Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday accused Russia of planning global sabotage operations, including “acts of air terror” targeting airlines worldwide.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Tusk underscored the gravity of the alleged threat.
“I will not go into details, but I can confirm the validity of fears that Russia is planning acts of air terror, not only against Poland but against airlines around the world,” Tusk stated.
Tusk’s comments come amid rising concerns over Russian activities in Europe and beyond. In November, Western intelligence agencies reported suspicions that Russian operatives were involved in a plot to place incendiary devices in packages aboard cargo planes destined for the United States and other countries.
The alleged scheme, linked to fires at a courier facility in Germany and a warehouse in England, appeared to specifically target cargo planes, prompting heightened vigilance about global aviation security.
In a related incident in October, Polish authorities announced the arrest of four individuals accused of ties to a foreign intelligence network conducting sabotage operations within the country.
The allegations reflect growing fears of Russian covert actions as tensions between Moscow and Western nations remain at critical levels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday refuted reports that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli official claimed that the Palestinian militant group had approved the terms of the agreement. Israeli media outlets reported that the deal would be formally announced on Thursday, with its implementation beginning Sunday, including the release of the first group of hostages.
However, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the reports, stating that Hamas had yet to provide a formal response to the proposal.
“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organization has not yet returned its response to the deal,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
The ceasefire proposal comes amid heightened tensions in Gaza and southern Israel following weeks of conflict. Mediated by Qatar, the proposal reportedly includes a truce and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
While Hamas has not publicly commented on the reports, speculation about the ceasefire has intensified, with both sides under international pressure to de-escalate the conflict.
Giorgi Gakharia, Georgia’s former prime minister and current leader of the opposition party For Georgia, was hospitalized Tuesday night after being attacked in a hotel lobby in the Black Sea city of Batumi.
Gakharia sustained injuries to his face and head during what his party described as a “brutal, coordinated group attack.” Ana Buchukuri, a spokeswoman for the party, confirmed the assault to Reuters.
“He was brutally beaten but survived,” Buchukuri said, adding that Gakharia’s condition was stable.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Gakharia assured supporters of his recovery. However, his party accused the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government of orchestrating the attack.
“This politically motivated attack is a blatant attempt to intimidate the opposition and suppress dissenting voices,” For Georgia said in a statement.
The attack comes amid heightened political tensions in Georgia following an October parliamentary election that the opposition claims was rigged by the GD party, which has been in power since 2012.
Protests have erupted across the country, with nightly demonstrations in the capital, Tbilisi, and other cities. The government’s decision to freeze European Union accession talks until 2028 has further fueled unrest.
Rights groups have criticized the government for cracking down on pro-EU demonstrators, citing hundreds of arrests and reports of police brutality.
“The ineffective response of investigative bodies to crimes against opposition figures, journalists, and activists worsens the criminal environment in Georgia,” said the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association in a statement condemning the attack on Gakharia.
The assault on Gakharia is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting opposition leaders and journalists. In December, Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change party, was injured and briefly jailed after being detained by police during a protest in Tbilisi.
Buchukuri said the attackers who targeted Gakharia have not yet been identified, and the party has urged authorities to review security footage from the hotel.
A spokesperson for the ruling Georgian Dream party did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Russia launched a massive wave of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, focusing on critical energy infrastructure in the western regions amid freezing winter conditions. The strikes included attacks on gas facilities, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemning the renewed offensive as an assault on civilian life.
In this photo provided by Telegram Channel of Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, smoke and fire rise over the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine, Friday, March 22, 2024. (Telegram Channel of Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal via AP)
Russian forces fired more than 40 missiles during the morning attack and deployed over 70 drones overnight, according to Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 30 missiles and 47 drones, with another 27 drones redirected using electronic countermeasures.
“Another massive Russian attack. It’s the middle of winter, and their target remains unchanged: our energy infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media platform X. “Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people.”
The capital Kyiv also faced significant attacks, forcing hundreds of residents to seek refuge in underground metro stations. Families and their pets took shelter on yoga mats and folding chairs as air raid sirens blared across the city.
In western Ukraine’s Lviv region, the governor confirmed that energy facilities in Drohobych and Stryi districts were damaged. In nearby Ivano-Frankivsk, air defenses were actively repelling Russian strikes. Gas infrastructure facilities in the Kharkiv region were also targeted.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its forces successfully struck all designated energy targets.
Despite the attacks, Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported no disruptions to gas supplies. “Gas supplies to the population remain uninterrupted,” the company said, adding that Ukraine relies on stored gas reserves accumulated during the summer months.
Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities, located primarily in the west, play a crucial role in meeting winter energy demands, particularly after Kyiv declined to extend a gas transit agreement with Russia.
Since March 2024, Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, knocking out half of the country’s power-generating capacity. The attacks have caused widespread blackouts, prompting residents and businesses to invest in alternative energy sources like solar panels, batteries, and generators.
Zelenskyy, who is meeting Western allies in Poland, renewed his call for additional air defense systems. “We need stronger air defenses to secure Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure. Discussions on production licenses for such systems must become a reality,” he said.
Schools and businesses shuttered Tuesday in this violence-stricken town south of Mexico’s capital, as residents mourned the deaths of five people gunned down in broad daylight. The attack occurred on the same street where another shooting claimed eight lives just eight months earlier.
Huitzilac, located in the volatile Morelos state, has become a hotspot for clashes between rival criminal organizations and illegal logging operations. The victims were reportedly campaigning for local positions tied to managing the community’s collective resources, including its forests, ahead of the March elections.
On Monday afternoon, four men and one woman, all part of a group canvassing for votes, were ambushed by gunmen in two vehicles. The victims were shot and left lifeless on Huitzilac’s main street.
“I warned them years ago not to participate—there are always problems,” said Blanca Delgadillo, whose son-in-law José Cuevas, a farmer, was among those killed. Delgadillo, 70, said the once-quiet agricultural town has been plagued by escalating violence, leaving its 20,000 residents living in fear.
Mayor César Dávila Díaz, who assumed office on Jan. 1, condemned the attack and acknowledged Huitzilac’s reputation as a hub of violence. However, he denied any links to drug cartels or political motives behind the killings.
“Such events tarnish our municipality and perpetuate this image of instability,” Dávila Díaz said, adding that the motive for the attack remains unclear.
By Tuesday morning, remnants of the violent scene—including bloodstains and five candles—marked the street as reminders of the tragedy. In response, 200 members of the National Guard were deployed to bolster local and state police efforts in the area.
José Romero, a 53-year-old farmer living near the attack site, described the town’s fluctuating security. “When the National Guard isn’t here, these attacks happen,” Romero said. “The presence of security forces makes all the difference.”
Monday’s attack follows a May shooting in Huitzilac that targeted a group of men drinking after a soccer match, occurring just weeks before the presidential election. Violence remains a national challenge under President Claudia Sheinbaum, who inherited a fractured security landscape.
Criminal organizations across Mexico are vying for territory to control smuggling routes and extortion operations. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, among the most powerful groups, continue to clash in states like Michoacán and Chiapas.
On Tuesday, body parts of an unknown number of victims were discovered along a highway in Tabasco state, prompting the governor to deploy 180 soldiers to curb rising violence.
Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims plunged into freezing waters Tuesday at the confluence of three sacred rivers during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious gathering.
At sunrise, ash-smeared Hindu holy men wielding tridents, swords, and drums marched and rode chariots to the meeting point of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Crowns of marigolds adorned their matted dreadlocks as they chanted praises to Lord Shiva, leading processions with singing, drumming, and blowing horns. Millions of pilgrims followed into the waters, seeking spiritual cleansing.
The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, began Monday. Officials reported that over 15 million pilgrims bathed in the sacred rivers on the first day alone. The event is expected to draw more than 400 million participants over the next six weeks, many engaging in elaborate rituals.
Hindus believe that bathing at the river confluence absolves sins and frees them from the cycle of rebirth. The festival traces its roots to Hindu mythology, where the god Vishnu wrested a golden pitcher of immortality from demons. According to tradition, drops of nectar fell on Prayagraj, Nasik, Ujjain, and Haridwar—rotating host cities of the Kumbh festival every three years.
This year’s Maha Kumbh is the largest iteration, with preparations that include a sprawling tent city along the riverbanks. The Indian government has allocated over $765 million for infrastructure, aiming to accommodate pilgrims and impress global visitors.
Among the attendees was Venkatesh Ramaling, a tech specialist from Pune, who expressed awe at the unwavering faith of others. “After taking the holy dip, I feel inspired and full of positivity,” he said.
The temporary city boasts 3,000 kitchens, 150,000 toilets, and robust security measures. Over 50,000 personnel have been deployed, along with 2,700 AI-powered cameras monitoring crowds to prevent stampedes. Past festivals have seen tragedies, making crowd management a priority.
“Crowd density and movement are tracked in real-time from control rooms,” said Rajnish Diwedi, a senior police official. “Automated systems are in place to ensure safety.”
Groups of ascetics, or Naga Sadhus, have established camps for religious discourses and blessings. These holy men, historically known as mercenary warriors, are revered for their devotion to Hindu deity Shiva.
“This is a sacred place for salvation,” said Sri Digambar Ishwargiri, a Naga Sadhu from Junagadh. Sitting beside a ceremonial fire, he described himself as a “soldier of the Hindu religion” who safeguards the faith.
Bathing rituals occur daily, with special processions on auspicious dates where ascetics charge toward the rivers at dawn. Many pilgrims remain for the festival’s duration, observing strict practices, donating alms, and participating in sunrise bathing.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has designated prominent diplomat and jurist Nawaf Salam as the country’s new prime minister following a majority vote in parliament on Monday. Salam’s nomination marks a potential turning point for the crisis-stricken nation, though it has drawn ire from Hezbollah and its allies.
Salam, 71, currently serves as president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He was nominated for the premiership by Western-backed factions and independent legislators in the Lebanese parliament, with strong support from Saudi Arabia and Western countries. Hezbollah lawmakers abstained from endorsing any candidate for the role.
Salam’s selection comes shortly after the election of President Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army commander, following a 26-month vacancy in the presidency. These developments have sparked cautious optimism about breaking the country’s political stalemate.
Lebanon is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating 14-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which claimed 4,000 lives, left over 16,000 wounded, and caused widespread destruction. The war ended in November under a U.S.-brokered truce. Salam’s government will face the dual challenge of reconstruction and addressing Lebanon’s five-year economic collapse, one of the worst in modern history.
Celebrations erupted in parts of Beirut following Salam’s nomination, with fireworks lighting the night sky. Many hope his leadership, coupled with Aoun’s presidency, will unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid and investment.
Hezbollah, weakened by the war and its diminished influence, has historically opposed Salam’s political rise, labeling him a U.S.-backed candidate. Mohammed Raad, head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, criticized Salam’s nomination, suggesting it undermines cooperation.
Raad warned that Hezbollah would monitor Salam’s actions closely, particularly regarding reconstruction efforts, prisoner returns, and implementing U.N. Security Council resolutions.
A member of a prominent Sunni Muslim family in Beirut, Salam boasts an impressive academic and professional pedigree. He holds doctorates in political science and history from France’s Sciences Po and Sorbonne University, respectively, as well as a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School.
Salam has served as Lebanon’s ambassador to the United Nations (2007–2017) and was elected as a judge to the ICJ in 2018, becoming its president in 2022. He is married to journalist Sahar Baasiri, Lebanon’s ambassador to UNESCO.
Salam, currently abroad, is expected to return to Lebanon to begin forming a cabinet. A meeting between President Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Salam is scheduled at the presidential palace in Baabda.
It remains unclear whether Salam will step down from his ICJ role.
Lebanon’s citizens, many of whom have suffered from lost savings amid the banking sector’s collapse, are watching closely, hoping that Salam’s government will bring stability and progress to the beleaguered nation.
A French interior designer lost nearly £700,000 in a year-long romance scam involving fake AI-generated images of actor Brad Pitt, fake cancer claims, and promises of love. The woman, identified as Anne, 53, also divorced her husband under the influence of the scammer.
The scam began in February 2023 when Anne received an Instagram message from someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother. The next day, the alleged “Brad Pitt” messaged her, writing, “My mother has spoken a lot about you already.”
What followed was a year-long online relationship. The scammer sent daily texts, romantic poems, and AI-generated photos and videos to Anne, convincing her of his identity.
Anne, who was reportedly in a strained marriage, was swept off her feet. “There are so few men who write you this kind of thing,” she told French media.
Anne divorced her husband, securing a £670,000 (€775,000) settlement, which she began wiring to the scammer. Payments included:
– £7,566 for “customs fees” on luxury gifts.
– £50,500 for “cancer treatment,” with fake doctors emailing updates about the scammer’s health.
The scammer claimed he was unable to access his own funds due to his ongoing divorce from actress Angelina Jolie.
“I thought I might be saving a man’s life,” Anne told *The Telegraph*.
Anne’s daughter warned her she might be a victim of fraud, but Anne dismissed the concern, insisting the man would prove his authenticity in person. The scam unraveled in the summer of 2024 when Anne saw photos of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon.
Despite this, the scammer persisted, sending fake “news flashes” alleging Pitt was secretly dating “a special person.” Adding to the cruelty, an impersonator claiming to be an FBI agent offered to help Anne recover her money for an additional £4,200.
Now destitute, Anne has sold her belongings, moved in with a friend, and launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay her legal fees. After three suicide attempts, she is undergoing treatment for severe depression in a specialized clinic, according to *BFMTV*.
Anne has filed a formal complaint, and French authorities have launched an investigation.
This case is not unique. In 2023, five individuals in Spain were arrested for defrauding two women out of €325,000 using fake online romances, also involving Brad Pitt’s identity.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied allegations of a plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump, dismissing them as baseless claims designed to fuel anti-Iran sentiment. In an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt, Pezeshkian categorically stated that Iran has never planned to assassinate Trump and will not do so in the future.
“This is another one of those schemes that Israel and other countries are designing to promote Iranophobia,” Pezeshkian said. “Iran has never attempted to, nor does it plan to, assassinate anyone. At least as far as I know.”
When directly asked whether Iran plotted to kill Trump, Pezeshkian replied firmly, “None whatsoever.” He further pledged, “We have never attempted this to begin with, and we never will.”
The denial follows U.S. Justice Department charges in November against an Iranian man accused of conspiring to assassinate Trump and two other individuals during the 2024 presidential campaign. The alleged plot was reportedly an effort to avenge the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike ordered by Trump.
U.S. officials claim the plot was part of broader Iranian efforts to silence critics and exact retribution for Soleimani’s death. However, Pezeshkian dismissed these accusations as unfounded.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been high since Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, reimposing sanctions and introducing additional measures. The Biden administration attempted to revive the agreement through indirect talks, but negotiations failed to yield results.
Pezeshkian, who has portrayed himself as a moderate, expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. but emphasized Iran’s skepticism. “The problem we have is not in dialogue,” he said. “It’s in the commitments that arise from talk and dialogue that we’ll have to commit to.”
He accused the U.S. of failing to honor past agreements and seeking to topple the Iranian government. “No matter how much we engage in conversation and dialogue, they are trying to topple the government, not solve the problems,” Pezeshkian said.
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Iran has advanced its uranium enrichment program, raising concerns among Western nations. U.S. officials allege Iran now has enough enriched uranium to build more than a dozen nuclear weapons if it chooses to do so.
Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran is not seeking war but would defend itself if attacked. “We do not fear war, but we do not seek it,” he said, adding that accusations of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons are false. “This is not true,” he asserted.
The interview also touched on Iran’s role in the Middle East. Pezeshkian denied that recent setbacks, such as Israeli military actions against Iranian proxies, had weakened Iran’s position. He described Iran as “more coherent” and “more robust” internally compared to last year.
Amid ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Pezeshkian said Iran supports regional peace initiatives. “We do whatever we can in order for peace to prevail in the region,” he stated.
Pezeshkian’s interview marks his first with foreign media since the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, offering a rare glimpse into Iran’s stance on critical international issues. As tensions persist, his remarks highlight the deep mistrust between Tehran and Washington, underscoring the challenges of resolving long-standing disputes.
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained on Wednesday in a dramatic law enforcement operation at the presidential compound. The move follows weeks of defiance as Yoon resisted attempts to question him over his controversial martial law declaration last month.
Yoon complied with the detention warrant after an extended standoff. In a video message recorded before being escorted to the anti-corruption agency’s headquarters, Yoon denounced the “collapse of the rule of law” in the country. His legal team had sought to prevent the detention by offering voluntary cooperation, but the agency rejected their appeals.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) confirmed Yoon’s detention, which came after hundreds of law enforcement officers stormed the presidential compound in Seoul. This was the agency’s second attempt to bring Yoon into custody, following a failed effort earlier this month.
In a high-security operation, a convoy of black SUVs, flanked by police escorts, transported Yoon to the CIO’s office in Gwacheon, a nearby city. Yoon had been sheltering in the Hannam-dong presidential residence for weeks, pledging to “fight to the end” against what he called an illegitimate effort to oust him.
The investigation centers on Yoon’s December 3 declaration of martial law, which saw troops deployed around the National Assembly. The move was widely criticized as an attempt to suppress an “anti-state” opposition, which holds a legislative majority. Yoon argued the declaration was a necessary act of governance.
The martial law order was quickly overturned by lawmakers, and Yoon was impeached on December 14. His presidential powers were suspended pending a decision by the Constitutional Court on whether to formally remove him from office.
The CIO, in collaboration with police and military investigators, is probing whether Yoon’s actions constituted an attempted rebellion. Yoon repeatedly ignored summons for questioning, prompting the agency to escalate its efforts.
The operation at the presidential compound involved intense coordination. Law enforcement officers used ladders to bypass barricades set up by Yoon’s security team, which had fortified the compound with barbed wire and rows of buses. After an hours-long standoff, investigators gained access to the residence, with some officers entering through a security door near Yoon’s building.
The presidential security service, tasked with protecting Yoon, initially resisted the operation but eventually removed vehicles blocking the compound’s gates. Despite the court-issued warrant, the security service had cited obligations to protect the impeached president.
If investigators formally arrest Yoon, they will seek court approval to extend his detention beyond 48 hours. Otherwise, he will be released. Yoon’s lawyers have challenged the validity of the detention warrant, citing legal protections for locations linked to military secrets.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, the acting leader, urged restraint from all parties, calling for the avoidance of “physical clashes.” Meanwhile, Yoon’s People Power Party held rallies near the residence, denouncing the detention as unlawful. The opposition Democratic Party, which led Yoon’s impeachment, called for full cooperation with law enforcement.
Thousands of police officers monitored protests from both supporters and critics of Yoon, underscoring the volatile situation.
The Constitutional Court began its hearing on Yoon’s impeachment on Tuesday, but Yoon refused to attend. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, with proceedings set to continue regardless of his participation. The court’s decision will determine whether Yoon is removed from office or reinstated.
Yoon’s detention marks a pivotal moment in South Korea’s political history, reflecting the nation’s struggle to balance accountability and governance. The situation has drawn widespread attention domestically and internationally, with the outcome likely to shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
