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A 29-year-old Palestinian man has come forward with disturbing allegations that Israeli settlers subjected him to sexual assault during a violent raid on his West Bank community earlier this month.

Suhaib Abu Kbash from the Bedouin community of Humsah described how approximately 80 masked settlers carrying knives and sticks stormed his area on March 13. According to Abu Kbash, roughly 20 of the attackers physically assaulted him, removed his clothing, restrained his genitals with zip ties, and forced him to walk naked in view of his young children.

“I thought they were going to kill me,” Abu Kbash stated.

Three witnesses who observed the incident have confirmed Abu Kbash’s version of events to Reuters reporters.

Israeli military and law enforcement officials confirm they are actively investigating the matter. Police authorities reported that seven individuals have been taken into custody as potential suspects, with both police officers and military personnel sent to the Humsah area.

“The forces, together with forensic investigators from the district, began conducting searches for suspects and collecting testimonies, evidence, and findings,” the statement said.

“As part of the investigation, which is currently under a court-issued gag order, seven suspects were arrested several days ago on suspicion of involvement in the incident.”

Officials have not disclosed whether formal charges have been filed against any of the detained suspects.

The Yesha Council, which serves as a representative body for Jewish settlements, chose not to comment on the allegations.

The community of Humsah is located in the Jordan Valley between two hills, in an area that Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem reports experiences frequent settler attacks. Yuli Novak, the group’s executive director, characterized the alleged assault on Abu Kbash as containing “horrific sexual violence” and described it as part of an increasing pattern of violent incidents.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding B’Tselem’s assessment.

Palestinian communities have consistently maintained that Israeli military forces prioritize protecting settlers over local residents — an accusation that military officials reject.

Abu Kbash reported that the settlers made threats to sexually assault women and children in the community unless they abandoned their homes. “We will stay here. If we leave, they will take over all this land,” he declared.

Violent incidents involving settlers have increased significantly since Israel and the United States conducted strikes on Iran in late February, with Reuters documenting that Israeli settlers have killed no fewer than five Palestinians during this timeframe.

Legal prosecution of settler violence cases remains uncommon in Israel. Israeli rights organization Yesh Din reported that by the end of 2025, among the hundreds of documented cases since Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, only 2% have resulted in formal indictments.

Abu Kbash also claims the settlers took 400 sheep during the alleged raid, which represents a critical source of income for the community. He says his efforts to file a theft complaint with Israeli police have been unsuccessful. While police confirm they are investigating the alleged assault, they have not addressed the reported livestock theft.

Palestinian leadership seeks to establish an independent nation encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem — territories that came under Israeli control during the 1967 Middle East conflict.

Israeli settlement expansion throughout the West Bank has accelerated with support from Israel’s current right-wing administration.

The majority of international governments consider Israel’s settlement construction in the West Bank to be a violation of international laws governing military occupations. Israeli officials contest this legal interpretation.

Iranian state media confirmed Friday morning that Ali Mohammad Naini, a high-ranking spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in what Israeli forces acknowledged as a targeted assassination.

The Israel Defense Forces verified Naini’s death and described him as a senior official who “held several roles … and in the past two years served as the chief propaganda distributor for the IRGC.” Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Naini had been “martyred.”

The killing occurred just hours after Naini publicly challenged statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. When Netanyahu claimed Iran has “no ability” to produce ballistic missiles, Naini countered that the country’s missile stockpiles remained adequate and manufacturing operations were continuing despite ongoing conflict.

Naini served as the IRGC’s deputy for public relations and was killed just days following Israeli strikes that targeted two other high-ranking Iranian officials: Ali Larijani, considered a key power broker within the Iranian government, and Gholamreza Soleimani, who held a prominent position in suppressing anti-government demonstrations.

In a separate development announced Friday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry revealed that six additional nations have officially classified the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The countries joining this designation include Iceland, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein.

This expansion came after Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar held conversations with his international counterparts regarding the matter.

Israeli military forces launched airstrikes against Syrian government military installations following reports of attacks on the Druze minority community in southern Syria’s As-Suwayda region.

The Israeli Defense Forces targeted a military command facility and weapons stockpiles at Syrian regime military installations, responding to escalating violence against the Druze population in the area.

Reports from Druze media outlets indicate that Syrian internal security personnel also came under mortar fire, followed by the deployment of heavily armed units from the National Guard Druze paramilitary group throughout As-Suwayda.

The military action occurred as fresh worries emerged about the security of Druze populations in the area, where previous conflicts have escalated into significant violent confrontations.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel would not permit Syrian military forces to use the current conflict with Iran and Hezbollah as justification for attacking Druze communities.

Israel has historically maintained unofficial relationships with Syrian Druze populations, offering assistance and limited protection along border areas. Israeli Druze community leaders have consistently called for intervention when Syrian Druze face security threats.

During the previous summer, violent clashes broke out in the Druze-dominated As-Suwayda province following local disagreements and abductions involving Druze factions and Bedouin tribal groups that escalated into wider confrontations.

The conflict intensified when Syrian government troops and supporting militia forces moved into Druze territories, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including non-combatants, and causing significant destruction to residential areas and public infrastructure.

A Tel Aviv University professor is calling Israel’s largest oil refinery a “ticking time bomb” following a recent Iranian missile attack that narrowly avoided causing a catastrophic disaster.

While the Bazan refinery in Haifa Bay escaped serious damage during the strike, Marcelo Sternberg, a climate change ecology professor at Tel Aviv University’s School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, says the close call should serve as a wake-up call rather than cause for relief.

“It’s actually a time bomb,” Sternberg told The Media Line, emphasizing that the real threat comes from what could have happened during the attack.

The refinery’s location in a heavily populated area near Haifa has drawn criticism for years, even before the current conflict began. Sternberg noted that the facility sits dangerously close to residential neighborhoods, creating a volatile situation.

“This type of oil refinery in a highly populated, dense area close to the city of Haifa,” he explained, has faced opposition long before wartime conditions made the risks even more apparent. “There have been a lot of claims before the war against the position of this refinery… because it’s located very close to highly populated neighborhoods.”

The environmental expert stressed that while this particular attack resulted in minimal damage, the ongoing daily operations already pose significant health risks to nearby residents through air pollution. He described the current contamination levels as “very, very high” from normal refinery operations.

Sternberg compared the unpredictable nature of missile attacks to a deadly game of chance. “It’s like Russian roulette,” he said. “You don’t know exactly where the missile will fall and if the missiles will be able to fully repel the attack or not.”

The professor warned that a direct strike on critical refinery components could trigger devastating consequences far beyond the initial impact. He pointed to attacks on refineries in other locations as examples of how quickly situations can spiral out of control.

“Definitely the damage and the potential of explosions that we see in other places where the refineries were attacked,” could escalate rapidly, he explained. “Not only the fire, but the explosion and the release of heavy smoke and all the additional elements that are contained in that smoke are highly, highly toxic, and they can produce the death of people.”

Despite only one person being injured in the recent attack, Sternberg emphasized this was purely fortunate timing rather than effective protection. “It was very, very lucky that it did not happen in a wider case,” he said.

The geographic challenges facing the facility add another layer of concern, with Haifa positioned within striking distance of multiple hostile forces, particularly from northern borders. Sternberg described the overall security situation as “very, very risky.”

Local officials and residents have been pushing for years to relocate the industrial complex away from populated areas. “The general public, and even the mayor of Haifa, is claiming… to move this plant to another place, south of Israel,” Sternberg said, referencing proposals to shift heavy industry to less populated regions like the Negev desert.

Should a major strike occur, the consequences for local residents could be severe and immediate. Sternberg warned that mass evacuations would likely become necessary to protect people from toxic gas releases.

“If there is a major impact, definitely a vast part of the population will need to be evacuated,” he predicted, citing the dangers posed by poisonous gases released when petroleum products and chemical byproducts explode. “This will lead to major movement of people being evacuated to major areas.”

The professor expressed frustration with what he sees as government inaction on addressing these long-standing safety concerns. “This is something that people have been claiming a lot, but the government is not interested, unfortunately,” he said. “The issues about the environment are not on the agenda of this government.”

Beyond environmental and safety concerns, the refinery’s strategic importance to Israel’s fuel supply creates additional vulnerabilities. The Bazan facility handles a dominant portion of the country’s refining capacity, making any disruption potentially significant for fuel availability.

“It will definitely affect petrol,” Sternberg warned, arguing that government planning focuses too heavily on immediate concerns rather than long-term strategic risks. “The government is looking only at the short term and not really planning for what may happen.”

He suggested that distributing refining capacity across multiple smaller facilities could reduce the current single-point-of-failure risk. “How can we make small areas or small distillation plants?” he asked, noting this critical question has not received adequate attention from policymakers.

Sternberg also criticized what he sees as misplaced priorities in government planning and the influence of powerful private interests in maintaining the current arrangement. “The priorities are not there,” he said regarding environmental planning and risk reduction efforts.

He referenced the strong political influence of the family that owns the petrochemical facility, suggesting their lobbying power has helped prevent structural changes that could improve safety.

As the refinery continues operating under ongoing security threats, Sternberg warned that avoiding catastrophe may depend more on luck than proper planning and preparation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference Thursday evening, defending his nation’s military actions against Iran while addressing tensions with President Trump over recent strikes.

Speaking to both Israeli citizens and international media, Netanyahu claimed that after 20 days of warfare with Iran, the country has been stripped of its nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile production capabilities. He declared that Israel and the United States are achieving victory together, emphasizing what he called extraordinary cooperation with the Trump administration.

The press conference came after President Trump publicly criticized Israel’s Wednesday attack on Iran’s South Pars gas infrastructure. Trump stated he was not informed beforehand about the operation and suggested Israel would halt similar strikes following Iran’s retaliatory attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas facilities. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro noted on social media that such a large-scale operation would typically require American coordination or approval.

Netanyahu directly confronted these concerns, confirming that Israel conducted the operation independently and that Trump subsequently asked for no repeat actions. He called suggestions that Israel had pulled Washington into the conflict “ridiculous,” stating that nobody dictates to President Trump and that both leaders share the same perspective on Iran.

The Israeli leader described the U.S.-Israel partnership as reaching historic heights, calling Israel an exemplary ally and highlighting extensive military and intelligence cooperation between the nations.

During his dual-language presentation, Netanyahu commended Israeli citizens for following civil defense protocols, saying their steadfastness enables government and military forces to pursue their strategic objectives.

Netanyahu outlined three primary war aims: destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities, dismantling its missile programs, and establishing circumstances that would enable Iranian citizens to determine their own future. He noted that Israel now targets not just weapons but also the industrial infrastructure supporting these programs.

“And already now, after 20 days, I can tell you that Iran does not have the opportunity to enrich uranium and it does not have the opportunity to create ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu stated.

He detailed the elimination of top-level Iranian political and military command structures, missile and defense systems, and the deaths of prominent Iranian officials including Intelligence Minister Ali Larijani and the Basij commander. Netanyahu reported destroying hundreds of missiles and launchers while conducting coordinated strikes with U.S. forces across air, ground, underground, and maritime targets.

Netanyahu accused Iran of attacking civilians, Americans, and U.S.-connected facilities throughout Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Oman, as well as using proxies in Cyprus and Europe. He charged Tehran with attempting global blackmail by threatening the Straits of Hormuz. “So today, Israel and the United States are protecting America, Israel, the entire Middle East, but I venture to say the entire world,” he declared.

The Prime Minister argued the campaign has enhanced Israel’s strategic position, describing his country as more powerful than ever while Iran grows increasingly weak. He pointed to expanded security perimeters in Gaza, Syria extending to Mount Hermon, and Lebanon, claiming threats from Hezbollah and Iran have been substantially diminished.

However, Netanyahu recognized that Iran continues launching attacks that have resulted in Israeli casualties. He offered sympathy to grieving families while asserting the actual damage was far less than Iran intended.

Regarding potential Iranian regime change, Netanyahu said Israel can help establish the right conditions but emphasized that “in the end, it will be dependent solely on them,” referring to Iran’s population. He mentioned signs of internal pressure, including leadership conflicts and some defections, but cautioned it’s premature to predict regime collapse. Even if the current government survives, he argued, it will emerge considerably weakened.

During the question period, Netanyahu repeated that Israel is making significant headway in weakening Iran’s nuclear and missile programs while refusing to provide a specific timeline. He again dismissed accusations that Israel forced U.S. involvement and emphasized that Trump operates independently despite close collaboration.

He confirmed Israel acted unilaterally in attacking Iranian gas infrastructure and subsequently honored Trump’s request to avoid similar future operations. Netanyahu also highlighted internal fractures within Iran’s government, noted Hezbollah’s severe degradation, and rejected worries that eliminating Iranian leaders strengthens extremists, maintaining that any political change must come from the Iranian people themselves.

Persian Gulf nations are questioning whether their longstanding diplomatic strategy with Iran remains effective after missile and drone attacks directly struck their territories, targeting crucial energy infrastructure and civilian areas.

For decades, Gulf countries maintained open communication with Tehran to manage regional tensions and avoid conflict. However, recent strikes on oil and gas facilities, strategic installations, and civilian locations have brought warfare directly to nations that previously managed to remain insulated from broader Middle Eastern conflicts.

The confrontation has expanded beyond military targets to include critical economic systems. Israeli attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field – part of the world’s largest offshore natural gas reserve shared with Qatar – prompted Iranian counterstrikes against Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a globally significant liquefied natural gas hub. Israeli operations also targeted Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles much of Iran’s oil exports.

These developments prompted Saudi Arabia to organize a high-level ministerial gathering bringing together Arab and Muslim nations, including Gulf states alongside Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and others. The meeting produced a joint statement condemning Iranian missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, energy facilities and sovereign territory while affirming nations’ rights to self-defense under international law.

The statement signaled movement toward legitimizing potential military responses while officially maintaining commitment to reducing tensions. Participants emphasized ongoing coordination among member countries and stressed that respecting sovereignty and avoiding interference would remain central to future Tehran engagement.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud’s post-meeting comments illustrated this strategic shift. While expressing preference for reducing tensions, he indicated that continued attacks could prompt more forceful responses, including possible military action if necessary.

A Qatari political analyst explained this balanced approach to The Media Line, noting that Gulf nations’ fundamental position toward Iran hasn’t changed, but operating conditions are rapidly evolving.

“The region’s main ask of Tehran continues to be that it should respect their sovereignty. So, in that regard, the current war does not change the political calculus. However, while the ‘ask’ is not changing, the approach might change if the war drags on for too long,” he stated.

“The region’s economy will suffer irreparable damage if the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues for longer than a couple of months,” he explained.

The analyst added that while Gulf nations, particularly Qatar, Oman and the UAE, previously pursued neutrality and mediation with Iran, the region may soon need to explore alternative strategies, including diplomatic pressure and international alliance-building.

The crisis appears to be strengthening regional cooperation among Gulf states. The Qatari analyst observed a transformation in intra-Gulf relationships, with previous disagreements giving way to unified responses against shared threats.

“This could signal a deeper strategic shift. While the diplomatic crisis of 2017-2021 created mistrust and suspicion between Qatar and its neighbors, the political situation today has shifted internal thinking in the opposite direction,” he noted, referencing solidarity shown by neighboring countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain following Israel’s September 2025 attack on Doha.

“That attack had the inadvertent effect of revitalizing and expanding the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] Unified Military Command. Within days of Israel’s attack on Doha, the Arab Gulf states took swift and decisive measures to strengthen air defense coordination across the region,” he said. “The benefits of this close coordination are being felt today, as the region’s air defenses are being tested by Iran’s relentless missile and drone attacks.”

However, he acknowledged structural limitations remain in developing fully integrated defense capabilities, noting Gulf states must overcome collective action challenges and build greater trust before creating a “NATO-like force” as an alternative to U.S. security guarantees.

Saudi political analyst Abdulaziz Alshaabani characterized Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic activities as part of broader regional recalibration aimed at containing escalation and preventing conflict expansion. “The objective is not limited to political alignment, but extends to conveying a message that regional stability is a collective responsibility,” he told The Media Line.

Regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ministerial meeting, Alshaabani emphasized flexibility over formal partnership. “The presence of Pakistan should not necessarily be interpreted as the formation of a formal military alliance, but rather as an extension of political and strategic coordination beyond the Gulf region,” he said.

Alshaabani highlighted evolution in Saudi messaging: “The shift in Saudi rhetoric can be understood in light of increasing security risks, particularly following attacks that targeted sovereignty and energy infrastructure. This has pushed the discourse toward greater firmness, reflecting a stronger emphasis on deterrence.” He continued, “However, this does not mean a complete abandonment of de-escalation, but rather its integration with clearer messaging that any further escalation will carry consequences.”

“Riyadh is also consolidating its position as a central coordinator of Gulf responses, particularly in matters related to energy security and the protection of critical infrastructure. This reflects a move toward more structured regional coordination, especially after recognizing that threats may directly impact multiple countries at the same time,” Alshaabani observed.

The focus on energy infrastructure reflects Gulf economies’ interconnectedness, particularly regarding gas production, oil exports, desalination and transportation. Disruptions in one country quickly create regional ripple effects, reinforcing needs for coordinated responses.

Alshaabani described Saudi Arabia’s Iran relationship as shifting toward more conditional, security-focused framework. “This phase can be viewed as a reassessment of Saudi policy toward Iran, rather than a fundamental shift. Saudi Arabia is moving from a cautious approach to a model that balances continued dialogue with strengthened deterrence and containment measures,” he said.

The Qatari analyst noted similar dynamics regarding economic relations, expecting reduced bilateral engagement with Iran while deepening intra-Gulf cooperation.

“Qatar wants to reduce its exposure to external economic shocks, especially those caused by the actions of belligerent states like Iran or Israel. Besides, any progress toward improving trade with Iran has been set back by decades due to Tehran’s attacks on Qatar. At the same time, economic and security interdependence within the Gulf is expected to increase in the coming months and years. So, while one door closes, another opens,” he observed.

Alshaabani pointed to complex regional perceptions of escalation responsibility: “Saudi Arabia is expected to maintain a pragmatic approach. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear across the region that the current escalation is not driven by Iran alone,” explaining that Israel is widely viewed as central to pushing toward broader confrontation.

“As a result, regional tensions are increasingly viewed as the outcome of interactions among multiple actors, rather than being attributed to a single side,” he added.

This perception affects normalization prospects. Alshaabani believes current conditions don’t favor advancing normalization with Israel short-term, since escalation and regional public sentiment make such steps more sensitive and complex. He emphasized normalization remains tied to regional stability and broader security environment, particularly in the Gulf.

Gulf states appear to be transitioning toward more layered approaches. Diplomacy remains important but is no longer considered sufficient alone. Deterrence is being reintroduced more explicitly, though without clear appetite for direct military escalation. Coordination is increasing while remaining constrained by structural and political limitations.

The central challenge for Gulf nations is no longer choosing between engagement or deterrence, but combining both without being drawn deeper into widening conflict. As attacks continue targeting critical infrastructure and energy systems, the space for managing escalation without direct involvement continues narrowing, leaving the region navigating increasingly fragile equilibrium.

French military officials are implementing corrective actions after a naval officer accidentally revealed the location of the country’s aircraft carrier through a fitness tracking application.

The incident occurred when a crew member aboard the Charles de Gaulle used the Strava exercise app during a March 13 morning run, according to reporting by French newspaper Le Monde. Journalists were able to track the officer’s workout data and subsequently pinpoint the nuclear-powered vessel’s Mediterranean location using satellite imagery from that date.

Military spokesperson Col. Guillaume Vernet confirmed that the Strava activity violated current protocols and said command is implementing corrective actions.

“During their service, naval personnel receive regular briefings about security risks from connected devices, particularly social media usage in personal time and potential location tracking through digital apps,” Vernet explained to The Associated Press on Friday.

“Various levels of connected device restrictions are implemented throughout the French navy to prevent information disclosure about vessels. Command determines these restriction levels based on threat assessment,” he added.

The carrier’s Mediterranean deployment this month was publicly known, and Rear Adm. Thibault Haudos de Possesse had conducted a media briefing via video link from the Charles de Gaulle on the same day as the officer’s tracked run.

During that briefing, the commander revealed that multiple warships, including French and allied frigates, were accompanying the carrier, which carries 20 Rafale fighter aircraft, two Hawkeye surveillance aircraft and three helicopters.

Le Monde emphasized the security concerns of revealing the strike group’s near real-time location on a public platform during ongoing conflicts in Iran. A March 12 drone strike on a Kurdish military facility in the Erbil area killed French Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion and injured six others.

This week, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed details about France’s future nuclear aircraft carrier, which will surpass the Charles de Gaulle in size. The 10 billion-euro ($11.5 billion) France Libre is scheduled for 2038 deployment and will accommodate 30 Rafale fighters and 2,000 crew members.

The new carrier will measure 310 meters (1,017 feet) in length with 80,000-ton displacement, significantly larger than the current Charles de Gaulle’s 261-meter (856-foot) length and 42,000-ton displacement.

French naval forces intercepted an oil tanker in the Western Mediterranean on Friday that officials suspect belongs to Russia’s covert shipping network designed to circumvent international sanctions, President Emmanuel Macron announced.

Maritime authorities confirmed to Reuters that naval personnel boarded the vessel Deyna, which flies under a Mozambican flag but was allegedly using false documentation. The ship had departed from Russia’s northern port of Murmansk before its interception.

This covert fleet of oil tankers has emerged as Russia’s method of maintaining crude oil exports despite economic restrictions imposed by Western nations following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated,” Macron stated on social media platform X.

“These ships, which circumvent international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are war profiteers. They seek to reap profits and finance Russia’s war effort,” the French president added.

Although European sanctions against Russian energy remain active, the United States has temporarily relaxed some restrictions on Russian oil purchases due to Middle Eastern conflicts affecting global energy markets and driving up prices.

Russian diplomatic officials in France have not responded to requests for comment, though Moscow has historically characterized the seizure of its vessels or ships carrying Russian cargo as acts of maritime piracy.

Military sources confirmed the intercepted tanker was transporting Russian crude oil.

These shadow fleet vessels typically operate through complex and unclear ownership arrangements, raising significant environmental concerns. The aging, poorly maintained tankers pose risks of oil spills, equipment breakdowns, and other maritime accidents that could damage ocean ecosystems.

Such ships commonly operate without premium Western insurance coverage or proper safety certifications, often relying on unknown insurance providers or unverified vessel inspectors – requirements that are standard for legitimate commercial maritime operations, according to shipping industry experts.

British forces assisted in the maritime operation, according to French Mediterranean command officials.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed on X that British military personnel supported the French-led mission, stating that “disrupting, deterring and degrading Russia’s shadow fleet – and starving Putin’s war machine of funds – is a priority for this government” and allied nations.

Following a prosecutor’s directive, the vessel was guided to a secure anchorage location for comprehensive examination, French military officials reported.

“These inspections will likely focus on vessel documentation, including flag state registration and P&I Club insurance, with particular scrutiny on any discrepancies or evidence of falsified documents,” a maritime security expert explained.

The source noted that recent public declarations by French officials suggest an increasingly aggressive approach, indicating this situation could develop into more serious legal action.

“Should material irregularities or violations be identified, French authorities may proceed with the formal seizure of the vessel,” the security source added.

This marks France’s second similar interception in recent months. In January, French forces stopped the oil tanker Grinch in waters between Spain’s southern coastline and Morocco’s northern shores, suspecting it of operating within Russia’s shadow fleet network.

French naval forces also provided support to Belgian authorities in a third operation conducted earlier this month.

BRUSSELS, March 20 – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has confirmed modifications to its operations in Iraq following media reports indicating the military alliance began pulling staff from the region amid escalating Middle East conflicts.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed the changes in an email statement to Reuters, saying “We can confirm that we are adjusting our posture in the context of NATO Mission Iraq. We are working in close coordination with Allies and partners.”

Hart emphasized personnel safety as the driving factor behind the decision while declining to provide operational specifics. “The safety and security of our personnel is paramount, which is why we will refrain from providing additional details about this matter. NATO and Iraq’s political dialogue and practical cooperation, including through NATO Mission Iraq, will continue,” she stated.

The alliance’s operational changes come as military tensions continue across the Middle East region, though NATO maintains its commitment to ongoing diplomatic and practical partnerships with Iraqi officials.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is preparing to deliver a statement shortly to commemorate the beginning of the Persian New Year, according to Iranian state-controlled media outlets on Friday.

The announcement comes as Iran observes Nowruz, the traditional Persian celebration marking the start of spring and the new year in the Persian calendar.

KARAMOJA, Uganda — Wildlife officials in Uganda have successfully brought rhinos back to a remote national park where poachers had completely eliminated them four decades ago, marking what conservationists are calling a major victory in the fight to save this endangered species.

Four southern white rhinos have been moved into Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda this week, with the first pair arriving on Tuesday and two additional animals transported in metal containers on Thursday. The rhinos came from a private breeding facility in the country’s central region.

Kidepo Valley National Park had been without rhinos since 1983 after poachers killed off the entire population. However, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in central Uganda has been successfully breeding these massive animals since 2005, creating a stable population for relocation efforts.

“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” stated James Musinguzi, who leads the Uganda Wildlife Authority. “We are deeply grateful to our conservation partners whose technical expertise, financial support and logistical contributions have made this milestone possible.”

The relocation project involved cooperation between local wildlife officials and several conservation organizations, including Global Conservation. The animals were moved more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to their new home within Kidepo Valley National Park.

Park officials have prepared the rhinos’ new environment with protective fencing, road access, and fire prevention systems. Additional rhinos are planned to arrive later this year, including some from neighboring Kenya.

According to Jeff Morgan, who directs Global Conservation, the rhino transfer “shows that Uganda is stable again for tourism, national parks are being protected, and Ugandans and international visitors can watch rhinos in their natural setting, which will be an incredible feat.”

While poaching continues to threaten wildlife in Uganda’s parks, improved security protocols have reduced such incidents in recent years.

Criminal hunters target rhinos because their horns command extremely high prices in illegal markets, particularly in Asian countries where they are sought for traditional medicine and other purposes. Research shows that rhino horn products sometimes sell for more than gold on black markets.

WASHINGTON, March 20 – President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack Friday against NATO member nations, branding them as ‘cowards’ for their refusal to back the ongoing U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran.

Taking to social media, Trump declared: ‘Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!’

The president has been pressing major American allies – none of whom were briefed about the military action beforehand – to assist in protecting maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The military confrontation has caused widespread disruption to international markets, resulted in thousands of casualties, and forced millions from their homes since the U.S.-Israeli offensive launched on February 28.

Trump expressed frustration that NATO member states refuse to participate in combat operations against Iran while simultaneously voicing concerns about escalating fuel costs.

‘Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk,’ Trump posted.

He concluded his message with: ‘COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!’

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian military leaders issued warnings against global tourist destinations and declared continued missile production capabilities on Friday, displaying defiance as U.S.-Israeli military operations enter their third week, having eliminated numerous high-ranking Tehran officials and damaged weapons manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

The Islamic Republic launched attacks against Israeli targets and energy facilities in neighboring Gulf nations while many Muslims observed Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s most sacred celebrations. Iranians simultaneously celebrated Nowruz, their traditional Persian New Year, though festivities remained more restrained than usual this year.

Limited intelligence emerging from Iran makes it difficult to assess the extent of damage to the nation’s military, nuclear, or energy infrastructure since hostilities commenced February 28, or to determine current leadership structures. However, Iran has demonstrated ongoing capacity for attacks that disrupt oil distribution and impact the worldwide economy, driving up food and fuel costs well beyond Middle Eastern borders.

American and Israeli officials have presented varying justifications for the military campaign, ranging from encouraging domestic rebellion to overthrow Iranian leadership to dismantling nuclear and missile development programs. No visible signs of popular uprising have emerged, and Iran’s remaining military capabilities and potential conflict resolution remain unclear.

Iran’s senior military spokesperson issued a Friday warning that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” globally would face danger for Tehran’s adversaries.

Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi delivered these threats while Iran endures continued American and Israeli bombardment. The statement raises fresh worries that Iran might resume militant operations outside the Middle East as wartime leverage.

American and Israeli leadership claim weeks of bombardment have devastated Iran’s armed forces. Air campaigns have also eliminated the supreme leader, Supreme National Security Council chief, and numerous other high-level military and government officials.

Thursday saw Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assert that Iran’s naval forces were destroyed and air capabilities severely compromised, while claiming ballistic missile manufacturing had been eliminated. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard challenged the missile production claims Friday.

“We are producing missiles even during war conditions, which is amazing, and there is no particular problem in stockpiling,” spokesman Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini was quoted as saying in Iran’s state-run IRAN newspaper.

Naeini stated Iran had no plans for rapid conflict resolution. “These people expect the war to continue until the enemy is completely exhausted,” he said.

Shortly following the statement’s publication, Iranian state media reported Naeini’s death in an airstrike.

The nation’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued an uncommon declaration, stating Iran’s adversaries must have their “security” eliminated.

Khamenei has remained unseen since replacing his father, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in an Israeli strike on the war’s opening day.

Iran has intensified energy facility attacks across Gulf Arab nations following Israel’s bombing of Iran’s extensive South Pars offshore natural gas installation earlier this week.

Two Iranian drone waves targeted a Kuwaiti oil refinery Friday morning, igniting fires. The Mina Al-Ahmadi facility, capable of processing approximately 730,000 daily barrels, ranks among the Middle East’s largest refineries. Thursday brought another Iranian assault on the same installation.

Bahrain reported warehouse fires from intercepted projectile debris, while Saudi Arabia confirmed destroying multiple drones aimed at its oil-producing Eastern Province.

Massive explosions echoed through Dubai as defensive systems intercepted incoming attacks over the city, where residents were celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking Ramadan’s conclusion.

In Iran, many observed Nowruz despite Israel announcing fresh strikes and explosions heard over Tehran. The Persian New Year, coinciding with spring equinox, represents a southwestern Asian tradition spanning millennia.

Jerusalem also experienced loud explosions after Israeli military warnings about incoming Iranian missiles. Emergency responders treated two approximately 70-year-old individuals with minor injuries.

Beyond consistent Iranian strikes, Israel has repeatedly targeted Lebanon, focusing on Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters who have launched rockets and drones into Israeli territory.

Friday brought Israeli expansion into Syria, with officials citing infrastructure attacks responding to what they characterized as assaults on the Druze minority community. Syria’s state-operated SANA news service did not immediately confirm the attack.

Over 1,300 Iranian deaths have occurred during the conflict. Israeli operations in Lebanon have displaced more than one million residents, according to Lebanese authorities, who report over 1,000 fatalities. Israel claims eliminating more than 500 Hezbollah fighters.

Within Israel, Iranian missile attacks have killed 15 people. Four additional deaths occurred in the occupied West Bank from Iranian missile strikes.

At least 13 American military personnel have died.

Iranian energy infrastructure attacks throughout the Gulf, combined with shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passage for one-fifth of global oil and essential goods transport—has sparked global energy crisis concerns.

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has surged during fighting, reaching approximately $107 in Friday morning trading, representing over 47% increase since war began.

Rising fuel costs arrive as world leaders already struggle with elevated food prices and consumer goods. Asia faces particular hardship as most Strait of Hormuz oil and gas exports flow there.

However, price impacts spread throughout the global economy. Essential raw materials—including helium for computer chip manufacturing and sulfur for fertilizer production—face supply disruptions and potential shortages, elevating costs across entire supply chains.

French naval forces seized control of an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on Friday that officials believe is part of Russia’s covert shipping network designed to bypass international sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict.

Maritime officials identified the vessel as the Deyna, which they suspect was operating with fraudulent flag documentation. The seizure occurred in the western Mediterranean with assistance from British forces who had been tracking the ship’s movements.

“This operation aimed to verify the nationality of the vessel,” maritime authorities explained in an official statement. The tanker was displaying Mozambique’s flag while traveling from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. Paperwork discovered during the boarding “confirmed doubts about the validity of the flag,” officials reported.

French naval personnel redirected the vessel to a secure anchorage location for additional inspection, and the matter has been forwarded to prosecutors in Marseille for potential legal action.

President Emmanuel Macron identified the Deyna as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in a social media statement.

“These vessels, which circumvent international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are war profiteers. They seek to generate profits and finance Russia’s war effort,” Macron declared. “We won’t let this happen.”

Intelligence estimates suggest Russia operates hundreds of ships to dodge sanctions related to its military campaign in Ukraine. France and allied nations have pledged to intensify enforcement efforts against these operations.

This marks the third such incident involving French forces in recent months. In January, France’s navy stopped another Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean, which was eventually released after paying millions in penalties. Last September, French naval personnel boarded a different tanker off the Atlantic coast that Macron also connected to the shadow fleet operation. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned that earlier action as maritime piracy.

LONDON — Three men who survived bombings carried out by the Irish Republican Army in England withdrew their civil lawsuit against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams on Friday.

The case was dismissed on what should have been the final day of a two-week trial at London’s High Court. Attorney Anne Studd, representing the three plaintiffs, told the court the lawsuit would be withdrawn following “proceedings developed overnight.” She indicated the decision stemmed from issues surrounding “abuse of process.”

The lawsuit accused Adams of bearing direct responsibility and complicity in Provisional IRA decisions to carry out bombings in England during 1973 and 1996. The men were seeking symbolic damages of 1 pound ($1.34).

Adams, age 77, testified during the proceedings but was absent from court Friday when the case was dropped. He quickly issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the plaintiffs’ decision.

“I attended the civil case out of respect for them,” he said in a statement. “This decision brings to an emphatic end, a case that should never have been brought.”

Adams stands as one of Northern Ireland’s most significant figures during decades of sectarian violence. He served as head of the IRA-associated political organization Sinn Féin from 1983 through 2018 and played a key role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. While he has consistently rejected claims of IRA membership, some former associates have identified him as a senior leader.

The three plaintiffs alleged Adams served on the IRA’s governing Army Council and bore equal responsibility with those who physically planted explosives during “the Troubles,” three decades of violence involving Irish republican militants, British loyalist groups, and U.K. military forces. The conflict claimed approximately 3,600 lives, primarily in Northern Ireland, though the IRA also conducted bombing campaigns in England.

Police officer John Clark sustained shrapnel wounds to his head and hand during the 1973 Old Bailey courthouse attack in London. Jonathan Ganesh experienced psychological trauma from the 1996 London Docklands explosion. Barry Laycock became 50% disabled and faced emotional and financial hardship following the 1996 Arndale shopping center bombing in Manchester.

During testimony, the three men explained they had not pursued legal action previously because they were unaware of their options, lacked financial resources, dealt with physical or mental injuries, and worried about violent retaliation.

Adams has never faced criminal charges related to these bombings or been detained on suspicion of involvement. Authorities charged him with IRA membership in 1978, but prosecutors later abandoned the case due to insufficient evidence.

Last year, Adams secured a 100,000 pound ($116,000) libel judgment against the BBC regarding claims in a television documentary that he had authorized the execution of an informant within the Irish republican movement.

Spanish authorities have determined that the death of an Illinois college student who vanished during a spring break trip to Barcelona appears to be accidental, regional police announced Friday.

Twenty-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey, a University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, was discovered Thursday afternoon in coastal waters near a Barcelona beach. The location was close to where he had last been spotted with friends outside a local nightclub early Tuesday morning.

According to a representative from Catalonia’s regional police force, investigators believe “all signs point” to an accidental death for the young man. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause.

Gracey disappeared around 3 a.m. Tuesday after leaving the Shoko nightclub. He failed to return to his shared rental accommodation, prompting concern from his travel companions. Authorities later located his mobile phone. The student’s hometown of Elmhurst sits approximately 19 miles west of Chicago.

The grieving family released a public statement requesting prayers and privacy during this difficult period.

“Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the statement said.

The Spanish coastal city attracts millions of international tourists annually and maintains a reputation for safety, particularly when compared to major American metropolitan areas. Petty theft typically represents the primary concern for visitors to the Mediterranean destination.

Barcelona’s seaside areas remain easily accessible from the city’s core, making them particularly attractive to younger travelers. The location where Gracey spent his final evening features numerous dining establishments and entertainment venues popular with both residents and tourists.

Speaking to reporters before official confirmation of the death, Gracey’s aunt described her nephew as “just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest.”

University of Alabama officials expressed their sorrow in an official statement, saying the campus community “is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey.”

“Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time,” the university added.

Moscow is moving forward with comprehensive regulations that could block major international artificial intelligence platforms from operating within Russian borders, according to newly released government documents.

The Russian Ministry for Digital Development has outlined proposed rules targeting AI services including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini if these platforms cannot meet Moscow’s compliance requirements. Officials say the measures aim to expand Russia’s efforts to create an independent internet infrastructure free from outside influence while upholding what authorities describe as “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.”

Ministry officials stated the proposed framework is intended to “help protect citizens from covert manipulation and discriminatory algorithms.”

The regulatory plan is expected to favor domestically developed AI systems created by Russian companies like state-owned Sberbank and tech firm Yandex. This initiative comes as Moscow continues expanding government oversight of internet services within the country.

Following additional review and official approval, these rules are anticipated to take effect in the coming year.

According to the proposed regulations: “The operation of cross-border artificial intelligence technologies may be prohibited or restricted in cases specified by the legislation of the Russian Federation.”

State media outlet RIA reported Friday that international AI platforms would be subject to these new requirements because they inherently transfer Russian users’ information outside the country’s borders.

Technology attorney Kirill Dyakov explained to RIA that “Cross-border artificial intelligence technologies refers to all foreign AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, where the use of such models results in user data, queries and dialogues being transmitted to the developers of these models outside Russia.”

The three AI systems Dyakov referenced were created by American companies: OpenAI developed ChatGPT, Anthropic created Claude, and Google parent company Alphabet built Gemini.

However, Dyakov noted that other international open-source AI technologies, including China’s Qwen and DeepSeek platforms, could potentially operate within closed systems using Russian infrastructure belonging to government agencies and domestic businesses, since user information would remain within those networks.

Under the proposed regulatory framework, AI platforms serving more than 500,000 daily users would be required to maintain Russian citizen data on servers located within the country for a three-year period, according to RIA’s reporting. Western technology companies have historically declined to comply with similar data localization requirements.

France’s top diplomat delivered a sobering assessment Friday following discussions with Israeli leadership, stating that the ongoing Middle East crisis shows no clear path to resolution in the near future.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged the challenging reality during a press briefing with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar near Tel Aviv, emphasizing that despite the bleak outlook, diplomatic efforts must continue.

“There is no obvious short-term way out of the ongoing regional escalation, which has in some ways been unfolding since October 7, 2023. But this must in no way serve as a pretext for inaction,” Barrot stated to assembled journalists.

The gravity of the situation became immediately apparent when Iranian missiles streaked toward Israel as the minister prepared to address reporters, forcing Barrot, his delegation, and media personnel to seek shelter as warning sirens wailed across the area.

The French official’s visit to Israel followed his Thursday trip to Lebanon, where he worked to promote ceasefire negotiations and reduce regional tensions. France maintains deep historical connections with Lebanon and has partnered with the United States in mediation efforts since Iran-backed Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israel.

During his meetings, Barrot conveyed France’s concerns regarding potential Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon while emphasizing that Lebanese forces must take all necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah, as the Lebanese government has demanded.

However, Israeli officials have dismissed Beirut’s offer for direct negotiations, viewing it as insufficient given the timing and circumstances, according to sources familiar with the discussions. These sources indicate that while Lebanon’s government shares Israel’s goal of disarming Hezbollah, officials fear that confronting the group could spark civil conflict.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who held talks with Barrot on Thursday, has indicated readiness to engage in direct discussions with Israel. This comes as Israel continues conducting airstrikes in Lebanon following Hezbollah’s March 2 attack on Israeli territory, while Hezbollah has dismissed diplomatic overtures and maintained its military operations.

Recent diplomatic activity has seen France proposing alternative solutions to American-led peace initiatives, though three diplomatic sources report that Washington has shown limited enthusiasm for the French proposals. Israel has reportedly rejected these suggestions entirely while discussions with U.S. officials continue.

Chinese foreign ministry officials issued a plea Friday for immediate cessation of Middle East hostilities, expressing alarm over the conflict’s growing impact on worldwide commerce, energy supplies, and shipping lanes after nearly three weeks of fighting.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian addressed the escalating situation as Muslim communities worldwide conclude Ramadan observances. “History and reality have repeatedly shown the world that force is not the solution to problems and armed conflict will only breed new hatred,” Lin stated during a ministry briefing.

Beijing’s diplomatic representative described the expanding Middle East conflict as damaging to shared global interests, reaffirming China’s stance that all parties must halt military actions while ensuring uninterrupted energy distribution from the region.

The Chinese statement coincided with the 23rd commemoration of the Iraq War’s beginning, when coalition forces led by the United States launched their 2003 invasion to remove Saddam Hussein from power, based partially on allegations his regime maintained weapons of mass destruction.

The Iraq intervention resulted in prolonged regional turmoil and governmental collapse, ultimately creating conditions that enabled the emergence of ISIS terrorist operations.

Current Middle East tensions present Beijing with mixed consequences, according to policy experts. While the crisis allows China to position itself as a more dependable global partner, rising energy prices pose threats to Chinese manufacturing and could spark domestic inflation if hostilities persist.

The regional instability also jeopardizes President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road development program, which relies on Middle Eastern corridors to transport Chinese exports to markets across the Gulf region, North Africa, and Europe during a period when domestic consumer demand remains weak.

Military actions have resulted in postponing a planned summit between Xi and President Donald Trump by approximately six weeks. The delayed China visit had been viewed as an opportunity to improve strained relations between the economic superpowers following disputes over American trade tariffs.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned Friday that his administration may implement additional measures targeting Ukraine to force the restart of Russian oil shipments that have been halted to Hungary and Slovakia since the beginning of the year.

During a media briefing in Brussels following his decision to obstruct a 90-billion euro ($104-billion) European Union aid package for Ukraine, Orbán declared that his administration possesses “a lot of cards in our hands” beyond preventing the financial assistance that Kyiv requires for military equipment and economic stability.

“We have other tools as well,” he stated. “Forty percent of Ukraine’s electricity supply goes through Hungary, we haven’t touched that yet. (The EU) constantly wants to introduce new sanctions (against Russia). That will require unanimity, and we will not give it.”

Relations between Hungary and Ukraine have deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, creating an intense dispute over Hungary’s ability to receive Russian oil via a pipeline running through Ukrainian land.

The flow of oil through the Druzhba pipeline was disrupted following what Ukraine described as Russian drone attacks that damaged pipeline facilities. Hungarian officials have blamed Ukraine for intentionally establishing an “oil blockade” to prevent Russian crude deliveries, and have vowed to oppose all EU assistance to Kyiv until the shipments restart.

Hungary and Slovakia, both governed by leaders who maintain friendly ties with the Kremlin, remain the sole EU nations still receiving Russian oil imports.

In a bid to convince Orbán to remove his opposition to the loan, EU representatives announced Tuesday that the bloc had provided Ukraine with technical assistance and funding to fix the pipeline, which Kyiv has agreed to accept.

On Friday, Orbán also warned he would reject the EU’s upcoming seven-year budget if it contains aid for Ukraine, stating: “We have a lot of cards in our hands, so I don’t think it’s worth picking a fight with Hungary.”

European Union leaders criticized Orbán Thursday for his obstruction of Ukrainian aid, claiming he is blocking essential assistance and weakening EU decision-making processes to gain electoral advantage domestically.

With Orbán confronting what analysts predict will be his most competitive election on April 12, he has intensified an anti-Ukraine strategy that depicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a fundamental danger to Hungary.

He has claimed that the Ukrainian president, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeks to pull Hungary into Russia’s conflict, now in its fifth year, and has maintained that his re-election represents the sole path to peace and stability.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has dispatched an official team to the United States as he works to revive stalled peace discussions aimed at ending Russia’s military campaign against his nation. Meanwhile, a top Russian government official suggested Friday that fresh U.S.-facilitated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv may happen in the near future.

The three-way discussions, which haven’t achieved any major breakthroughs on critical matters, have been suspended as the Iran conflict has captured global focus.

Zelensky wants to rebuild progress in the diplomatic process and announced Thursday evening that he had dispatched officials to America for what’s anticipated to be a Saturday gathering. The White House has not verified any such meeting.

Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow will not participate in those discussions. He noted that timing and location for fresh three-party negotiations remain undecided.

“The pause is temporary, we hope it’s temporary regarding the continuation of the trilateral format,” he said.

Western European leaders have consistently criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past year for stalling in diplomatic efforts while attempting to leverage his larger military’s combat advantage and seize additional Ukrainian territory. Russian troops currently occupy almost 20% of Ukraine.

The recent Middle East crisis that started February 28 with Israeli and American attacks on Iran has shifted global focus away from Ukraine’s situation.

Simultaneously, Russia benefits from a temporary American exemption on petroleum sanctions while Ukraine faces severe financial constraints and continues awaiting a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) loan commitment from the European Union.

Kyiv may also receive fewer sophisticated air defense systems needed to counter Russian aerial bombardments as the Iran conflict depletes available supplies.

Putin is widely anticipated to begin fresh military campaigns as Ukraine’s weather conditions improve, creating additional challenges for Kyiv.

Ukraine has emerged as a major global manufacturer of combat-proven drone defense systems, and Zelensky hopes to offer technical knowledge to Arab Gulf nations facing Iranian Shahed attacks in return for air defense weaponry.

A group of high-ranking Ukrainian representatives has traveled to the Gulf area recently.

“There is an understanding of what new security agreements can be reached with countries in the region,” Zelensky said in an evening address on Thursday.

QUSHTAPA, Iraq (AP) — Displaced as children from Iran decades ago, thousands of Kurdish refugees now living in Iraq maintain cautious optimism that ongoing conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel could destabilize the Iranian government that drove them from their homeland.

These Iranian Kurds cling to dreams of returning to ancestral homes they know only through wall paintings and aging family photos displayed in their current dwellings.

However, these thousands of displaced people understand that their desire for political independence and their long-standing resistance to Iran’s religious leadership make a safe return improbable. They insist they will only return home if Iran gets a new government that ensures their protection and supports their political objectives.

More than 300 families live in Kawa Camp, located in the Qushtapa district of Irbil within northern Iraq’s self-governing Kurdish territory. These families were forced from their homes following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which triggered prolonged warfare with Kurdish independence movements.

Many current residents descend from those original fighters. As children, they escaped with their families from Kermanshah, a northern Iranian province. Some later joined resistance movements while in exile, launching attacks against Iranian security personnel. Most now struggle economically on the fringes of Iraqi Kurdish society, lacking citizenship, full legal rights, access to public services, or property ownership rights.

At Kawa Camp, residents’ hopes for homecoming are clouded by profound distrust of international powers that have repeatedly used their struggle for strategic purposes. Many interpreted recent reports about the Trump administration potentially asking for their support in ground operations against Iran as another example of such exploitation.

“From 1979 until now, this has been our only hope — that the regime will fall. I’m watching the clock; if it falls now, I’ll return home the next second,” said a 57-year-old member of the Iranian Kurdish opposition party living in Kawa, who fled Iran at age 11.

This individual, like most people interviewed for this report, requested anonymity due to concerns about retaliation from Iran-supported Iraqi militias that have increased attacks on Iranian Kurdish installations. They also worry about Iranian intelligence surveillance, as many still have family members living in Iran.

Iraqi Kurds control a semi-independent region in northern Iraq. Many have conducted insurgency operations aimed at creating their own nation, which they call Kurdistan. Iranian Kurds have extensive historical complaints against both the Islamic Republic and the monarchy that came before it.

Community leader Jehangir Ahmadi displays a painting of a street from his birth village in Iran’s predominantly Kurdish Kermanshah province, which shares a border with Iraq. He hasn’t visited that street in almost five decades, and his childhood memories play like vintage footage: He remembers playing among those dusty walls while village elders would gather under the poplar trees.

Ahmadi recalls the frantic escape from home and the lengthy wait to cross the border. His family initially stayed in a border camp before relocating to another facility in the desert regions of western Anbar province. Security conditions worsened dramatically after Saddam Hussein’s overthrow during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, leading the United Nations to relocate them again.

Through the years, temporary shelters were replaced with permanent housing, marketplaces developed, and the Iranian Kurds gained employment rights, with many working as traders, cab drivers and factory employees. However, purchasing property or vehicles requires finding an Iraqi guarantor who must accept legal responsibility for them, essentially binding their futures to that guarantor, Ahmadi explained.

“For all our lives in Iraq we were paying the price of leaving. Until now people look at us like we are slaves,” Ahmadi said. “Until now we don’t have good work, no good place to live.”

According to Ahmadi, Kurds, particularly Iran’s Kurdish population, have consistently been victims throughout history. He cited the brief Republic of Mahabad in northwestern Iran, which had Soviet backing before collapsing in 1976; Iran’s 1975 withdrawal of support for a failed Kurdish rebellion against Iraq; Iraq’s 1988 chemical weapon attacks against Kurds; and territorial losses in northeast Syria following President Bashar Assad’s December 2024 downfall.

Therefore, Ahmadi expressed doubt about the reported U.S. request for backing an Iranian Kurdish military force in the current conflict.

“We didn’t trust that they will support us because we are wounded nation, we have been betrayed many times,” he said.

Iranian Kurdish opposition militias operating from Iraq have faced attacks from Iran’s Iraqi allies since the Iran conflict began.

Military leaders and Iraqi Kurdish politicians report they lack the capability to launch a genuine ground assault without U.S. air support, and that the concept proposed by the United States was never formally discussed with Washington.

A high-ranking Iraqi Kurdish official revealed that some Iranian Kurdish organizations initially anticipated Iran’s religious government would quickly collapse and planned to advance into Iranian Kurdish regions to claim victory. Other Iraqi Kurdish leaders, viewing Tehran’s administration as more durable, gave them a stark warning: “You will be massacred,” according to the official.

Unit commander Rebaz Sharifi took cover in a mountain crevice when Iran-backed militias launched a drone attack on a Kurdistan Freedom Party base, waiting for additional strikes to end. The party is an Iranian-Kurdish nationalist independence organization known locally as PAK.

Sharifi reported there are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Iranian Kurdish fighters — a number confirmed by two other Iraqi Kurdish officials. Apart from standard assault weapons, they lack advanced modern armaments and do not have drones, which are essential in contemporary warfare.

He stated that Iranian-Kurdish organizations are requesting security assurances, particularly air protection, to defend against Iranian rockets and drones.

“We don’t want to go now because we know we will die because of (Iranian) airstrikes and missiles,” he said. “It’s not the right time for this because Iranian forces still have power to control the skies.”

At just the possibility that these groups might prepare for deployment, Iran-backed forces in Iraq began launching almost daily aerial bombardments.

“So, imagine what they will do if we move there now,” Sharifi said.

The danger of ongoing attacks forced Kurdish fighters to relocate their families from military installations to nearby towns for protection.

In Kawa, a local resident connected to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is providing shelter for a fighter’s wife and children from the party’s military branch. They relocated from the party’s Koya camp near the border due to persistent attacks during the war’s initial days.

The militia drone strikes haven’t targeted civilian areas yet, but the party member worries this could change as the conflict continues.

“Every day we are afraid of the militias,” he said. “We are nervous at night because we think they might hit here also.”

He also fears Iranian intelligence operations in the region.

“My relatives in Iran told me that they know where I work, what I do, and where I live,” he said.

OSLO, Norway (AP) — In her first public discussion about the controversial connection, Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit revealed she felt manipulated and unsafe during interactions with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, particularly during a 2013 visit to his Florida estate in Palm Beach.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Crown Prince Haakon who is next in line for Norway’s throne, participated in a 20-minute television interview Thursday with Norwegian network NRK alongside her husband. The interview took place on the same day her son Marius Borg Høiby’s criminal trial wrapped up.

Høiby, the crown princess’s child from an earlier relationship, faces rape charges that he has denied. Prosecutors are requesting a sentence of seven years and seven months imprisonment. The court’s decision is anticipated in early June.

While Thursday’s NRK broadcast didn’t reveal any shocking new information, it represented the royal couple’s first formal media appearance to discuss the controversy surrounding the crown princess’s connection to Epstein. Although her association with him has prompted criticism of her decision-making, she faces no criminal allegations.

The interview’s duration was shortened because of Mette-Marit’s medical condition — she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that severely impacts breathing.

The crown princess had previously issued an apology for placing the royal family in a difficult position. Her initial meeting with the American financier occurred in 2011, with their communication extending through 2014. Documents related to Epstein referenced the crown princess hundreds of times, and she expressed regret about their association in 2019.

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while facing trial for sexually abusing minors at his U.S. residences. Speaking to NRK, Mette-Marit stated she was unaware of his criminal behavior and abuse, noting she only observed his interactions with adults and never saw illegal activity.

During the interview, she expressed feelings of responsibility toward Epstein’s victims and revealed she has spent years reflecting on their connection and the accusations against him. She acknowledged failing to properly investigate his background.

Released documents containing email correspondence between the pair suggested what appeared to be a close friendship to some observers. In one electronic message, Mette-Marit told Epstein, “you tickle my brain.”

During October 2012, Epstein mentioned in an email that he was in Paris “on my wife hunt.” The crown princess responded that Paris was “good for adultery” but “Scandis” made “better wife material.”

Additional email exchanges revealed that Mette-Marit used an Epstein-owned Florida property in Palm Beach for several days in 2013. She explained the arrangement came through a shared acquaintance, and it was during this stay that she experienced the troubling encounter that prompted her to telephone Haakon back in Norway.

Though she refused to provide additional details during the NRK interview, she explained that she maintained contact with Epstein afterward because she was naive and had fallen victim to his manipulation.

ROME (AP) — Umberto Bossi, who established Italy’s Northern League party and emerged as one of the nation’s most impactful yet controversial political personalities, passed away Wednesday at 84 years old, according to his party.

Political leaders from across Italy responded quickly to news of his passing. President Sergio Mattarella honored him as “a passionate political leader and sincere democrat,” while Premier Giorgia Meloni recognized his “fundamental contribution” to creating Italy’s first modern center-right coalition.

Starting from humble beginnings, Bossi built a political movement that transformed Italy’s postwar political scene. Beginning in the late 1980s, he became the spokesperson for northern Italy’s frustrated taxpayers, turning regional complaints into a populist campaign focused on independence and sometimes complete separation from the south.

His famous populist phrase “Roma ladrona” (Thieving Rome) captured his criticism of the corrupt central government and became a battle cry for disappointed voters across a generation.

Bossi was born September 19, 1941, in Cassano Magnago, a small industrial town in northern Italy’s manufacturing region. He officially began his national political career in 1987, gaining the nickname “Il Senatùr” (the Senator in Lombard dialect) when he joined Italy’s senate.

Throughout the following years, he successfully grew the Northern League from a small regional organization into a major national political power, creating partnerships — and unexpected breaks — with late center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi.

Under Berlusconi’s government, he held ministerial positions twice, focusing on institutional reform while advancing his lifelong goal of national federalism.

Bossi’s legacy remains complicated: supporters viewed him as a visionary while critics saw him as a divisive populist, but everyone agrees he was a major figure whose ideas and aggressive political approach permanently changed modern Italian politics.

His appearance in a white tank top during summer 1994 became a legendary moment in Italian political history, deliberately contrasting with the polished image of his political partner-turned-opponent Berlusconi. This image became a lasting representation of his straightforward, “common man” approach.

A severe stroke in 2004 greatly impacted Bossi’s health, though he stayed involved in politics for many years following his recovery.

In 2012, he resigned from party leadership after a controversy involving misused party money, but he maintained his influence as the movement’s founding figure, despite tensions with current party leader Matteo Salvini.

Legislation that would eliminate criminal penalties for abortion procedures throughout pregnancy is making progress through the British Parliament. The House of Lords had the opportunity to support an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would have stripped out the decriminalization provisions, but chose not to act.

The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert criticized British legislators, stating they have “shown little regard for public opinion and have dehumanised the unborn to a shocking new degree.”

As nationwide demonstrations swept across Iran in late 2025, Shayan Ghadimi watched her 70-year-old mother make a fateful decision to travel from Paris back to their homeland to witness the historic uprising firsthand.

Now, months later, that separation weighs heavily on the family as they struggle to maintain contact through violent government suppression and ongoing military conflict. For Iranian communities worldwide, the traditionally joyous Persian New Year celebration of Nowruz has become a time of profound worry rather than celebration.

Ghadimi’s elderly mother had been following the early demonstrations on television from Paris. “We could see the market closed, the people in the street. She said, ‘I want to be there,’” the 41-year-old restaurant owner explained while preparing meals in her aromatic Paris eatery.

“Now, she is all alone at home, with no way to stay in contact, watching the sky. I cannot imagine the state she is in,” Ghadimi shared.

The impact extends far beyond individual families. A Paris-based Iranian cultural organization that previously hosted musical performances for Nowruz has declared itself in mourning this year. Similarly, Iranian American groups across the United States have either called off their celebrations entirely or dramatically reduced their scope.

The holiday known as Nowruz, meaning “new day” in the Persian language, traditionally aligns with the spring equinox and is observed across a vast region spanning from Afghanistan to Turkey. People of various religious backgrounds within Iranian communities celebrate this ancient Zoroastrian festival, which traces its origins back thousands of years, despite periodic attempts by religious conservatives to discourage the practice.

Shakiba Edighoffer, while shopping for traditional Nowruz ingredients, described the emotional turmoil she and fellow Iranians experience as military operations continue. Israel and the United States have launched attacks targeting Iran’s government officials and armed forces, while the Islamic Republic has responded by launching missiles and unmanned aircraft toward Israel and neighboring Gulf nations.

“You hear news about this or that leader of the Islamic Republic being eliminated … about executions or bombings,” explained Edighoffer, who works as a makeup artist.

The near-complete breakdown of communication networks has transformed attempts to check on relatives and friends enduring bombardments into anxiety-inducing ordeals.

“I had a friend who managed to connect very briefly on Instagram a few days ago, but I think it’s been about 20 days now since the war started, and that was really the only time I was able to speak with him a little,” Edighoffer noted.

Despite the circumstances, she emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural traditions. Observing Nowruz alongside family and friends “helps us cope, at least a little, with the psychological pressure,” she explained. “All these oppressors want is for us to be sad, to forget our millennia-old Persian and Iranian traditions. We must not give them that victory.”

Among the customers visiting Ghadimi’s restaurant for traditional grilled meat dishes and seasoned rice, opinions about the conflict’s potential outcomes vary dramatically. Some express hope that the warfare might herald positive change, while others focus solely on the casualties and devastation caused by Israeli and American military strikes.

“I have people in tears. I have people who cry for joy. They say, ‘Did you see? They are coming. We are going to be saved.’ Others say, ‘Our country is being destroyed,’” she observed.

Communication with her mother has been severely limited since her January departure for Iran, with only two successful phone conversations occurring during the entire period.

“Quite honestly, I don’t try anymore. Because it stresses me out, if I try calling and can’t get hold of her,” she admitted. “My sister calls 100 times a day and can’t reach her.”

Her mother had originally purchased a round-trip ticket and promised to return in time for the Nowruz celebration.

However, during their most recent conversation approximately one week ago, her mother revealed that those plans had shifted. Having witnessed the 1979 Islamic Revolution firsthand, she expressed determination to remain and observe Iran’s unfolding political transformation.

“I am staying here until the end,” her mother declared.