address Afghanistan’s severe drug addiction crisis. The nation’s extensive poppy cultivation has supplied much of the global heroin trade, which combined with decades of warfare and widespread economic hardship has created a significant addiction problem that current leaders have pledged to eliminate.

Located near Kabul’s international airport, the hospital sits next to the former NATO military installation Camp Phoenix, where American forces previously trained Afghan National Army personnel.

The airstrike triggered a massive fire throughout the medical facility, and authorities report many victims’ remains were too severely damaged for identification.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced Thursday that her country will seek support from G7 nations for establishing a new defense financing institution designed to help smaller military contractors access much-needed capital.

Speaking to Reuters during the G7 foreign ministers’ gathering in Vaux-de-Cernay, France, Anand outlined plans for the Defense and Resilience Bank (DSRB) as Western leaders meet March 26-27 amid ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, global economic instability, and concerns about shifting U.S. foreign policy directions.

The Canadian-led initiative has gained momentum in recent months as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader strategy to strengthen cooperation among NATO allies and partner nations. Montreal has been hosting discussions to develop the framework for this international financial institution.

“The capital available is going to depend on the number of countries that participate, and Canada is certainly advocating for more and more countries to come on board, and I will be presenting such an argument here at the G7 foreign ministers’ (meeting),” Anand stated during the conference.

While Montreal is competing to host the bank’s headquarters, the proposal faces competition from other financing initiatives aimed at increasing private investment in national defense capabilities.

Several major European powers have not yet endorsed the Canadian proposal. Germany rejected the concept of a new multinational defense bank in December, while Britain announced earlier this week its intention to collaborate with the Netherlands and Finland on an alternative private defense financing program.

According to Anand, many defense contractors are smaller businesses lacking sufficient capital to meet the increased demand for weapons and military equipment – a gap not necessarily addressed by other programs like the European Union’s 150 billion euro ($173 billion) SAFE lending initiative.

“This bank is going to be a pooling mechanism for capital for these small and medium-sized enterprises in particular,” she explained.

Anand indicated that once the bank’s charter is finalized, officials will determine funding levels and distribution methods. She noted that negotiations will continue throughout the spring, providing opportunities for additional nations to participate, though she declined to name interested countries.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the defense sector has gained valuable insights since Ukraine’s war began in 2022.

“We saw that there was a need for interoperability and there was a need for rapid scale-up in procurement and supply of military equipment. That’s what the Defence Bank is going to address,” she said.

Canada has committed C$25.5 billion ($18.5 billion) in assistance to Ukraine and plans to provide additional private and public sector support, including sourcing power generators before the next winter season.

Anand stressed the importance of G7 nations maintaining their commitment to Russian sanctions while continuing military and economic assistance to Ukraine.

Regarding potential pressure on Ukraine to accept unfavorable agreements, she was definitive: “The geographical boundaries of Ukraine and the decisions relating to its territory are Ukraine’s alone to make, full stop.”

A Finnish parliament member has been convicted and fined by the country’s highest court for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder” in social media posts, marking the end of a years-long legal battle that has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech boundaries.

The Supreme Court of Finland ruled Tuesday that Paivi Rasanen, a physician who has served in parliament representing the Christian Democratic party since 1995, was guilty of inciting against a group. The conviction stems from statements she made on social media in 2019 and published on her personal website in 2020, where she claimed scientific evidence supported her characterization of homosexuality as a developmental disorder.

The court imposed a financial penalty of 1,800 euros, equivalent to approximately $2,080, on Rasanen.

In its decision, which passed by a narrow 3-2 vote, the court stated that Rasanen “must have understood that, for example, claiming that homosexuality is a disorder of psychosexual development is, in light of the prevailing medical understanding, an incorrect assertion.” This verdict reversed earlier decisions by lower courts, which had cleared Rasanen of all accusations.

The U.S.-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization focused on free speech advocacy, had backed Rasanen throughout the proceedings. The group has pointed to her case as evidence of what it describes as European censorship efforts.

Speaking to media after the ruling, Rasanen expressed surprise at the outcome, calling it “a shock.” She indicated she may take her case to the European Court of Human Rights for further review.

The decision immediately prompted calls for legislative reform from government officials within Rasanen’s party and the nationalist Finns Party. Ville Tavio, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development from the Finns Party and a practicing Christian, told reporters that “The law on incitement against a group should be amended.”

The court did clear Rasanen on a related charge involving a biblical quote condemning same-sex relationships that she shared on social media in 2019.

The case has attracted international attention, with U.S. House Republicans inviting Rasanen to testify before the Judiciary Committee in Washington this past February. The hearing, titled “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” featured her discussing the legal proceedings.

MEXICO CITY — Throughout her battle with terminal illness, Samara Martínez has penned numerous heartfelt letters addressing her disease directly.

“Dear cursed one,” the Mexican advocate once penned. “I hate you because you have taken things away from me, but I love you because you have been my greatest teacher.”

The 31-year-old has emerged as one of Mexico’s leading advocates for legalizing euthanasia. While the subject has been discussed for years among advocacy organizations, political figures and scholars, her personal story has brought the issue into mainstream public discourse as legislators consider potential reforms.

Martínez first showed symptoms of chronic kidney disease when she was just 17 years old. Even after enduring chemotherapy treatments, receiving two kidney transplants, undergoing dialysis sessions and experiencing numerous hospital stays, medical experts believe she has approximately five years remaining.

The devastating physical impact and personal sacrifices brought on by her condition haven’t crushed her determination. Through her social media presence reaching over half a million people, Martínez shares how her health journey has strengthened her resolve and given her direction. She regularly engages with government officials, organizes speaking events and continues working in academia from her home base of Chihuahua in Mexico’s northern region.

“I would not have taken up this fight unless I had to endure what I’ve had to, so I’ve found in it my purpose,” she said.

While Mexico’s Constitution doesn’t specifically mention the practice, the country’s General Health Law categorizes euthanasia as “mercy killing” and prohibits both it and assisted suicide.

According to national legislation, helping or encouraging someone to end their life carries a sentence of one to five years behind bars. When someone directly causes another person’s death, penalties can reach up to 12 years imprisonment.

Throughout Latin America, Colombia stands alone as the only nation with comprehensive legal euthanasia regulations. Ecuador removed criminal penalties in 2024, while Uruguay passed enabling legislation in 2025 that awaits implementation.

Martínez champions what’s called the Transcendence Law.

Legislators from multiple political parties, including Morena – the party of President Claudia Sheinbaum – introduced the measure in 2025.

The bill seeks to eliminate current prohibitions and reclassify euthanasia as a lawful, voluntary medical intervention. It positions the practice as a fundamental right connected to human dignity and personal choice, contending that life shouldn’t be viewed as a mandate to endure pain.

Should it pass, the measure would permit adults to seek the procedure. While healthcare professionals could refuse participation based on personal beliefs, public medical facilities would be required to provide willing personnel.

Patricia Mercado, a legislator who has long championed women’s reproductive and workplace rights, backs Martínez’s efforts.

“Samara’s emergence — her struggle, her authenticity — brings the possibility of passing legislation closer,” Mercado said. “A testimony speaks louder than a thousand data points.”

Martínez frequently returns to her written correspondence with her illness. She describes writing as therapeutic and finds that reviewing her past thoughts helps her appreciate inner strength she didn’t realize she possessed.

“Today I read things I wrote four years ago and think: I was so wrong,” Martínez said. “But it’s nice to see how there’s more wisdom.”

She remembers correspondence from 2021 when her physician explained that her kidneys had stopped working independently, leaving her with two choices: receive a transplant or depend on treatments that assume her kidneys’ function of filtering toxins and excess fluids.

At that time, Martínez considered the second option impossible. “I thought I could never live connected to a machine,” she said. Today, she performs peritoneal dialysis nightly, spending hours attached to medical equipment roughly the size of a printer that accompanies her everywhere.

“An illness like this isn’t for everyone and it’s hard to embrace the pain,” Martínez said. “You can stop living and just exist, but I don’t want that.”

Martínez once enjoyed an active lifestyle, playing soccer and maintaining careful nutrition habits while believing she was building a foundation for lifelong wellness.

She encountered her future husband in 2013 during university studies where she pursued journalism. They wed five years afterward, even though Martínez had warned him about her medical situation.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she questioned him after receiving a broader diagnosis that included lupus, an autoimmune condition. He replied that no hardship would ever drive him away.

When their marriage ended in 2024, Martínez had experienced losses beyond romantic love. Following over ten years of serious illness, she also lost her ideal position at a publishing company after informing her supervisor about an upcoming transplant and potential week-long recovery period. Financial obligations mounted, forcing her to sell her house and compelling her parents to secure loans. Longtime friendships disappeared.

Nausea, weight increases from treatment steroids and hospital stays became regular occurrences. While Martínez deliberately avoids portraying herself as a victim and firmly rejects sympathy, she acknowledges that certain periods brought inevitable frustration and uncertainty.

“I consider myself agnostic, but there are moments when you look up at the sky and question God — why me?” she said. “Now I practice stoicism and live each day with gratitude.”

People opposing her position frequently send Martínez hostile online messages. “I’ve been told that if God wants me to suffer, then I should suffer,” she said.

Resistance to euthanasia continues strongly among traditional and faith-based communities in Mexico. After Martínez’s proposal was presented, the Catholic Church reinforced Pope Leo’s message supporting life’s sacred nature.

Rodrigo Iván Cortés, who leads a traditional advocacy organization, explained their belief that life requires protection from conception through natural death. “For us, the value of life spans every stage,” he said.

Rev. Héctor Reyes stands among the few religious leaders backing Martínez’s mission, working alongside the organization “For the Right to Die with Dignity.” This group has promoted euthanasia for nearly twenty years.

“Transcendence has everything to do with the God I believe in,” said Reyes, emphasizing that people shouldn’t remain confined by concepts of a harsh and punitive God. “For me, transcendence lies in the hope that life doesn’t end with physical death.”

Martínez states she has no plans to surrender her cause. However, when her body fails, she envisions bidding farewell beside the ocean.

She maintains this isn’t driven by fear, but rather by her conviction that selecting one’s manner of death represents life’s most brave choice.

Her parents found it difficult when she announced she would dedicate her remaining time to advocating for euthanasia. “That meant beginning to grieve while I was still alive,” she said. “When my father asked me why I had to fight for this, I told him that if I didn’t do it, no one else would.”

Martínez recognizes she may not survive to witness her campaign’s results. Nevertheless, she believes working toward change has already proven worthwhile.

When her final moments approach, she hopes for a sunset away from medical facilities – a celebration of her life with family and friends present.

“That’s what my life deserves,” she said. “A proper time to say goodbye, to laugh and cry, and leave in peace.”

European Union officials announced Thursday they are launching a formal probe into Snapchat amid allegations that the social media platform inadequately safeguards young users from dangerous situations including potential predators and criminal recruitment.

The European Commission initiated the investigation under the Digital Services Act, comprehensive legislation designed to shield internet users across the 27-member bloc.

According to EU regulators, while Snapchat mandates users be at least 13 years old, the company’s age verification methods appear inadequate for preventing younger children from accessing the platform. Officials also expressed concern that the system fails to properly identify users under 17, which is necessary to provide them with appropriate content experiences.

The commission believes Snapchat’s current safeguards are insufficient to shield minors from contact with dangerous individuals who may seek to exploit them sexually or recruit them for illegal activities. Additionally, the platform allegedly allows underage users to encounter information about prohibited substances including drugs, vaping products, and alcohol.

“Snapchat appears to have overlooked” the DSA’s “high safety standards for all users,” stated Henna Virkkunen, the commission’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. She added that the investigation will examine Snapchat’s adherence to EU regulations.

In response, Snapchat issued a statement saying the company has “fully cooperated” with the Commission by “engaging proactively, transparently and working in good faith to meet the DSA’s high safety standards – and we will continue to do so throughout this investigation.” The platform emphasized that user safety represents a “top priority” and noted its design includes “privacy and safety built in from the start, including additional protection for teens.”

This investigation intensifies mounting pressure on social media companies regarding youth welfare on both sides of the Atlantic. Just Wednesday, a California jury awarded millions in damages to a 20-year-old woman after determining that Meta and YouTube created their platforms to addict young users without considering their wellbeing.

One day prior, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million penalty on Meta for knowingly damaging children’s mental health while hiding information about child sexual exploitation occurring on its platforms.

The EU previously accused TikTok of violating the DSA through “addictive design” elements that promote compulsive usage among children, and has been examining Facebook and Instagram since 2024 for child protection deficiencies.

On the same day, Brussels also charged four major adult websites – Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos – with failing to prevent children from accessing explicit content, following an investigation that began last year.

The Digital Services Act mandates that internet companies and online platforms strengthen protections for European users against harmful content and suspicious products, with potential penalties reaching 6% of annual revenue.

The adult websites did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In initial findings, regulators determined the site operators failed to “diligently identify and assess” risks to children and did not implement effective barriers to prevent minors from using their services.

“Children are accessing adult content at increasingly younger ages and these platforms must put in place robust, privacy-preserving and effective measures to keep minors off their services,” Virkkunen explained.

The adult websites now have an opportunity to address the allegations before the commission renders its final ruling.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A former structural engineer who gained recognition as a rapper and later served as Kathmandu’s mayor is now set to lead Nepal as prime minister following his party’s commanding victory in recent parliamentary elections.

Balendra Shah, commonly called Balen, heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which secured approximately two-thirds of the 275 seats in parliament’s influential lower chamber, the House of Representatives.

This marks the first occasion in numerous years that any single political party in Nepal has achieved such a dominant majority.

Party members elected Shah as their leader Thursday, and the president is expected to formally name him prime minister and conduct his swearing-in ceremony Friday.

The electoral triumph places the 35-year-old political newcomer in position to address widespread public dissatisfaction with Nepal’s traditional political parties, which citizens widely criticized for corrupt practices and ongoing governmental instability.

Shah’s political emergence represents a significant transformation in Nepal’s political landscape following youth-driven demonstrations that brought down the former administration last year.

Political experts suggest his strong electoral mandate may provide opportunities to implement meaningful changes, though his lack of national leadership experience and the challenge of meeting supporter expectations could prove difficult in coming months.

“Balen Shah does not have the experience of government operation and lacks the complex knowledge of running the state,” said Hari Bahadur Thapa, a Kathmandu-based author who has written extensively on corruption and governance.

However, Thapa noted that Shah might advantage from a diminished opposition. With nearly two-thirds of legislators supporting his party, he may find it simpler to advance bills through parliament and implement reforms, Thapa explained.

Shah gained national attention as Kathmandu’s mayor after securing the position as an independent candidate in 2022. He subsequently joined the RSP and rapidly became its prime ministerial nominee, presenting himself as an option distinct from two other leading figures from competing parties.

Shah mounted a direct challenge against former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli in a southeastern district and prevailed decisively, an outcome many interpreted as evidence of voter dissatisfaction with the nation’s established political hierarchy.

During his tenure as Kathmandu’s mayor, Shah earned recognition for addressing the capital city’s waste management problems, removing unauthorized street merchants, and promoting road construction projects, although detractors criticized him for tearing down residences and commercial properties without sufficient planning or advance warning.

Prior to his political career, Shah studied structural engineering and achieved moderate recognition as a rap performer, frequently incorporating criticism of corruption and social inequality into his musical work.

His song “Nepal Smiling” gained widespread circulation on Instagram and TikTok platforms. The track begins with children’s voices singing: “I want to see Nepal laugh.” Shah then contributes verses envisioning a more equitable nation. “May the country be a beautiful garden,” he sings.

In a different song titled “Sacrifice,” his message becomes more confrontational. “All the people who defend the country are idiots. All leaders are thieves … plundering the country,” he raps.

Shah also became a notable figure during the violent youth-driven uprising in September that removed the government in this nation of 30 million residents, a period of civil unrest that resulted in dozens of fatalities.

While he didn’t participate directly in the demonstrations, he publicly supported the primarily Generation Z activists who spearheaded the movement.

As tensions escalated, he advocated for peaceful approaches and moderation, requesting order to avoid additional bloodshed. Subsequently, he endorsed discussions that contributed to establishing an interim administration.

Frequently appearing in black clothing and dark sunglasses, Shah seldom delivered traditional campaign speeches and communicated with supporters primarily via social media platforms. His campaign focused on economic restructuring, including commitments to improve educational and healthcare access for Nepal’s less affluent citizens.

Whether Shah can transform his popularity into successful governance remains questionable, as critics point out his governmental experience extends only to managing Kathmandu.

For numerous supporters, though, his political advancement already symbolizes a departure from Nepal’s traditional political system.

“Finally we have a young, good and clean leader,” said Susil Singh, an office worker.

Singh expressed hope that Shah would control corruption and provide justice for those killed during the previous year’s demonstrations.

“He asked us for our support and we gave him our votes. Now he is going to bring the country back on track,” Singh said.

France has announced plans to welcome the leaders of India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya to the upcoming G7 summit scheduled for June in Evian-les-Bains, according to officials from the Elysee Palace.

The decision represents France’s strategy to expand international backing for its mission to address worldwide economic disparities. Paris hopes to prevent what it calls a “massive financial crisis” by encouraging China to increase domestic consumption while reducing exports that create market instability. France also wants the United States to lower its deficits and Europe to increase production while reducing savings.

However, these broader economic objectives may take a backseat to more pressing concerns, as the summit will occur during ongoing tensions from the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran, which has created energy market disruptions. Questions also persist about the G7’s continued relevance on the world stage.

“We don’t know where the Iran crisis will be by June,” an adviser to President Emmanuel Macron said. “However it evolves, we will have to address its energy and economic consequences.”

Beijing will be absent from the June 15-17 gathering and maintains its criticism of the G7 as a “club of rich countries,” French officials confirmed. Despite diplomatic sources indicating France attempted to extend an invitation to China, officials say they will pursue engagement with Beijing through alternative diplomatic channels.

“The risk for China is to see global markets, and European markets, closing off to it,” the official said.

French officials emphasized that the invited nations represent democracies and market-based economies that follow international cooperation standards.

Uncertainty also surrounds whether U.S. President Donald Trump will participate in the summit, given his recent use of tariff threats that have concerned both allies and competitors while creating market volatility.

“I won’t make any predictions, but if Trump doesn’t come, it also makes sense — it’s a new international reality and we need to organise ourselves accordingly,” the official said.

The leader of the World Trade Organization announced Thursday that the international trading framework has undergone permanent transformation, urging nations to focus on future reforms rather than attempting to restore previous systems.

Speaking at the launch of the 14th WTO ministerial gathering in Yaounde, Cameroon, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala addressed delegates with a stark assessment of current conditions.

“The world order and multilateral system we used to know has irrevocably changed. We will not get it back…We must look to the future,” Okonjo-Iweala stated during her opening remarks.

Despite noting that approximately three-quarters of international commerce continues operating under WTO guidelines, with artificial intelligence-related trade showing promising expansion, the director-general highlighted major obstacles confronting the global trading environment. She specifically pointed to ongoing Middle Eastern hostilities and the widespread effects of American tariff policies as sources of considerable instability.

The WTO chief outlined several critical issues plaguing the organization, particularly the complete breakdown of its dispute resolution mechanism and insufficient transparency regarding subsidy reporting requirements.

According to Okonjo-Iweala’s data, only 64 member nations submitted their required subsidy disclosures for 2025, leaving 102 countries in non-compliance.

“Lack of transparency leads to lack of trust, and that breeds suspicions of unfairness and anti-competitive behaviours,” she explained to the assembled representatives. She further described how this creates a destructive pattern of distrust that prevents member countries from reaching consensus on new regulations and necessary organizational changes.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungarian authorities have filed criminal espionage charges against investigative reporter Szabolcs Panyi, with officials claiming he conducted intelligence activities in collaboration with a foreign nation, according to a government minister’s announcement Thursday.

Panyi specializes in national security and intelligence coverage and has written numerous pieces exposing Russian influence campaigns within Hungary, including detailed reporting on connections between Moscow and Hungary’s foreign minister.

The journalist has rejected these accusations, while media organizations he contributes to have criticized Hungary’s administration for employing “authoritarian tactics” to undermine the reporter and discredit his investigative work.

Government-affiliated Hungarian media this week broadcast portions of a covertly recorded conversation featuring Panyi discussing verification of a phone number belonging to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. The recording was made without the journalist’s consent as part of his investigation into Szijjártó’s communications with Russian officials.

The Washington Post recently published a report, based on information from multiple current and former European security officials, revealing that Szijjártó routinely briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during European Union council meeting intermissions, providing him with “direct reports on what was discussed” along with potential solutions.

While Szijjártó has rejected this reporting, he has confirmed that he does communicate with Lavrov before and after EU foreign minister gatherings regarding meeting agendas and outcomes.

During Thursday’s press briefing, Gergely Gulyás, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff, announced that Hungary’s justice minister had brought espionage charges against Panyi. Gulyás claimed the journalist had “spied against his own country in cooperation with a foreign state,” describing his journalism work as a “cover activity.”

Gulyás further stated it remained “legally debatable” whether the journalist’s actions constituted treason.

Through social media statements and interviews with Hungarian news outlet Telex, Panyi has maintained his innocence and disputed the government’s claims that he provided Szijjártó’s phone number to any foreign government. He did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.

Panyi contributes to Hungarian investigative publication Direkt36 and the Warsaw-based Central European investigative platform VSquare. In a Wednesday statement issued before the charges were filed, VSquare declared that Orbán’s administration was “once again resorting to authoritarian tactics to target a journalist whose reporting exposes truths inconvenient to the regime.”

The publication accused Hungary’s government of launching a “smear campaign” against Panyi “to undermine his findings, distract the public, and discredit a reporter who reveals compromising information.”

A 2021 investigation conducted by an international consortium revealed that Panyi had been surveilled using Pegasus, military-grade surveillance software developed by Israeli company NSO Group. This spyware can infiltrate mobile devices to gather personal information and location data while secretly accessing microphones and cameras.

A high-ranking official within Orbán’s party subsequently confirmed that the Hungarian government had acquired and utilized this software, targeting at least 10 attorneys, one opposition political figure, and multiple journalists critical of the administration.

Prime Minister Orbán and his Fidesz party are confronting their most significant electoral challenge in his 16-year tenure. With polling data showing him trailing a center-right challenger by double-digit margins, Orbán has characterized the April 12 election as crucial for Hungary’s survival, claiming that his defeat would result in the country being pulled into Russia’s conflict with neighboring Ukraine.

Orbán’s campaign strategy has centered on strong anti-Ukraine rhetoric, with the government recently alleging that Kyiv has deployed intelligence operatives to manipulate the election results.

In a Thursday social media video, Orbán demanded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “immediately call home his agents,” though he offered no supporting evidence for these accusations.

Hungary’s administration has rejected reports suggesting that Russian intelligence services are working to influence the election in Orbán’s favor.

BRUSSELS — The European Parliament approved legislation Thursday that streamlines the process for establishing migrant detention facilities beyond EU borders, commonly referred to as “return hubs.”

The controversial measure passed by a margin of 389 to 206, with 32 lawmakers abstaining from the vote. The legislation succeeded through an unprecedented coalition between right-wing parties and far-right groups that had been previously excluded from such alliances, while left-leaning and centrist parties opposed the initiative.

Under the new rules, individual EU countries or small groups of nations can independently negotiate agreements to send migrants to these proposed overseas facilities rather than returning them to their countries of origin. These detention centers have yet to be constructed outside the 27-member European Union.

Several European nations have already begun discussions with foreign governments, particularly in Africa, to host these migrant holding facilities. Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark are among the countries pursuing such arrangements.

European far-right political movements have expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump’s deportation strategies and have advocated for the EU to implement comparable policies.

In January, both Belgium’s far-right Vlaams Belang party and Germany’s far-right AfD party announced their intention to establish a police unit dedicated to locating and deporting migrants, modeled after similar American operations.

Human rights organizations have criticized these developments, arguing that migrants face brutal treatment and illegal pushbacks at EU borders, while legal safeguards continue to be weakened.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Thursday marked a historic day in Nepal as 275 newly elected parliamentary representatives took their oaths of office, with almost two-thirds representing a political movement that didn’t exist four years ago.

These House of Representatives members, who comprise the influential lower legislative chamber, will serve five-year terms in their newly secured positions.

The historic election — Nepal’s first following last year’s youth-driven uprising — resulted in victory for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), headed by Balendra Shah, a former rapper who transitioned into politics.

Party members are anticipated to select Shah as their leader later Thursday before officially notifying President Ram Chandra Poudel. Following this notification, the president will formally name Shah as Nepal’s prime minister.

Shah’s swearing-in ceremony is planned for Friday.

The RSP secured 125 direct election victories and an additional 57 seats via proportional representation, totaling 182 positions in the 275-seat House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress party finished as runner-up with 38 seats.

Nepal’s electoral system allows voters to directly choose 165 House representatives, while the remaining 110 positions are distributed through proportional representation, where parties receive seats corresponding to their vote percentages.

Shah, serving as the RSP’s prime ministerial nominee, captured Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022. He became a prominent leader during the 2025 uprising that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli from power.

The RSP, established in 2022, garnered overwhelming electoral support, presenting a formidable challenge to Nepal’s two traditionally dominant political forces — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

Last year’s demonstrations against government corruption and ineffective leadership began with opposition to social media restrictions before escalating into widespread public resistance. The violent clashes resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators stormed government facilities and security forces responded with gunfire.

European Union officials announced Thursday they have formally accused four major adult entertainment websites of violating digital safety regulations by inadequately preventing minors from viewing explicit material on their platforms.

The charges target Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos following a comprehensive 10-month investigation conducted under the EU’s Digital Services Act, legislation that mandates large internet platforms take stronger action against illegal and harmful online content.

EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized the urgency of the issue in her official statement: “Children are accessing adult content at increasingly younger ages and these platforms must put in place robust, privacy-preserving and effective measures to keep minors off their services.”

European Commission investigators determined that the companies failed to employ comprehensive and objective methods when evaluating potential risks to children who might access their services. Officials concluded that the platforms prioritized protecting their business reputations over addressing genuine societal dangers posed to young users.

Regulators specifically criticized the websites’ current age verification system, which simply requires users to click a button confirming they are at least 18 years old. The Commission determined that this basic self-declaration method, along with other safeguards like content warnings and blurred preview images, fails to effectively block underage users from accessing explicit material.

The investigation found that Pornhub operates under Cyprus-based Aylo Freesites, while Stripchat functions as a subsidiary of Cyprus company Technius. XNXX belongs to Czech organization NKL Associates, and XVideos is controlled by WebGroup Czech Republic.

European authorities are demanding that all four platforms implement stronger age verification systems that protect user privacy while effectively preventing children from viewing harmful content.

Under Digital Services Act penalties, companies found guilty of violations face potential fines reaching up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue.

European Union regulators announced Thursday they are launching a formal investigation into Snapchat over allegations the social media platform is not doing enough to safeguard children from predators and block the sale of illegal products.

The investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, legislation that mandates major online platforms strengthen their efforts to combat harmful and illegal content or face penalties of up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue.

EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen criticized the platform’s safety measures in an official statement, saying “From grooming and exposure to illegal products to account settings that undermine minors’ safety, Snapchat appears to have overlooked that the Digital Services Act demands high safety standards for all users.”

The European Commission, which enforces the digital services legislation, expressed concerns that Snapchat lacks adequate protection measures to stop children from being approached by individuals seeking to sexually exploit them or involve them in criminal behavior.

Regulators also determined that the platform’s content monitoring systems fail to effectively block information directing users toward purchasing illegal substances like drugs or age-restricted items including vaping products and alcoholic beverages.

The Commission announced it will assume control of an investigation that Dutch authorities began in September regarding vape sales to minors through the Snapchat platform.

Additional issues flagged by EU officials include the platform’s age verification system, which they deemed inadequate, problematic default privacy settings, and insufficient tools for users to report manipulative design features.

European NATO members and Canada dramatically boosted their military spending by 20% this past year when adjusted for inflation, according to alliance leader Mark Rutte’s yearly assessment released Thursday from Brussels.

In his report, Rutte called on member nations to maintain this upward trajectory, stating: “I expect Allies at the next NATO Summit in Ankara to show they are on a clear and credible path towards the 5% objective.” He emphasized that “a strong transatlantic bond remains essential in an age of global uncertainty.”

The spending surge comes amid continued pressure from President Trump, who has consistently called for NATO partners to dramatically increase their military budgets. The current administration argues that European nations should eventually take the lead role in defending their own continent conventionally.

Trump escalated his criticism of alliance members just last week regarding their response to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, labeling the long-standing American allies “cowards” and declaring on social media that “without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!”

According to Rutte’s assessment, every alliance member achieved or surpassed the original 2% spending target established in 2014 during the previous year, with numerous countries implementing significant budget increases.

Alliance leadership established new financial commitments at last year’s summit, requiring 5% of gross domestic product dedicated to defense and security investments by 2035.

The framework divides spending into two categories: 3.5% of GDP for traditional military needs like personnel and equipment, plus 1.5% for broader security measures including cybersecurity, infrastructure protection for pipelines, and upgrading transportation networks for military use.

According to the report’s calculations, three alliance members – Poland, Lithuania and Latvia – have already surpassed the enhanced 3.5% benchmark last year.

Multiple nations including Spain, Canada and Belgium currently meet the baseline 2% requirement.

Collectively, the 32-nation alliance allocated 2.77% of GDP toward defense in 2025.

American spending represented approximately 60% of total alliance defense expenditures in 2025.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday, where he will seek dismissal of drug trafficking charges more than two months following his dramatic capture by U.S. special forces in Caracas.

The 63-year-old ousted leader and his 69-year-old wife, Cilia Flores, find themselves at the center of a legal battle involving U.S. sanctions that block the Venezuelan government from funding their criminal defense.

Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas to multiple charges, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, and remain detained in a Brooklyn facility while awaiting trial.

The couple’s legal team has petitioned U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to drop all charges, claiming that their inability to access Venezuelan public funds violates their Sixth Amendment right to counsel of their choice.

Defense attorneys maintain that Maduro and Flores lack personal resources to cover their legal expenses independently.

Barry Pollack, Maduro’s attorney who previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has indicated he may withdraw from the case if Judge Hellerstein refuses to dismiss the charges and Venezuelan government funding remains unavailable. The exact amount of Pollack’s legal fees has not been disclosed, and he declined to comment when contacted.

U.S. military personnel apprehended Maduro and Flores during a January 3 surprise operation at their Caracas home before transporting them to New York to face drug trafficking allegations, according to a detailed Reuters investigation into the covert mission and its international implications.

Thursday’s proceedings are set to commence at 11 a.m. EDT. During their previous January court appearance, the defendants were transported from jail to Manhattan via helicopter.

The defense argues that Venezuelan law and tradition require the government to cover presidential and first lady expenses.

Federal prosecutors counter that since the United States ceased recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president in 2019, he and Flores should not expect American approval for Venezuelan-funded legal representation. Prosecutors suggest the defendants can receive court-appointed public defenders if private counsel becomes unaffordable.

Maduro confronts four felony counts, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, which targets drug trafficking activities that finance what the United States classifies as terrorism. This rarely-used statute has faced limited courtroom testing, with Reuters court record analysis revealing that two of three trial convictions were later reversed due to witness credibility concerns.

During his initial presidency, Donald Trump intensified sanctions against Venezuela, citing allegations of government corruption and democratic institution destruction. Washington labeled Maduro’s 2018 reelection as fraudulent.

Maduro has rejected these accusations and drug trafficking allegations, characterizing them as manufactured justifications for what he described as American attempts to control the South American OPEC member’s extensive oil resources.

Diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington have shown improvement since former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed interim leadership following Maduro’s capture.

HAVANA – A physician with over two decades of medical experience in Cuba must rise before dawn to cook and sell rice and beans just to make ends meet, as his government salary of roughly $16 monthly cannot cover basic transportation costs.

The island nation’s medical system, previously celebrated as one of the Communist revolution’s greatest accomplishments since 1959, has experienced a dramatic deterioration in recent years due to economic collapse and stringent U.S. economic sanctions.

The situation has worsened significantly following this year’s oil embargo implemented by the United States.

According to Cuba’s Public Health Ministry, nearly 96,000 citizens in the nation of 10 million are awaiting surgical procedures, with 11,000 of those patients being children. Officials project this backlog could reach 160,000 by December. Weekly, more than 300 pediatric surgeries face delays due to insufficient medications, oxygen, anesthesia, and other essential supplies. Additionally, approximately 32,000 expectant mothers may not receive the recommended three ultrasound screenings during pregnancy.

These figures don’t reflect the personal toll on healthcare workers who battle power outages and water shutoffs at home, then arrive at work to confront medication shortages, unsanitary facilities, and the devastating reality of being unable to deliver the quality care they once provided.

The physician, who requested anonymity due to fear of government retaliation, described the overwhelming burden of having to ration patient care, bringing back painful memories from the worst period of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Public healthcare has always been promised here. Free. A world-class system,” the doctor said. “I don’t know how much longer we can endure this. There are fewer and fewer doctors, fewer resources for the patient, but the patients keep coming.”

FINANCIAL STRUGGLES

Although Cuba’s economic problems stem partly from internal issues, American sanctions have further weakened the country’s medical professionals, traditionally known with affection as the “Army of White Coats.”

Healthcare workers in the government-operated system report that their peers are experiencing burnout, emigrating, or abandoning their monthly earnings of 7,000 to 8,000 pesos — equivalent to $14 to $16 at unofficial exchange rates — to pursue work in private enterprises, restaurants, or domestic services.

These wages provide minimal purchasing power. Basic groceries cost 3,000 pesos for 30 eggs, 1,500 pesos for one liter of cooking oil, and 700 pesos for a kilogram of rice.

Reuters spoke with two additional physicians who requested anonymity but shared comparable accounts of desperation. During government-supervised visits, the news agency also interviewed three other doctors, four nursing staff members, and a senior health ministry representative, all of whom described professional hardships, though in somewhat less severe terms.

The anonymous physicians report critical supply shortages, requiring staff to bring cleaning products from their homes or sanitize floors using only water. Disposable gloves, previously washed and reused multiple times, are now completely unavailable. Without proper urine collection bags, medical staff have improvised using water or soft drink bottles, according to one doctor.

This situation has coincided with rising cases of hepatitis and diarrhea, two physicians reported.

While Reuters could not confirm any connection, a senior health ministry official acknowledged increased infection rates due to antibiotic shortages.

Fuel scarcity and resulting electrical outages prevent water pumps from operating, forcing some primary care facilities to suspend operations.

“They don’t officially close. They can’t say that publicly. But they’re not holding consultations because there’s no water,” the second doctor said.

During power failures, before backup generators activate, hospital nurses in neonatal units must manually operate ventilators for infants, a nurse reported to Drop Site news.

ONCOLOGY TREATMENT COMPROMISED

Cuban health authorities acknowledge their system faces significant pressure but maintain that their medical professionals possess the resilience to continue.

“The Army of White Coats will not fail the people of Cuba, despite the difficult circumstances we face today,” Tania Margarita Cruz, the vice minister for public health, told a press conference last week.

However, she acknowledged that the energy crisis has led to reduced patient consultations, fewer hospital admissions, and diminished basic supply availability.

The country currently treats 117,000 cancer patients, with 16,000 requiring radiation treatment, 12,000 needing chemotherapy, and 400 awaiting surgery, Cruz reported.

“How difficult it is for a Cuban family with a cancer patient, especially a child with cancer,” Cruz said. “We don’t have the necessary medications for the world-class protocol that has always been applied in this country.”

Cruz declined to provide mortality statistics related to U.S. sanctions effects, as did other health officials.

She did, however, acknowledge a “decrease in the average and overall survival rates of Cuban patients and Cuban children” with cancer. Cruz also noted that antibiotic shortages can “lead to the patient’s death.”

EMOTIONAL TOLL ON MEDICAL STAFF

When questioned about physician burnout, Cruz referenced a recent salary increase and described a ministry program designed to improve morale through better working conditions, professional development opportunities, and research initiatives.

Last year, the government raised overnight compensation to 100 pesos per hour, totaling $2.40 for a 12-hour shift. Performance bonuses in certain specialties amounted to 20 pesos, or 4 cents hourly.

Despite official optimism, frontline medical workers question their capacity to endure additional hardship.

All three physicians who spoke anonymously to Reuters described themselves as longtime government supporters whose patience has begun to diminish.

“We all fear speaking out,” one of the doctors said, adding that raising objections can derail careers.

“I’ve seen doctors cry,” she said. “With this crisis, they cry. They’ve stopped working, they’ve become depressed. You can see it on their faces.”

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli officials are signaling plans for a prolonged military occupation of southern Lebanon, drawing comparisons to their devastating campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault, as fighting intensifies between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

Israeli leadership argues they must establish a controlled buffer zone in the evacuated southern region to protect northern Israeli communities that have endured continuous rocket bombardments since the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization entered the broader conflict. Lebanese residents worry this strategy could result in the indefinite displacement of more than one million civilians, widespread destruction of residential areas, and permanent territorial losses.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced this week that Israeli forces would establish a “security zone” extending to the Litani River, reaching approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border in certain areas. Katz stated that military units would demolish residential structures allegedly used by militants and prevent civilian returns until northern Israel achieves security.

The operation would replicate Israel’s Gaza strategy, where military forces devastated and evacuated much of the eastern portion of the Palestinian territory, Katz explained on Tuesday. Israeli officials have declared they will maintain their presence in the enclave until Hamas surrenders weapons as part of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement.

“We have ordered an acceleration in the destruction of Lebanese homes in contact-line villages to neutralize threats to Israeli communities, in accordance with the model of Beit Hanoun and Rafah in Gaza,” Katz stated, referencing border communities that suffered near-complete destruction.

Following a 2024 ceasefire that ended Israel’s previous conflict with Hezbollah, Israeli military units slowly retreated from southern Lebanon while maintaining control of five strategic elevated positions along the border.

Returning Lebanese discovered destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and completely demolished villages. Israeli officials claimed they had eliminated Hezbollah military installations that could facilitate an October 7-style assault and continued targeting suspected militant locations almost daily following the truce.

Hezbollah renewed its offensive operations after Israel and the United States initiated conflict with Iran on February 28, claiming Israel had repeatedly broken ceasefire terms. Israeli officials accused Lebanon’s government of failing to fulfill commitments to disarm Hezbollah, despite taking unprecedented measures to criminalize the organization.

During the current hostilities, Israel has conducted intensive aerial bombardments throughout Lebanon, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities — primarily outside border regions — and forcing more than one million people from their homes. Israeli forces have instructed residents to evacuate extensive southern areas, stretching from the border to the Zahrani River, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) inland.

While Israeli military commanders describe their ground operations as limited, political leadership discusses more expansive objectives.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right cabinet member, declared this week that the current conflict must conclude with “fundamental change.”

“The Litani must be our new border with the state of Lebanon,” Smotrich said.

Israel previously invaded southern Lebanon in 1982 during the nation’s civil conflict. Hezbollah, formed that same year, conducted guerrilla warfare that ultimately forced Israeli withdrawal in 2000.

In the current campaign, Israel has destroyed seven bridges crossing the Litani River, marking the northern boundary of a U.N.-monitored buffer zone created after earlier conflicts. Israeli officials claim Hezbollah utilized these bridges for transporting fighters and weapons, and that their military will oversee remaining crossing points.

Intense combat has erupted in Khiam town, whose capture would isolate the south from Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, another region with significant Hezbollah activity.

Following the bridge bombings, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of attempting to separate the south from the remainder of the country “to establish a buffer zone, entrench the reality of occupation, and pursue Israeli expansion within Lebanese territories.”

United Nations peacekeepers report that bridge destruction and continuing battles have disrupted their missions and endangered personnel safety.

“This is the closest fighting activity we have seen to our positions,” stated Kandice Ardel, spokesperson for the U.N. mission called UNIFIL. “Bullets, fragments, and shrapnel have hit buildings and open areas inside our headquarters.”

Ardel noted that peacekeepers at observation stations have witnessed increasing Israeli troop presence and “engineering assets,” though no new military installations have been constructed yet.

Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior researcher at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, said Israel has already established “different shades” of control.

“The first line of borders is a no-man zone. This is basically a large parking lot that is facing Israel,” Ali explained. “There is nothing there, no movement, nothing at all.”

Lebanese civilian movement faces restrictions further north. During the previous year’s olive harvest, agricultural workers encountered difficulties reaching their orchards due to frequent Israeli attacks and required escorts from Lebanese military units and UNIFIL peacekeepers, who coordinated with Israel.

Sarit Zehavi, founder and president of the Alma Institute and former Israeli military officer, predicted Israel would likely establish a more comprehensive controlled area extending further north.

Zehavi admitted that Israel was unlikely to eliminate Hezbollah and risked maintaining a permanent presence in southern Lebanon.

“But the other alternative is to take the risk that we will be slaughtered. It’s as simple as that,” she stated.

Lebanon’s government has abandoned longstanding diplomatic restrictions by proposing direct negotiations with Israel. Officials have also implemented measures against Hezbollah since the last conflict, outlawing its operations and claiming to have eliminated hundreds of military installations.

However, neither the United States nor Israel has demonstrated interest in such discussions while focusing on the broader Iranian conflict.

Should negotiations materialize, Israel could demand significant concessions in exchange for relinquishing militarily captured territory — a modernized version of the historical “land for peace” approach.

Israel has occupied portions of Syria following Syrian President Bashar Assad’s removal and is negotiating with Damascus’ new leadership regarding updated security arrangements. In Gaza, Israeli officials have pledged to retain half the territory until the militant Palestinian Hamas organization surrenders its weapons, as both sides accuse each other of violating the October truce.

Lebanese civilians who abandoned their homes remain in uncertainty — with some fearing permanent exile.

Elias Konsol and his neighbors evacuated the Christian border village of Alma al-Shaab with UNIFIL assistance. He reunited with his mother, who wept in his embrace, at a church near Beirut where funeral services honored a resident killed in an Israeli attack.

Konsol insisted there were no weapons or Hezbollah fighters in his village, yet evacuation was still mandatory.

“We no longer know our fate,” he said. “We don’t know if we will see our homes and village again.”

AMSTERDAM — Inside one of the world’s most renowned concert venues, students open laptops and textbooks while live classical music echoes through the ornate hall, creating an unusual but effective study environment.

At Amsterdam’s prestigious Concertgebouw, the luxurious crimson seats that typically hold concert-goers now accommodate college students preparing for finals and working on research papers. Musicians Hyunjin Cho on violin and Efstratia Chaloulakou on cello perform from the stage, but the audience isn’t expected to listen quietly — they’re supposed to study.

This innovative concept emerged during the coronavirus outbreak when Entree, the concert hall’s youth organization, launched the sessions to help students concentrate better while exposing them to classical compositions. The program has gained tremendous popularity since its inception.

During one recent gathering, performers played works including Johann Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D, pieces by Handel and Schubert, and even soundtrack selections from Studio Ghibli animated movies. The music resonated throughout the historic space, whose walls display golden nameplates honoring legendary composers like Ravel, Mahler, Wagner, and Mozart.

Twenty-one-year-old Kyra Mulder found the atmosphere beneficial while working on assignments for her occupational therapy program at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. “It’s actually very calming and helping in concentrating on the work that we have to do, which is something that surprises me because normally I don’t really listen to classical music,” Mulder explained. “So that’s a new experience for me.”

Throughout the performance, additional students entered carrying coffee cups alongside their electronic devices and textbooks, settling into seats with their materials balanced on their knees. Posted signs display the venue’s complimentary wireless internet password, and admission costs only 2.50 euros, equivalent to about $2.85.

Simon Reinink, the Concertgebouw’s general director, views these sessions as part of broader efforts to attract younger patrons. “It’s one of the many ways to welcome younger audiences to the Concertgebouw,” Reinink stated. “And it’s such an inspiring place to study with great music in this wonderful, beautiful environment.”

Reinink hopes participants will not only benefit academically but also develop an appreciation for classical music that brings them back as regular audience members. “It is one of ways to more or less seduce younger audiences to discover the Concertgebouw and hopefully they will be enthusiastic and … they will come back,” he explained.

Dr. Bas Bloem, a neurologist at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, notes that background music affects people differently regarding concentration. “So it’s not a one size fits all. And I don’t think it’s been well researched, but I think the reason why music in the background can be so soothing almost, is that it creates a state of flow,” Bloem told The Associated Press.

“And I think music in the background can help you to reach a state of flow. And everybody knows when you reach a state of flow, you can go on endlessly and be enormously productive,” he added.

Medical student Thijmen Broekman discovered that combining the musical backdrop with studying in an unfamiliar location enhanced both his learning experience and musical enjoyment simultaneously. He reported no difficulty balancing listening and studying. “It’s a really quiet environment and nice, quiet music,” Broekman noted. “So that helps me to concentrate.”

ISTANBUL – A maritime drone attacked an oil tanker departing from Russia early Thursday morning, triggering an explosion in Black Sea waters close to Turkey’s Bosphorus strait, according to Turkey’s transportation minister.

Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed to Kanal 24 that the early morning incident represents another in a series of recent attacks on Western-sanctioned ships traveling to and from Russian harbors.

The minister reported that all 27 crew members remained unharmed, with Turkish coastguard units responding to assist the vessel Altura, positioned approximately 18 nautical miles from the Bosphorus – a crucial shipping corridor connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara and Mediterranean seas.

According to Uraloglu, the assault occurred just beyond Turkish territorial boundaries and appeared designed to cripple the engine compartment of the Sierra Leone-registered ship transporting Russian crude oil.

Maritime tracking systems and Refinitiv AIS information indicated the tanker had departed Russia’s Novorossiysk port carrying roughly 1 million barrels of crude oil, operating near maximum capacity.

Both the European Union and Britain have imposed sanctions on the vessel. The Black Sea borders Russia and Ukraine, nations engaged in conflict for over four years, along with additional neighboring countries.

Turkey’s defense ministry announced Thursday its close surveillance of Black Sea drone-related dangers, citing their widespread deployment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Officials noted concerns about unmanned aircraft losing navigation or power and drifting toward Turkish shores.

“We are talking to our counterparts and conveying necessary warnings to maintain navigational safety in the Black Sea,” the ministry stated during its weekly briefing, without directly referencing Thursday’s drone incident. They added that Turkish naval forces were conducting area patrols to protect vessels and civilians from harm.

Maritime insurance costs increased late last year following Ukrainian naval drone strikes against Russia-bound tankers in the Black Sea, prompting Moscow to issue retaliation threats and leading NATO member Turkey to call for restraint.

Ankara has previously cautioned both Kyiv and Moscow against conducting such operations near Turkish waters during earlier Black Sea tensions, which resulted in drone strikes on Russian and Turkish ships and damage to Ukrainian ports.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv provided immediate responses Thursday.

Refinitiv records show the attacked vessel’s registered owner is China-based Sea Grace Shipping Ltd, while Turkey-based Pergamon Denizcilik serves as the ship’s manager.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach Pergamon for comment.

Television broadcaster NTV initially reported an explosion on the ship’s bridge with water flooding the engine compartment, before crew members requested help from Turkish authorities.

Defense officials are contemplating whether to reroute military equipment initially designated for Ukraine to support escalating Middle East operations, according to a Washington Post report published Thursday that cited three sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Among the military hardware under consideration for redirection are air defense interceptor missiles acquired through a NATO purchasing program established in 2023, which allows alliance member nations to procure American weapons systems for delivery to Kyiv, according to the report.

This deliberation occurs amid expanding U.S. military activities throughout the region. On Wednesday, Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees Central Command operations in the Middle East, revealed that American forces had struck more than 10,000 targets within Iranian territory and were successfully working to curtail Iran’s capacity to extend its influence beyond its national boundaries.

When contacted by the newspaper, a Pentagon representative stated that the Defense Department would “ensure that U.S. forces and those of our allies and partners have what they need to fight and win.”

Officials from the Pentagon, State Department, and NATO have not yet provided responses to Reuters’ inquiries seeking additional information.

LONDON — Two suspects arrested in connection with an arson fire that destroyed ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in London have been freed on bail while authorities continue their investigation into what they believe was an antisemitic hate crime.

The Metropolitan Police Service announced Thursday that the British nationals, ages 45 and 47, were taken into custody Wednesday on charges of arson with intent to endanger life. Both men have been released under strict bail conditions and will remain under close police supervision.

While police called Wednesday’s arrests a significant development in the case, they noted that surveillance video shows three individuals were involved in the attack.

“We continue to work to try and identify all of those involved in this appalling attack and the investigation team is working around the clock to do this,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Investigators are examining a claim of responsibility from a group that may have connections to Iran, though officials have not classified the incident as a terrorist attack.

The fire occurred early Monday morning in Golders Green, a London district home to a significant Jewish community, and completely destroyed four ambulances operated by Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer emergency medical service that serves local residents. The blaze caused oxygen tanks inside the vehicles to explode, shattering windows in a nearby apartment building.

A court in Taipei handed down a 17-year prison sentence Thursday to Ko Wen-je, the city’s former mayor and a recent presidential contender, following his conviction on corruption charges and improper handling of political donations, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.

The 66-year-old politician faced demands from prosecutors for more than 28 years behind bars. Authorities alleged Ko took bribes totaling T$17.1 million (approximately $535,563) connected to a significant real estate project within the city. Additionally, prosecutors claimed he illegally diverted tens of millions in campaign contributions for personal use.

Ko served as Taipei’s mayor for eight years, from 2014 through 2022, before launching an unsuccessful presidential bid that resulted in a third-place finish in 2024’s election. Law enforcement took him into custody in 2024, though he secured bail release in September. Throughout the legal proceedings, Ko has maintained his innocence and argued that investigators are targeting him for political reasons.

The Taiwan People’s Party, which Ko established, saw its current leader Huang Kuo-chang respond to the court decision through a Facebook statement. Writing from the courthouse where he stood beside Ko, Huang declared: “At this moment, we must pull ourselves together even more, because this road ahead is still very, very long. As long as Ko does not give up, we will not give up.”

Beyond the prison term, Ko faces a six-year suspension of his civil rights, preventing him from seeking elected office during that period. However, the Central News Agency noted he retains the right to challenge the verdict through an appeal.

While the TPP holds just eight parliamentary seats, the party typically aligns with the Kuomintang, Taiwan’s primary opposition group. Their combined strength exceeds that of the governing Democratic Progressive Party in the legislature.

This opposition coalition has leveraged their numerical advantage to block government initiatives while advancing their own policy priorities.

Ko built a devoted following among Taiwan’s younger voters by championing concerns like housing affordability challenges. Several of these supporters gathered outside the central Taipei courthouse, demonstrating their belief in his innocence.

A diplomatic meeting between Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded Thursday with the signing of a friendship and cooperation agreement in North Korea’s capital city.

During his two-day official visit to Pyongyang, Lukashenko described the newly signed document as “fundamental” and declared that bilateral relations between the nations are “entering a new stage,” his press office reported.

“Yes, we didn’t have close cooperation, largely due to our own fault. But I am sincerely pleased to note that cooperation has now significantly intensified,” Lukashenko stated.

The Belarusian leader further emphasized the importance of international partnerships, saying: “In today’s reality of a global transformation, when the global powers openly ignore and violate international law, independent countries need to cooperate more closely, consolidate efforts aimed at protecting their sovereignty and improving the well-being of our citizens.”

According to Lukashenko’s press office, Kim voiced “solidarity and full support” for Belarus while condemning “unlawful pressure on Belarus from the West.”

The meeting strengthens ties between two nations already aligned with Russia. Belarus maintains a strong alliance with Moscow, with Lukashenko permitting Russian forces to launch their February 2022 Ukraine invasion from Belarusian soil and later agreeing to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons.

Similarly, Kim has strengthened North Korea’s relationship with Moscow, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial military equipment to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian conflict while positioning North Korea as part of an anti-Western coalition.

The two leaders previously met in Beijing during September 2025.

Ukrainian officials reported Thursday that an overnight drone assault by Russian forces struck port infrastructure along the Danube River in the southern Odesa region, injuring one person and causing widespread power outages.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, announced through Telegram that the nighttime strike inflicted damage on energy systems and industrial facilities throughout the area.

According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, the assault targeted one of the Danube River ports, causing destruction to storage facilities, docks, and office buildings. The agency also confirmed damage at locations operated by independent port companies, though operations at the facility continue despite the attack.

Izmail’s mayor described the assault on Ukraine’s largest Danube port city as another “massive” drone bombardment. The strategic location sits directly across the waterway from Romania, a NATO alliance member.

District authorities in Izmail reported that approximately 17,000 residents lost electrical service following the strike. The attack also disrupted water services in the neighboring community of Vylkove.

Ukraine’s military aviation command stated that Russian forces deployed 153 drones nationwide, with Ukrainian defenses successfully destroying or disabling 130 of the unmanned aircraft.

Romania’s defense department confirmed that debris from a drone intercepted by Ukrainian air defense systems landed within Romanian borders.

Throughout the ongoing four-year conflict, Russian military forces have consistently targeted Ukraine’s maritime shipping channels, attacking port facilities essential to international commerce and the nation’s wartime economic stability.

The frequency of these strikes has escalated recently, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stating Monday that Odesa port infrastructure has endured more attacks in the past month than throughout the entire preceding year.

Australia’s national airline Qantas Airways announced Thursday it will expand service to European destinations as travelers increasingly seek alternative routes due to ongoing Middle East conflicts that have shuttered major aviation hubs.

The airline will boost its Rome and Paris schedules to accommodate rising demand for European travel, following the disruption of key Middle Eastern connection points including Dubai and Doha due to regional warfare.

To support the expansion, Qantas will reassign Boeing 787 aircraft currently serving American destinations and shift some A330 planes from domestic Australian routes to international service. The carrier joins other airlines like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific in enhancing European service amid the travel disruption.

Flight costs between Asia and Europe have skyrocketed this month as travelers seek to avoid Middle Eastern airspace affected by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, forcing airlines to close crucial Gulf region hubs.

Specific service changes include upgrading Perth-Rome flights from four weekly round trips to daily service. Paris flights will expand from three to five weekly round trips, with the route shifting from Perth to Sydney as the origin point and connecting through Singapore instead, accommodating an extra 60 travelers per flight.

Additionally, Perth-Singapore service will grow from daily flights to 10 weekly departures.

Passengers affected by the scheduling modifications will receive contact from the airline offering alternative flights within 24 hours of their original departure time or full refunds, according to the company’s announcement.

“The group continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and its impact on fuel security, the price of fuel, and demand for travel, and will make further adjustments as required,” Qantas stated.