The war powers measure was rejected in a 53-47 vote largely along party lines. It would have halted US military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Democrats argue that Trump has sidelined Congress and offered shifting reasons for the war. Most Republicans blocked the resolution, but some said they could change course if the war expands in the coming weeks.

The US and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday. The Islamic republic has responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

With no clear off-ramp in sight, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war could last eight weeks – almost double the duration mentioned by Trump at the weekend.

Two senators crossed the aisle in Wednesday’s vote. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed the measure, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voted for it.

Otherwise, everyone else voted along party lines.

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, voted against the measure, saying afterwards that passing the legislation would have sent the wrong message to Iran and US troops.

“At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important, as is ongoing consultation by the administration with Congress,” she said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said before voting in favour of the measure: “Do you stand with the American people who are exhausted with forever wars in the Middle East or stand with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?”

The legislation will go to a vote on Thursday in the House of Representatives, where it faces an uphill slog.

While the president has broad authority to launch military action without a formal declaration of war, Congress must be notified within 48 hours of hostilities beginning.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained the Trump administration complied with that requirement.

Top congressional leaders were notified before the initial strikes began, and Trump informed Congress in a letter on Monday, even as he maintained that was not necessary.

Trump has previously ordered military operations without congressional approval, such as the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and the seizing of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in January.

“To begin with, no presidential administration has ever accepted the War Powers Act as constitutional – not Republican presidents, not Democratic presidents,” Rubio, a former senator, said.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to constrain the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to wage war in Vietnam.

It requires lawmakers to be notified by the president within 48 hours of military action and for Congress to pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) within 60 days of hostilities breaking out.

Since 2001, US administrations have relied on the AUMF passed after the 11 September 2001 attacks as justification for the use of military force in the Middle East.

Multiple attempts to repeal that authorisation have been unsuccessful.

Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the Arctic Metagaz with “uncrewed sea drones” launched from the Libyan coast.

Ukraine’s SBU state security service has not commented on the allegation and the Libyan port authority said the cause of the fire was unclear.

The Libyans said the tanker was carrying about 62,000 tonnes of LNG before the blasts and that it sank about 130 nautical miles (240km) north of the Libyan port of Sirte.

Russia’s transport ministry said 30 Russians were aboard the Arctic Metagaz. Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said they were all found “safe and sound in a lifeboat” during a rescue operation by Malta’s armed forces.

Unverified night-time footage has emerged purportedly showing the ship ablaze after the attack, which occurred on Tuesday.

Serhii Sternenko, a popular blogger and adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, posted pictures on Wednesday morning of what he said was the tanker in the Mediterranean, which had a “serious hole in the engine room compartment and is beyond repair”.

He did not elaborate where the pictures came from and they have not been independently verified.

“This is a terrorist attack,” Russia’s Vladimir Putin told state TV. “This isn’t the first time we’ve encountered something like this.”

Russia’s transport ministry called it “an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy”, singling out the European Union for complicity.

Moscow said the Arctic Metagaz – which had been en route from Russia’s northern port of Murmansk – was carrying cargo cleared in accordance with international rules.

The tanker was apparently heading for Port Said in Egypt and is considered part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. It has been widely sanctioned by Western countries.

The ministry provided no evidence to back up its claim that the tanker was attacked by Ukrainian sea drones, though there were earlier unconfirmed reports of attacks from the Libyan coast.

The SBU told BBC Ukraine it was not commenting on “the situation with the tanker in the Mediterranean”, although a Ukrainian government-linked social media account, United24, teased that the drones were “Definitely. Maybe” not part of the Ukrainian fleet.

Marine tracking data indicated that the day before the fire, the tanker had last reported that it was sailing off the south-east coast of Malta.

It had sailed some considerable distance by the time the fire was reported and it is assumed the crew deactivated its automatic identification system.

Russia has deployed a surging number of vessels to transport oil and gas in an attempt to avoid international sanctions, which are aimed at slashing revenues that have been critical for funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Its shadow fleet is largely made up of aged tankers, many with obscure ownership or insurance.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, Kyiv has carried out a number of attacks on such vessels using naval drones.

However, nearly all of such strikes have been in the Black Sea, which Russia and Ukraine both border.

Nkanu Adichie-Esege, one of the twins, died on 7 January after complications arose during preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) investigation panel established a prima facie case of medical negligence against Euracare and Atlantis Hospital over the child’s management.

The three doctors have all been suspended from practising medicine pending the determination of their cases by a disciplinary tribunal.

Dr Munir Bature, publicity secretary for the Nigerian Medical Association, confirmed the suspensions to the BBC.

“What will ultimately happen to those affected will be determined after another panel sits on their case,” he said.

He added that they could permanently lose their licences. The doctors have not commented.

Butare encouraged Nigerians to report any perceived wrongdoing by medical personnel so the council could intervene.

The family of Adichie had accused the hospital of negligence, alleging that medics denied oxygen to her son and administered excessive sedation, which they say led to cardiac arrest.

In a statement, the hospital expressed its “deepest sympathies” over the child’s death but denied any wrongdoing.

An inquest into Nkanu’s death is due to begin on 14 April at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

The coroner will hear from medical experts and hospital representatives to establish the circumstances and cause of death.

The case has sparked a wider debate about patient safety in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Following a public outcry, Nigeria’s health ministry admitted there were “systemic challenges” and announced the creation of a national task force on “clinical governance and patient safety” to improve the quality of care.

Adichie is an award-winning writer known for novels including Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah.

Her 2013 essay We Should All Be Feminists was sampled by Beyoncé on her track Flawless, while the author was named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015.

She explores themes around gender and immigration in her works, establishing her as a leading voice in postcolonial feminist literature.

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The war powers measure was rejected in a 53-47 vote largely along party lines. It would have halted US military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Democrats argue that Trump has sidelined Congress and offered shifting reasons for the war. Most Republicans blocked the resolution, but some said they could change course if the war expands in the coming weeks.

The US and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday. The Islamic Republic has responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

With no clear off-ramp in sight, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war could last eight weeks – almost double the duration mentioned by Trump at the weekend.

Two senators crossed the aisle in Wednesday’s vote. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed the measure, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voted for it.

Otherwise, everyone else voted along party lines.

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, voted against the measure, saying afterwards that passing the legislation would have sent the wrong message to Iran and US troops.

“At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important, as is ongoing consultation by the administration with Congress,” she said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said before voting in favour of the measure: “Do you stand with the American people who are exhausted with forever wars in the Middle East or stand with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?”

The legislation will go to a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, where it faces an uphill battle.

While the president has broad authority to launch military action without a formal declaration of war, Congress must be notified within 48 hours of hostilities beginning.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained the Trump administration complied with that requirement.

Top congressional leaders were notified before the initial strikes began, and Trump informed Congress in a letter on Monday, even as he maintained that was not necessary.

Trump has previously ordered military operations without congressional approval, such as the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and the seizing of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in January.

“To begin with, no presidential administration has ever accepted the War Powers Act as constitutional – not Republican presidents, not Democratic presidents,” Rubio, a former senator, said.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to constrain the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to wage war in Vietnam.

It requires lawmakers to be notified by the president within 48 hours of military action and for Congress to pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) within 60 days of hostilities breaking out.

Since 2001, US administrations have relied on the AUMF passed after the 11 September 2001 attacks as justification for the use of military force in the Middle East.

Multiple attempts to repeal that authorisation have been unsuccessful.

Six soldiers died when an “unmanned aircraft system” evaded air defences to hit a command centre in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on Sunday.

US Central Command initially said three soldiers died in the attack, but officials confirmed on Monday the death toll had doubled, after one person succumbed to injuries and two more bodies were found in the rubble.

These six are the only fatalities confirmed by the US military since it launched a new war against Iran with Israel.

Four of the deceased, all US Army Reserve soldiers, were identified on Tuesday by the US military: Capt Cody Khork, 35, Sgt Noah Tietjens, 42, Sgt Nicole Amor, 39, and Sgt Declan Coady, 20.

Khork, a Florida resident, had previously deployed to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay and Poland.

Amor, of Minnesota, previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq. Tietjens, a Nebraska resident, had twice before deployed to Kuwait. All three were decorated service members.

Coady was posthumously promoted from specialist, the US military said. The Iowa resident enlisted in the Army Reserve just three years ago.

In a briefing on Monday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a “powerful weapon” had struck a “tactical operations centre that was fortified”.

Three US military officials with direct knowledge of Iran’s attack told the BBC’s US partner CBS that the service members were working in a makeshift office space.

They questioned whether the building had been adequately fortified, telling CBS News a trailer was being used as an office, with 12ft (3.7m) steel-reinforced concrete barriers to shield it.

The US has a long-standing defence relationship with Kuwait, and more than 13,000 American soldiers are stationed in the Gulf nation.

Iran has responded to attacks against it by launching missiles at Gulf countries allied with the US. Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar have all also seen strikes.

Separately in Kuwait, the US confirmed three fighter jets were downed after what it described as an incident of “friendly fire” on Monday.

Footage showed the jets spiralling to the ground. The pilots involved all managed to eject and survived the incident.

Iran state media claimed the Iranian military had shot down the jets, without providing evidence.

Iranian officials said more than 160 people were killed when a girls’ school was hit in the city of Minab on Saturday, as the US and Israel launched widespread strikes targeting Iran’s military sites and leadership.

BBC News has not been able to independently verify the Iranian authorities’ death toll.

The school was located near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base.

The US military said it was looking into reports of the incident, while Israel’s military said it was “not aware” of any operations in the area.

Hundreds of mourners packed the streets to pay their respects at the funeral, which was broadcast on Iranian state TV.

Coffins draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic were carried through the crowds, as a voiceover recounted the grief of mothers and fathers who had lost their daughters.

Iranian officials said the school was hit by three missiles on Saturday morning. It was located about 600m (1970ft) from an IRGC base.

The six-day working week in Iran runs from Saturday to Thursday, with Friday being the only official day of rest, meaning the school was likely occupied when it was hit.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act” and “another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors”.

The country’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted a photo on social media of graves being dug for 160 people, with the comment: “This is how ‘rescue’ promised by Mr Trump looks in reality.”

The BBC has verified clips of the aftermath of the explosion, which show smoke rising from a building as crowds gathered nearby, with some people screaming in panic.

International news organisations are often denied visas to Iran, severely limiting their ability to gather information there.

On Monday, the BBC asked the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, if the school building was struck by an American missile.

“The US would not deliberately target a school,” Rubio said in response. “We would have no interest, and frankly, no incentive to target civilian infrastructure.”

“I don’t have the details as to what led to it, but what is clear is that the United States would not target a school,” he added.

In a statement reported in US media, Centcom spokesman Tim Hawkins said: “We take these reports seriously.”

“The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimise the risk of unintended harm,” he said.

Trump added that the government will provide “at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, travelling through the Gulf”.

He said his plan “will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD”, but experts warn these assurances might not be enough to ease shipping firms’ concerns in the region.

Trump made the announcement on social media as global oil and gas prices continued to surge, sparking global concerns about the impact on household prices.

Oil has jumped 10% since the US and Israel launched their campaign over the weekend, reaching the highest level since last June.

A fifth of the world’s oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway wedged between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

But traffic has come to a halt after several vessels were attacked in recent days.Some insurance companies have since hiked the price of policies for ships in the region.

Roughly 200 crude oil and product tankers are now stranded in the Gulf region, according to data from Lloyds List Intelligence.

Trump on Tuesday said he had ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide the risk insurance to all shipping lines and pledged military escort “if necessary… as soon as possible”.

Oil prices dropped back after the announcement, which came as Trump was due to meet with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss plans to address the energy issues.

Despite Trump’s announcement, Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of shipping journal Lloyds List, said it remained unclear if the US president would be able to address the safety concerns driving the supply crunch.

He noted that Houthi attacks on the ships in the Red Sea in recent years prompted many shipping firms to avoid the passage with longer, more expensive routes, despite intervention by the US military.

“There was never really a point at which insurance alone would have prevented ships from going through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding “Just because you’ve got a naval escort doesn’t mean to say you’re safe.”

Analysts have warned that a prolonged disruption could send crude oil prices above $100 a barrel, which would have a major impact on petrol prices, even in the US, where significant domestic production has tended to mute the impact of global price movements.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump defended the war, saying “something had to be done” about the Iranian regime.

He conceded it might lead to high oil prices “for a little while” but brushed off long-term impact.

“As soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe lower than even before,” he said.

Trump’s comments come amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which has responded by launching attacks on US-allied states in the Gulf in an escalating conflict.

The US is co-hosting the World Cup, which runs from 11 June to 19 July, along with Canada and Mexico.

“I really don’t care,” Trump told Politico, external about Iran playing in the tournament.

“I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

BBC Sport has approached FIFA for comment.

Iran have qualified for a fourth-consecutive World Cup and are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before their final group game against Egypt in Seattle.

The country did not pull out of the competition last summer when the US bombed three nuclear facilities in the country.

But with the more serious current upheaval, the head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, has reportedly cast doubt on their participation., external

Taj told Iranian television that it was “far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope”.

He added that the country’s sports officials would decide if any action was necessary.

FIFA’s general secretary, Mattias Grafstrom, said on Saturday: “Our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”

The counsel to the late singer’s father, Oladayo Ogungbe, announced the development after the court session.

Ogungbe disclosed that the court authorised one laboratory in the US and two in the UK.

While explaining that all parties will be present for the collection of samples, he noted that the singer’s widow, Wunmi, and Joseph Aloba, his father, picked one laboratory each, while the court also picked an independent one.

The development came after Mohbad’s father demanded a DNA test on Liam following the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death in September 2023 at his residence.

“The court has eventually picked three DNA Laboratory centres, two in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. One from us, one from them, and the court picked an independent one,” he said.

The matter was, however, adjourned to April 7 2026, for the collection of samples, which will be monitored by welfare officers.

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In a Facebook update on Tuesday, March 3, the Minister said he convened a virtual meeting with Ghana’s Ambassadors and Consuls General stationed across the Middle East to review unfolding events and coordinate additional protective measures.

“This evening, I convened a virtual meeting with our Ambassadors and Consuls General in the Middle East to assess the latest developments and explore further consular interventions towards the protection of Ghanaians,” he wrote.

Heads of Mission from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Turkey participated in the discussions.

“I am glad to report that so far no Ghanaian has been killed or injured,” he stated.

Mr Ablakwa disclosed that authorities have compiled a comprehensive and reliable database of Ghanaians in the affected countries, covering residents, short-term visitors and those transiting through the region.

“We have put together a dependable database of all Ghanaians in these countries, including those on short visits and those transiting,” he explained.

He added that Ghana’s diplomatic missions have been directed to identify citizens who may wish to be evacuated.

“All missions have been tasked to identify Ghanaians within their jurisdictions who wish to be evacuated for the urgent consideration of government.”

According to him, some missions are already facilitating departures through key border points.

“Meanwhile, our diplomatic missions are currently assisting a considerable number of Ghanaians to exit through certain strategic border crossings.”

Reaffirming government’s commitment, the Minister stressed that protecting nationals abroad remains paramount.

“The safety and welfare of all Ghanaians remain our utmost priority.”

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Read the full statement below:

In a statement dated Tuesday, March 3, Ghana’s Muslim community described the incident as a painful moment not only for Iran but for the wider Islamic world.

The Chief Imam characterised Ayatollah Khamenei as a committed servant of his people whose leadership reflected a deep devotion to Allah. He noted that the late leader embodied what he sees as the alignment between faith and statecraft in fostering social stability and national progress.

“The Supreme Leader was also a symbol of resistance and hope for the oppressed. His Eminence further extols the martyred leader of Iran,” the statement said.

He strongly criticised what he termed US–Israeli aggression, which he said led to the Supreme Leader’s martyrdom during the sacred month of Ramadan.

At the same time, the Chief Imam expressed grief over all lives lost in the conflict, irrespective of nationality or religion — whether Jewish, American, Arab or Persian. He urged restraint and called on all sides to uphold national sovereignty, human dignity, and the sanctity of Ramadan.

“His Eminence calls for an end to all hostilities. Indeed, escalating rhetoric must give way to peace-building pragmatism,” the statement added.

While acknowledging that the tensions appear largely geopolitical in nature, he stressed that interfaith cooperation remains essential in the search for enduring peace.

He further advocated for a reimagined global order grounded in the principle of “right over might,” arguing that such an approach would enhance international security and harmony.

The statement ended with prayers for Allah’s mercy upon Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and all those who have lost their lives in what it described as the pursuit of righteousness.

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The cartel leader died after being wounded in a firefight between his bodyguards and Mexican special forces personnel deployed to capture him in late February.

The 59-year-old founder of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was the country’s most-wanted man, while the US had offered a $15m (£11.2m) reward for information leading to his arrest.

His death triggered widespread retaliatory violence in which cartel members set fire to vehicles and blockaded roads across 20 Mexican states.

Members of the National Guard were out in force to prevent fresh violence from breaking out during the colourful funeral near Guadalajara in Jalisco state, a stronghold for the cartel.

Large floral tributes were seen being carried into the funeral home ahead of the ceremony, including one shaped like a rooster in a reference to his love of cockfighting.

According to AFP news agency, five lorries were needed to take all the tributes to the cemetery, most of which had been sent anonymously.

The funeral procession was accompanied by a band playing ranchero music and narcocorridos – songs praising drug lords.

The traditional song El Muchacho Alegre (The Cheerful Boy) was played as Oseguera’s gold-coloured coffin arrived at a chapel located inside the cemetery grounds, local media reported.

After an hour-long ceremony, the mourners – many of whom concealed their identities using face masks – followed the coffin as it was carried to the grave.

Mexican media noted that the plot was relatively plain compared with those of other drug lords, which are often topped by large mausoleums.

Under Oseguera’s leadership, the CJGN became a powerful transnational criminal organisation which spread from its stronghold in Jalisco into many other Mexican states, where it engages in drug production and trafficking.

Oseguera’s killing by Mexican special forces has been seen as a victory for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, which has come under increasing pressure by her US counterpart Donald Trump to do more to combat drug trafficking.

But there have been fears that the vacuum left behind by the powerful cartel leader could trigger a surge in violence in the short term, as different factions within the criminal group – which is estimated to have tens of thousands of members – fight for control.

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More than 4,000 flights a day have been cancelled across the region, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24, with hundreds of thousands of passengers affected.

The disruption “will only increase the longer the crisis continues” and it “will have enormous repercussions for the industry,” director of communications Ian Petchenik said.

The ongoing airline disruption comes as more than 100,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government.

On Monday morning, 79% of global flights to Qatar and 71% of flights to the United Arab Emirates had been cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, while 81% of flights to Israel and 92% of flights to Bahrain have also been grounded.

United Arab Emirates national carrier Etihad Airways had suspended services until 14:00 local time (10:00 GMT)on Wednesday. But there were some ad-hoc departures on Monday, including an Etihad flight to London Heathrow (EY67), which landed at 19:17 GMT, according to Flightradar24.

Fay McCaul was on that flight after being stuck with her seven-year-old son in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.

Speaking at Heathrow on Monday evening, the 41-year-old described the situation at Abu Dhabi Airport as “pretty chaotic”.

“It was just taking ages to board, with no announcements, so we didn’t know what was going on,” she said.

“And then after the boarding time, sirens started going off in the airport and everyone started receiving texts on their phones with alarm signals to stay away from windows because of potential missile strikes.

“So then it was pretty chaotic, and the airline obviously didn’t know what was going on either.”

She added her son had had “a lovely time because he had no idea of what was going on”, but she said it had been pretty stressful” for her.

Other Etihad flights have left for destinations including Moscow, Paris, Cairo, Delhi and Karachi, according to Flightradar24.

The airline said: “Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals”. All regular scheduled services remain cancelled.

Dubai Airports has announced on social media that a “limited resumption of operations” will begin on Monday evening, with a small number of flights allowed to operate from the region’s two main hubs – Dubai International and Dubai World Central.

The Dubai-based airline Emirates says it will prioritise customers with earlier bookings on these flights and will contact passengers directly.

No flights are so far taking off or landing from Doha, as Qatari airspace remains closed.

Earlier in the day, Qatar’s national airline, Qatar Airways, said its flight operations remain temporarily suspended on Monday due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

“Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace,” the airline wrote on X.

From the UK, flights have also been cancelled for many Middle East destinations, including all flights to Israel and Bahrain, three-quarters of the day’s scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates, and more than two-thirds (69%) of flights to Qatar.

My flight has been cancelled – what should I do?

Although some flights have left the UAE today, a large number of passengers remain stranded.

Passengers due to fly with Emirates from Dubai have been told the airline will begin operating a limited number of flights on Monday evening, with priority being given to those who had earlier bookings cancelled.

The airline said it would contact people it has rebooked onto these flights directly, and warned its customers not to head to the airport unless they have been notified. It said further updates would be published on its website and social media channels.

Etihad, which operates out of Abu Dhabi, said its regular scheduled flights would remain cancelled until Wednesday.

It warned customers not to travel to the airport unless they have been directly contacted by the airline. They are also advised to ensure their contact details are up to date within their bookings, and to check the status of their flight online.

Qatar Airways said all operations remain suspended. It plans to provide an update early on Tuesday, and has told passengers to keep up to date with the latest information via its website and app.

Meanwhile, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said travellers planning to head to the Middle East should check its website for travel advice relating to their destination.

It currently advises against travel to a range of places in the region and says that those who travel against FCDO advice could invalidate their travel insurance.

British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates can register to receive direct updates from the FCDO.

Ian Scott, from Wedmore in Somerset, told BBC Your Voice he had been travelling back from Melbourne to Venice when his Saturday morning flight out of Doha was forced to turn back mid-air due to the conflict.

“We were in airport for 15 hours before evacuation to a hotel. That was full and we had to shelter underground due to close explosions,” he said.

Since then, Scott said he could hear blasts in the area, and is still waiting for an opportunity to leave.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC the situation was “deeply stressful” for those affected. She said many of those stuck were people travelling for holiday or business.

Asked if the government was considering launching an evacuation, she said it was in close contact with airlines, airports, Middle Eastern governments and the travel industry.

Cooper added that in previous situations similar to this, the government had worked with airlines to bring people home on normal flights.

Paul Charles, from travel consultancy firm the PC Agency, said the disruption in air travel in the Middle East was having a knock-on effect around the world.

“Indeed at Sao Paolo airport yesterday I saw two Qatar airways planes still on the ground there because they can’t fly to the Middle East at the moment,” he said.

“Flights are entirely full via other countries because the passengers who were due to go to the Middle East have to reroute via somewhere else in order to find safe haven.”

The UK’s Sarah Mullally will officially be installed as the leader of the world’s Anglican communion at a lavish ceremony later this month, but her appointment has divided opinion in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Many conservative Christians believe that only men should be consecrated as bishops.

The Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in Nigeria’s main city, Lagos, was full of women in gold, green and purple headwraps known as gele, and men resplendent in white flowing robes known as agbadas for its weekly highlight, the Sunday service.

Some of the hymns and liturgy were the same as those sung by Anglicans around the world, but there were also differences, like the upbeat worship music that had the congregation dancing in the pews.

Some congregants, like Bunmi Odukoya, were supportive of the appointment.

“The work of God is an individual thing. If you’re called – you can be a man, you can be a woman – you need to fulfil the calling of the Lord,” he told the BBC.

Others, like Uche Nweke, strongly disagreed: “I don’t think it’s Christian. When you look at the Bible and the apostles, there was no woman in there, so a woman being the head of the Anglican church in England, I don’t think it’s going to go well.”

In addition to being the most senior cleric in the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is also “primus inter pares” – or first among equals – among the primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion, making her the spiritual leader of almost 95 million Anglicans.

At its four-day meeting due to start in Abuja on Tuesday, Gafcon, which describes itself as a global movement of “authentic Anglicans, guarding God’s gospel”, plans to elect its own “first among equals”, just weeks ahead of Archbishop Mullaly’s installation at Canterbury Cathedral.

The move threatens to turn divisions within the global church into a full-on split.

“This is a schism, even if they don’t want to say that,” Diarmaid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford in England, told the BBC.

“This is a set of leaders, all male, going to a conference in Africa to assert [an] identity which no longer satisfies many Anglican churches – that is an all-male episcopate calling the shots.”

Gafcon was formed in 2008 in response to theological differences within the Anglican Communion over the issue of same-sex unions.

In recent years, those divisions have deepened, and in 2023, the group rejected the leadership of the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over proposals to bless same-sex couples, a position also held by his successor, Dame Sarah.

The group says it speaks for the majority of the world’s Anglicans, although that is contested.

And while Gafcon draws much of its support from Africa, the view on the continent is by no means monolithic.

For example, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and Kenya’s first female bishop, Emily Onyango, both celebrated Sarah Mullally’s appointment.

And while Gafcon accuses the Church of England of maintaining a colonial relationship with churches in the Global South and imposing its more progressive views, some of the organisers of this week’s conference are based in the Americas and Australia, where the organisation also has a presence.

In October last year, Gafcon resolved to “reorder the Anglican Communion”, refusing to take part in meetings convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and encouraging members to cut remaining ties with the Church of England.

The group said it had not left. Instead, it claimed to be the true Anglican Communion.

The election of its own global spiritual leader will bring the Church a step closer to an irrevocable split, and is “a very aggressive thing to do”, said Prof MacCulloch, who is an Anglican.

The Anglican Communion comprises 42 provinces in 165 countries. Each has its own system of governance, but they share heritage and ways of worshipping.

“We see ourselves as a family of autonomous, yet interdependent churches,” Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, told the BBC.

It is the third-largest Christian denomination after Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church, giving its leaders a huge platform to speak about issues such as climate change, human rights, and efforts for global peace.

Churches within it support each other spiritually and in terms of resources through what are known as companion links.

“These are examples of very positive things that we get out of this relationship,” Bishop Poggo tells the BBC.

While there is no formal constitution, it is held together by four “Instruments of Communion”, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Proposals to broaden the leadership of the Anglican Communion to better reflect its global nature will be discussed at the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in June. But that is one of the instruments that Gafcon no longer recognises, so its members will not be there.

According to Bishop Poggo, any church or province that wants to leave the Communion ought to follow the process by which they joined, but in reverse.

“We need to go through our existing processes, namely, a standing committee, or the synods that we have in each of the provinces, rather than doing it outside of these processes.”

So what happens when one part of the family refuses to do so, but behaves as if it has left?

“There is not much you can do,” concedes Bishop Poggo, adding: “It saddens us.”

The relationship between the first Anglican church and the rest of the world is looking increasingly precarious. But there are still some who value the connection with Canterbury.

Despite disagreeing with the Church of England’s more liberal view, Nigerian youth pastor Alexander Olasinde says that the connection to the Church of England still matters to him

“All of us [as Christians] have one goal, and that is to make [it to] heaven. We need to find a common ground,” the 34-year-old told the BBC.

“If we continue in this trend, we’ll have grudges, unsettled issues between us. So how do we even make it to heaven?”

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, he stressed the importance of Ghana liaising with Gulf states and like-minded countries to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.

“We are seeing flights cancelled all over. Government must liaise with those countries and coordinate with partners to safeguard the safety and security of our people,” he said.

His advice comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety in conflict-prone areas. Airlines operating in and around the Gulf region have suspended flights due to heightened risks, including potential missile threats and airspace instability.

The security analyst shared a personal note of concern, revealing that his son, a pilot with Qatar Airways, is currently stranded in Qatar because of flight cancellations.

“No plane flying in those areas has 100 percent assurance that it can fly in or out safely,” he said, highlighting the uncertainty facing both crews and passengers.

He also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take concrete steps to protect Ghanaian nationals, including: monitoring the safety of citizens in affected Gulf states, providing timely consular support to stranded individuals, coordinating evacuation plans if necessary and sharing real-time updates to keep families informed.

He emphasised that Ghana must also work within the framework of the United Nations to encourage de-escalation and stability in the region.

The US Department of Justice said 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara, from Maryland, was sentenced on Wednesday following a two-week trial in October 2025 in the state’s federal District Court.

A jury found him guilty of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice.

The prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Justice Department in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation.

Prosecutors said the offences took place in 2022 and 2023 in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where Mara was employed by the United States embassy.

According to evidence presented in court, the abuse occurred at a residence leased for US diplomatic personnel. Because the property was reserved for official use, it fell under US jurisdiction, allowing American authorities to prosecute the case.

Reports say the two victims, who were aged 13 and 15 when the abuse began, came from a vulnerable background. Prosecutors said Mara exploited their circumstances over the course of about a year.

“His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children – domestically or abroad – will face significant consequences in the American justice system,” said Assistant Attorney General A Tysen Duva.

He used the girls’ mother’s life-threatening illness as an opportunity to demand sex, telling them he could not help them without receiving something in return, said the Office of Public Affairs.

Mara had provided the girls with phones so he could summon them while his wife was away at work, it added.

He was also convicted of sending sexually explicit messages to one of the girls and attempting to persuade a housekeeper to mislead investigators.

The case was investigated by the US authorities with assistance from Burkina Faso.

“Our message is clear, those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price,” said US attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland.

In statements issued after sentencing, US officials said the life term reflected the seriousness of the crimes and underscored the government’s commitment to prosecuting child sexual abuse, including offences committed abroad by American citizens.

Living in the US since 2009, she is among Iranian-American exiles who have opposed the Tehran regime from afar, and so she does not mourn the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s bombing.

“We all have very mixed feelings about what’s happening,” Fatemeh, based in Philadelphia, told the BBC. “On the one hand, we are extremely happy that our killers… they no longer breathe.

“The fact that [Khamenei] was killed in less than a moment, after 38 years of corruption and crime, it kind of feels that we didn’t have any control over the justice we had been fighting for.”

She is not the only member of the Iranian diaspora in America with mixed feelings. Some expressed concerns about the death toll and how long the conflict might last.

But many rallied across the US to celebrate Khamenei’s death, in cities from Boston to Washington DC and Los Angeles.

On Sunday in LA – a city sometimes dubbed Tehrangeles as it is home to more than a third of the 400,000 Iranian immigrants in the US – police closed streets outside a federal building so demonstrators could celebrate.

The Iranian-American crowd waved flags while a plane circled in the sky above, trailing a banner that said, “THANK U TRUMP”.

Hoda Zeaighamnia danced in the streets with her three children – one of whom was just days old when the family fled Iran.

Her daughter, Donya Cheshmaghil, told the BBC: “I was born in Iran. My family was forced to flee because we’re not Muslim and they’re very oppressive against anyone that’s not Muslim.

“We’re hoping this leads to regime change. We’re very grateful for the US for finally intervening. The people in Iran have been asking for this. This is what the people in Iran want.”

Her sister, Mona Cheshmhehil, said: “I’m sorry that it just had to take so many lives being lost for this to happen, but right now all we can think about is we’re just so happy to have the chance to go back, see where we came from.

“We couldn’t have thought this would happen.”

However, a day earlier outside LA city hall, there was anger.

Actress Jane Fonda was among a few hundred who gathered to protest.

“You may wage this war in our name, but not with our consent,” Fonda, 88, a longstanding anti-war activist, shouted to the crowd.

In other US cities, demonstrators for and against the military action made their voices heard.

“We don’t call it a war,” Sherry Yadegari, of Atlanta, Georgia, told AFP news agency. “We call it the Iran Rescue Operation.”

But at a protest in New York, Layan Fuleihan, an activist, told AFP: “Bombing people does not help them free themselves.

“If Trump cared about democracy or if he cared about the well-being of Iranian people, he would have lifted the brutal sanctions on the Iranian economy that have made it impossible for everyday working Iranians to find enough to put food on their table.”

Divisions were laid bare, too, among US Congress members with Iranian heritage.

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, an Oklahoma Republican whose father is half-Iranian, posted on X: “Now is the time for Iranians to stand up and take back their nation and bring lasting peace to the Middle East.”

But Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat whose parents fled the 1979 Iranian Revolution to come to the US, expressed some misgivings.

She said in a statement she wanted a free Iran, but did not want the US embroiled in “another endless war in the Middle East”.

Back on the streets, many Iranian-Americans were prepared to set aside questions about what comes next and enjoy the downfall of an ayatollah whose regime killed thousands of people this year to crush widespread protests.

“This is a great day,” Meraa Tcheshmaghio, told the BBC at LA’s protest on Sunday. “Our country has been wanting this for a while.

“It’s beautiful. It really is.”

In an official statement issued on March 2, 2026, the Embassy said the exercise forms part of preparedness measures in response to heightened tensions and unrest in the region.

According to the statement, the registration will enable the Embassy to effectively communicate with citizens, provide consular assistance, and coordinate possible evacuation arrangements if necessary.

All Ghanaians in Qatar — including students, workers, families and visitors — are required to participate in the exercise.

The Embassy assured that all information submitted will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for official emergency and consular purposes.

It added that further updates will be communicated through its official channels.

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In a separate incident, smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait City, and fire trucks and ambulances were in the area, a witness told Reuters.

There were no responses to requests for comment on the embassy incident from the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, or from the U.S. State Department.

Kuwait intercepted hostile drones earlier on Monday, the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Gulf states in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.

The Kuwait Defence Ministry statement, which was carried by the state news agency, said the crews from the crashed aircraft were evacuated and transferred to the hospital and were in stable condition. It added that the response was carried out in coordination with U.S. forces.

Iran’s state media cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as saying Iranian armed forces hit a U.S. plane that crashed in Kuwait.

Online video verified by Reuters as being taken in the Al Jahra area of Kuwait showed a military aircraft falling from the sky and a person parachuting in the same shot.

The Kuwaiti statement did not specify how many aircraft were involved.

Two workers were slightly injured by falling debris at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, Kuwait’s National Petroleum Company said on X.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait warned U.S. citizens that there was a continuing threat of missile and drone attacks in the country and urged citizens not to come to the embassy. It advised people to shelter in place, remain on the lowest floor of their residence away from windows and not go outside.

No injuries were reported after Kuwait air defences intercepted the majority of the drones near Rumaithiya and Salwa neighbourhoods, the state news agency cited the director-general of the civil defence as saying.

A series of loud blasts was heard on Monday morning in Dubai and the Qatari capital of Doha, according to Reuters witnesses. Loud bangs and sirens were heard earlier in Kuwait, according to Reuters witnesses.

Tehran said it would target U.S. bases in the region after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday.

It has also hit a range of civilian and commercial areas across Gulf cities, widening the conflict’s impact on key regional aviation and trade hubs.

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Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Mireku said instability in the Middle East could push people to seek safe havens in Africa.

“If it becomes a regional conflict, if Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries decide to respond and the area is no longer hospitable, there’s a possibility people might want to find safe havens elsewhere. And what’s wrong with them coming to Africa?” he asked.

He highlighted previous instances where displaced people have arrived in African countries, noting that even non-refugees from Lebanon have sought refuge in Ghana.

Dr Mireku also referenced a recent case where Palestinians reportedly landed in South Africa, emphasising that the continent could again serve as a sanctuary for those fleeing escalating violence.

The expert cautioned that while Africa could play a humanitarian role, there are questions about how prepared Ghana’s systems are to absorb large numbers of refugees, particularly if the conflict intensifies.

The comments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East following US-Israel military actions against Iran, which analysts say could destabilise the region and trigger broader displacement.

Ghana, like other countries in Africa, has previously hosted refugees and asylum seekers from conflict zones, highlighting the importance of robust migration and humanitarian policies.

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Iran has blamed the US and Israel. The US military’s Central Command (Centcom) said it was looking into reports of the incident, while Israel’s military said it was “not aware” of any IDF operations in the area.

The girls’ school was located in Minab, near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base which has previously been a target.

At least 201 people have been killed in air strikes in Iran and 747 hurt since Saturday, the Iranian Red Crescent said.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act” and “another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors”.

In a statement reported in US media, Centcom spokesman Tim Hawkins said: “We take these reports seriously.

“The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimise the risk of unintended harm.”

The six-day working week in Iran runs from Saturday to Thursday, with Friday being the only official day of rest, meaning the school was likely occupied when it was hit.

Following the incident on Saturday, Red Cross and Red Crescent officials in Geneva said the society had mobilised response teams to go to the school.

An official said that the school, in the town of Minab in Hormozgan province, had been “targeted by three missile attacks”.

It is located about 600m (1970ft) from the base of the IRGC.

The BBC has verified clips of the aftermath of the explosion, which show smoke rising from a building as crowds gather nearby and people can be heard screaming in panic.

But it has not been able to independently verify the death toll – international news organisations are often refused visas to Iran which severely limits their ability to gather information there.

Iranian social media users have reacted with anger to news of the incident.

An Iranian living abroad who opposes military intervention in Iran commented: “The first victims of this war are 40 girls in Minab, hit by a missile attack. Is this the war you cheer for?”

Deep mistrust of the Iranian regime, however, makes official reports difficult for many to accept, and some Iranians directly blamed the regime for the attack.

One user wrote: “Even if the regime did not directly target schools, the deaths of children in Minab remain the responsibility of the Islamic Republic.

“People have no shelters, the internet is cut, phone lines are down, and there has been no warning to keep children out of school. In these conditions, the minimum requirement should be to stay at home.”

The school tragedy took place as the US and Israel launched wave after wave of air strikes against targets in a number of Iranian cities throughout Saturday.

The attacks continued on Sunday, following the killing in an air strike of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, together with many of his senior commanders.

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Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe, March 1, the Director of Economic Regulation and Planning at the NPA, Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, acknowledged that Ghana, as a net importer of petroleum products, will inevitably feel the ripple effects of the global oil market disruptions.

However, he emphasized that the authority has robust measures in place to ensure consistent supply and shield consumers from immediate shortages.

“As of last Friday, we have diesel stocks to last us over five weeks. Roughly, it will last us up to 5.3 weeks. And then for petrol, we have almost 6.8 weeks to last,” Mr Tasunti disclosed during the interview.

He explained that these stock levels are not a reaction to the current crisis but part of the NPA’s regular mandate to ensure fuel availability at all times.

“So we have a plan where almost every day, discharge of petroleum products are being done. That’s for the imported products. And we also have the Sentuo oil refinery, which is consistently producing. It has been doing so since June 2025.

“And as we speak, they are producing on a daily basis and putting petroleum products on the market. The Atuabo gas processing plant is also producing and putting LPG on the market. So in terms of stocks, whilst we consume what is in-tank, we have a plan for import as well.”

The authority says it monitors stock levels continuously and plans imports accordingly to prevent any disruptions to the economy.

“Even without this war, we always ensure that we have a plan to make petroleum products available for consumers in the country. So this is not something that is being done because of the war, but it’s something we do on the regular. It’s one of NPA’s major mandates,” he stated.

Mr Tasunti further revealed that several vessels are currently waiting to discharge at the Tema anchorage, including two cargoes of diesel and two cargoes of petrol, with more imports already scheduled.

This, he said, ensures that even as the country consumes what is currently in storage, fresh supplies are constantly arriving to replenish stocks.

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Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found dead on Tuesday, days after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) dropped him off at a coffee shop miles from his home in Buffalo, where temperatures have been below freezing.

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan called Shah Alam’s death “deeply disturbing” and called for an investigation.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, said the man had accepted a courtesy ride to the shop and showed “no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance” when he was dropped off.

The department said that the coffee shop was closer to his home compared to being released “directly from the Border Patrol station” and it was determined to be “a warm, safe location”.

The Washington Post posted a video from outside the Tim Horton’s coffee shop where he is thought to have been dropped off. It is date-stamped 19 February appears to show Shah Alam walking by and not going inside. The Washington Post reported it was recorded after the restaurant had closed.

The shop closes at 19:00 local time, according to its posted hours. Weather reports from that night show the temperature was forecast around 36F (2.2C)

Shah Alam’s cause of death has not been made public and the Buffalo Police Department is investigating what happened to the 56-year-old.

He was found dead on 24 February, nearly 6mi (9.7km) from the coffee shop, according to Buffalo police.

A passerby called 911 to report seeing a man wearing khaki pants and a dark parka who did not appear to be moving or breathing, although he had been moving when she had walked by three hours earlier, police said.

Before his death, Shah Alam had been in local police custody for nearly a year on assault and weapons charges related to an incident in which two police officers were injured, according to police. He had been released on bail after reaching a plea deal, according to local media reports.

US immigration authorities had placed a detainer on him as part of that case, which is a request for someone who is a non-US citizen to be taken into their custody should they be released.

According to a timeline provided by the Buffalo Police Department, Shah Alam’s lawyer reported him missing on 22 February, saying he had been released to federal authorities on 19 February and had no identification. Shah Alam’s son told police he believed his father had been held by federal authorities starting 19 February.

Reuters reported that CBP released him from their custody after finding he entered the US as a refugee and could not be deported legally.

Shah Alam’s family has said they weren’t notified of when or where Shah Alam had been dropped off.

The BBC has contacted the CBP for comment.

In a news conference, Mayor Ryan said that Border Patrol, DHS and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “don’t know what they’re doing” and offered a blistering summary of what happened to the refugee, who reportedly entered the US in December 2024.

“The Border Patrol officers had no protocol of what to do with the disabled man who doesn’t speak English, who is confused and lost,” he said. “And you know what they did? They dropped him at a closed coffee shop.”

One of Shah Alam’s children, Mohamad Faisal, said in a text message to Reuters that their family was not notified about his release at the coffee shop.

“Nobody told me or my family or attorney where my dad was dropped off,” Faisal told Reuters.

He said his father’s arrest last year was due to a misunderstanding with police officers. His father, he said, had been out for a walk and was using a curtain rod as a walking stick. When Shah Alam got lost and walked onto the property of a Buffalo resident, they called the police.

Shah Alam, who doesn’t speak English, could not understand police commands to drop the curtain rod and he was arrested, Faisal said.

Video from body-worn cameras released by Buffalo police shows the man holding two black rods when officers appear, and repeatedly saying “sorry.” When he does not drop the rods after repeated requests to do so, the officer deploy tasers, and he walks forward swinging the rods until one officer wrestles him to the ground.

Shah Alam was excited to come back to his son’s house to “eat home-cooked food” and “be united with the rest of [his] family,” Faisal said.

The family are Arakan Rohingya refugees, he added.

Local officials are now asking for an investigation into Shah Alam’s death.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is “reviewing our legal options”.

“Nurul Amin Shah Alam fled genocide and came to this country in search of safety and opportunity,” she said in a statement. “Instead, his life was tragically cut short. No one who comes here seeking refuge should be left in harm’s way.”

The state media announcement of Ayatollah Khamenei’s death came after US President Donald Trump said he was dead and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Khamenei’s Tehran compound had been destroyed in “a powerful, surprise strike”.

Iran responded to the attack, which came two days after US-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme ended without a deal, by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

Shortly after 09:30 local time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, Iranian media reported explosions in the capital, Tehran. Pictures showed smoke over the city’s Jomhouri Square and Hassan Abad Square.

Explosions were also reportedly heard in several other cities across the country, including Karaj, near Tehran, Isfahan and Qom in the centre of the country, and Kermanshah in the west.

A spokesman for the Iranian Red Crescent told local media 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces had been hit in US and Israeli strikes.

Videos circulating on social media showed people running in panic near sites of explosions. The sound of screams and crying could be heard in the background.

Footage from Tehran verified by the BBC showed explosions within 1km (0.6 miles) of Leadership House, Khamenei’s compound. It was not immediately clear whether he was there at the time of the strikes.

Satellite imagery obtained by the BBC also showed signs of significant damage in the compound, including blackened buildings, debris and a column of smoke.

On Saturday evening, Netanyahu said in a televised address that “we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei in the heart of Tehran”. “There are many signs that the tyrant himself is no more,” he added.

Trump then wrote on Truth Social: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.”

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.”

It was confirmed statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council – read out by several state broadcast channels on Sunday morning local time – that Khamenei had been killed in his office.

The office of President Masoud Pezeshkian in the capital was also reportedly targeted in the first wave of strikes. Iranian state TV said President Masoud Pezeshkian was “safe” and he later put out a statement.

Despite a near-total internet blackout that monitors detected late on Saturday morning, several further waves of strikes and explosions were reported throughout the day.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation has said the country’s airspace is closed until further notice.

What have the US and Israel said?

On Saturday morning, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said his country had “launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats” and warned Israelis to prepare for retaliatory missile and drone attacks.

Just over an hour later, Trump confirmed US involvement in the strikes.

“We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated,” he said in a video posted on Truth Social.

“And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”

It came after weeks of threats from Trump that he would order military action if Iran did not agree a new deal over its nuclear programme.

Iran has said repeatedly its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

Trump also said members of Iran’s armed forces must lay down their weapons to get “complete immunity”, or “face certain death”.

And he urged Iranian people to prepare to overthrow the clerical establishment.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country and the US had “operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran”.

The US military’s Central Command later said the allies wanted to “dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritising locations that posed an imminent threat”. They reportedly included Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) command-and-control facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said about 200 fighter jets had taken part in an “extensive attack against the missile array and the defence systems” in western and central Iran.

The jets simultaneously dropped hundreds of munitions on about 500 targets, it added.

The IDF named seven senior Iranian defence officials who it said had been killed, including Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Defence Council and a trusted adviser to Khamenei, as well as IRGC commander Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Minister Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh.

An intelligence source and a military source told the BBC’s US partner CBS that around 40 Iranian officials were killed in the strikes.

How has Iran responded?

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel and the US of launching a war that was “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.

“Our powerful armed forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve,” he wrote on X.

The Iranian defence ministry also vowed to deliver a “crushing and regret-inducing” response to what it called the “savage attack” by Israel and the US.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency cited the IRGC as saying its forces had responded to the strikes by hitting multiple sites in Israel as well as five major US military facilities in the region – Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates, the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, and Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan.

The IRGC also said a US combat support vessel had come under “severe blows” from missiles, and that a US FP-132 radar system in Qatar had been “completely destroyed”.

The EU naval mission in the region, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, meanwhile said that the IRGC had sent radio messages to vessels warning that “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz” in the Gulf, through which about 20% of global oil and gas shipments pass.

Centcom said that its forces had “successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks”.

It added that no US casualties or combat-related injuries had been reported and that damage to US installations in the region was “minimal and has not impacted operations”.

In Israel, local media reported that Iran launched about 150 ballistic missiles towards Israel, mostly in small salvos, as well as dozens of attack drones.

Air defence systems intercepted a number of the missiles, while others struck open areas, they added.

US and Israeli strikes on Iran in maps

Inside Iran, panic as strikes hit but for some it’s a moment of relief

How many have died?

More than 200 people have been killed across Iran and more than 700 injured, according to the Red Crescent on Saturday.

The first-aid organisation said that 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces had been hit. At least 108 people have died in an explosion at a school in southern Iran, according to a local prosecutor.

One person died and at least 20 were wounded when an Iranian missile hit several buildings in central Tel Aviv, reports the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

In counterattacks, Iran also fired drones and missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar the UAE, all of which have a US military presence.

One person was killed in Abu Dhabi, UAE state media said.

Trump said “the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost”, although the US military said it had received no reports of combat casualties so far.

He warned bombing would continue throughout the week, so the death toll may rise.

How might Khamenei’s successor be chosen?

In Iran, the Supreme Leader is not elected by direct vote but by a body of 88 senior clerics known as the Assembly of Experts.

They are elected by direct vote every eight years.

Under the Iranian Constitution, these clerics must select the new Supreme Leader as soon as possible, but this may prove difficult for safety reasons while the country is under attack.

The council of the president, the head of judiciary and a cleric member of the powerful Guardian Council will assume the leader’s responsibilities in the interim, Iranian state media has reported.

Is it safe to travel to the region?

Major airlines have diverted or cancelled hundreds of flights to the Middle East, citing safety concerns in the region.

Of about 4,218 flights scheduled to land in the region on Saturday, 966 were cancelled, according to data by aviation analytics company Cirium.

It said that 716 flights out of 4,329 Sunday’s scheduled flights have already been cancelled.

Wizz Air has suspended flights until 7 March in Israel, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Amman in Jordan, and in Saudi Arabia until Tuesday.

British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday.

“If you are due to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv you can change your flight free of charge up to and including 6 March,” the company said.

“Customers travelling up to and including 4 March may also request a full refund.”

In a statement, Swiss International Air Lines said: “Swiss and the Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut [in Lebanon], Amman, Erbil [in Iraq], and Tehran until 7 March.”

Kuwait’s aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to state media.

Emirates has temporarily suspended its operations to and from Dubai. Lufthansa, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines have also announced cancellations.

Some countries in the region – including Iraq and Jordan – have also closed their airspace. The UAE said it has “partially and temporarily” closed its airspace as a precaution, state media reported.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among carriers to have grounded flights to the region, with all flights in and out of Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airport in Dubai suspended.

The disruption has had a knock-on effect on other long-haul travel as airspace remains closed or restricted. Heathrow has urged travellers to check with their airline before setting out.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks including on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UK Foreign Office has urged British nationals to shelter in place.

At Dubai International, four members of staff were injured in an incident on Saturday, according to the airport’s spokesman.

Emirates has suspended all its operations in and out of Dubai until 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday due to airspace closures across the region.

British Airways has cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday.

It said services between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv could be affected for several days.

Sarah Short was due to return from a holiday in Dubai to Heathrow.

“We got on the plane and were literally about to taxi when the pilot said: ‘We have some bad news – we’re not going anywhere’,” she told the BBC. “We then sat on the plane on the tarmac for over three hours.”

Airspaces over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and the UAE remain closed on Sunday morning, while there is a partial closure in Saudi Arabia. Jordanian and Lebanese airspace remains open but there is limited flight activity.

Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman up until and including next Saturday.

Virgin Atlantic said it was suspending services between Heathrow and Riyadh on Sunday after earlier cancelling flights from Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday and Sunday.

It has warned its flights to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives may take longer due to them being rerouted around the affected region.

Virgin is among airlines across Europe, Asia and the Middle East that have had to cancel or reroute flights to avoid the closed or restricted airspace.

Tracking shows flights between Europe and Asia travelling via Saudi Arabia or the Caucasus.

Emma Belcher and her husband Vic were on their way back to Heathrow from a holiday in the Maldives via Dubai when their connecting flight was cancelled.

“There is absolutely no information about when they might open airspace so we don’t know how long we’ll be here,” she said.

“We were really looking forward to getting home to see the children as we haven’t been away without them before.”

Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of flights in and out of the capital, Doha, due to the closure of Qatari airspace, saying operations would resume at 19:00 local time on Sunday (16:00 GMT).

John Henry, 71, from Northampton, who is on holiday in Qatar, was at a shopping centre when they received an air raid alert on Saturday.

“We heard a bit of a thud and felt a tremor, and we saw a number of people moving quickly out of the shopping centre,” he told the BBC.

Qatar’s defence ministry said it had intercepted Iranian missiles after explosions were heard in Doha.

The UK Foreign Office is warning “against all travel to Israel and Palestine”.

British people in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE have been told to immediately shelter in place, while those in Saudi Arabia have been told to “remain indoors in a secure location”.

UK nationals in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey and Oman have also been instructed to “remain vigilant” and take shelter if advised to do so.

The Foreign Office said British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE could register their presence to receive direct updates on the situation.

The UAE also said it had intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, while footage appears to show the moment a US facility in Bahrain was hit. Kuwait also said it had been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.

US President Donald Trump cited a failure to reach an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and regime change as among the reasons for launching the attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired a Cobra meeting on the strikes earlier on Saturday.

A government spokesperson said: “Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance.”

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Satellite images showed damage to Khamenei’s compound in Tehran earlier on Saturday following the raids, and the Israeli prime minister said there were growing signs he was “gone”. Iranian state media later confirmed his death.

Dozens of people were reportedly killed across the country. In response, Iran launched attacks throughout the Middle East, with strikes reported in a number of countries with US bases or allied to the US.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans.”

“He [Khamenei] was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.

“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” Trump added.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective,” he warned.

Initially, Iranian state media denied Khamenei was dead, with the Tasnim and Mehr news agencies saying he was “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.

But it was later confirmed in an address by a tearful presenter, who said the country would enter 40 days of mourning.

Iran’s foreign minister accused Israel and the US of launching a war that was “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.

The UN secretary general and a number of world leaders from Brazil to China have also condemned the attacks, while a joint statement by the leaders of the UK, France and Germany urged Iran to refrain from further strikes and give up its weapons programmes.

The UN Security Council met to discuss the strikes on Saturday evening.

They came after the US and Iran held three rounds of talks in attempts to reach a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, and further negotiations had been expected next week. Mediators suggested “substantial progress” had been made and a deal was “within reach”.

But Trump said on Friday he was not “thrilled” with the way the talks were going, later adding that what he saw as the lack of progress led him to give the go-ahead for the strikes.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attacks as a “pre-emptive strike” to “remove threats against the state of Israel”, although he did not explain why there was a need to take military action now.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says approximately 200 fighter jets completed “the largest ever military flyover in the history of the Israeli Air Force”, targeting approximately 500 objectives.

Explosions were reportedly heard initially in Tehran, nearby Karaj, Isfahan and Qom in the centre of the country, and Kermanshah in the west. Several more waves of strikes targeted further locations around the country.

Earlier, Israeli and US officials said they believed Khamenei and five to 10 top leaders had been killed in an attack on the supreme leader’s compound, but Iran denied that he was dead.

Satellite imagery obtained by the BBC showed signs of significant damage in the compound, including blackened buildings, debris and a column of smoke.

Iran’s Red Crescent said at least 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in the attacks. They did specify if those killed were civilian or military personnel.

A girls’ school in the southern Iranian town of Minab was hit killing 108 people, according to the county prosecutor.

The BBC has verified clips of the aftermath of the explosion at the school, which is around 600 metres from an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base.

In Tehran, videos circulating on social media showed people near the blast sites running in panic, with the sounds of screams and crying in the background. Streets were quieter than usual as people queued for petrol and attempted to leave the city.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on a number of countries in the region.

An explosion was reported at a luxury hotel in Dubai, while US naval bases in Bahrain and Qatar were reportedly targeted.

Attacks were also reported in Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan, while Israel itself reported that one person had died in a missile attack in the Tel Aviv area, one of several throughout the country.

Iranian news agency Tasnim said that the strategic Hormuz Strait – located in the south of Iran between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman – would be closed as a result of the attacks. About one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas pass through the strait.

The incident happened at 18:15 local time (22:15 GMT) on Friday as the plane was arriving at El Alto’s airport from the city of Santa Cruz, aviation officials said. It reportedly skidded off the runway and hit nearby vehicles.

The defence ministry later confirmed its C-130 Hercules was involved and that it had been transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia. There were eight people aboard the plane, the air force commander said.

Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds allegedly trying to take the scattered banknotes.

Firefighters had given an earlier death toll of at least 15.

Video footage showed the plane on the ground and badly damaged vehicles. In other videos, people could be seen running away from the tear gas and police officers, some holding shields, forming a line. Some in the crowds are seen throwing rocks.

“While news crews were covering the accident, individuals attempting to steal the transported money attacked the press with unusual violence,” the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia said in a statement.

It said a mobile TV unit was “directly targeted”, while other journalists “were attacked with stones, suffering serious injuries while carrying out their work”.

The government-run Bolivian News Agency reported that at least a dozen people were arrested for stealing banknotes.

“I want to make it clear to those who are trying to take money from the plane involved in this tragedy that this money has no legal value since it has not been issued by the Central Bank and does not have a serial number, and that attempting to use this money is a crime,” the Minister of Defence, Marcelo Salinas, said.

“We also ask all those who are engaging in acts of vandalism in this area to refrain from doing so and to respect the mourning and grief we are experiencing at this difficult time.”

Bolivia’s Air Force commander Sergio Lora confirmed there were eight crew members on board the plane “including cargo personnel and flight crew”.

Bolivia’s health ministry said 31 people were injured in the incident. It also issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.

El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the crash.

“My sister told me that she was in the car when the plane crashed. The plane’s tire fell on the car, and my sister was injured because the impact of the tire hit her on the head, so we rushed her to the hospital,” a man told the Reuters news agency.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, but some witnesses said the weather at the time was treacherous.

“A heavy hailstorm” was falling and “there was lightning” when the plane went down,” a woman whose car was struck by the aircraft wreckage told the AFP news agency.

An investigation into the incident is under way.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

It warned the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”

Russia has emerged as a key trade partner and supplier of weapons and technologies for Iran, which has faced bruising international sanctions. Though Russia’s Foreign Ministry was quick to condemn the U.S.-Israeli attacks, the Kremlin will likely carefully assess its response following a recent warming of ties between Moscow and Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow and Washington have discussed ways to revive their economic ties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said. Araghchi briefed Lavrov on Iran’s attempts to repel the attacks and said Iran would seek to convene an urgent U.N. Security Council session, it said.

Lavrov reiterated Russia’s condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli strikes and Moscow’s readiness to help broker peace.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin discussed the situation in Iran with Russia’s Security Council via videoconference, but did not give details.

In the Foreign Ministry statement, Moscow called the bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards “unacceptable” and said it stood ready to help broker a peaceful resolution, while placing full responsibility for the escalation on the United States and Israel.

“Responsibility for the negative consequences of this manmade crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiraling violence, lies entirely with them,” the statement said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also condemned what it called “the serial nature of destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. administration,” accusing the U.S. of attacking “the international legal pillars of the world order.”

Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran.

Iranian forces and Russian sailors conducted annual drills in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean last week aimed at “upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences,” Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a broad cooperation pact in January last year as their countries deepened their partnership in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

The West alleges that in 2022, Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Shahed drones after Putin sent troops into Ukraine, and the U.S. also believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles, but neither Moscow nor Tehran ever acknowledged the actions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for the strikes on Iran, calling it “an accomplice of Putin” for supplying Moscow with Shahed drones and the technology to produce them and other weapons during its four-year war against Ukraine.

Russia and Iran also pooled their efforts to shore up Bashar Assad’s government during Syria’s civil war, but failed to prevent his downfall after a lightning offensive by the opposition. Assad and his family fled to Russia.

Some observers in Moscow argue that the focus on the confrontation between Israel and Iran could distract global attention from the war in Ukraine and play into Russia’s hands by potentially weakening Western support for Kyiv.

US President Donald Trump has described ongoing “major combat operations” and called for Iranian government forces to lay down their arms.

Earlier, Israel’s defence minister said Israel had launched a “pre-emptive attack” against Iran, with explosions heard across the country.

In response, Iran has launched strikes targeting Israel and other sites in the Middle East – including in Bahrain, where the US has a major naval base.

It comes after weeks of threats from the US, and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Here’s what we know.

What is happening in Iran?

Shortly after 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT), Iranian media reported explosions in the capital. Pictures seen by the BBC show smoke over the city’s Jomhouri Square and Hassan Abad Square.

Explosions were also reportedly heard in multiple other cities across the country, including: Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.

Videos circulating on social media show people near blast sites running in panic. The sound of screams and crying can be heard in the background.

The extent of any casualties or injuries are unknown at this point, but a local official told state media that at least 53 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a girl’s primary school in Iran’s southern county Minab. The BBC has not been able to verify this.

Iran’s airspace has been closed since the attacks, Tasnim News Agency said.

Trump has described the operation as “massive and ongoing”.

Several verified videos show plumes of smoke rising across Tehran.

BBC Verify has located one video within a kilometre (0.6 miles) of Leadership House, the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is not clear from the video angle if it was a direct hit on the building.

The presidential office was also reportedly targeted.

Another verified photo from the same area shows thick, dark columns of smoke rising above residential buildings and small grocery shops. There are also reports of strikes elsewhere in the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called the joint strikes “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.

Earlier, he said Iran will use “all its defensive and military capabilities under legitimate right of self-defence” to protect itself.

In phone calls with counterparts from nearby countries, he also reminded them of what he called their “responsibility to prevent the misuse of their facilities and territories” by the US and Israel, a statement said.

What have the US and Israel said?

Trump posted a video on Truth Social confirming US involvement.

“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” he said.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said, adding that Washington’s aim is to “ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon”.

He also told the Iranian people to remain in shelter and not leave their homes.

“When we are finished, take over your government,” he said. “It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly called on all Iranian people “to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran”.

Thanking Trump, he reiterated his message that Iran “must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity”.

“Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”

He also advised Israeli citizens to follow guidance from authorities.

Earlier, Israel’s defence minister declared a “special and permanent state of emergency” across Israel.

How has Iran responded?

Israel’s military said it identified missiles launched towards Israel by Iran, saying it was working to “intercept and strike threats where necessary”.

Explosions were heard in the city of Haifa and elsewhere in Israel, but it was not currently clear if these were impacts or interceptions.

Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain’s state news agency reported the service centre of the US Navy 5th Fleet, in Bahrain, was “subjected to a missile attack”.

Qatar’s defence ministry said it “successfully countered a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory”, state media reported, after explosions were heard in the capital Doha.

The country is home to the largest US military facility in the region, Al Udeid Air Base.

Jordanian spokesman Mohammad Momani confirmed they had intercepted two missiles targeting its territory and successfully destroyed them

Kuwait’s air defence also successfully intercepted multiple ballistic missiles, the country’s defence ministry said. A spokesman said the Ali Al-Salem airbase – where the US air force has a presence – was targeted.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates condemned Iran’s attack on its territory, which they say killed one person after falling debris from their air defence intercepts. They added that several missiles were successfully intercepted.

Israelis have been warned against gatherings and going to school and work unless it is essential. The guidance is in effect until 20:00 on Monday (18:00 GMT), authorities have said.

Israel’s airspace is also closed to civilian flights, according to Israeli media.

Is it safe to travel to the region?

Major airlines have diverted or cancelled flights to the Middle East, citing safety, and have apologised to customers.

Wizz Air has suspended flights until 7 March in Israel, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and Amman in Jordan, and in Saudi Arabia until Tuesday.

British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday, while Saturday’s service to Amman is grounded.

Kuwait’s aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to state media.

Emirates has temporarily suspended its operations to and from Dubai. Lufthansa, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines have also announced cancellations.

Some countries in the region – including Iraq and Jordan – have also closed their airspace. The UAE said it has “partially and temporarily” closed its airspace as a precaution, state media reported.

Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office travel guidance for Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman, is now advising travellers to “remain vigilant, follow local authority advice and take shelter if advised”.

How the world has reacted

United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has called for “restraint and implore all parties to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the ‘negotiating table'”.

“I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran.

“As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price,” he said, before reminding those involved that protecting civilians is “paramount” under international law.

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the latest developments “perilous”.

“The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue,” she said in a statement on X, adding she has spoken to Israel’s and other regional foreign ministers.

“Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”

Following a government emergency Cobra committee meeting, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes on neighbouring countries, and urged them to refrain from “indiscriminate” attacks.

In a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he said they have consistently urged Iran to end its nuclear programme and to “cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people”.

“We did not participate in these strikes,” the three leaders said. “We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”

Earlier, a UK government spokesperson said their “immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region,” adding: “We stand ready to protect our interests.”

On Saturday morning, Germany said it had been informed of the attack in advance.

A UN Security Council meeting has been called at 21:00 GMT to discuss the developments.

Saudi Arabia has similarly condemned the retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait as it denounced what it called “blatant Iranian aggression”.

“The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi – who had been mediating this week’s US-Iran nuclear talks – said he was “dismayed”.

“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” he wrote on X, telling the US that the strikes don’t serve their interests or that of global peace. “I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”

Following a conference call with ministers and intelligence chiefs, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said it would be consulting allies and regional leaders to support efforts to ease tensions.

Australia’s premier Anthony Albanese said his country supported the US “acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security”.

Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, calling it a “reckless move”.

“It is also condemnable that the attacks are once again being carried out under the guise of a renewed negotiation process,” the foreign ministry said, referring to the US-Iran nuclear talks which took place on Friday.

The statement also called on the international community to assess what it called “irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security” in the region.

Epstein had pursued acquiring Bin Ennakhil since 2011, but disputes with the seller over the price and purchase arrangement dragged on for years.

The grand palace in the luxury Palmeraie neighbourhood of Marrakech has been described as an architectural masterpiece, built by 1,300 craftsmen and featuring ornate carvings and mosaics.

Epstein signed a $14.95m (£11m) wire transfer on 5 July 2019, the day before his arrest, following an agreement to buy the offshore company that owned the property for €18m (£13.3m).

According to the released documents, the transfer was Epstein’s last major financial transaction in the period before his arrest by US authorities on sex trafficking charges upon his return to New York.

Three days after the arrest, Epstein’s accountant Richard Kahn cancelled the wire transfer, and the purchase was ultimately never completed.

Morocco has no extradition treaty with the US and local media has speculated that one of Epstein’s motivations to purchase the property may have been to retreat to the country to avoid arrest if new charges were brought against him.

However, a former associate of Epstein, who preferred not to be named, said the transaction showed Epstein “had no clue” about his imminent arrest.

They added that “it would make sense if he was thinking of a potential sanctuary where he could still live like a king”.

The released files, however, contain no reference to Epstein discussing the country as a possible refuge from US authorities.

Epstein’s connections to Morocco go back to at least the early 2000s, with Virginia Giuffre, one of his most prominent accusers, recounting in her memoir of being flown to Tangier by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to inspect the interior design of a number of luxury properties.

At the time, Epstein wanted to redesign parts of his island home in a Moroccan style.

In 2002, Epstein attended the wedding of Moroccan King Mohammed with Maxwell, having been invited by former US President Bill Clinton.

Epstein’s connections
Epstein was convicted in the United States of soliciting underage sex in 2008, and following his release from house arrest in 2010 his interest in Morocco seems to have grown.

The released files appear to show that in the same year, Epstein asked former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson to find him an assistant who could “fin[d] a house in Marrakesh” for him.

The documents detail how Epstein made periodic visits to Morocco from 2012, staying in the exclusive Palmeraie district, home to a wealthy community of expatriates including Jabor al Thani of the Qatari royal family, a close associate whom he described as his “Arab brother”.

Being mentioned or pictured in the Epstein files is not, in itself, an indication of wrongdoing.

Bin Ennakhil and ‘Mr Kiss’
Epstein’s long-term girlfriend Karyna Shuliak began leading the search for a property in Marrakech, with numerous visits and negotiations documented in emails under her name.

Marc Leon, a partner of Kensington Luxury Properties, told the BBC that Epstein’s focus settled on their property Bin Ennakhil – Arabic for “between the palm trees” – as early as 2011.

At that time, Epstein thought the palace, owned by German waste magnate Gunter Kiss, was overvalued at €55m and his initial offer was so low that Kiss was offended and refused to deal with Epstein again, the source who was close to Epstein told the BBC.

Subsequently, Epstein used his girlfriend Shuliak and his network of contacts in Morocco to conduct further inspections of the property. In 2018, Epstein himself visited the property before Shuliak made final bids on the property while pretending to be acting on behalf of Leon Black, a billionaire investor friend of Epstein.

Ultimately, it became clear that Epstein was the real prospective buyer but the seller “Mr Kiss” – as he is known in the emails – agreed to continue the negotiations, according to the documents and the source close to Epstein.

The files show that, at one stage, Kensington Luxury Properties proposed to Epstein a “sale and tax strategy”, whereby the property would be registered with the Moroccan authorities as sold for €10m while a transaction of €20m would take place for the shares of an offshore company that owned the property.

The arrangement would have allowed Epstein to register his name on the title deeds of the property while reducing the tax he would pay to Moroccan authorities.

However, Kensington Luxury Properties denied to the BBC that there was an unethical or illegal attempt to minimise tax.

“This transaction did not violate any tax regulations,” Mr Leon told the BBC. “Mr Epstein wanted to pay registration fees in Morocco, even though he was under no obligation to do so… in order to own the property in his own name.”

The property company was at the time the local real estate representative of the renowned UK-based auction house Christie’s.

Ultimately, Epstein decided to purchase the property solely by paying for the shares of the offshore company and was in the process of determining how to register it in Morocco at the time of his 2019 arrest.

Israel Katz declared a state of emergency and described the attack as being done “to remove threats”, the Reuters news agency reports.

It comes as witnesses in Tehran say they heard an explosion, according to the Associated Press.

Iranian state television acknowledged the explosion without providing more details. 

Sirens also sounded across Israel, which the country’s military said was a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel”.

The Israel Defence Forces said that sirens sounded all throughout the country in the last few minutes, “with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces”. 

“This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel,” they add.

“The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces.”

After defence minister Israel Katz announced the country’s preemptive strike on Iran, the Israel Defence Forces announced ​a “prohibition ‌on educational ​activities, gatherings, and workplaces”. 

“Essential ​sectors” were ​exempted, ​the military ⁠said.

Guillaume Harushimana is suspected of instigating, jointly organising and logistically supporting the murders of Olga Raschietti, 83, Lucia Pulici, 75, and Bernadetta Boggian, 79, in two separate attacks on September 7-8, 2014.

Monica Moschioni, a lawyer appointed by a court to represent Harushimana, told Reuters she could not say whether he would plead guilty or not guilty, as she had not yet spoken to him. She was due to do so on Friday, she added.

KILLINGS ORDERED BY GENERAL, PROSECUTORS SAY

The killings were ordered by General Adolphe Nshimirimana, then head of the Burundi secret police, who was assassinated in 2015, the prosecutors said. Harushimana was one of the general’s close associates, they added.

According to investigators, the nuns may have been killed for refusing to provide medical aid to Burundian militias deployed in Congo, disputes over the funding of a youth centre in Kamenge, or as part of a sacrificial rite.

Burundi authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors said four people were suspected of carrying out the killings. Two had made radio confessions, and one, described as the general’s bodyguard, was questioned in Parma and had partially admitted the facts, they added. The fourth person has not been identified.

The presumed killers entered the nuns’ compound disguised in clerical robes and left wearing police uniforms, prosecutors said. In 2014, Reuters reported that two of the three victims were raped and decapitated.

Italian prosecutors said they reopened investigations into the murders in 2024, thanks to leads from a book by investigative journalist Giusy Baioni, leading them to testimonies from other nuns which had not been heard by Burundian authorities.

Harushimana’s name had already emerged in connection with the murders, Italian prosecutors said, adding that he had obtained a travel visa to Italy in 2018 to attend a training course in the northern city of Parma.

They said he was taken in for questioning at the time in Parma, but denied any involvement, saying he had been outside Burundi at the time of the murders, and providing passport stamps as evidence of his absence from the country.

The minister disclosed that he was granted entry into a highly fortified detention facility where the two Ghanaians are being held, following approval from Ukrainian authorities.

He expressed gratitude to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, for permitting what he described as an unusual request by an African foreign minister.

Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that the detainees are alive and in good condition, stating that their rights under international law have been respected.

He added that the access reflects strong bilateral relations between Ghana and Ukraine and has boosted confidence in ongoing negotiations aimed at securing their release.

According to the minister, the two prisoners, whose identities remain undisclosed for security reasons, have expressed a determination to use their experience to educate others about the dangers of trafficking networks.

The visit formed part of Mr. Ablakwa’s official trip to Kyiv, where he also held discussions with President Zelenskyy on bilateral cooperation and humanitarian issues concerning the detained Ghanaians.

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“I want to see the truth come out,” the ex-US secretary of state said after testifying behind closed doors for hours to a congressional committee investigating Epstein.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will testify on Friday.

The couple resisted the panel’s subpoena, dismissing it as politically motivated, before agreeing to testify as potential contempt-of-Congress proceedings loomed against them. The Clintons and Trump deny wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

After spending six hours on Thursday speaking to House Oversight Committee members, Clinton told reporters she was “disappointed” that the testimony was not made public, “so I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you”.

She also commended Chairman James Comer for raising a series of significant questions about the investigation and for hearing her out on the areas she thinks need to be explored.

“I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, so that was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition,” she said of Comer.

Clinton also said she criticised the Republican members of the committee for not asking any other person they deposed about Epstein or his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Bill Clinton has said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and that he cut off ties with him two decades ago.

He said their contact arose in connection with his charity work after he left the presidency, and he has voiced regret that he was ever associated with the financier, who died in a New York City jail in 2019.

Hillary Clinton released a copy of her opening statement on X ahead of Thursday’s hearing in Chappaqua, New York, near the Clinton home.

“I had no idea about their criminal activities,” Clinton said of Epstein and Maxwell.

The statement added: “I do not recall ever encountering Mr Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that.”

She also pressed the House committee in her statement to summon Trump for questioning directly under oath about his name repeatedly showing up in the Epstein files.

The Clintons’ names repeatedly crop up in the files. There is no suggestion that appearing in the millions of justice department documents relating to the late sex offender implies any wrongdoing.

Hillary Clinton’s testimony on Thursday was abruptly paused due to a photo leak from inside the closed-door session with US lawmakers. Democrats on the committee said the release of a photo – taken by Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert – was “completely against the rules”.

Boebert said she sent a photo of Clinton from inside the deposition room to a conservative influencer. She told the BBC that it was taken prior to the start of the deposition.

Clinton later said Boebert’s actions led her team to pause the hearing to ensure that lawmakers would not violate other rules.

During a mid-deposition update, Democrats on the committee strongly defended the former secretary of state to media gathered outside.

The lawmakers did not reveal what questions Clinton had been asked so far, instead suggesting that the proceedings had been a waste of time with nothing new learned.

Several media members shouted questions about the atmosphere inside the room, but the top Democrat on the committee, Congressman Robert Garcia, was reluctant to go into detail.

He said he wants the public to have access to the full, unedited transcript of Hillary Clinton’s testimony within 24 hours. He also demanded that Trump testify to the committee – “and that needs to happen right now”.

Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat from Arizona, called Thursday’s proceedings a very “unserious clown show” and accused Republicans of being more concerned with getting photos of Hillary Clinton than “actually getting to the truth and holding anyone accountable”.

In an interview with the BBC last week in Berlin, Germany, Hillary Clinton said of her forthcoming Epstein testimony: “We have nothing to hide.

“We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

She maintained that she never met Epstein, but did meet Maxwell “on a few occasions”. Maxwell attended the wedding of the couple’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton, in 2010 in New York.

The couple’s announcement in recent weeks that they would provide testimony marked a reversal of their defiant position and came as a potential contempt vote loomed in the House.

Some Democratic members of the committee voted in favour of initiating contempt proceedings.

The Clintons have previously accused Comer of “partisan politics” in his handling of the investigation. They described the legal summonses as “nothing more than a ploy to attempt to embarrass political rivals, as President Trump has directed”.

They insisted they had already provided all the “limited information” they had on Epstein in previously submitted sworn statements.

A spokesperson for Bill Clinton said they would testify and “look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone”.

For his part, Comer said the effort to secure a deposition from both of the Clintons was a bipartisan move to show that “no-one is above the law”.

Speaking after Hillary Clinton’s deposition on Thursday, Comer said it was a “shame” it took seven months to set up, but that Clinton answered most of their questions.

While many questions were asked, Comer said, some answers committee members were not satisfied with.

“I don’t think it’s any type of being unfair in any way to the Clintons,” Comer previously said. “They’ve never answered questions, unlike President Trump who gets questioned every day by just about every one of you about his knowledge or involvement with Epstein.”

Bill Clinton appears in text and photos that have been released in stages by the Department of Justice in its disclosure of material that was uncovered during federal investigations into Epstein’s crimes.

The files more broadly reveal the extent of Epstein’s connections with multiple high-profile individuals, including after he was convicted of sex crimes.

Such depositions normally occur behind closed doors, though the Clintons fought for their own testimony to be public so that selective portions of their evidence could not be leaked to the media.

Both Democratic and Republican members of the committee were expected to address reporters after Hillary Clinton’s deposition.

The highly anticipated appearance by Bill Clinton on Friday will be the first time a former US president has testified to a congressional panel since Gerald Ford did so in 1983.

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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Minister revealed that he was granted special access to the fortified camp where the two Ghanaians are being detained.

He expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, for approving his request.

“I can confirm that our citizens are alive and well. Their rights under international law have been commendably respected by Ukrainian authorities,” he stated.

Mr Ablakwa noted that the visit was described as unusual and the first of its kind by an African Foreign Minister, highlighting the significance of Ukraine’s approval as a diplomatic gesture.

He added that the access granted strengthens confidence in ongoing negotiations aimed at securing the release of the two Ghanaians.

The Minister further disclosed that the detainees — whose identities remain confidential for security reasons — expressed their determination to advocate against human trafficking upon their release.

“They have indicated their willingness to dedicate themselves to educating vulnerable Africans on the dangers and deceptive tactics used by trafficking syndicates to lure individuals into conflict zones,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa emphasized that the visit reflects the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and Ukraine and boosts hopes for a successful resolution of the matter.

Last night I was given a rare access to the highly fortified security camp where prisoners of war are being detained in Ukraine.

I thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha for granting my request to visit the two Ghanaian prisoners of war.

I can… pic.twitter.com/qFL4aiDyl8

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 26, 2026

The event, hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission, brought together diplomats, Members of Parliament, and cultural stakeholders to celebrate linguistic diversity and its central role in sustainable development.

Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner described the occasion as “a profound honour” and highlighted the intrinsic connection between language, identity, dignity, and development.

She paid tribute to Bangladesh’s historic leadership in championing linguistic rights, noting that it was through Bangladesh’s initiative that UNESCO proclaimed 21 February as International Mother Language Day in 1999—a decision later endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.

“This act transformed a national historical experience into a global commitment to linguistic rights and cultural preservation,” she said, commending Bangladesh for elevating the cause internationally.

Citing UNESCO estimates, she noted that approximately 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide, with nearly 40 per cent at risk of disappearing. “When a language vanishes, humanity loses irreplaceable cultural knowledge, oral traditions, and intellectual heritage that cannot be replicated,” she warned.

The High Commissioner further emphasized that research shows children who begin their education in their mother tongue achieve stronger literacy outcomes and improved cognitive development compared to those taught exclusively in a second language, linking mother-tongue-based multilingual education to Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.

Turning to Ghana’s experience, she highlighted that the country is home to over 80 indigenous languages, forming a vibrant mosaic of traditions and social systems. Languages such as Akan, Ewe, Ga, and Dagbani, she explained, are essential for community cohesion, local governance, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Ghana’s language-in-education policy promotes the use of Ghanaian languages in the early years of basic education, with a gradual transition to English. “These efforts ensure that access to quality education is equitable and inclusive, particularly for children in rural and linguistically diverse communities,” she stated.

She concluded by reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to advancing inclusive multilingual policies and strengthening international partnerships.

“Linguistic diversity is not a barrier to national unity; rather, it is a source of strength,” she said, pledging continued collaboration with Bangladesh and the wider international community to ensure that “no language, and no community, is left behind.”

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Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both pleaded not guilty on January 5 to drug trafficking charges that could land them in a U.S. prison for decades. They are jailed in New York awaiting trial.

In a letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing Maduro’s case, defence lawyer Barry Pollack said the Treasury Department on January 9 granted an exception to U.S. financial sanctions on Venezuela, allowing the South American country’s government to pay Maduro’s fees, but revoked that permission hours later without explanation.

Pollack said “Venezuelan law and custom” require the government to pay the expenses of the President and First Lady.

“The government of Venezuela has an obligation to pay Mr Maduro’s fees, Mr Maduro has a legitimate expectation that the government of Venezuela would do so, and Mr Maduro cannot otherwise afford counsel,” Pollack wrote in a letter dated February 20 but made public on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, which brought the case, declined to comment. The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. special forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a dramatic nighttime raid in Caracas on January 3, following months of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump‘s administration on the socialist leader to step down. Prosecutors say Maduro abused his power to help drug traffickers throughout his 13-year tenure.

Since Maduro’s capture, his former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been running Venezuela. Maduro said in his January 5 court appearance that he was still the country’s legitimate president.

Pollack said Flores could still receive government funds for her legal fees. Her lawyer, Mark Donnelly, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pollack is best known for representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified defence information.

Ivory Coast and neighbouring Ghana, which together produce some 50% of the world’s cocoa, are facing a growing crisis as unsold cocoa stocks from the main crop have piled up both inland and at the ports over the past months.

The unsold cocoa has accumulated because the country set farmer prices for the main crop last October, well above current world prices, leaving traders facing steep losses on purchases.

The stocks are weighing on world prices, which have plunged 50% this year alone, hitting a near three-year low earlier.

SOME MID-CROP SALES AGREED

Many international traders stopped buying Ivorian beans for the main crop a few months ago, although local trade and government sources said the country managed to sell 200,000 tons of its upcoming April to September mid-crop to international traders last week.

The mid-crop is typically processed locally and is generally cheaper because it is considered lower quality.

In a bid to get cash to farmers who had not been paid for their main crop beans, the Ivory Coast, in late January, pledged to buy 100,000 tons of unsold cocoa at a cost of about $500 million.

But the volume of the main crop it will need to buy is likely to be much larger, according to global cocoa trade executives and experts.

Ivorian traders – who buy cocoa from farmers and sell it to international traders – have defaulted on at least 100,000 tons of cocoa purchases from the main crop, two executives at global agricultural commodity trading houses said.

They asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Farmers will harvest another 100,000 tons of main crop beans by the end of March that have not yet been sold to global traders and will not be sold if the Ivory Coast doesn’t drop its prices, the two executives said.

IVORY COAST SAYS ESTIMATE OF UNSOLD STOCKS ‘ERRONEOUS’

Abidjan-based cocoa regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), responsible for overseeing the cocoa sector and setting farmer prices, told Reuters the market estimate for unsold stocks is “erroneous”, without giving further details.

Ivory Coast’s agriculture minister said on Monday the country will make an announcement on farmer prices for the upcoming mid-crop by the end of February, more than a month earlier than usual.

Ghana last week slashed its farmer price by almost a third after cocoa farmers said they had not been paid since November. Sources told Reuters last week that the Ivory Coast is considering cutting prices to align with Ghana’s.

The advisory follows a major security operation by Mexican forces on February 22, 2026, which reportedly led to the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

According to the Ministry, the operation has triggered coordinated retaliatory attacks by cartel elements across several Mexican states, raising safety concerns for foreign nationals, including Ghanaians.

The government has advised Ghanaian citizens in affected areas to limit movement, remain vigilant, and avoid non-essential travel until the situation stabilises.

The unrest has reportedly involved armed clashes, road blockades, and the burning of vehicles, resulting in casualties and major disruptions to daily life.

The advisory specifically highlighted Jalisco, Baja California, Colima, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Oaxaca as areas experiencing heightened tensions, warning that the violence could disrupt transportation, business activities, and access to public services.

The Ministry further urged Ghanaians to stay in close contact with the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., which is accredited to Mexico, for consular assistance and support in cases of emergency or travel difficulties.

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The government says electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will improve the immigration system.

However, it has created problems for dual nationals, who have been scrambling to get a UK passport to follow the new rules.

What is an ETA and who needs one?

An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK.

From 25 February, most people who have been able to travel to the UK visa-free until now will need an ETA.

The new rules apply to people from 85 different countries.

Once approved, your ETA will allow you to stay in the UK for up to six months. It will be valid for two years, or until your passport expires, and allows multiple journeys to the UK.

The visit can be for things like tourism, business or short-term study.

It can also be for people who cross the border and travel through the UK as part of a journey, although people transiting through UK airports and who don’t need to go through border security will not need an ETA.

Longer trips and visits for work or longer study will require a visa.

People who usually need a visa to travel to the UK will still need a visa to travel to the UK. They will not need to apply for an ETA as well.

British or Irish citizens will not need an ETA or a visa to visit the UK or to travel through it. There are a few other exceptions, such as those with settled status or children travelling from France on a school trip.

The scheme was launched in October 2023 but the government says it was “not strictly enforced to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement”.

However, in November, the government said ETAs would be mandatory from 25 February.

The government says ETAs will streamline the immigration system, speed it up and make it more secure.

How do I get an ETA and how much does it cost?

Getting an ETA costs £16, but the government has said it plans to increase the fee to £20 in the future.

To apply, the government recommends downloading the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

You will need to provide contact and passport details, a provide suitable photo, and answer a set of questions.

You must travel using the same passport you used when you applied for the ETA.

The government says most people will get an automatic answer in minutes when using the ETA app, but it recommends people apply at least three working days before travelling.

If a person’s ETA application is rejected, the government says they will be told the reason and can apply again.

However, if a person’s ETA application is refused, they cannot appeal and instead need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.

How will the rules be enforced?

When you check into your journey, you may not be able to board without a valid ETA.

Airlines, rail companies and shipping companies have been given tools by the UK government to verify travel permission through automated digital checks with the Home Office.

An ETA is digitally linked to your passport, so you don’t need a paper copy at the border. However, the government says you may want to keep a paper copy for your records anyway.

While an ETA gives you permission to visit the UK, it does not give you the right to enter. So you will still need to go through passport control.

You could still be turned away at the border even with a valid ETA if there are other issues at passport control.

What is the problem for dual nationals?

Dual nationals – those who are citizens of both the UK and other countries – cannot get an ETA.

To enter the country, they will need to show either a British passport or a new digital version of the certificate of entitlement to attach to their second nationality passport.

Without one of them, they could face being denied the right to travel back to the UK.

Neither British passports nor certificates of entitlement are automatically issued to people who obtain citizenship, which means some dual nationals have never applied for them, even if they have lived in the UK for decades.

Both documents take several weeks to obtain, and there are costs too. A British passport costs about £100 for an adult, while the certificate of entitlement costs £589.

Previously, dual nationals had been able to leave the UK and return using their non-British passport.

Several British dual nationals have told the BBC of their struggle to get a British passport to meet the new requirements.

Some have been outside the country since the rule change has been announced and say they haven’t had enough time to adjust to the changes.

A Home Office spokesperson previously told the BBC that “public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documents has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023 ”.

Which other countries use ETAs?

If ETA sounds familiar, it’s because Canada, the US, and other countries already use the system.

However, the costs vary.

A Canadian ETA costs just 7 Canadian dollars (£3.78) while the US equivalent will set you back $40.27 (£29.75).

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Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast, was among the towns where the CJGN blockaded roads and torched cars in retaliation for the killing by security forces of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”.

During the unrest, armed men rammed one of the prison gates with a car, paving the way for 23 prisoners to escape, an official said.

More than 70 people including 25 National Guard members were killed in the operation to capture El Mencho and the violence which followed.

Juan Pablo Hernández, security secretary for the state of Jalisco, said that his office was working with other states to capture the fugitives.

Officials have not yet released details of the identities of the prisoners who escaped.

Cartel members torched several vehicles across Puerto Vallarta on Sunday.

Tourists and locals were urged to seek shelter and not venture out and footage they recorded showed black plumes of smoke rising above the popular beach resort.

A number of airlines temporarily halted their flights and at least two major cruise liners said their ships would skip planned stops in Puerto Vallarta.

The Mexican government said on Monday that most of the road blocks erected by cartel members had been cleared.

But El Universal newspaper reports that in the state of Morelia, where drug lord El Mencho was born, armed men continued to spread fear on Monday, torching cars and vandalising shops and public buildings.

El Mencho was Mexico’s most wanted man. Under his leadership, the CJGN became a powerful transnational criminal organisation which spread from its stronghold in the state of Jalisco into many other Mexican states, where it engages in drug production and trafficking.

It often resorts to extreme violence and has been behind a number of high-profile attacks on the security forces and government officials.

The Trump administration had described El Mencho as a “top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland” and had offered a $15m (£11.1m) reward for information leading to his capture.

The drug lord was captured by Mexican security forces in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, on Sunday.

Mexico’s defence minister said they were able to locate him by following one of his “romantic partners”.

He died shortly after being captured due to injuries in the firefight which broke out between his security guards and Mexico’s special forces sent to arrest him.

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An evidence log provided to attorneys for Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell includes serial numbers for about 325 FBI witness interview records – but more than 90 of those records, over a quarter of the list, don’t appear to be present on the DOJ website, according to CNN’s review.

Among those missing records are three interviews related to a woman who told agents that Epstein had repeatedly abused her starting when she was approximately 13 years old, and who also accused Trump of sexually assaulting her.

A Democratic lawmaker on Tuesday pointed to the apparently missing documents to question the extent of DOJ’s release and whether the Trump administration followed the law mandating the agency publish its files related to Epstein, the wealthy financier who died in a federal jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

“We have a survivor that made serious allegations against the president,” Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, told CNN. “But there’s a series of documents, and it would appear to be possible interviews, that the FBI conducted with the survivor that are actually missing, that we don’t have access to.”

Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. In a statement, the White House called the allegations against Trump “false and sensationalist” and pointed to a previous DOJ statement that “some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump.”

Details about the missing documents related to the Trump accuser were previously reported by NPR and independent journalist Roger Sollenberger.

A DOJ spokesperson denied that any Epstein records had been deleted and stressed that the department was following the law.

“We have not deleted anything, and as we have always said, all documents responsive were produced,” the spokesperson said. Documents not included in the release were either “duplicates, privileged, (or) part of an ongoing federal investigation,” the spokesperson said. They did not answer follow-up questions about specific files.

It’s possible that some of the documents referred to in the Maxwell evidence logs could be present elsewhere in the files without the serial numbers listed on the logs, or with those serial numbers redacted.

Many documents have also been removed and added back to the DOJ’s Epstein files website over the weeks since the initial release. Last week, CNN’s analysis found that about a dozen additional interview reports were also missing, but those were available online as of Tuesday afternoon. One of the two evidence logs was also offline last week but is now accessible again. The DOJ spokesperson said that it was “temporarily removed for victim redactions.”

Several Epstein victims have said that they’ve scoured the DOJ’s website in recent weeks for files documenting their own interviews with the FBI – only to come up empty handed.

“All of us have been looking for our victim statements,” Jess Michaels, who was assaulted by Epstein when she was 22 years old, told CNN after the file release. Heavily redacted and missing interview reports suggest that “this Department of Justice is actually gaslighting the entire country,” Michaels argued.

Buried in the more than 3 million pages of files released by the DOJ is a set of documents that federal prosecutors provided to attorneys for Maxwell in advance of her 2021 sex trafficking trial.

Those records include hundreds of FBI memos known as “302” files that document interviews, as well as other materials related to dozens of witnesses, some of whom testified at the trial, according to two evidence logs included in the DOJ release.

Experts said they were concerned about the apparently missing 302s because they are key to understanding the FBI’s yearslong investigation into Epstein and Maxwell. Typically, 302s lay out what an interviewee told agents, but don’t include other corroborating information or agents’ opinions.

“It’s the most basic and important brick in the wall that becomes the investigation,” said Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director and a CNN contributor.

Details about most of the missing 302 documents, including the identity of the people interviewed, are largely redacted from the evidence logs.

But some of the missing interview records appear to be related to a witness who accused Trump of sexual assault.

The woman first called an FBI hotline and reported that she had been a victim of Epstein on July 10, 2019, several days after his arrest, according to case files.

FBI agents then interviewed her at her attorney’s office two weeks later, according to a 302 document that lays out what she said in the interview. The woman told agents that Epstein had repeatedly abused her at a home he was staying at in South Carolina after he responded to an ad for babysitting services. The abuse started when she was approximately 13 years old, the woman said.

At one point in the interview, when the woman showed agents a well-known photo of Trump and Epstein together that a friend had sent her, her attorney said she was “concerned about implicating additional individuals, and specifically any that were well known, due to fear of retaliation,” according to the document.

The Maxwell evidence log notes three additional 302 documents dated in August and October 2019 related to the same victim, as well as three other sets of “interview notes.” None of those appear to be present in the files released by the DOJ, although there are copies of several photos she provided to the FBI as well as records of correspondence with her attorney.

Garcia, the Democratic congressman, said that based on unredacted files he reviewed, the same woman “made serious allegations about the president.”

Some redacted files appear to give more details about the allegation. An FBI presentation prepared in 2025 listing “prominent names” related to Epstein includes the allegation from a redacted woman that Trump forced her to perform oral sex and struck her in the head after Epstein introduced them. The assault allegedly took place sometime between 1983 and 1985.

Another file noted that Trump’s accuser had a connection to South Carolina, and that the lead was sent to an FBI office to conduct an interview.

A lawsuit against the Epstein estate also includes a victim with biographical details that line up with the claims the woman made in the FBI interview. One of the plaintiffs in the case, identified as “Jane Doe 4,” describes Epstein abusing her in South Carolina after she offered babysitting services. The woman’s attorneys wrote that Epstein flew her to New York City three or four times and “brought Jane Doe 4 to intimate gatherings with other prominent, wealthy men” who sexually assaulted her.

One of those “prominent men” forced her to perform oral sex, slapped her in the face, and raped her, the lawsuit alleged. The section of the lawsuit about Jane Doe 4 does not name the man or others who allegedly abused her.

The woman was “deemed ineligible to receive compensation” by the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, a system set up to independently review claims by victims, according to a court record from May 2021. It’s not clear why she was deemed ineligible. She voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit in December 2021, and her lawyer told The Post and Courier newspaper last month that she received a financial settlement from the estate. Her lawyer declined to comment to CNN on Tuesday.

It’s unclear what became of the FBI’s investigation into the woman’s claims. An email sent between FBI agents last summer and included in the files notes that “one identified victim claimed abuse by Trump but ultimately refused to cooperate,” although it doesn’t specify if it’s the same person as Jane Doe 4.

At least one Epstein victim has complained to a court that the DOJ hasn’t complied with providing full transparency and accountability in its release of the files.

The victim, Haley Robson, wrote to a federal judge last month questioning why victim interview reports and other documents haven’t been published with victim names redacted.

“As survivors, this failure is not merely procedural—it is deeply personal,” Robson wrote in her letter to the court. “Continued noncompliance perpetuates the same secrecy that allowed these crimes to continue unchecked for years.”

Grace Bell, who is in her 30s and was born without a viable womb, says her little boy Hugo, who is now 10 weeks old, is “simply a miracle”.

Bell and her partner Steve Powell, from Kent, paid tribute to the “kindness and selflessness” of the donor and her family for their “incredible gift”, while also thanking medical teams in Oxford and London who supported their journey.

The surgeons involved said the birth was “a ground-breaking moment”, which could give hope to many more women with a similar diagnosis.

‘Incredible gift’

Hugo was born just before Christmas 2025, weighing nearly 7lbs, at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in west London.

Bell was born without a womb and doesn’t have periods but does have normal ovaries – a condition called MRKH syndrome, which affects one in every 5,000 women in the UK.

At the age of 16, she was told she wouldn’t be able to carry her own child.

To have a baby, the couple’s only option was to hope for a womb transplant or go down the route of surrogacy.

When she received a phone call saying a womb had been donated and a transplant was possible, Bell remembers being “in complete shock” and “really excited”.

But she was also acutely aware of the donor family’s “incredible gift”, which would enable her to carry and give birth to her own child.

“I think of my donor and her family every day and pray they find some peace in knowing their daughter gave me the biggest gift: the gift of life,” Bell said.

“A part of her will live on forever.”

Bell’s womb transplant operation lasted 10 hours and took place at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford in June 2024, before the couple received IVF treatment some months later – followed by embryo transfer – at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London.

When Hugo was born, Bell said: “It was simply a miracle.

“I remember waking up in the morning and seeing his little face, with his little dummy in, and it felt like I needed to wake up from a dream.

“It was just incredible.”

Bell’s successful womb transplant from a deceased donor is just one of 10 such transplants taking place as part of a UK clinical research trial. Three have already been carried out, but this is the first baby born.

In early 2025, baby Amy was born through the first living womb donation in the UK. Her mother received her older sister’s womb in a transplant operation in January 2023. Her sister had already had two children of her own.

Five other womb transplants from close living relatives in the UK are planned.

Hope for women born without a womb

Amy was born at the same London hospital as Hugo. The medical team behind both births has been building towards this moment for many years.

Consultant gynaecologist Prof Richard Smith, from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, started researching womb transplantation more than 25 years ago and was present at Hugo’s birth. He said “a huge team of people” had been involved in the process – from the transplant operation to the embryo transfer and the delivery itself.

Bell and Powell showed their gratitude to Smith, who also founded the charity Womb Transplant UK, by giving their son a middle name of Richard.

The couple may decide to have a second baby, after which surgeons will remove the transplanted womb. This is to save Bell from taking a lifetime of strong drugs to prevent the body’s immune system attacking the transplanted organ.

Transplant surgeon and joint team leader Isabel Quiroga said she was “delighted” by Hugo’s birth and called it a breakthrough for organ transplantation in the UK.

“Very few babies have been born in Europe as a result of their mothers receiving a womb from a deceased donor,” she said.

“Our trial is seeking to discover whether this procedure could become an approved and regular treatment for some of the increasing number of women of child-bearing age who do not have a viable womb.”

Smith said the birth showed that girls and young women who were told they didn’t have a womb could now have hope of carrying their own child.

A baby born following the transplantation of a womb from a deceased donor does not have any genetic links with the donor.

More than 100 womb transplant operations have been performed around the world and more than 70 healthy babies have been born as a result.

Donating a womb for transplant is not like donating other organs, such as the kidneys or heart – it is only allowed through a special request to potential donors’ families who have already agreed to donate their relative’s organs.

In the UK, unless you have decided to opt out of donating your organs, it is assumed you agree to be an organ donor when you die.

The parents of the donor, who wish to remain anonymous, said they felt “tremendous pride” at the legacy left by their daughter.

She donated five other organs which were transplanted into four people.

“Through organ donation, she has given other families the precious gift of time, hope, healing and now life,” her family said.

The Peruvian Air Force said the Mi-17 aircraft lost radio contact while operating in the Arequipa region, which has been hit by torrential rain and flash flooding.

Rescue teams found the wreckage in the Chala district on Monday, officials said. Seven children were among the 11 passengers and four crew members who died.

The helicopter had been deployed to support search and rescue efforts in the region as mudslides and overflowing rivers caused widespread damage.

Local media reported that some of the armed forces personnel on board had relatives accompanying them. One of the victims was three years old.

The Peruvian Air Force said: “Our deepest condolences to the family members, friends, and the entire FAP family for the irreparable loss of our crew and passengers.”

The aircraft had been travelling from the city of Pisco, in the Ica region, to Chala in Arequipa to carry out a support mission. It was found near Chala Viejo, a town close to the Pacific coast.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, officials said.

Torrential rain has caused intense flooding across Peru’s Arequipa region causing mudslides, flooded streets and homes and trees to collapse.

At least two people have died as a result of the storm’s impact, according to local media. An elderly women was carried away by floodwaters in the Cayma district, and a man died after being struck by lightning.

Arequipa’s regional governor, Rohel Sánchez, said local authorities had requested assistance from the national government because homes have been damaged and declared “uninhabitable”.

Dramatic footage from the region showed streams of mud and debris washing through residential streets and floodwater entering people’s homes.

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According to Dr. Pelpuo, Ghana has risen from the 10th richest country in Africa to the 8th within a year, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) now surpassing GH¢100 billion. He described the development as evidence of renewed economic direction and stability.

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Minister attributed the improvement to decisive leadership and prudent economic management during the first year of the Mahama administration.

“This government is a committed government. The President has shown that leadership can make a big difference. With this past year, Ghana can be different altogether. We were in 10th place among Africa’s richest countries. After one year of administration, good governance, and committed leadership, we rose to 8th position, with a GDP above GH¢100 billion,” he stated.

Dr. Pelpuo added that the government remains focused on consolidating these gains, noting that job creation and targeted labour policies will be central to sustaining growth and improving living standards across the country.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, died on Sunday as he was being taken to the capital Mexico City, after being seriously injured in clashes between his supporters and the army.

Four CJNG members were killed in the town of Tapalpa, the central-western Jalisco state. Three army personnel were also injured. The US had given Mexico information that assisted the operation.

CJNG retaliated by setting cars alight, building roadblocks and attacking security forces in eight states.

The US State Department issued a shelter-in-place warning for US citizens in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, as well as some areas in Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo later urged people to remain “calm”.

In a post on X, she wrote that “in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally”.

El Mencho, a 59-year-old former police officer, ran a vast criminal organisation responsible for trafficking huge quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.

The US State Department had offered a $15m (£11.1m) reward for information leading to El Mencho’s capture.

In a statement, the Mexican defence ministry said the operation was “planned and executed” by the country’s special forces.

Aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard were also deployed.

It also said that several armoured vehicles and weapons – including rocket launchers – were seized during the operation.

The US had been providing information to Mexico that assisted its operation, the statement said.

Eyewitnesses have filmed plumes of smoke rising over several cities including Guadalajara – one of the host cities of the forthcoming Fifa World Cup.

In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta, on the Jalisco coast, potentially thousands of tourists are trapped in the resort because of the unrest.

Throughout Sunday, there were reports of gunmen on the streets in Jalisco and elsewhere.

The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, on social media advised residents of the state to adhere to a code red warning and stay in their homes.

He also said that public transport was suspended in the state.

US carriers United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as Air Canada, have cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. A flight operated by Delta Airlines bound for Guadalajara from Atlanta was diverted to Austin, according to flight-tracking site Flight Aware.

Former US ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described El Mencho on social media as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

He added that El Mencho’s death was “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world”.

Who was El Mencho, Mexico’s most wanted man?

Mike Vigil, former Chief of International Operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, described the operation as “one of the most significant actions undertaken in the history of drug trafficking”. He was speaking to CBS, the BBC’s US news partner.

The killing of El Mencho represents a victory for the Mexican president in her fight against the country’s drug cartels.

It also could strengthen her relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to target the cartels on Mexican soil.

Last January, Trump told Fox News that after targeting drug trafficking boats “we are going to start now hitting land,” adding that “the cartels are running Mexico”.

President Sheinbaum later responded by saying a US troop deployment across the southern border was “not on the table”.

However, if the security forces can’t bring the situation under control quickly, the Mexican administration’s victory may be overshadowed by the cartel’s violent response.

The Jalisco cartel has gained notoriety for a series of attacks on security forces and public officials.

It has downed an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, killed dozens of state officials, and has even been known to hang the bodies of its victims from bridges to intimidate its rivals.

CJNG cartel – Mexico’s major drug trafficking player

The CJNG cartel – which had its original power base in Jalisco in 2010 – is now present across Mexico.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers it to be rivalling the powerful Sinaloa cartel, which has a presence in all 50 US states.

CJNG is also a key supplier of drugs to the US, earning billions from fentanyl production.

Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzev offered his “deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims”. He earlier said one Chinese tourist had managed to escape.

The depth at the site of Friday’s accident was 18m (59ft), and the divers had to use underwater cameras to search for the bodies.

Baikal – the world’s deepest lake with a maximum depth of 1,642m (5,387ft) – is a popular tourist destination. It often freezes during harsh winters and has seen a number of deadly accidents over the years.

The bus fell into three-metre-wide ice fissure on Friday, Kobzev said in a post on Telegram.

“I would like to remind you once again that going out onto Lake Baikal’s ice is not just prohibited right now. It’s mortally dangerous,” the governor said, urging tourists to use only official tour operators.

He added that all the Chinese tourists – including a 14-year-old child – had travelled independently.

A criminal investigation into the cause of the tragedy is now under way.

Shortly afterwards Kobzev took to social media again, saying that “sadly, even this tragedy hasn’t taught people a lesson”, informing that six people trapped in their cars had been rescued in two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday.

In late January, a Chinese tourist died after a car he was travelling overturned on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal.

The high court’s decision, which included the “fentanyl” tariffs Trump imposed on Canada, China and Mexico, reinforced Canada’s position that the levies were “unjustified”, US-Canada Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on X.

But LeBlanc noted the challenges ahead in Ottawa. There is the “critical work” to do in dealing with impacts from levies on steel, aluminium and automobiles, which Trump said will remain.

There is also the upcoming review of the Canada-US-Mexico trade deal, the USMCA, which covers a market of more than 500 million people.

The actual impact of the Supreme Court decision on Canadian tariffs is limited.

Last year, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, with Canada facing 25%, later raised to 35%, with the president arguing both countries must do more to stop migrants and the illegal drug fentanyl reaching the US.

But the vast majority of trade, some 85%, under these “fentanyl” tariffs were already levy-free under a USMCA exemption.

LeBlanc’s office declined to comment on Trump’s proclamation imposing a 10% global tariff to replace the duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which the Supreme Court struck down.

The White House clarified the USMCA exemption will continue under the new 10% tariff, which will take effect on Tuesday.

Beyond the remaining US tariffs on sectors like steel and automobiles, the biggest issue for Canada on its US trade agenda is the USMCA review. This summer, all three partners must decide whether to extend the deal, which was negotiated during Trump’s first term.

A North American free trade deal has been in place in some form since the early 1990s, and has led to deeply integrated economies.

In Mexico this week, LeBlanc told reporters that both countries “remain absolutely committed to a trilateral trade agreement”.

The Trump administration has been less enthusiastic about saying they want the USMCA renewed, and officials have suggested Washington would prefer separate bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico.

He also said he will meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in the coming weeks to discuss the review talks, which are expected to kick into high gear ahead of a 1 July deadline.

It would be the first sign of formal trade discussions between the US and Canada after talks were halted last October by Trump, who was upset over an anti-tariffs advert sponsored by Canada’s province of Ontario that aired on US networks – including during the World Series.

Greer, in an interview on Fox Business earlier this week, said it has been “more challenging” negotiating with Canada than with Mexico.

“They continue to have certain barriers. They refuse to sell US wine and spirits on their shelves.,” he said. “There are a variety of issues that they have not addressed and they aren’t addressing, and this makes it a big challenge and an obstacle for starting real negotiations with them.”

Greer has previously named rules on dairy imports and a Canadian law called the Online Streaming Act, which requires American media companies like Netflix and Spotify to pay to support Canadian content, as other trade irritants.

As the rocky negotiations continue, Canada has sought to build trade ties outside the US, which currently buys about 75% of its exports, with a goal of doubling non-US exports by 2035.

Many Canadian business groups on Friday said that uncertainty remains.

Dennis Darby, CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, said businesses are ultimately looking for a successful renewal of the USCMA that “puts an end to recurring trade disruptions”.

“Predictable, rules-based trade is essential for manufacturers on both sides of the border,” he said.

Addressing a press conference at the Embassy in Accra today, Friday, February 20, 2026, Mr Olson said Customs and Border Protection officers would determine the length of stay granted to each visitor upon arrival in the United States.

He explained that although the standard period for a B visa, which supporters would need to apply for, is generally six months, the duration of stay is not automatic and remains at the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry.

“For a B visa, the standard generally is six months, but it’s not automatic. So, it is incumbent upon the amount of time that the CBP officer gives you. If they give you 90 days, you have 90 days. You have three months.

“If you’re given six months, you have six months which is a long time. I think we can all agree that six months is enough time to go watch the World Cup matches, spend some time with friends, go on a vacation if you wanted to do that, and still return,” he said.

The Charge d’Affaires stressed that Ghanaians must respect US immigration laws and regulations, including adhering strictly to the terms of their visas. He warned that overstaying is considered a breach of the law and could result in penalties such as deportation and future visa denials.

Mr Olson further clarified that while Ghana currently benefits from a five-year multiple-entry visa arrangement, consular officers retain the authority to limit the validity of a visa where necessary.

“The consular officer can limit the validity of a visa. It is in their power to do that. There is no automatic five-year multiple entry. Generally, that’s the standard, and we generally apply that for most travelers.

“You’ll have the opportunity to go again, if you wish. But, limiting the length of time is a normal thing for any country that’s watching its immigration, obviously, and controlling the visitor flow,” he said.

He disclosed that the US Embassy has opened tens of thousands of new visa appointment slots in an effort to reduce waiting times and encouraged prospective applicants to apply early or reschedule for earlier interview dates where possible.

The caution comes amid heightened interest from Ghanaian supporters seeking to travel to the United States for the global football tournament, with embassy officials reiterating that compliance with immigration rules is essential to maintaining travel privileges.

The court’s Friday ruling was “deeply disappointing”. The justices who joined the majority opinion should be “absolutely ashamed” and lacked the courage to “do the right thing”, Trump said, turning his response into a sweeping attack against a co-equal branch of government.

The broadside was remarkable even for a president known for blowing past political norms and publicly berating those who challenge his authority.

“I’m ashamed of certain members of the court. Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump said at the start of a press conference at the White House, which was held a few hours after the decision was released.

Trump did not mince words from there as he assessed the decision, which held that presidents do not have inherent authority to impose sweeping tariffs on any country.

For the next 45 minutes, Trump criticised the ruling and made the case that he would find other methods to continue imposing tariffs on other countries. But throughout he repeatedly returned to the justices in ways that made clear he felt personally slighted by the decision.

The president did not discriminate against Republican and Democratic appointees, either.

The six justices who struck down Trump’s tariffs were equally divided among the court’s liberal and conservative wings. Three – Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson – were appointed by Democratic presidents. The other three were appointed by Republicans. Chief Justice John Roberts is a George W Bush pick who wrote the majority opinion, and Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett were appointed by Trump in his first term in office.

Trump went after them all.

“They’re just being fools and lapdogs for the Rhinos and the radical left Democrats,” Trump said, using shorthand for a term – Republicans in Name Only – that is deployed by some on the right to disparage other Republicans deemed not sufficiently loyal to the party.

The president also claimed that the court was influenced by “foreign interests” in its decision, though he did not provide any details or evidence for the assertion.

“It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests,” he said.

Trump declined to elaborate when a reporter pressed him to explain what he meant.

When asked if he regretted nominating Gorsuch and Coney Barrett, the president stopped short of saying that he had made a mistake. But Trump said their votes were an “embarrassment” and brought up their families, a highly unusual move.

“It’s an embarrassment to their families, to one another,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump heaped praise on the three members of the court, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, who voted to keep his tariffs authority intact.

He gave special attention to Kavanaugh, his other first-term appointee.

In a lengthy dissent, Kavanaugh said the government would be forced to refund billions in tariff revenue and said the process would be a “mess.” The president thanked Kavanaugh, as well as Thomas and Alito, “for their strength and wisdom and love of our country”.

Court watchers and trade experts said Trump’s reaction wasn’t surprising given how much he had invested in the outcome of the case.

“I think the court was well aware of the importance to the president of this decision,” said Alan Wm Wolff, a former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization.

Colin Grabow, a trade expert at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, said the decision represented “a victory for the rule of law”.

“It’s unfortunate that he attacked these justices,” Grabow said.

“The Supreme Court said [Trump] went too far,” he added. “President Trump took that as an affront. It’s not a surprise.”