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Category: International

  • Kemi Badenoch vows to restore church funding, defend Britain’s Christian heritage

    Kemi Badenoch vows to restore church funding, defend Britain’s Christian heritage

    INTERNATIONAL, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, has declared that Britain is a Christian country, pledging that her party will continue to honour the nation’s Christian heritage through concrete action rather than words alone.

    In her Easter message, Badenoch announced plans to restore funding for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which had recently been capped by the government. She emphasized that local churches must be properly maintained and repaired, underscoring their role not only as places of worship but also as vital centres of community life.

    “Churches matter,” she said, noting that in towns and villages across the United Kingdom, they stand as symbols of pride and history, often stretching back centuries. Badenoch warned that neglecting them risks losing irreplaceable heritage.

    She reiterated that the Conservative Party believes it has a responsibility to safeguard churches for future generations. “What are we for if not to conserve the very best of our country and our society for those yet to come?” she asked. Her statement concluded with a pledge: “Conservatives will protect our heritage and build a stronger country.”

  • JUST IN: Second F-15 pilot rescued from Iran’s mountains in Daring U.S. rescue

    JUST IN: Second F-15 pilot rescued from Iran’s mountains in Daring U.S. rescue

    INTERNATIONAL, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — In a breathtaking mission that unfolded deep inside hostile territory, U.S. special forces have rescued the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran. The officer, a weapons systems specialist, was wounded but managed to evade capture for more than 24 hours in the treacherous mountains before being pulled to safety.

    The downing of the jet set off a frantic race between American commandos and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both determined to find the missing officer. U.S. officials confirmed that both crew members were eventually rescued in separate operations inside Iran, marking one of the most audacious missions in recent memory.

    Saturday’s extraction was carried out by an elite commando unit under heavy air cover. Sources described a torrent of fire unleashed to secure the officer’s escape, with all U.S. forces now safely out of Iran.

    The drama began Friday when the pilot and weapons officer ejected and made contact via comms. The pilot was rescued within hours, though Iran managed to strike a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter during that mission, wounding crew members but failing to stop the aircraft. The second officer’s rescue required a day-long search across rugged terrain.

    Behind the scenes, the CIA orchestrated a deception campaign, spreading false intelligence inside Iran to mislead enemy forces while deploying advanced surveillance to pinpoint the officer’s location. Once identified, the Pentagon and White House coordinated the rescue, with President Trump ordering immediate action.

    Trump later hailed the mission on Truth Social as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.” He confirmed the officer, a colonel, sustained injuries but is expected to recover.

    A White House official said the president remained in the Oval Office throughout Saturday, receiving constant updates from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the mission unfolded.

  • Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    Netanyahu’s Easter message: Israel protects Christians amid persecution in Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and beyond

    MIDDLE EAST, April 5, 2026 (NPA) — The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his Easter Message on Sunday, extended warm felicitations to Christians in Israel, the United States, and across the globe, wishing them a blessed and joyful Easter celebration filled with peace and renewal.

    In his statement, Netanyahu highlighted that Christians continue to face persecution across much of the Middle East, citing Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, and beyond. He stressed that Israel remains the only nation in the region where the Christian community is actively protected, nurtured, and allowed to grow and prosper without fear.

    The statement reads in part: “In this land where the story began, as missiles are fired at our capital — referencing the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran amid the broader conflict involving the United States and the Persian Gulf nation — the holy city of Jerusalem stands resilient. As the US and Israel remain firm against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies, we continue to steadfastly safeguard the freedom of worship for all faiths, especially at this sacred time.”

    Netanyahu further prayed that the message of renewal, hope, and faith would shine brightly in the homes and hearts of the faithful. He emphasised that even under fire, his government’s commitment remains unwavering — defending life, safeguarding liberty, and ensuring that every believer, regardless of background, can pray in peace and security.

  • WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    WHO Chief condemns attacks on Sudan’s health facilities

    INTERNATIONAL, April 4, 2026 (NPA) — The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged warring parties in Sudan to immediately halt attacks on healthcare facilities, warning that the escalating violence is costing lives and crippling vital services.

    In a statement issued today, Ghebreyesus drew attention to a series of recent assaults on hospitals, health workers, and patients. He described the situation as a “new spate of tragic attacks on health across Sudan,” noting that incidents have included killings, assaults, looting, and damage from air strikes.

    He referenced the April 2 drone strike on Al-Jabalain Teaching Hospital in White Nile State, which killed 10 healthcare workers and injured 22 others. A day earlier, another strike on the central medical warehouse in Rabak injured three people, including a pharmacist, and left unexploded ordnance inside the facility.

    On the same day, the Family Hospital in Al-Daein, East Darfur, was looted, with patients and staff assaulted and expelled. The hospital is located just blocks from Al-Daein Teaching Hospital, which was recently destroyed in a strike that killed at least 70 people, including patients and health workers.

    Similar violence was reported on March 25 in Al-Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, where a hospital was looted, equipment destroyed, and staff and patients forced out. One health worker was critically injured.

    “The continued attacks on health care facilities, health workers and patients who depend on them are unacceptable. This worrying pattern reveals a level of disregard for human life that no responsible actor can tolerate,” Ghebreyesus warned.

    The WHO chief stressed that protecting healthcare is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law and called for accountability for those responsible.

  • Nigeria to implement MoUs signed with Türkiye — Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu assures

    Nigeria to implement MoUs signed with Türkiye — Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu assures

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, April 4, 2026 (Agency Report) — The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fully implement the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with the Republic of Türkiye earlier this year.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave the assurance in a statement issued on Friday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, following a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at her office in Abuja.

    She recalled that President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Ankara on January 27, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, further strengthened bilateral ties and produced several agreements across strategic sectors.

    “Bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye have blossomed over the years in all ramifications, and political relations remain cordial,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said. “The MoUs signed point to the importance of implementation, ensuring both nations derive tangible benefits for their people.”

    The agreements cover cooperation in education, collaboration between Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy and Türkiye’s Diplomacy Academy, the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), and protocols on military cooperation. Others include partnerships on Halal quality infrastructure, media and communications, and social services for women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.

  • Russia–Netherlands journalist accreditation dispute escalates

    Russia–Netherlands journalist accreditation dispute escalates

    INTERNATIONAL, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands has issued a statement addressing the recent revocation of accreditations for Russian and Dutch journalists in Moscow and The Hague, placing responsibility for the escalation squarely on Dutch authorities.

    According to the Embassy, in a statement today, the dispute began when the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) declined to renew the residence permit of Anastasiia Ivanova, a correspondent for the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. The IND reportedly cited her employer’s inclusion under EU sanctions and described her presence as a “threat to public order.”

    The Embassy claims that Ms. Ivanova, who had worked in the Netherlands since 2023, faced severe restrictions including frozen bank accounts and loss of housing, leaving her unable to continue her professional duties. Russian officials argue that this amounted to undue pressure on a journalist and violated principles of press freedom.

    In response, Moscow revoked the accreditation of Geert Groot Koerkamp, a correspondent for Dutch broadcaster NOS. The Embassy emphasized that this was a reciprocal measure, warning that Russia had repeatedly cautioned Dutch authorities against targeting journalists.

    “The initiative and the responsibility for this situation lies solely on the Dutch authorities,” the Embassy stated, adding that EU sanctions do not prevent RIA Novosti correspondents from working in other European countries.

    The press release further suggested that the Dutch journalistic community could help resolve the standoff by urging their government to reinstate Ivanova’s accreditation, which would in turn allow the NOS correspondent to resume work in Moscow.

  • Israeli PM says 70 per cent of Iran’s steel industry wiped out

    Israeli PM says 70 per cent of Iran’s steel industry wiped out

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that the Israeli Air Force has destroyed 70 per cent of Iran’s steel production capacity, calling it a “tremendous achievement” that deprives the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of critical funding sources and the ability to manufacture large quantities of weapons.

    In a televised address, Netanyahu emphasised that the operation was carried out in full coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military, underscoring the depth of strategic cooperation between the two allies. He vowed to continue pressing Iran militarily, declaring that Israel would “crush” its adversary until its capacity to wage war was eliminated. “The Iranian regime is weaker than ever — Israel is stronger than ever,” he said.

    Turning to ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are intensifying strikes against Hezbollah positions. He explained that the expansion of the security zone along the northern border is aimed at protecting Israeli communities from rocket fire and cross‑border attacks. “We are continuing to forcefully strike at Hezbollah. We are expanding the security zone and firmly establishing it to safeguard the North,” he noted.

    The Prime Minister also commended Israeli citizens for their resilience and discipline in following Home Front Command instructions, even during the Passover Seder night. He urged the public to remain steadfast as the conflict continues. “With God’s help, we will continue to fight and achieve all of our goals. Happy Passover,” Netanyahu concluded.

    Analysts say the destruction of Iran’s steel capacity represents a significant escalation in the conflict, potentially crippling Tehran’s industrial base and limiting its ability to sustain prolonged military operations. 

    The announcement also highlights the growing coordination between Israel and the United States, a partnership that has become central to the broader regional strategy against Iran and its allies.

  • U.S. pilot rescued after fighter jet downed in Iran, one missing

    U.S. pilot rescued after fighter jet downed in Iran, one missing

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — One of the two pilots aboard a U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran has been rescued by American forces, U.S. officials confirmed Friday, while an intensive search continues for the second crew member. The U.S. Army said it maintains a robust search‑and‑rescue capability in the region and is deploying all available resources to locate the missing pilot.

    Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for downing the jet over central Iran. Images and videos of wreckage quickly circulated on social media and were amplified by Iranian state outlets. Reports also suggested that at least one U.S. C‑130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were seen flying low over central and southwestern Iran, believed to be part of ongoing recovery efforts.

    The incident comes amid repeated assertions by President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and senior military commanders that U.S. forces had established air superiority in the conflict. They argued Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been largely neutralised. “Now, in our fifth week of the campaign, it is my operational assessment that we are making undeniable progress. We don’t see their navy sailing. We don’t see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defence systems have largely been destroyed,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Thursday.

    Iranian state television escalated rhetoric following the shootdown, with a local affiliate announcing a reward for anyone able to capture the surviving pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to authorities. The broadcast also carried a written message urging civilians to fire at any U.S. aircraft seen overhead, a move analysts warn could further inflame tensions and complicate rescue operations.

    The downing of the F‑15E marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising questions about the durability of U.S. air dominance and the potential for broader confrontation. With one pilot safely recovered and another still missing, the situation remains fluid.

  • BREAKING: U.S. F‑15E Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran as conflict escalates

    BREAKING: U.S. F‑15E Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran as conflict escalates

    MIDDLE EAST, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Reports from Reuters and the Wall Street Journal indicate that a U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been shot down over Iranian territory, with officials confirming that a search is underway for the crew. Iranian media outlets have circulated images claiming to show wreckage from the aircraft, including identifiable markings, which has heightened tensions in the already volatile Middle East conflict.  

    According to Iranian sources, the jet was downed by advanced air defence systems, while U.S. officials acknowledged the loss but withheld details about the crew’s status.

     Analysts note that this marks the first confirmed U.S. warplane lost to hostile fire since the escalation of the Iran conflict, a development that could trigger retaliatory measures and further complicate diplomatic relations. 

    The incident underscores the growing risks of direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with both sides now facing pressure to respond decisively. 

    More reports on the incident will be available as the situation develops. 

  • Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    Iran’s envoy criticises Argentina’s expulsion decision, says decision influenced by US, Israel

    INTERNATIONAL, NIGERIA, 3 April 2026 (NPA) — Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Argentina, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, has condemned Buenos Aires’ decision to expel him, warning that the move “does not benefit” his host country and “only makes things worse.”

    Speaking in an interview before departing Argentina for Tehran, the veteran diplomat criticised what he described as Argentina’s misguided political participation in the ongoing Iran War. “It is not a sovereign decision to join an illegal war against all international norms,” Tehrani said, accusing the Argentine government of aligning itself too closely with the United States and Israel in the Middle East conflict.

    He stressed that Iran does not object to Argentina maintaining relations with Washington or Tel Aviv, but strongly opposed the government’s declaration that Argentina is part of the aggression against Iran. “What we criticise is that the President says Argentina is part of the aggression, that he is willing to send logistical support and that ‘we are going to win the war.’ That is something very serious,” Soltani noted.

    The envoy argued that such rhetoric carries consequences even if Argentina lacks the capacity to send troops. “Just saying it has consequences. The President’s decisions may bring consequences,” he warned, adding that the stance undermines Argentina’s sovereignty and risks escalating tensions. 

    Tehrani concluded that the expulsion reflects a broader failure of diplomacy and could further isolate Argentina at a time when constructive engagement is most needed.