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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.

COPENHAGEN – Danish voters will cast ballots Tuesday in a national election overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign to acquire Greenland, the Arctic territory home to 57,000 residents that has remained under Danish control for hundreds of years.

The following chronology outlines key developments in the international standoff:

2019

Trump unexpectedly floated purchasing Greenland from Denmark during his initial presidency, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to dismiss the idea as “absurd.”

The president canceled his scheduled Denmark trip, describing Frederiksen’s response as “nasty.”

JANUARY 2025

Before his inauguration, Trump declined to eliminate the possibility of employing military or economic pressure to gain control of Greenland.

Donald Trump Jr. visited the territory, claiming residents “will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation.”

MARCH 2025

The victorious Demokraatit party in Greenland’s elections promised to deepen relationships with Denmark.

Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark’s security efforts regarding Greenland.

DECEMBER 2025

Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special representative to “lead the charge” concerning Greenland.

JANUARY 4-6, 2026

Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump declared “we do need Greenland,” with administration officials confirming the president was considering various approaches, including possible military action.

JANUARY 9

“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not. Because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour,” Trump stated to journalists.

JANUARY 14-15

Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen met with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, declaring that Danish and Greenlandic independence remained non-negotiable.

Multiple European nations including Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands deployed military personnel to Greenland as a show of solidarity and deterrence.

White House officials indicated that European troop deployments would not influence Trump’s strategy.

JANUARY 17-19

Trump threatened escalating tariffs against European partners until America could purchase Greenland, causing market volatility and dollar weakness.

European Union leadership cautioned against a “dangerous downward spiral.”

JANUARY 21

At the Davos forum, Trump unexpectedly retreated from tariff threats, eliminated force as an option, and indicated a resolution might be near.

The president announced that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had “formed the framework of a future deal.”

Financial markets rebounded and oil prices dropped as confidence returned.

Reuters learned from sources that Rutte and Trump agreed to continue discussions between America, Denmark and Greenland regarding modifications to a 1951 military access accord.

JANUARY 28

Official diplomatic negotiations commenced among the United States, Greenland and Denmark.

FEBRUARY 11

NATO initiated an Arctic presence enhancement mission as part of tension reduction efforts.

FEBRUARY 21-22

Trump announced a U.S. medical vessel was “on the way” to Greenland “to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.” Greenland’s prime minister rejected the ship, saying “no thanks.”

FEBRUARY 26

Frederiksen announced Denmark’s parliamentary election would occur March 24.

A comprehensive investigation into last year’s historic power failure across Spain and Portugal has revealed that numerous system breakdowns combined to create Europe’s most severe electrical grid collapse in more than two decades.

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) released its final analysis Friday, detailing how the April 28th incident unfolded when voltage control systems failed to respond properly, triggering widespread power plant shutdowns across the Iberian Peninsula.

The blackout left millions of residents in Spain and Portugal without electricity for as long as 16 hours, marking the first incident of this magnitude in the region’s history.

According to the investigation, several critical issues contributed to the cascade failure. Traditional power facilities including coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants failed to regulate voltage levels as grid operators had anticipated under standard operating procedures. Additionally, some voltage control systems required manual operation, creating dangerous delays during the emergency.

The report also identified that protective equipment designed to disconnect during voltage spikes was not properly calibrated according to established safety standards.

Investigators noted that Spain’s electrical grid operates with broader voltage tolerance ranges compared to other European nations, leaving minimal safety margins between normal operations and automatic shutoff thresholds.

The study further suggested that coordination problems with power connections to France may have worsened the situation as it developed.

“The analyses above clearly indicate that the key phenomenon in the incident was the non-effectiveness of voltage control within the Spanish power system,” the report’s summary said.

Researchers encountered obstacles during their investigation when power plant operators claimed they lacked essential data needed to explain some of the initial generation failures that occurred in Spain.

To prevent similar widespread outages, the report recommends enhanced monitoring systems for electrical networks and improved communication protocols between utilities and grid operators throughout the region.

The investigation was designed to identify systemic problems and propose solutions rather than assign responsibility for the incident.

BEIRUT (AP) — Following Israel’s assassination of a senior Iranian Basij commander earlier this week, the military launched additional attacks targeting lower-level members of the notorious force that helped suppress major demonstrations this year. An Israeli drone destroyed one of numerous temporary roadblocks the Basij had established throughout Tehran, the Iranian capital.

According to Israeli and American officials, their ongoing bombardment campaign seeks to dismantle the Islamic Republic’s mechanisms for internal suppression. The military offensive, now approaching its third week, has seen monitoring organizations estimate that approximately one-third of all attacks have focused on senior leadership and major installations of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its volunteer Basij units responsible for maintaining allegiance to Iran’s religious government.

Israeli forces recently expanded their targeting to include Basij security checkpoints, putting lower-ranking personnel at risk. However, the Basij, police forces, and Revolutionary Guard continue to maintain control, with no evidence of Iranians responding to American and Israeli encouragement for revolt, as citizens instead seek shelter from aerial bombardments and ongoing instability.

Tehran residents report that security personnel continue to maintain a threatening presence throughout the city. War monitoring groups indicate that an escalated suppression campaign, which started with January’s nationwide protest crackdown, persists and frequently targets individuals who record footage of strikes or attempt to circumvent weeks-long internet restrictions to communicate externally.

Israel’s strategy may seek to damage Basiji morale and encourage desertion or service refusal. The campaign could also embolden numerous Iranians who remain outraged over the thousands killed during January’s violent suppression. In early March, Israeli military forces broadcast a message in Farsi encouraging Basiji mothers to “save their children” by urging them to abandon their weapons.

However, according to Hamidreza Azizi, an authority on Iran’s security and foreign policy, Basijis maintain strong ideological commitment and represent “the most decentralized force within an already highly decentralized system.”

Azizi explained that Israel’s elimination of top commander Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani on Tuesday morning will probably not significantly impact the organization. The Basij leadership position is selected based on “ideological rigidity and demonstrated loyalty to the supreme leader” rather than technical competence, serving a primarily symbolic function.

“In most cases, Basij units operate autonomously or semiautonomously, particularly in operational matters,” Azizi stated.

Throughout Tehran, Basij security checkpoints have multiplied, typically consisting of simple traffic cone barriers and several vehicles. One local resident reported five or six new checkpoints appearing in his affluent neighborhood alone. Personnel at these locations search cars for weapons, inspect identification documents, and occasionally demand to examine mobile phones, according to the resident who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Checkpoint attacks commenced on March 11, with Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, an American monitoring organization, documenting at least 15 separate incidents in one day.

“We are landing crushing blows on the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, both in the streets and at checkpoints,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the following day, stating the objective was establishing conditions for Iranians to remove their government.

On Tuesday, Israeli military officials announced strikes against more than 10 Basij locations throughout the capital. Video footage shared online and confirmed by the Associated Press displayed two burning vehicles near traffic cones on a central Tehran boulevard. The scene corresponded with aerial footage released by Israeli forces showing a Tuesday checkpoint strike as public transportation and civilian vehicles passed nearby.

Iranian citizens have been distributing videos and social media posts revealing checkpoint locations, frequently tagging the Israeli military’s Farsi account and requesting strikes, sometimes honoring protesters killed in those areas. Others share checkpoint information to warn commuters about traffic delays. Multiple videos show checkpoints positioned beneath bridges, apparently seeking protection from aerial attacks.

The Basij, meaning “mobilization” in Farsi, comprises tens of thousands of volunteers operating under Revolutionary Guard authority. Most remain unarmed and participate in “ideological and political activities,” according to Azizi, a visiting researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

The organization operates similarly to how the Communist Party functioned in the Soviet Union, maintaining divisions in educational institutions, universities, government agencies, and other organizations, he explained. Male and female volunteers work to guarantee devotion to the Islamic Republic through activities like conducting religious instruction or intimidating those who violate social regulations. They can also be activated for government-sponsored events, including counter-demonstrations, Azizi noted.

Local paramilitary divisions deploy during periods of domestic unrest — such as January’s protests — equipped with weapons ranging from clubs and stun devices to lethal ammunition.

Throughout those protests and the current conflict, the Basij’s function has been supplying personnel, Azizi explained.

“The state’s security apparatus has been continuously engaged, leaving many of its core forces both deeply entrenched and likely fatigued,” he said. Through checkpoint operations, the Basij enables security agencies to concentrate on intelligence collection and detentions.

Iranians describe widespread text message warnings against demonstrations and aggressive Basij patrols in Tehran. On Thursday, Iran announced executing three men detained during January’s protests, marking the first known implementation of such sentences.

Over the past week, semi-official media sources have reported arresting more than 100 individuals across Iran, mostly charged with collaborating with hostile nations or sharing media content with foreign organizations. At least 14 faced accusations of possessing Starlink internet equipment or planning to distribute them or virtual private network access cards. Starlink has provided one of the few methods for accessing global internet since the unprecedented blackout started January 8.

The government has also reportedly disabled portions of Iran’s domestic internet and canceled some VPN cards issued to individuals with specialized occupations.

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, an American-based organization, reported people being arrested for photographing checkpoint, base, and military facility locations. Authorities continue detaining individuals connected to January’s protests, former political prisoners, or minority group members.

The rights organization said it received reports of security forces firing weapons at checkpoints. In one case, two teenage brothers were shot and killed after honking their vehicle horn celebrating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in the war’s initial attack.

ATHENS, Greece — Israeli military operations have systematically eliminated Iran’s highest-ranking officials in a series of targeted strikes.

The campaign began with the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the conflict’s initial phase. Subsequently, Ali Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and ranked among the nation’s most influential figures, was also eliminated. Multiple other senior military and political officials have been killed as well.

With such extensive losses among Iran’s top echelon, questions emerge about the country’s current leadership structure and who maintains operational control.

Iran’s governmental system centers around the supreme leader position, which has served as the ultimate authority since the Islamic Republic’s establishment following the 1979 revolution that toppled the shah.

Following Khamenei’s death, his 56-year-old son Mojtaba Khamenei received swift appointment as the new supreme leader. The younger Khamenei, known for maintaining a low profile, has remained absent from public appearances since the airstrike that claimed his 86-year-old father’s life.

Despite never holding an elected or appointed governmental role, the cleric had been widely viewed as a potential successor. He maintains strong connections with Iran’s influential paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

His ideological stance is reportedly more extreme than his father’s positions. In his official capacity, he now oversees Iran’s military forces, and nuclear program decisions fall under his authority.

However, questions persist about his actual control over the nation.

“I’m not sure who’s running Iran right now,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a Thursday evening press conference. “Mojtaba, the replacement ayatollah, has not shown his face. Have you seen him? We haven’t, and we can’t vouch for what exactly is happening there.”

The Israeli strike that killed his father also claimed the life of Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife, Zahra Haddad Adel. American and Israeli intelligence sources indicate he sustained injuries in the same attack.

“Iran’s command and control structure is in utter chaos,” Netanyahu declared.

According to Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow specializing in Middle East security at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-based defense and security think tank, the elimination of numerous Iranian leaders will transform the theocratic system, though changes may unfold gradually.

“Leadership matters, and the loss of key decision-makers spanning politics, intelligence, internal security and (the) army will have transformative consequences,” Ozcelik stated.

“The fixation on the terminology of ‘regime collapse’ is obscuring the fact that the regime is already changing” as a result of the military strikes and leadership assassinations. However, she noted that the war’s complete impact on the country may require time to fully manifest.

“We need to be prepared for change that may take years, not weeks or months.”

Many experts believe actual authority now lies with Iran’s formidable paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

“The Revolutionary Guard is the state now,” explained Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. Prior to the conflict, civilian leadership was “subservient entirely” to the supreme leader, while the Guard represented the country’s second-most powerful institution.

However, with the elder Khamenei deceased and his son lacking equivalent authority, “it is really the Revolutionary Guards who are running the country.”

The Guard emerged from Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution as a protective force for the Shiite cleric-led government. It subsequently gained constitutional recognition and functions alongside Iran’s conventional military.

The Guard’s overseas operations unit, the Quds Force, played a crucial role in establishing what Iran calls its “Axis of Resistance” opposing Israel and the United States. It provided support to Syria’s former President Bashar Assad, Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and additional regional armed groups.

During the conflict’s early stages, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that the country’s military forces were operating without centralized governmental oversight.

“Our … military units are now in fact independent and somehow isolated and they are acting based on instructions — you know, general instructions — given to them in advance,” Araghchi stated during a March 1 Al Jazeera interview.

When questioned about Tehran’s attacks on other Gulf states, including Oman, which had served as an intermediary in recent U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, he responded: “What happened in Oman was not our choice. We have already told our … army, armed forces to be careful about the targets that they choose.”

The prospect of Israeli or American military action against Iran had long been anticipated. The Islamic Republic had incorporated this possibility into its strategic planning, establishing numerous backup plans, according to Vaez.

“I think the mistake in the U.S. and in Israel is that they ended up believing their own rhetoric that Iran is akin to a terrorist organization, that decapitating the regime or removing one or two layers of political elite would result in paralysis and collapse,” Vaez observed. “Whereas this is a state, … it has multiple layers of leadership.”

Even with all senior commanders eliminated, he noted, subordinate officers can assume their predecessors’ responsibilities. “The expectation that this regime will … implode by removing a few dozen senior leaders, I think is nothing but an illusion.”

NUUK/COPENHAGEN – Political candidates from Greenland are using President Trump’s interest in purchasing their Arctic homeland as a bargaining chip to secure greater concessions from Denmark in next week’s parliamentary elections.

Trump’s public desire for the United States to obtain Greenland has spotlighted the remote island home to 57,000 residents, highlighting ongoing concerns about Denmark’s investment in military defense, infrastructure development, and economic growth.

“The most important thing for us in this election is the sovereignty of the Greenlandic people,” stated Juno Berthelsen, 43, who represents the opposition Naleraq party that supports independence. “The Greenlandic people … should always be at the centre of any conversation about Greenland.”

The Naleraq party, whose name translates to “point of orientation” in the indigenous Kalaallisut language, has put forward five candidates including Berthelsen to compete for Greenland’s two parliamentary seats in Denmark’s national legislature. Greenland operates as an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT

Although many residents view Naleraq’s push for immediate separation from Copenhagen as hasty or misguided, others recognize Trump’s territorial ambitions as an opportunity to address decades-old complaints against Denmark.

As global superpowers increasingly compete for Arctic influence and climate change creates new shipping lanes while exposing natural resources, Greenland’s strategic value has become undeniable. This forces Copenhagen to demonstrate its value as an ally rather than taking the relationship for granted.

Any appearance of Danish negligence could strengthen Trump’s argument for American involvement.

Numerous Greenlanders criticize Denmark for unfairly profiting from their fishing sector, preventing economic self-sufficiency, and failing to shield the over 17,000 Greenlanders residing in Denmark from prejudice.

Anna Wangenheim, who serves as Greenland’s health minister and represents the Demokraatit party alongside Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, believes Trump’s demands have triggered a necessary confrontation.

“The fact that we are in the eye of the hurricane in the Arctic means that we have a very great opportunity to have much greater influence than we have had before.”

SEEKING REPRESENTATION

Aage Josefsen, a 55-year-old bus operator in capital city Nuuk, views the election through a straightforward lens: determining who truly represents Greenland’s interests. “The Greenlandic government should have more say in meetings, instead of Denmark just speaking on Greenland’s behalf,” he explained.

Campaign platforms from Greenlandic politicians include establishing a maritime patrol unit staffed by local fishermen and hunters, restructuring fishing operations to keep more profits on the island, and requiring Danish students to study Greenlandic history and culture.

Denmark’s left-leaning Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confronts a competitive election despite gaining support for her firm resistance to American pressure regarding Greenland, as many Danish citizens express frustration with increasing living expenses and social service strains.

Political experts suggest Frederiksen may find it difficult to secure a parliamentary majority, making every vote critical – including those from Greenlandic representatives – for maintaining her leadership position.

Candidates are also demanding revision of the 1951 military cooperation agreement between Denmark and the United States, which was negotiated without Greenlandic participation.

“It must be something that Greenland can also see itself reflected in, a defence agreement about our land,” explained Ane Lone Bagger from the Siumut party.

SHIFTING ATTITUDES

Bagger noted that Trump’s pressure has already altered Danish behavior. “Suddenly there are apologies and this and that,” she observed.

In the previous year, Denmark issued formal apologies to thousands of Greenlandic women who were subjected to forced contraception procedures from the 1960s through 1991.

This changed approach from Copenhagen is exemplified by Frederiksen, who has established herself as Greenland’s strongest advocate, making multiple visits to the territory and mobilizing European allies against American pressure.

She has clearly stated that Greenland’s destiny belongs solely to its people to determine.

However, many islanders worry that international political tensions overshadow their everyday concerns.

For Inuujuk Louis Petersen, a 24-year-old taxi driver campaigning for Demokraatit in Nuuk’s Danish parliamentary race, the situation carries both personal and political significance.

Greenland never requested to become the center of superpower competition, he noted. “It is of course at the expense of the life we have always been used to,” he said. “And that was peace and quiet.”

A leading pharmaceutical trade organization in the United Kingdom is sounding the alarm about potential medicine shortages if Middle East conflicts continue to disrupt global supply chains.

Medicines UK, which represents companies responsible for 85% of NHS prescriptions, reports that while Britain has managed to avoid drug shortages up to this point, escalating shipping expenses are putting severe financial strain on generic medication producers.

Mark Samuels, the organization’s Chief Executive, described Britain as being “one step away” from experiencing medicine shortages should regional instability continue, noting that current stockpiles only offer temporary protection.

According to Samuels, manufacturers of low-cost generic medications are already feeling the impact of increased transportation expenses and shipping delays. These companies may soon reach their limit for absorbing additional costs.

“If the conflict continues for the longer term, then I think manufacturers will cease being able to absorb the costs, and then we’ll either have some price rises for the NHS or we’ll have a failure to supply. Probably a mixture of both,” Samuels explained during a Thursday interview with Reuters.

The executive emphasized that off-patent medications face particular vulnerability compared to patented drugs, as their narrow profit margins provide minimal flexibility for handling increased freight expenses. With approximately 55% of generic drugs in Britain costing less than 1 British pound ($1.34) for a month’s treatment, transportation represents a substantial portion of total costs, raising concerns that some products could become unprofitable.

Previous reporting has indicated that the ongoing conflict is already affecting the flow of essential medications to Gulf regions, threatening supply chains for cancer treatments and other medications requiring temperature-controlled transport as companies seek alternative shipping routes.

Samuels noted that biosimilar medications face greater risk than standard oral medications due to their longer production timelines and more complicated manufacturing processes.

South Africa’s trade regulators have announced significant new import duties targeting structural steel from China and Thailand following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered evidence of unfair trade practices.

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa revealed that Chinese structural steel imports will now face a substantial 74.98% tariff, while products from Thailand will be subject to a 20.32% duty. These final rates represent a major increase from the temporary measures implemented in 2024, which set provisional duties at 52.81% for China and 9.12% for Thailand.

The new tariffs specifically target structural steel products primarily utilized in construction projects. According to the March 19 government announcement, the trade commission’s investigation determined that both countries were engaging in dumping practices.

In their official statement, regulators concluded that steel products “originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury.”

The commission explained that dumping occurs when products are sold in foreign markets below normal pricing or production costs, creating unfair competition that harms local manufacturers.

Officials from both the Chinese and Thai embassies have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the new trade restrictions.

The trade commission confirmed that South Africa’s commerce minister has given approval for the recommended tariff structure.

South Africa’s steel sector has been struggling with declining domestic demand while simultaneously dealing with a surge of foreign imports, predominantly from Chinese manufacturers. Major industry players like ArcelorMittal South Africa have been forced to close production facilities due to these market pressures.

According to data from the South African Iron and Steel Institute, imported steel represents approximately 36% of the country’s total steel usage, with Chinese products accounting for 73% of those imports.

While conflict continues to intensify throughout the Middle East, Iranian American families nationwide are determining how best to celebrate Nowruz, the traditional Persian New Year holiday.

Communities with Iranian heritage are navigating the challenge of honoring their cultural traditions during a time of regional turmoil and uncertainty.

South Korean lawmakers approved comprehensive judicial reforms Friday that will remove investigative authority from prosecutors, a change supporters say will reduce the potential for political manipulation of one of the nation’s most influential government institutions.

The new law establishes a dedicated agency focused solely on indictments and prosecutions while transferring investigative responsibilities to a different organization.

This historic decision formalizes the division of authority that President Lee Jae Myung and his liberal Democratic Party believe is essential to stop political misuse of unconstrained prosecutorial influence.

Liberal efforts to restructure the prosecution system intensified following accusations that former prosecutor chief Yoon Suk Yeol exploited the office to secure the presidency and target political adversaries.

When conservative leader Yoon declared martial law briefly in December 2024, many reform supporters viewed this as the ultimate justification for dismantling the system that elevated him to power.

Friday’s vote concludes a multi-decade political battle in South Korea to restructure the prosecution service. Demands for reform grew as prosecutors faced allegations of pursuing political opponents while shielding allies, with liberal politicians contending that such concentrated authority encouraged abuse and undermined democratic oversight.

Park Eun-jung, a former prosecutor and representative from the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, explained that the reform aims to address “a shameful history of prosecutors changing the standard of the law to suit their political advantage.”

However, opponents, including conservative legislators who attempted to prevent the vote through filibuster tactics, argue the restructuring could diminish oversight of investigators and transform reform into a political weapon for the current administration.

Choi Jin-a, a law professor at Korea University, warned the legislation would eliminate safeguards ensuring the prosecution service’s political neutrality and independence, “making prosecutors and police even more beholden to political power.”

Reform advocates maintain that breaking the prosecution’s control is exactly their objective.

“In democracy, no function is controlled by one group, and power works for the people through dispersion and checks,” explained former Democratic Party representative Choe Kang-wook.

Iranian state television announced Friday that Ali Mohammad Naini, a communications official with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, died in military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

Naini served as both a spokesperson and deputy of public relations for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard forces, according to the state media report from Tehran.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East involving Iranian military forces and their regional activities.

Chinese anti-corruption authorities announced Friday they are investigating Chongqing Mayor Hu Henghua for alleged serious violations of law and party discipline.

China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection revealed the probe in a brief statement but provided no specific details about the nature of the alleged violations against Hu.

This investigation represents the latest development in China’s ongoing “high-pressure” anti-corruption drive targeting Communist Party officials. The campaign has resulted in numerous senior party members facing investigations, dismissals, and criminal charges in recent years.

Chongqing ranks among China’s four directly-controlled municipalities, sharing equivalent administrative authority with provinces. The other three cities with this special status are Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai.

Hu’s record includes a previous disciplinary action from 2023, when party officials issued him a formal warning for inadequate oversight of housing, construction, and safety standards. This failure contributed to a deadly building collapse in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, which claimed more than 50 lives in 2022.

The mayor took office in Chongqing in December 2021, following a career that included various high-ranking positions in Hunan province from late 2013 through 2020.

Officials from Myanmar’s legislature announced Friday that the presidential selection process will commence on March 30, with many political observers anticipating the current military leader will secure the position.

The announcement comes after a disputed election victory by a party supported by the military. Under the established procedure, three presidential nominees will be put forward – one each from the military, the upper legislative chamber, and the lower legislative chamber.

Following a review period, lawmakers will choose one of these three nominees to serve as president, while the remaining two will take on vice presidential roles, according to officials from the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw speaking during a state media broadcast.

The timeline for the candidate review process and the actual presidential vote remains unclear, as officials provided no specific dates for these steps.

Political analysts widely believe Min Aung Hlaing, the current junta leader, will assume the presidency of the Southeast Asian nation.

Independent political observer Htin Kyaw Aye anticipates the general will resign from his military leadership position before the March 30 deadline, citing constitutional requirements that prevent active civil servants from seeking the presidency.

“Since Min Aung Hlaing aspires to the presidency, he must step down from his current role as Commander-in-Chief to be eligible with 2008 constitution,” stated the Thailand-based analyst.

The analyst noted that military forces and the army-supported Union Solidarity and Development Party will maintain their grip on the nation’s political landscape following the staged elections conducted in December and January.

“This is not a transition to democracy, but rather a transformation from a military-clad dictatorship to a civilian-clothed one,” he explained.

The country has experienced significant unrest since early 2021, when military forces removed the democratically elected civilian administration headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. The military takeover sparked widespread demonstrations that eventually evolved into armed resistance movements challenging junta rule throughout the nation.

South Korean government officials acknowledged Friday that Iranian strikes on Qatar’s energy infrastructure have created market uncertainty, though they emphasized the nation maintains adequate liquefied natural gas supplies through diverse sourcing options.

The state-owned QatarEnergy company announced it must invoke force majeure clauses on long-term supply agreements lasting up to five years for LNG deliveries to Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China following the Iranian attacks that eliminated 17% of the country’s LNG export capabilities.

As the globe’s third-largest LNG purchaser behind China and Japan, South Korea relies on natural gas for electricity generation, industrial operations, and residential heating systems. Data from analytics company Kpler shows the country imported 47.77 million metric tons of LNG last year, with Qatar providing 7.16 million metric tons of that total.

Qatar ranks as South Korea’s third-most important LNG supplier, following Australia and Malaysia in volume.

“Given that the share of imports from Qatar is relatively low (at around 14% in 2026) and alternative supply sources are available, there are no issues regarding gas supply and demand,” South Korea’s Industry Ministry said in a statement, without elaborating on the potential alternative sources.

“However, as uncertainty has been growing, we plan to closely monitor supply, demand, and price trends and respond accordingly,” the ministry added.

The government-controlled Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) reported Friday that its LNG stockpiles exceed required reserve levels. “KOGAS has sufficient capabilities to respond to supply and demand crises,” the company stated.

Officials plan to manage LNG supplies by boosting coal and nuclear power production while decreasing dependence on natural gas-powered electricity generation, according to Democratic Party representative Ahn Do-geol, who spoke earlier this week.

Natural gas-fired power plants generated 27% of South Korea’s electricity in 2025, with the remainder primarily coming from coal, nuclear, and renewable energy sources.

Ahn indicated that restrictions limiting coal power generation would be removed, while scheduled maintenance at six nuclear facilities would be expedited to maximize nuclear energy utilization.

LNG purchasers across Asia have been scrambling to secure replacement supplies since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran blocked tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz and interrupted Qatari deliveries.

Alex Siow, lead Asia gas analyst at ICIS analytics firm, suggested that Kogas should have little trouble replacing Qatari volumes through spot market purchases, as the company is less constrained by price considerations than other buyers.

Siow noted that South Korea had already begun increasing coal-fired electricity generation, while a new nuclear power facility scheduled to begin operations in the second half of the year will provide additional energy capacity.

DAEJEON, South Korea — A devastating blaze broke out at an automotive parts manufacturing plant in South Korea’s central region Friday, leaving no fewer than 50 workers injured, according to emergency officials.

South Korea’s National Fire Agency reported that 35 individuals sustained serious injuries, though authorities could not immediately determine if any victims faced life-threatening conditions.

Dramatic footage captured at the location revealed dense gray smoke pouring from the industrial complex.

Emergency officials could not immediately determine how many employees remained trapped within the building and cautioned that the casualty count might climb higher. The blaze began around 1:17 p.m., with authorities declining to speculate on what may have sparked the fire.

The fire agency dispatched more than 200 emergency responders along with 70 emergency vehicles to combat the flames.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who serves as the nation’s second-ranking official under President Lee Jae Myung, ordered the complete deployment of emergency personnel and equipment to suppress the fire and conduct rescue missions.

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly addressed her controversial connection to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, expressing deep remorse about their relationship in what represents one of the most significant scandals to impact the Norwegian royal family.

The princess’s comments come after the U.S. Justice Department made public millions of documents related to Epstein, creating worldwide controversy as they exposed the convicted financier’s connections to high-profile individuals, including the Norwegian royal and several prominent politicians, business leaders, and diplomatic officials from Norway.

“I was manipulated and deceived,” Mette-Marit stated during her television interview with Norway’s public broadcasting network NRK.

“Of course, I wish I had never met him,” the crown princess added when discussing Epstein.

The newly released documentation revealed ongoing correspondence between the 52-year-old princess and Epstein that continued well beyond 2008, when he entered a guilty plea for soliciting a minor. Mette-Marit, who issued an apology to King Harald and Queen Sonja in a statement on February 6th, faces no criminal allegations.

Although previous news reports had established some connection between Mette-Marit and Epstein, the recent document release revealed a far more substantial relationship, prompting criticism from Norway’s prime minister and calls for the princess to provide a complete explanation.

According to the American documents, the princess, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon and future queen, remained in contact with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, including a four-day stay at his Palm Beach residence during a personal visit in 2013.

“I’ve never seen anything illegal,” Mette-Marit emphasized during Friday’s NRK interview.

Public support for Norway’s royal institution has declined in recent months, according to polling data from February involving 1,009 participants.

The Norstat survey, published February 21st by NRK, found that 60% of Norwegian citizens now back the monarchy, representing a drop from 70% in January, while republican support increased from 19% to 27% during the same timeframe.

International trade relations face a potential turning point as diplomats warn that stalled reform efforts at the World Trade Organization may drive nations toward alternative trading arrangements.

A crucial four-day conference of WTO trade ministers scheduled for next week in Yaounde, Cameroon arrives at a pivotal moment for the organization that replaced the post-World War II trade framework in 1995.

The discussions occur against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets and poses significant risks to worldwide economic stability.

President Donald Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs has heightened international trade disputes, undermining the WTO’s authority while multilateral negotiations remain stagnant and the organization’s dispute resolution system has been paralyzed for six years.

While most WTO member nations support organizational changes, they remain split on developing an actionable strategy, according to diplomatic sources and confidential documents reviewed by Reuters. This disagreement may push trade-dependent nations to explore alternative solutions.

“Our ‘Plan A’ is to get reform within the WTO system, but there are many hurdles,” stated Swedish Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa, noting that unsuccessful Yaounde negotiations would motivate the European Union “to pursue a parallel track.”

The 27-member European bloc might strengthen partnerships with nations in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and other aligned economies, Dousa explained to Reuters.

The CPTPP encompasses 12 nations, including Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia and Britain.

Such cooperation would “supplement” the WTO framework, enabling participants to establish specific trade regulations among themselves while continuing to advocate for broader multilateral system reforms, according to two EU diplomatic sources.

“As a Plan B we have to open up for plurilateral agreements,” Dousa continued, referring to arrangements where willing nations commit to binding obligations.

Although some plurilateral deals have been integrated into WTO operations, certain members express frustration that a development investment initiative scheduled for Yaounde discussion has faced repeated obstruction despite majority backing.

Should this initiative remain blocked without agreement on reform directions, “we will consider our options,” warned one Western diplomatic representative.

EU-CPTPP partnerships could advance agreements covering digital commerce and essential raw materials while expanding Free Trade Agreements, according to Svitlana Taran from the European Policy Centre.

A Canadian official identified “a lot of momentum” in EU-CPTPP collaboration, with Yaounde discussions planned regarding origin rules and investment policies.

WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala informed Reuters that the organization endorses diversifying trade relationships.

“If they want to get together as a group and try to do something, we see it as complementary,” she stated.

Both Dousa and a European diplomat described the EU-CPTPP partnership, which currently represents more than 35% of worldwide trade, as potentially forming a “core group” open to additional members.

Looking ahead, participants might develop a “multi-speed” WTO structure, maintaining fundamental regulations while incorporating flexibility through different commitment levels and plurilateral arrangements for motivated groups to progress in specific sectors, Dousa explained.

One European trade diplomat anticipates a “tiered trade system” with varying commitment degrees, including ‘most favoured nation’ (MFN) status, among willing participants developing outside WTO structures within five years before eventual WTO integration.

MFN status, a fundamental WTO principle, mandates that countries apply identical tariffs to all trading partners.

Confidential reform documents reviewed by Reuters reveal significant member disagreements: the United States supports changes but opposes detailed, comprehensive work plans, while the EU, Britain and China favor such approaches.

“I expect it to be quite a difficult ministerial,” acknowledged Okonjo-Iweala, though she expressed optimism about member consensus on reform necessity.

Washington’s main objective involves permanently extending a moratorium preventing customs duties on electronic transmissions like digital downloads, which expires this month. This extension would provide U.S. confidence to “remain fully engaged” in WTO operations, stated U.S. Ambassador Joseph Barloon.

India will likely continue opposing the moratorium, according to an official source.

“If U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer leaves Yaounde without a moratorium, the U.S. proclamations on the death of the WTO will be even louder,” predicted one diplomat.

The International Chamber of Commerce reports that businesses worry failure could trigger new taxes on cross-border data transfers.

Ministers will examine the MFN principle, currently governing 72% of global commerce, after Washington declared last December that MFN was inappropriate for the current era. The EU has similarly indicated interest in reconsidering MFN, primarily due to China-related concerns, a senior diplomat revealed.

Beijing maintains that MFN must continue as the foundation of the global trading system, a Chinese diplomat emphasized.

“We need a rules-based, not power-based, system.”

Israeli forces launched overnight airstrikes against Syrian government military installations on Friday, responding to recent attacks targeting Druze civilians in the Sweida province, according to Israeli military officials.

The military operation focused on command and control facilities as well as weapons storage sites located within Syrian military compounds in the southern region of the country. Israeli defense officials stated they will not accept violence directed at Druze communities and pledged ongoing efforts to safeguard these populations while closely watching regional developments.

The conflict in the Middle East has stalled American-mediated peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, creating an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to launch fresh military campaigns against Ukraine that could intensify pressure on the embattled nation.

Moscow’s war treasury is swelling with profits from climbing global oil prices, while Iranian attacks in the Gulf region are rapidly depleting American air defense resources, sparking worries about reduced availability of support for Ukraine as the conflict enters its fifth year since Russia’s comprehensive invasion began.

European nations backing Ukraine have pledged continued unwavering assistance, but disagreements surrounding a substantial 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union financial package designed to fund Kyiv’s defense and economic requirements over two years demonstrate the growing difficulties.

NATO member countries’ unwillingness to deploy naval forces to help reestablish oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz has triggered sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, revealing another developing division with potentially serious consequences for Ukraine.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has attempted to maintain Washington’s focus by proposing Ukrainian knowledge in combating Iranian Shahed drones, dispatching more than 200 military specialists to the Gulf region. However, Trump has dismissed Zelenskyy’s assistance offer, stating America doesn’t require Kyiv’s help.

While fresh indicators of Western alliance tensions surface, Putin and his military commanders are considering strategies for spring and summer operations along the extensive 1,200-kilometer (approximately 750-mile) battle zone.

Russian armed forces seem to be preparing for another attempt to seize remaining Ukrainian-controlled portions of eastern Donetsk region, along with potential attacks in multiple other areas.

Military experts have noticed Moscow accumulating reserves, with operations anticipated to accelerate as spring weather conditions improve ground conditions.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War has observed Russian forces intensifying artillery bombardments and drone strikes, attempting to weaken Ukrainian defensive positions ahead of ground assaults.

Ukraine has tried to disrupt the Kremlin’s strategies by conducting counter-operations in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, where Russian troops have attempted to establish footholds aimed at advancing toward regional capitals that serve as crucial industrial centers.

The ISW stated in a recent battlefield evaluation that Ukraine’s effective retaliation in Dnipropetrovsk region will likely continue forcing Russia to “choose between defending against the Ukrainian counterattacks and allocating manpower and materiel for offensive operations elsewhere” along the front, potentially disrupting the expected Russian offensive.

The organization also observed that Ukrainian forces have increased their medium-range attacks against Russian supply lines, military hardware and personnel to attempt derailing the anticipated offensive.

Russian military commentators caution that Moscow would require significant force reinforcement to execute any major offensive, creating difficulties for the Kremlin.

Following the highly unpopular “partial mobilization” of 300,000 reservists during the war’s early stages that caused hundreds of thousands to leave the country to avoid conscription, Russian military leadership has shifted approaches, depending on volunteers and recruiting international fighters enticed by competitive salaries and additional benefits.

Putin stated Russia maintains approximately 700,000 troops engaged in Ukraine, roughly equivalent to Ukraine’s reported troop numbers.

Following rapid movements by substantial tank and mechanized infantry formations during Russia’s initial 2022 invasion, the conflict has transformed into an attrition war featuring small soldier units engaged in exhausting, building-by-building combat throughout devastated eastern Ukrainian towns and villages. Widespread drone usage has limited troop concentration for significant maneuvers.

Russia has also utilized long-distance missiles and drones to bombard Ukraine’s power infrastructure and other critical facilities.

Throughout the past year, Russia has successfully penetrated and weakened Ukrainian defensive positions due to the “growing lethality” of Moscow’s attacks and Kyiv’s declining personnel numbers, according to analyst Jack Watling from the Royal United Services Institute.

“Russia is likely able to maintain its current rate of recruitment, despite the punishing rate of casualties” inflicted by Ukraine, he added.

While preparing for new offensives, Russia has increasingly attempted to recruit students for its recently established Drone Forces, providing relatively generous compensation and positioning at safe distances from combat zones.

Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence, informed the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that “Russia has maintained the upper hand in the war against Ukraine.”

She indicated the U.S.-led discussions between Ukraine and Russia “are ongoing. Until such an agreement is met, Moscow is likely to continue fighting a slow war of attrition until they view their objectives have been achieved.”

Multiple negotiation rounds have yielded no apparent progress as both sides remain deeply divided on fundamental issues.

Putin demands Ukraine remove its forces from four regions Russia has unlawfully claimed but never completely conquered, abandon NATO membership aspirations, drastically reduce its military, and eliminate restrictions on Russian language and Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church — conditions Zelenskyy has refused.

Zelenskyy has requested a ceasefire, American-supported security assurances to prevent future Moscow invasions, and has dismissed territorial claims over Ukrainian land.

Kyiv’s European supporters accuse Moscow of prolonging discussions hoping to achieve additional gains and insist Europe must participate in negotiations. Russia has refused their involvement.

Moscow declares it won’t permit European troops to oversee a potential ceasefire and will consider them legitimate targets.

“There have been signals from the Europeans indicating that they would like to take a place at the negotiating table regarding the Ukrainian settlement,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated this week, but added that “we don’t consider it necessary or expedient.”

Sam Greene, a professor at King’s College London, commented that Moscow’s approach was clear — “engaging with Washington just enough to prevent Ukraine from getting what it needed to shift the balance on the ground, and just enough to keep the Europeans at bay, but not enough to make real progress.”

The U.S. has provided Moscow a temporary exemption from oil sanctions, permitting sales of Russian crude already in transit — disappointing Kyiv and European nations.

Additionally, Trump has portrayed Zelenskyy as hindering peace efforts. “He has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done,” Trump said regarding the Ukrainian leader earlier this month.

He stated in an NBC News interview that while Putin was prepared for an agreement, “it’s much harder to reach a deal with Zelenskyy.”

Trump also rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal to assist in protecting American forces and allies in the Gulf from Iranian drones. “No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” Trump told Fox News Radio.

Zelenskyy, who has adopted a more pragmatic public approach with Trump following their tense White House meeting in February 2025, has voiced increasing worry that the Iran conflict could damage Ukraine.

He informed the BBC this week that he had a “very bad feeling” about the Middle East conflict’s effect on Ukraine’s war, observing that peace negotiations are being “constantly postponed” while Russia profits from elevated oil prices and Ukraine might face shortages of American-made Patriot missiles.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian drone strikes targeted a major Kuwaiti oil processing facility in the early hours of Friday, igniting fires while warning sirens blared across Israel and explosive sounds echoed through Tehran during Israel’s retaliatory operations coinciding with Iran’s Persian New Year celebrations.

The ongoing conflict, now approaching its third week, continues to destabilize global markets as Iran maintains its assault on regional energy infrastructure. Kuwait reported that drone attacks on its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery caused significant blazes, with emergency teams working to extinguish the flames.

The targeted facility has the capacity to process approximately 730,000 barrels daily and had previously sustained damage from another Iranian strike on Thursday. The refinery represents one of three major oil processing plants in Kuwait, a small but petroleum-wealthy nation situated along the Persian Gulf.

Tehran escalated its targeting of Gulf Arab energy installations following Israel’s Wednesday bombing campaign against Iran’s extensive South Pars natural gas complex located offshore in the Persian Gulf.

Powerful explosions rattled Dubai as defensive systems engaged incoming projectiles above the city, where residents were commemorating Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of Ramadan’s holy fasting period, with mosques broadcasting their morning prayer calls.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported warehouse fires caused by debris from intercepted missiles, while Saudi Arabia announced successfully downing several drones aimed at its petroleum-rich Eastern Province.

These fresh assaults followed an intensive period during which Iran targeted energy facilities throughout the region and fired over a dozen missile barrages toward Israel after the South Pars attack.

The South Pars field, representing Iran’s portion of the globe’s largest natural gas reserve shared with Qatar, sits offshore in the Persian Gulf. Given that approximately 80% of Iran’s electrical generation relies on natural gas, the Israeli strike directly threatened the nation’s power grid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday evening that his country would pause additional strikes on the gas facility following U.S. President Donald Trump’s request, after Iran’s response caused oil prices to surge dramatically.

Iran’s attacks on neighboring Gulf Arab states, combined with its control over shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital passage for one-fifth of global oil and essential goods transport—have heightened fears of a worldwide energy emergency.

Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, which jumped above $119 per barrel during Thursday’s Iranian attacks, traded around $107 Friday morning, representing a more than 47% increase since the February 28 Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran that initiated the current conflict.

Warning sirens activated across Israel early Friday, alerting residents in Jerusalem and northern regions of incoming attacks and forcing people into protective shelters. Initial reports indicated no immediate casualties.

Shortly after Israel announced new military operations against Iran, explosive sounds were audible in Tehran as Iranians observed Nowruz, their traditional New Year celebration. Additional details were not immediately released.

The war has claimed over 1,300 lives in Iran. Israeli military actions against the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization in Lebanon have forced more than 1 million people from their homes, according to Lebanese officials, who report over 1,000 deaths. Israel claims to have eliminated more than 500 Hezbollah fighters.

Iranian missile strikes have killed 15 people within Israel, while four additional fatalities occurred in the occupied West Bank from Iranian projectiles.

At least 13 U.S. service members have lost their lives in the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates announced Friday it had dismantled what officials described as “a terrorist network funded and operated by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran.”

Authorities detained five individuals on money laundering charges, claiming they were “operating within the country under a fictitious commercial cover” while planning activities that could destabilize the nation’s financial system.

The UAE’s state-operated WAM news service published photographs of the five detainees without revealing their identities.

PARIS, March 20 – Following a historic release of emergency oil reserves earlier this month, the International Energy Agency has now issued recommendations for combating rising fuel costs triggered by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The conflict has sent energy prices soaring globally, raising inflation concerns worldwide and prompting the agency to seek additional ways to help consumers manage the financial strain.

On Friday, the IEA presented a series of measures that governments, companies, and individual households can implement to mitigate the impact of climbing energy costs on consumers.

Among the agency’s recommendations are encouraging remote work arrangements, lowering highway speed limits by a minimum of 10 kilometers per hour, and choosing alternative transportation methods over air travel when feasible.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized the organization’s ongoing efforts in a statement: “We have recently launched the largest ever release of IEA emergency oil stocks – and I am in close contact with key governments around the world, including major energy producers and consumers, as part of our international energy diplomacy.”

Birol further explained the purpose of the new guidelines: “In addition to this, today’s report provides a menu of immediate and concrete measures that can be taken on the demand side by governments, businesses and households to shelter consumers from the impacts of this crisis.”

Earlier this month on March 11, the IEA authorized the release of a historic 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to address the dramatic increase in worldwide crude oil prices, with the United States providing the majority of the released supply.

DAEJEON, South Korea – Emergency crews are battling a massive industrial fire that has left 50 workers injured at an automotive parts manufacturing plant in South Korea, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency on Friday.

The blaze erupted at the facility located in Daejeon, a city situated approximately 99 miles south of Seoul. Of the 50 injured workers, 35 have sustained serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

South Korean fire officials have issued a nationwide emergency mobilization order to combat the dangerous flames. Nearly 240 emergency responders have been dispatched to the scene to fight the fire and conduct rescue operations.

Authorities are expressing grave concerns that the casualty count may continue to climb as firefighting efforts continue.

The country’s Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has issued direct orders emphasizing that rescuing human lives must remain the absolute top priority in the emergency response, according to Yonhap’s reporting.

Officials from the National Fire Agency were not immediately available to provide additional details when contacted by phone.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish citizens will cast ballots next week to determine their nation’s leadership for the coming four years, in an election taking place after a diplomatic clash between the United States and Denmark regarding Greenland’s future.

Last month, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the upcoming election, seemingly betting that her direct approach during the Greenland dispute would resonate with voters. Should the Social Democratic Party leader successfully form a new coalition following Tuesday’s voting, it would mark the beginning of her third administration.

The 48-year-old has served as head of government for the EU and NATO member nation since mid-2019. Frederiksen has built a reputation for backing Ukraine against Russian aggression while maintaining tough immigration policies.

During her current term, public approval declined amid rising living costs. However, her standing improved as Denmark dealt with Trump’s ambitions for Greenland, which reached a peak in January when he briefly threatened European tariffs over opposition to American control of the Arctic territory.

Election analyst Kasper Møller Hansen from the University of Copenhagen expects Frederiksen to retain leadership, though potentially with her party’s poorest performance to date. The Social Democrats appear headed for less than their 2022 total of 27.5% while maintaining their position as the largest party.

“She’s getting a big burst to her poll results on the topic of Greenland, or the relationship with the United States, or Ukraine,” said Møller Hansen. “On home turf, she’s being really challenged.”

Denmark’s proportional voting system usually creates coalition governments formed by multiple parties from either the political left or right. The current administration broke decades of tradition by spanning both sides of the political spectrum.

Two center-right politicians are competing against Frederiksen — one from within her existing coalition and another from the opposition.

Liberal Party leader Troels Lund Poulsen currently serves as Defense Minister. His Venstre party previously controlled multiple governments but has struggled in recent polling.

Alex Vanopslagh, 34, heads the Liberal Alliance within the conservative “blue bloc,” advocating for reduced taxes, streamlined government, and ending Denmark’s nuclear power prohibition. However, his recent acknowledgment of past cocaine use while leading his party may have damaged his electoral prospects.

The anti-immigration Danish People’s Party appears positioned for a comeback after performing poorly in 2022. Should neither liberal nor conservative factions secure governing majorities, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s centrist Moderate party could determine the outcome.

Immigration remains a central campaign issue, with Denmark maintaining some of Europe’s strictest policies under Frederiksen’s influence.

Responding to right-wing pressure and citing potential migration increases due to Middle Eastern conflicts, she recently proposed measures including an asylum “emergency brake” and enhanced oversight of undocumented criminals. Her administration previously announced plans allowing deportation of foreign nationals sentenced to one year or more for serious offenses.

Frederiksen advocates for establishing “return hubs” beyond EU borders for rejected asylum applicants.

Denmark processed 1,961 asylum requests last year, significantly lower than the 21,000 received in 2015.

Economic concerns including living expenses, retirement benefits, and potential wealth taxation have dominated campaign discussions — along with agricultural issues.

As a major global pork producer, Denmark faces calls from the left-wing Alternative party for improved animal welfare standards, agricultural whistleblower protections, and reducing livestock to levels needed only for the country’s 6 million residents. This proposal would eliminate 86% of the nation’s pig population.

Greenland itself hasn’t featured prominently in campaigning due to widespread agreement on the territory’s relationship with Denmark.

“There’s a huge consensus on our relationship to Greenland and our relationship to foreign powers,” Møller Hansen said.

Frederiksen declared in January that American acquisition of Greenland would effectively destroy NATO. The crisis has since cooled following Trump’s withdrawal of tariff threats, leading to trilateral security discussions between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland.

The election will also test Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who has held office for approximately one year.

Campaign tensions have exposed divisions within his coalition government. Disagreements over local officials seeking Copenhagen parliamentary seats prompted one party to leave his alliance, forcing Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt from her position. She subsequently left her Siumut party.

Voters will select members of the Folketing, Denmark’s unicameral legislature.

The parliament contains 179 seats: 175 representing mainland Denmark, plus two each from sparsely populated Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the kingdom’s other autonomous territory.

Over 4.3 million eligible voters can participate in next week’s election. Danish turnout traditionally runs high, reaching 84.2% during the 2022 contest.

GUAJES DE AYALA, Mexico — In the rugged mountains of Mexico’s Guerrero state, Jesús Domínguez navigates dense vegetation with an assault rifle across his back and an explosive device attached to his belt.

The 34-year-old moves with a group of camouflage-wearing fighters who patrol remote areas against one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations.

Equipped with high-powered weapons trafficked from the United States, this 50-person militia represents one of many “autodefensa” or civilian protection units that have formed across Mexico during the last ten years to combat increasingly advanced cartels in regions where government forces cannot reach.

“The government doesn’t care about us, and it’s impossible for our arms to compete with (the cartel’s),” Domínguez explained from an observation point overlooking Guerrero’s mountainous terrain. “They come at you with a ton of force, so you need to respond with force…If you don’t, they’ll overwhelm you.”

These civilian fighters in Guajes de Ayala operate within Mexico’s chaotic environment of competing armed factions — ranging from international cartels to neighborhood criminal groups — particularly in areas like Guerrero that have suffered from fragmenting drug organizations for years. This complex situation presents a major challenge for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as she faces demands from the Trump administration while concerns grow about increased violence after the death of Mexico’s most influential drug kingpin.

The civilian defense unit formed in 2020 when La Nueva Familia Michoacana attempted to seize seven mountain communities located along a crucial route that connects drug trafficking organizations to Acapulco’s port, where narcotics and contraband move through.

Community members reported that this cartel, which the Trump administration labeled a terrorist organization last year, began cutting down trees illegally on their property and attempted to coerce locals into fighting against competing criminal groups.

Without Mexican army or police presence, townspeople took up weapons. Intermittent battles continued for almost twelve months. People evacuated on foot, trekking for hours across distant mountains carrying only their clothing. Towns that once housed 1,600 residents shrank to merely 400.

Following a temporary ceasefire, the militia reorganized in October when Nueva Familia Michoacana resumed their territorial expansion, establishing drug production facilities and conducting surveillance with unmanned aircraft, according to group commander Javier Hernández.

Currently, the fighters protect their communities from elevated positions and monitor approximately 100 cartel soldiers stationed several miles away using their own surveillance drones.

“We don’t want to be part of their ranks and we don’t want to leave our lands,” Hernández stated. “We don’t want to be slaves to any cartel.”

Guerrero experiences more deeply rooted conflict than most Mexican regions, with a militant history extending back to rebel movements from the 1960s. The situation has become more complicated as cartels have split into competing factions, creating conditions vastly different from previous eras when single organizations maintained complete regional dominance. A 2025 DEA assessment identifies five cartels operating in the area, along with numerous local gangs and civilian militias, many aligned with larger criminal enterprises.

“You have a kaleidoscope of armed groups,” explained Mónica Serrano, a researcher at Colegio de Mexico who studies Guerrero violence. “It’s one of the most vexing challenges facing the country and is at the root of the violence.”

Civilian protection forces expanded throughout Michoacan and Guerrero beginning around 2013. Similar to the Guajes de Ayala organization, they emerged from desperate efforts to avoid becoming casualties in cartel warfare.

However, in locations where criminal organizations have stronger presence than law enforcement, virtually every vigilante movement in recent years has either been absorbed by rival cartels or eliminated. Mexico’s federal government remains divided on whether to negotiate with vigilantes or prosecute them as criminals.

Sometimes, these groups transformed into cartel military units, well-funded and terrorizing the same communities they promised to defend. In other instances, cartels provided weapons to local residents to help combat rival organizations.

“They corner you and you can’t do anything,” Domínguez observed. “That’s how what’s been created – which began as autonomy – is corrupted. People end up joining criminal groups just to survive.”

The Guajes de Ayala community claims independence, yet their forces possess equipment far exceeding what local farmers could afford, including drone detection technology, intercepted radio communications, and DJI surveillance aircraft worth thousands of dollars for monitoring cartel operatives.

They carry assault rifles marked “MADE IN USA” and bearing manufacturer names from Florida, South Carolina and Poland. Due to Mexico’s restrictive firearms regulations, most weapons in the country are smuggled from the United States by cartels.

One fighter acknowledged the vigilantes buy weapons from cartels but declined to specify which organization.

Another revealed he previously belonged to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and received payment to join the vigilantes. A third wore headgear displaying “El Señor de los Gallos,” referring to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the influential CJNG commander killed by Mexican military forces in February.

Two regional criminal gangs battling Nueva Familia Michoacana permit Guajes de Ayala residents to travel through their areas, preventing complete encirclement as occurred previously.

Meanwhile, Hernández said he provides information about the opposing cartel to law enforcement and that his organization rejected partnership proposals from other vigilante groups known for attacking civilians.

The spread of armed organizations throughout Mexico tests Sheinbaum as she works to counter Trump administration threats of U.S. military action.

Under Sheinbaum’s leadership, security forces have targeted criminal groups more aggressively than previous administrations. Murder rates have decreased significantly since she assumed office, reaching decade-low levels according to government statistics.

But Hernández said conditions have deteriorated for his community.

“It’s a lie. They say the government is doing wonders, but it’s nothing but propaganda,” he stated.

The elimination of Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” dealt a significant blow to Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization. However, experts and some community members in places like Guajes de Ayala fear this could trigger additional violence as other criminal groups attempt violent takeovers or competing CJNG factions battle for leadership.

A Marine officer in Guerrero, speaking anonymously for security reasons, said his units were “preparing for a possible reorganization of these groups.” He emphasized that Mexican forces haven’t abandoned communities like Guajes de Ayala and respond to requests for assistance from rural locations.

The settlements in Guajes de Ayala have become deserted areas filled with empty houses belonging to people too frightened to return.

Marisela Mojica, Domínguez’s mother, relocated six children and grandchildren after her daughter was abducted by individuals claiming membership in Nueva Familia Michoacana.

“If they come to kill us all, I want one of us to still be alive,” she said.

Mojica hasn’t seen her family in six years or met two grandchildren born after they escaped. She’s uncertain if she ever will.

Educators too afraid to travel between different criminal groups’ territories stopped attending classes in October, leaving schools empty. Government medical facilities have closed.

Hernández tallies the abandoned houses left in decay as he and his fighters drive to patrol the surrounding hills and valleys.

“These mountains are a place of silence,” he said. “You have no voice, and no one hears you.”

Regional warfare expanded Friday as Iranian forces launched coordinated attacks across Gulf Arab nations, targeting critical energy infrastructure while residents celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of Ramadan’s holy fasting period.

Loud blasts echoed through Dubai during early morning hours as defense systems successfully stopped incoming projectiles from reaching the city. The Dubai Media Office confirmed the effectiveness of defensive measures, stating “Authorities in Dubai confirm the success of all air interception operations, with no injuries reported.”

In Bahrain, government officials reported debris from intercepted missiles sparked a warehouse fire Friday morning, while Kuwaiti forces worked to counter incoming Iranian attacks. Saudi Arabian military units destroyed several Iranian unmanned aircraft attempting to strike the kingdom’s petroleum-producing eastern regions.

Israeli forces conducted bombing operations against Tehran Friday morning, with local observers reporting explosion sounds throughout Iran’s capital as citizens celebrated Nowruz, their traditional New Year holiday.

These Friday morning assaults occurred one day after Israel announced it would halt further attacks on a crucial Iranian natural gas installation, even as Iran continued its sustained campaign against petroleum and gas infrastructure throughout the Gulf region, forcing millions to seek shelter and creating turmoil in international markets.

Brent crude petroleum prices, the global benchmark, have surged dramatically since Israeli and American forces initiated hostilities with Iran. Combat casualties from Israeli military operations in Lebanon exceeded 1,000 people Thursday amid renewed clashes with Hezbollah militants.

Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi petroleum processing facility suffered its second Iranian drone assault in two days Friday, igniting fires across multiple operational sections. Emergency crews battled the flames with no immediate reports of personnel injuries.

The facility, capable of processing 730,000 barrels daily, represents one of three major refineries in the small but oil-wealthy Persian Gulf nation. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced the shutdown of damaged units following the attack.

Kuwait’s oil export capabilities have been severely compromised throughout the conflict due to its dependence on maritime shipping routes through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, both frequent targets of Iranian military action.

The timing of Friday’s attacks coincided with Eid al-Fitr celebrations across the region, occurring as mosques issued their first daily prayer calls.

Israeli military officials announced the commencement of Tehran strikes in the early Friday hours, with local activists confirming they heard explosions around the Iranian capital following Israel’s declaration of renewed offensive operations.

The announcement followed Thursday’s intense Iranian missile bombardment of Israeli targets, with more than twelve separate launches documented by Israeli defense forces during that single day.

MOSCOW – Russian citizens are experiencing significant digital disruptions as the Kremlin implements sweeping internet restrictions across the country. Office employees face blocked websites, young people constantly switch between virtual private networks, and taxi operators navigate Moscow streets without digital mapping tools.

Moscow’s government has been systematically disrupting web access throughout various Russian regions while limiting access to popular messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp. Authorities have also eliminated numerous VPN services that citizens use to bypass online restrictions.

During the previous week, mobile internet service has been completely unavailable daily in sections of central Moscow, St. Petersburg, and additional major metropolitan areas, according to news correspondents and eight high-ranking international diplomatic sources stationed in Russia.

When questioned about limitations on messaging applications and internet access, Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov confirmed to news outlets: “These measures are taking place.”

“They are partly related to the fact that a number of foreign companies refuse to comply with the norms of Russian legislation, and partly due to security measures against the threat of Ukrainian drones,” Peskov explained.

Military drones can utilize cellular infrastructure for navigation assistance.

This year’s digital restrictions in Russia have coincided with new legislation requiring mobile service providers to disconnect any customer upon Federal Security Service requests and granting the agency authority to establish its own network of pre-trial detention facilities.

The expanded digital control measures aim to help the Kremlin maintain internal stability during the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, according to diplomatic sources who spoke anonymously about sensitive matters.

If the conflict continues, it may progressively weaken public support, the envoys noted. When the war concludes, Russian leadership likely wants to prepare for potential domestic opposition, they added. One diplomat described Moscow’s assembled capabilities as enabling a potential “great crackdown” in cyberspace.

The conclusion of Moscow’s Afghan military involvement in 1989 triggered significant social upheaval in Russia, with returning military personnel contributing to widespread disorder throughout the 1990s. The turmoil intensified following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.

Russian investigative reporter Andrei Soldatov, who specializes in security service analysis, stated: “Russia’s leaders and security services remember 1991 and they remember what happened to Russia and what happened to them when Moscow stopped a big war in Afghanistan: the country collapsed, the security services were split apart — it was a disaster.”

“What is happening now is that the security services are trying to create a situation in which — if Putin signs a peace deal or if Putin goes for a protracted war — it would not destroy the whole thing,” Soldatov added.

Two Russian sources familiar with the digital restrictions revealed that Moscow examined other nations’ approaches, especially China and Iran, and assigned officials to develop methods for blocking extensive internet access, including both mobile and fixed connections, while managing online communications.

Following the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Russia enacted the most restrictive legislation witnessed since the Soviet era, expanding censorship authority and FSB influence, the primary KGB successor organization.

This year, Moscow has further escalated security measures. President Vladimir Putin, who worked as a KGB operative from 1985-1990, commemorated the Ukraine war’s fourth anniversary on February 24 by participating in the FSB’s annual Moscow conference.

He directed the agency to intensify counter-terrorism efforts — including Ukrainian attacks — while reinforcing the “information and digital space.”

Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated that all actions were legally implemented to maintain security during the Ukraine conflict, which Putin characterizes as a Western confrontation.

Two Russian officials with Kremlin connections rejected claims that internet and messaging app restrictions were oppressive, describing them as necessary for enhanced security and national cohesion against Western attempts to create internal division.

Russia’s state digital and communications oversight agency, Roskomnadzor, did not respond to comment requests.

The eight diplomatic sources indicated Moscow’s internet restrictions this year exceeded anything they had previously witnessed in the nation.

Mobile internet access has been intermittently disabled in certain Russian regions for months, frequently following significant Ukrainian drone strikes. By mid-January, Russia had blocked over 400 VPNs, representing a 70% increase from late last year, according to Kommersant newspaper reporting.

Recently, the restrictions have intensified in Moscow, according to diplomatic sources and news correspondents, with the government also targeting Dubai-based Telegram and U.S.-owned WhatsApp.

Last month, Russia reduced Telegram’s service speed — the platform serves over 1 billion active users and is extensively used in both Russia and Ukraine — and investigated billionaire founder Pavel Durov in connection with a criminal terrorism case.

Russian authorities claimed Telegram had been compromised by Ukrainian and NATO intelligence services, resulting in Russian military casualties.

Telegram has rejected penetration claims and stated Moscow is attempting to force Russians toward MAX, a government-supported messaging application that educational institutions have been directed to use for parent and student communications.

Durov told news outlets: “Each day, the authorities fabricate new pretexts to restrict Russians’ access to Telegram as they seek to suppress the right to privacy and free speech. A sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people.”

The Kremlin also completely prohibited WhatsApp last month for non-compliance with domestic regulations. The application’s owner, technology corporation Meta, criticized the action as detrimental to Russian citizens’ security.

Some young Russians pledged to circumvent the restrictions by adopting different VPNs as services face bans, not for political reasons but to access Western applications like Instagram and Snapchat, which face Russian limitations.

Andrei, who withheld his surname due to the situation’s sensitivity, questioned: “If these quite old politicians want to block everything, why have they not made any Russian apps that are interesting?”

Energy buyers seeking oil shipments in Asia or jet fuel in Europe are facing unprecedented costs as physical commodity prices surge beyond even the steep increases seen in futures markets.

The dramatic price spikes stem from a massive supply shortage triggered by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran, forcing refiners and energy traders throughout Asia and Europe to compete fiercely for available petroleum products.

This supply crisis shows no signs of quick resolution following extensive strikes on energy infrastructure throughout the Middle East region, creating what experts describe as the most severe global energy supply disruption on record. Iranian forces have also restricted vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel that handles one-fifth of worldwide oil and gas transport, threatening to attack ships attempting passage through the strategic waterway.

“It is going to take longer than people realize to bring supply back to the market even once the strait is re-opened, because we would still have a logistics nightmare,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial.

Energy supply disruptions and price volatility can severely impact transportation, manufacturing, and shipping sectors, with consequences for consumers, businesses, and entire economies lasting months or years.

According to oil shipments tracker Petro-Logistics, daily crude and condensate volumes have plummeted by approximately 12 million barrels, representing roughly 12% of global daily consumption, due to production cuts and export suspensions by Gulf region producers. These lost barrels cannot be readily substituted from other sources.

While futures contracts have climbed steadily since U.S. and Israeli forces began striking Iran on February 28, actual cargo prices have experienced far more extreme movements.

Benchmark Brent crude reached a session peak of $119 Thursday before closing near $109 per barrel. Meanwhile, the key Middle East Dubai crude benchmark soared to an all-time high of $166.80 per barrel. Goldman Sachs predicted Thursday that continued supply disruptions could push Brent beyond its record $147.50 level from 2008.

European and African crude shipments have climbed to $120 per barrel, while even heavily sanctioned Russian oil, previously trading at steep discounts, has rebounded above $100.

Mediterranean markets remained stable until this week, but those prices have also increased as prospects for quickly reopening Hormuz have dimmed, according to one crude trader.

“What we’re seeing in spot differentials suggests a much tighter system beneath the headline price,” said David Jorbenaze, global oil market lead at commodities information provider ICIS.

Energy companies have expanded their search for alternatives to Middle Eastern supplies, which typically consist of medium-density, high-sulfur crude known as “sour” in industry terminology.

Russia’s Urals crude, a medium sour variety, has traded at significant discounts to Brent since that nation’s Ukraine invasion due to international sanctions. However, those prices have skyrocketed, with Urals delivered to India trading above Brent earlier this month for the first time in history.

In North Sea markets, Norwegian medium sour crude Johan Sverdrup commanded a record $11.30 premium over Brent Thursday, implying a cash price around $124 per barrel. Sour crude normally trades below Brent due to higher refining costs required.

American crude varieties have also gained ground, though the U.S. market’s geographic separation has created a substantial gap between Brent and benchmark West Texas Intermediate, which closed near $96 Thursday.

The benchmark Mars sour crude from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, similar in quality to Middle Eastern production, has risen more dramatically. Mars Sour hit $107.53 on March 9, its highest level since July 2008, and traded Thursday at roughly $6 above U.S. crude.

Transportation fuel costs have increased even more sharply than physical crude prices. Northwest European jet fuel reached record levels around $220 per barrel according to LSEG data, while European diesel topped $200 per barrel for the first time since 2022. Europe depends heavily on Middle Eastern sources for both products.

Asian fuel prices have risen as refineries reduced processing rates, with refinery profit margins for gasoil reaching their highest point since June 2022 at over $60 per barrel.

On March 11, the United States and other International Energy Agency members announced plans to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves, with the U.S. subsequently waiving sanctions on Russian oil shipments. However, these measures may prove insufficient, Jorbenaze warned.

“The market ultimately runs on barrels moving, not barrels being announced,” he said.

A striking collection of photographs from across Latin America and the Caribbean captured significant moments during the week of March 13-19, 2026.

The images showcase the bustling activity at a mezcal production facility in Mexico’s Oaxaca state, where the traditional spirit continues experiencing unprecedented popularity. While this surge has delivered substantial financial gains to numerous regional distillers, it has simultaneously created mounting concerns about environmental impact.

Additional photographs document Venezuela’s enthusiastic response to their national baseball team’s triumph against the United States during World Baseball Classic competition, as well as public demonstrations targeting government policies in Ecuador.

Mexico City-based photographer Fernando Llano assembled this visual collection.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Military conflict in Iran is highlighting how dependent the world remains on vulnerable fossil fuel supply chains, adding new pressure for nations to accelerate their transition to clean energy sources.

Combat operations have virtually stopped petroleum shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel that handles roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas deliveries. This supply disruption has shaken energy markets worldwide, driving up costs and creating economic pressure for countries that depend on energy imports.

Asian nations, which receive most of their oil through this route, are experiencing the most severe impacts. However, the supply problems are also creating challenges for European leaders seeking to reduce energy consumption and African countries preparing for higher fuel prices and inflation.

What makes this crisis different from past oil supply shocks is that renewable energy has become cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuels in many regions. Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that more than 90% of new clean energy projects launched in 2024 cost less than fossil fuel alternatives.

While petroleum products are essential for industries beyond electricity generation—including fertilizer manufacturing and plastics production—countries with greater renewable energy capacity are experiencing less severe impacts. Clean energy sources depend on local resources like sunlight and wind rather than imported materials.

“These crises regularly occur,” said James Bowen of the Australia-based consultancy, ReMap Research. “They are a feature, not a bug, of a fossil fuel-based energy system.”

China and India, home to more than a billion people each, both face the challenge of producing sufficient electricity for continued economic growth. While both nations have increased renewable energy production, China has implemented these changes on a much larger scale despite continuing to use coal-powered plants.

China now ranks first globally in renewable energy adoption. Data from the International Energy Agency indicates that approximately one out of every ten vehicles in China runs on electricity. Despite remaining the world’s top crude oil importer and largest purchaser of Iranian petroleum, China has reduced its import dependence by electrifying portions of its economy with clean energy.

Without this transition, China would be “far more vulnerable to supply and price shocks,” said Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. China can also draw on stockpiles accumulated during periods of lower prices and alternate between coal and oil for industrial fuel, he explained.

India has also increased clean energy usage, particularly solar power, but has moved more gradually and with less government backing for renewable equipment manufacturing and solar grid integration.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India made energy security a priority by purchasing discounted Russian petroleum and increasing coal production. The country also expanded solar and wind capacity, which has helped cushion supply disruptions without completely avoiding them, according to Duttatreya Das of the think tank Ember.

“Everyone cannot be China,” Das said.

India now confronts a cooking gas shortage that has sparked increased purchases of induction cooktops and raised concerns about restaurant closures. The fertilizer and ceramics sectors may also face difficulties.

This energy crisis is not unfamiliar to wealthy nations in Europe and East Asia.

During 2022, some European governments attempted to reduce fossil fuel dependence. However, many quickly shifted focus to securing new fossil fuel suppliers instead, according to Pauline Heinrichs, who researches climate and energy at King’s College London.

Germany moved quickly to construct LNG terminals for replacing Russian gas with primarily American fuel, while the energy transition, including demand reduction efforts, lost momentum, she noted.

According to a 2023 analysis, Europe’s additional fossil fuel spending since the Russia-Ukraine conflict equaled roughly 40% of the investment required to convert its power system to clean energy.

“In Europe, we learned the wrong lesson,” Heinrichs said.

In import-reliant Japan, policy responses to previous energy shocks have concentrated on diversifying fossil fuel sources rather than investing in domestic renewable energy, said Ayumi Fukakusa of Friends of the Earth Japan.

According to Ember data, solar and wind account for only 11% of Japan’s energy production, matching India’s level but trailing China’s 18%. Japan’s overall energy consumption is significantly lower than both countries.

The Iran conflict dominated discussions during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who has consistently encouraged Japan to purchase more American LNG, recently called on allied nations like Japan to “step up” in helping secure the Strait of Hormuz.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung described the crisis as potentially “a good opportunity” to accelerate the shift toward renewable energy.

Developing nations in Asia and Africa are competing with wealthy European and Asian countries and major buyers like India and China for limited gas supplies, driving prices higher.

Import-dependent economies—including Benin and Zambia in Africa and Bangladesh and Thailand in Asia—may experience some of the most severe impacts. Expensive fuel increases transportation and food costs, and many countries have limited foreign-exchange reserves, restricting their ability to pay for imports if prices remain elevated.

Africa may face particular vulnerability because many nations depend on imported oil for transportation and supply chains.

Building long-term energy security through cleaner energy investments makes strategic sense for African countries, said Kennedy Mbeva, a research associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge.

However, not all are choosing renewables: South Africa is exploring construction of an LNG import facility and new gas-powered plants.

Others, like Ethiopia which prohibited gasoline and diesel vehicles in 2024 to promote electric cars, are increasing their renewable energy commitment.

The true challenge extends beyond surviving the next crisis to ensuring it doesn’t “derail the country’s development trajectory,” said Hanan Hassen, an analyst at Ethiopia’s government-linked think tank, the Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Greater renewable energy adoption has helped protect some Asian countries from the energy crisis.

Pakistan’s solar expansion has prevented more than $12 billion in fossil fuel imports since 2020 and could save an additional $6.3 billion in 2026 at current prices, according to think tanks Renewables First and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Vietnam’s existing solar capacity will help the country avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in potential coal and gas imports over the next year, based on current elevated prices, according to the research group Zero Carbon Analytics.

Other nations are managing limited supplies carefully.

Bangladesh has shuttered universities to conserve electricity. With limited storage capacity to handle supply disruptions, the government implemented fuel rationing following a surge of panic buying at gas stations, said Khondaker Golam Moazzem, an economist with the Centre for Policy Dialogue in Dhaka.

Currently, governments must focus on managing shortages and controlling prices. Thailand has halted petroleum exports, increased domestic gas production, and started using reserves.

If the conflict continues into April, Thailand’s limited reserves and constrained subsidy budget mean prices will rise sharply, warned Areeporn Asawinpongphan, a research fellow with the Thailand Development Research Institute.

“The time for promoting domestic renewables should have happened a long time ago,” Asawinpongphan said.

DUBAI, March 19 – Should the current U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran conclude in the near future, political analysts believe one outcome has become evident: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerges in a stronger position, while President Donald Trump faces the challenge of addressing market volatility and strain on Gulf partnerships that have shouldered significant burdens.

Political experts suggest the conflict has reshaped Israel’s domestic political landscape to Netanyahu’s advantage, shifting focus from Gaza operations toward Iran, where Israeli public unity remains strongest and Netanyahu’s defense and economic track record carries the most weight.

The situation presents Trump with opposite results: he finds himself engaged in a conflict without a clear conclusion, his Gulf Arab partners face escalating dangers, and the economic narrative that helped secure his return to the presidency has been undermined.

“There is a clear winner and a clear loser,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator. “Netanyahu is by far the key winner. He has demonstrated Israel’s military competence. The Gulf states are by far the biggest losers.”

Miller noted that Trump lacks an exit strategy that would enable him to claim success and withdraw from the situation.

Iran expert Karim Sadjadpour explained that Trump, who called for Iran’s complete capitulation, anticipated discovering an Iranian equivalent to Venezuela’s compliant power broker Delcy Rodríguez, but instead “found an Iranian Kim Jong-un,” referencing North Korea’s resistant authoritarian approach.

Unlike perspectives in Washington, the Iranian conflict is viewed broadly in Israel as essential rather than optional, according to Natan Sacks, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. “Even if regime change doesn’t happen,” Sacks said, “weakening Iran and the (militia) axis it leads is a huge goal for Netanyahu.”

FOR TRUMP, ONLY TOUGH CHOICES

Israeli sources indicate the aerial campaign has been strategically divided, with Israel targeting western and northern Iranian regions, striking ballistic missile and nuclear facilities, while U.S. forces focus on eastern and southern areas, including the Strait of Hormuz, to diminish Iran’s maritime capabilities.

Israel has spearheaded the elimination of Iran’s top leadership, officials report, including security chief Ali Larijani on Tuesday and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib on Wednesday. Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that he and Netanyahu had given military commanders authority to target any senior Iranian official they can find, without needing additional authorization.

Despite these achievements, the conflict has not moved closer to resolution. Trump confronts three unfavorable options: continue the airstrikes, claim victory while hoping Tehran backs down, or significantly intensify operations — none providing a clear exit strategy, analysts observed.

The White House, U.S. State Department and Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard informed Congress on Wednesday that although Iran’s government has been damaged since hostilities began, it continues to function, with Tehran and its allied groups still able to threaten U.S. and partner interests throughout the Middle East.

Trump’s apparent strategic error is creating significant repercussions across the Gulf region. As Iran launches missiles and drones toward commercial centers and restricts Hormuz, the pathway for one-fifth of global oil transport, analysts warn that Gulf nations risk becoming the conflict’s primary victims.

“The common threat they (Gulf Arab states) now perceive is nothing short of the future security and stability of the Gulf,” said Miller, also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The notion that the Gulf represents the future of the region is now at stake — and with it, the Gulf’s vision for itself.”

US, ISRAEL OPERATE WITH DIFFERENT RISK PERCEPTIONS

Experts suggest Israel may accept Iranian instability more readily than the United States, believing it would experience less regional consequences, particularly following the weakening of allied groups Hamas and Hezbollah during recent years.

Meanwhile, Washington and Gulf partners face greater exposure to energy infrastructure attacks that increase oil costs and interrupt maritime commerce.

Assaf Orion, former strategy chief for the Israeli military, noted that regional nations question whether Israel seeks disorder in Iran, observing that Israel would experience less impact from such instability compared to neighboring countries or Washington.

Fundamentally, analysts explain, the two allies maintain different threat assessments: Israel considers Iran a potential existential danger, while Washington prioritizes preventing an extended conflict that could create substantial economic damage and harm partnerships.

Demonstrating this tension, an Israeli strike on Iran’s massive South Pars gasfield, the world’s largest offshore natural gas reserve shared with Qatar, prompted an angry Trump response. He posted on social media that the U.S. “knew nothing about this particular attack”, noting that Qatar, a U.S. partner that has experienced Iranian strikes on its own gas infrastructure, was uninvolved.

Trump’s Wednesday statement revealed his careful balance between the strong U.S. military partnership with Israel and crucial U.S. relationships with wealthy Gulf Arab nations.

Israeli officials report that Trump and Netanyahu have maintained daily phone conversations since the conflict began. However, Trump’s denial of advance knowledge regarding the Israeli attack contradicted earlier statements from both leaders claiming their armed forces operate in coordination.

Israel has not publicly accepted responsibility for the South Pars strike, which prompted Iranian retaliation against Gulf Arab energy installations. Israeli media extensively reported that the Israeli operation proceeded with U.S. approval.

Iranian sources indicate Tehran is carefully managing its response to inflict significant costs, restore deterrence and secure sanctions relief — offering Washington an exit only at a substantial price.

ISRAEL MARKETS BUOYED BY ATTACKS ON IRAN

Although the Iranian conflict receives public approval in Israel and could provide Netanyahu with political advantages, it has not yet resulted in improved polling numbers before elections scheduled for later this year.

Opinion polls indicate his conservative coalition lacks a majority, holding approximately 50 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, declining from 68.

This gap between public support and political benefit remains hidden, temporarily, by strong Israeli financial markets. Rising Israeli stock prices and shekel strength may suggest confidence, but they hide a more unstable situation.

Aviv Bushinsky, a former Netanyahu advisor, explained the war will ultimately receive judgment in absolute terms: either Iran’s “regime” collapses, or it survives. Anything less risks converting initial military successes into political problems for Netanyahu, who has characterized the operation as pursuing “total victory.”

Should Ali Khamenei’s system survive, even in a diminished capacity, the story would transform from success to excessive ambition, reviving unresolved dangers from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli markets may reflect resilience, but they seem unaware of the price of an incomplete war.

LONDON – Seven major world powers released a coordinated statement Thursday denouncing Iran’s military actions in the Strait of Hormuz and announcing their willingness to participate in efforts to protect commercial shipping in the vital waterway.

The declaration from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada represents a unified international response to escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

“We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the nations stated.

The coalition expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation and demanded Iran halt its aggressive tactics immediately. “We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817,” the statement read.

The countries emphasized that open sea lanes represent a cornerstone of international maritime law, referencing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Officials warned that Iran’s interference will impact populations worldwide, particularly those in vulnerable regions. “The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” according to the joint declaration.

The nations characterized Iran’s disruption of international commerce and global energy supply chains as a direct challenge to worldwide peace and stability, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2817. They demanded an immediate halt to strikes against civilian energy infrastructure.

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement indicated.

To address energy market volatility, the countries praised the International Energy Agency’s authorization of coordinated strategic petroleum reserve releases. They pledged additional market stabilization measures, including collaboration with oil-producing nations to boost production levels.

The coalition also committed to supporting nations most affected by the crisis through United Nations channels and International Financial Institutions.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that maritime security and navigation freedom serve all countries’ interests, calling on every nation to honor international law and maintain fundamental principles of global prosperity and security.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned Friday that China’s relentless military expansion creates an urgent security threat, emphasizing that robust deterrence measures are essential to prevent Beijing from launching an attack.

Koo’s comments came after U.S. intelligence officials reported Wednesday that China currently has no plans to invade Taiwan by 2027 and prefers to gain control of the island through non-military means. However, the defense minister stressed that Beijing has not abandoned the possibility of using military force.

China has intensified its pressure campaign against Taiwan through regular military exercises, viewing the self-governing island as part of its territory. Taiwan’s democratically chosen leadership firmly rejects Beijing’s territorial claims.

Addressing the American intelligence assessment, Koo emphasized that China continues its military buildup without reduction in defense spending.

“So its military expansion, and the threat it poses to us, remain very serious,” he told reporters at parliament.

“We need to make it feel that any plan to attack Taiwan would carry a high degree of risk: in other words, to make its assessment of a successful invasion very low.”

The defense minister warned that if China’s military growth continues while Taiwan fails to strengthen its own defense systems, the probability of an attack would increase.

“On the other hand, if our defence capabilities continue to improve and our deterrence grows stronger, then its calculation regarding an attack on Taiwan will decrease. That would have the effect of pushing back such a date again and again.”

Beijing’s foreign ministry responded Thursday by calling Taiwan a domestic matter and urging the United States to “stop hyping up the ‘China threat’ theory.”

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has put forward a $40 billion defense spending increase, though legislative approval has been delayed. Opposition lawmakers, who hold a parliamentary majority, argue the proposals lack specificity and refuse to approve “blank cheques.”

President Lai toured Taiwan’s newly built domestic submarine Thursday, which remains in testing phases, along with one of the island’s two operational submarines purchased from the Netherlands during the 1980s.

Koo reported that upgrades have been completed on one Dutch-manufactured submarine, with the second vessel’s modernization scheduled to finish by year’s end.

“These two submarines will significantly enhance our combat capabilities,” he said.