World

US President Donald Trump has called on NATO allies to assist in reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Iran, warning that the alliance could face a "very bad" future if support does not materialize. In an interview with the Financial Times, he allegedly stated that countries benefiting from the strait should help ensure its security, but so far, most allies, including the UK and France, have only deployed troops to protect regional nations without engaging in combat or escorting commercial vessels.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett revealed on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the United States has spent $12 billion on its military campaign against Iran since launching joint strikes with Israel on February 28. He presented this as the latest figure, but when anchor Margaret Brennan noted that over $5 billion in munitions alone was expended in the first week, Hassett did not directly address the discrepancy. The disclosure comes as domestic concerns grow over the economic impacts of the Middle East conflict.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 13 Palestinians, including two boys, a pregnant woman, and nine police officers, in the latest escalation of violence in the war-torn enclave. The strikes occurred on Sunday, with one attack hitting a house in the Nuseirat urban refugee camp in central Gaza, killing four people—a couple in their 30s, their 10-year-old son, and a 15-year-old neighbor. The Al-Aqsa Hospital reported that the woman was pregnant with twins, and the neighbor was taken to al-Awda hospital.

Four more people have died in Kenya due to widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall over the past week, police reported, bringing the total death toll to at least 66. The capital, Nairobi, experienced further heavy rain overnight, though no new fatalities were recorded.

Ugandan opposition leader and former pop star Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) has told the BBC that he fled the country after January's disputed election because he feared for his life. Speaking from an undisclosed location after two months in hiding, he stated: "It was clear that the regime wanted to eliminate me."

A Swedish court has ordered the detention of the Russian captain of the tanker 'Sea Owl One', suspected of sailing under a false flag as part of Moscow's shadow fleet. The unnamed man appeared in court in Ystad after being arrested on Friday by the Swedish Prosecution Authority on suspicion of using forged documents.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused European allies of attempting to "blackmail" Kyiv into reopening a pipeline that transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Zelensky stated that restoring the flow of Russian crude oil through Ukraine into the European Union (EU) would be equivalent to lifting economic sanctions on Moscow. He emphasized his principled opposition to allowing Russian oil transit through Ukraine while the EU regime sanctions its sale elsewhere, questioning the consistency of the bloc's policies.

Iran's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, has denied that Tehran is responsible for recent attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, stating that if Iran were behind the strikes, it would have publicly announced them. Enayati did not suggest who carried out the attacks but added that Iran is only targeting United States and Israeli military assets and interests during the ongoing conflict, as reported by Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday that his country has dispatched three teams of specialists to the Middle East. These groups are conducting expert assessments and demonstrating drone defense systems in a region where states hosting U.S. military bases continue to be targeted by Iran. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is not involvement in combat operations, stating, "We are not at war with Iran," but rather an exchange of expertise gained from years of conflict.

Hungary's long-standing Prime Minister Viktor Orban is confronting his first serious political challenge in years from opposition figure Peter Magyar, as both held major rallies on the country's national day, presenting starkly contrasting visions for Hungary's future. The events come ahead of hotly contested elections scheduled for April 12, with ruling and opposition parties racing to consolidate support amid growing societal divisions.

Iranians are enduring constant stress and trauma due to attacks by the Israeli and US regimes, internal political oppression, and economic hardships. The government's strict rules, including mandatory dress codes for women and sanctions, exacerbate daily life challenges. In this environment, mental health is severely impacted, with experts highlighting rising rates of psychological disorders.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been embroiled in a political controversy following reports about his wife's past illustration work connected to Palestinian author Susan Abulhawa. Last week, several right-wing media outlets highlighted an illustration by First Lady Rama Duwaji for an Abulhawa-associated piece and drew attention to Abulhawa's past incendiary comments. Mamdani denounced Abulhawa's statements as "abhorrent," but this move sparked backlash from some of his own supporters, who argued it risks reinforcing harmful narratives that conflate support for Palestinians with anti-Jewish sentiment.