World

A major fraud scandal involving approximately one million illegally registered cars has been uncovered in France, costing hundreds of millions of euros in lost taxes and fines, according to a report by the state auditor, the Cour des Comptes. The scheme, which involves fake dealerships manipulating records of the state vehicle licensing agency (SIV), is also endangering public safety by allowing unsafe cars and lorries onto the roads, while proving a boon for criminal activities ranging from petty delinquency to organized crime.

As the Israeli and American regimes continue their war on Iran, Israeli settlers are pushing deeper into Palestinian land in the West Bank, with at least five Palestinians killed in a series of recent attacks. Human rights groups and international observers have sounded the alarm over the latest surge in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property, as diplomatic and media attention has been diverted by the conflict with Iran.

Israeli military forces carried out a new wave of attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, sending enormous plumes of black smoke billowing over parts of the city. The strikes targeted central Beirut’s Bashoura neighbourhood as well as the southern suburbs. The Israeli military also issued a warning to evacuate a building in Zuqaq al-Blat, another area in the city centre, indicating increased pressure on civilians.

Reports of an active shooter have emerged at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, USA. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office (OSCO) and the FBI stated that multiple agencies were responding to reports of an active shooter at a synagogue in a Detroit suburb on Thursday. OSCO wrote online: "OSCO and multiple agencies on scene at Temple Israel West Bloomfield for reports of an active shooter. Emergency personnel clearing the building. Updates to follow."

Uzbekistan's private airline Centrum Air has evacuated 1,279 citizens of European countries who were stranded in Thailand and the Maldives due to the closure of airspace over Middle Eastern nations. The flights were operated with a stopover in Tashkent to transport passengers to Germany. According to the company's press service, four flights have been organized from Phuket, Bangkok, and the Maldives to Frankfurt am Main since March 6, with three more planned.

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in New York has reported that an Uzbek citizen, Nilufar Komilova, died as a result of a traffic accident in the United States. The tragedy occurred on March 10, and preliminary information indicates that a truck belonging to the New York City Department of Transportation was involved in the collision.

Former US President Donald Trump has claimed in a social media post that Iran's national football team participating in the FIFA World Cup is "not appropriate". His comment came after Iranian authorities ruled out their team's involvement in the tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, amid the ongoing US-Israeli assault against Iran.

A shooting occurred at Old Dominion University in Virginia, USA, on Thursday morning, leaving two people hospitalized in critical condition. The university administration reported that the gunfire began around 10:49 AM local time in Constant Hall, which houses the institution's business college.

Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 ($254,000) in the men's draft for The Hundred, countering earlier reports that Indian-owned teams might avoid signing cricketers from Pakistan. This move comes despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between the neighboring nations.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNBC that American military forces are currently unprepared to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, with all resources allegedly focused on destroying Iran's offensive capabilities. This admission highlights the challenges facing the US regime's strategy in the region.

The US military leadership on Wednesday confirmed the deployment of multiple artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, underscoring a deepening integration of advanced technology into modern warfare. Head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Brad Cooper stated in a video message: "Our war fighters are leveraging a variety of advanced AI tools. These systems help us sift through vast amounts of data in seconds so our leaders can cut through the noise and make smarter decisions faster than the enemy can react." This announcement is framed as part of the US regime's strategy to enhance battlefield capabilities through AI, though critics question the ethical and legal implications of such automation in conflict zones.

Despite repeated declarations of victory by United States President Donald Trump in the US-Israeli war on Iran, Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military assets in the region have continued, upending global financial and energy markets. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated in a post on X that Iran has studied the defeats of the US military and incorporated lessons accordingly.